Sandy giggled loudly. "This better be one of your jokes, Ricky," she said.
Ricky had been threatening to show up at her doorstep after she had turned down his invitation for brunch this afternoon.
"It may be, or it may not," Ricky's deep baritone voice boomed through the speakers,of her phone."There is only so much a man can take, sweetheart."
"Please don't," Sandy pleaded, still smiling. "I have something urgent planned with my sister today. Why don't we reschedule brunch for some other time?"She swung her handbag over her shoulder and headed downstairs.
She wasn't really turning Ricky down on purpose. If anything, she was a bit disappointed. When he told her he was back in the country, she was really looking forward to seeing him.
She had even totally forgotten about Selene's issue with her boss and their planned shopping trip. That was until Selene texted her, saying she would be leaving work early so they could proceed with their shopping plans today.
Sandy couldn't have been more pleased. As much as she would have loved to spend time with Ricky,she always knows that there would be other opportunities. But a day out with Selene? That was rare. She had missed bonding with her sister, and she wasn't willing to give that up,not even for a handsome and funny guy like Ricky.
"So you're really turning me down again?" Ricky groaned. "Come on, sweetheart, meet me halfway here." His tone was now dripping with disappointment.
Sandy's stomach churned. She wanted to see him too. "Okay, since today is a no-go, how about next week? Any day of your choosing, and you get to pick the place."
"How am I sure that you won't bail on me again, like you're doing right now?" He said,his tone sounding skeptical.
"I promise. Trust me, okay?" Sandy said with a smile.
"Okay, sweetheart. Talk to you later,I've got to go babysit my friend," he said as the line went dead.
Sandy exhaled, as relief washed over her. Happy to have gotten Ricky off her back,for now. Today was all about her and Selene. A much-needed sister bonding time.
♦♦♦
"Where are you going, looking all smiley?" Mariam's voice crashed into her thoughts.
"Oh… uh… shopping. With my friend," Sandy said, wincing at how guilty she sounded.
"Oh! I love shopping! It's one of my favorite things to do,besides bedroom duties with your dad." Mariam winked playfully.
"Eww! You know I didn't need to hear that!" Sandy groaned, her face frowning irritably. The thought of her father and Mariam… doing it was just too repulsive to even think about.
Mariam laughed. "Okay, just wait here while I grab my handbag and your father's wallet." She stood up, looking excited.
"Oh… uh…" Sandy hesitated, making Mariam stop and turn to look at her with furrowed brows.
"Oh. You don't want me to go with you?" Mariam asked, her face now clouded falling into a deep frown.
Sandy felt a her heart clutch with guilt. Mariam had looked so happy when she mentioned shopping, deciding she didn't want to ruin that happiness.Maybe it was time Mariam and Selene met.
"No, no! That's not it," Sandy said quickly. "I was going to tell you to take Dad's platinum card instead. That's the best one for shopping." She winked.
Mariam's face instantly brightened. "Sure thing! I'll just be a minute."
Sandy nodded, watching her go.
♦♦♦
Now inside the car, as Sandy drove, her mind swirled with thoughts. They had taken one of her father's SUVs,the one specifically reserved for Mariam,and she was at the wheel.
How was she going to tell Mariam that she was actually going shopping with Selene?
Although Mariam hadn't been around when Selene left, she must have heard the stories. After all, the atmosphere at home always grew tense whenever Selene's name was mentioned,the black sheep of the family.
"You're going to have to say whatever it is going on in your mind," Mariam's sliced into Sandy's thoughts.
Turning her gaze from the road, Sandy glanced at Mariam,whose face was laced with concern. Exhaling heavily, she turned her attention back to the road. She was just going to tell her. And hope that Mariam agrees to keep it a secret from her father.
"You know how I said I was going shopping with my friend?" she began carefully.
"Yes, and you know I don't mind that."
"Well… that friend is Selene. My older sister." She exhaled deeply, sneaking a glance at Mariam.
Mariam's face twisted with confusion. "Wh… what? How?"
"She's been in the country for a while now," Sandy admitted. "She recently got an incredible job offer at a big company." She chose to leave out the details about Cyrus. If Selene found out she had told anyone about him, she'd be dead meat. That was, if she even survived the wrath Selene would unleash on her today.
Mariam was quiet for a moment, as though trying her best not to ask the obvious question, "Why didn't you tell your father? You know how much he misses her… even though he won't admit it." Her voice now a bit calmer.
Sandy sighed, steering the car onto the highway. "You see how he is? Selene is worse. It took me forever to get back in contact with her. And when I did, she made me swear not to tell Dad or try to reconnect them. She even threatened to cut me off if I did." Her voice wavered. "I can't risk that, Mariam. I need my sister."
Her eyes welled up as she remembered those long months of silence,wondering if Selene was okay,she had felt so lost and alone. It was during that time that she had fallen into Michael's arms.
"I understand, Sandy. I really do." Mariam reached out, resting a comforting hand on Sandy's lap. "And thank you for telling me. Thank you for bringing me along. I've always wanted to meet Selene, but I never knew how. I don't even know her."
Sandy gave her a small smile. "Well… she doesn't know I'm bringing you. She might probably bite my head off for this," she added with a chuckle. "But it's definitely worth it."
"I just really do hope she likes me." Mariam said,rubbing her palms together anxiously.
"She will love you as much as I love you." Sandy's voice was full of warmth. "But please you have to promise not to tell Daddy about this, okay?"
Mariam hesitated. "This is a huge secret to keep, Sandy."
Sandy turned to her, eyes filled with silent pleading.
Mariam sighed heavily. "But… it's also not my secret to tell. So don't worry,I won't say a word." She reached out and gently stroked Sandy's hair as they pulled into the parking lot. "Thank you for trusting me with this secret".
"You're welcome and thank you too, Mariam," Sandy murmured, just as her phone buzzed. She glanced down at the screen. It was a text from Selene.
"I'm at the clothing store. Where are you?"
Sandy swallowed the sudden lump that had just formed in her throat,as her fingers hovered over the keyboard. Typing her response.
"I just arrived. I'm coming in. I… brought a friend."
Her heart beating loudly as she sent the text.
Stepping out of the car,with Mariam beside her, her phone buzzed again. She glanced at the message, and her breath hitched.
"Sandy!!!! Which friend?!!!!"
Sandy swallowed hard,her throat suddenly now dry as her pulse quickened. Choosing to ignore the question,she gripped her phone tightly as they reached the entrance of the store.
With shaky hands she Pulled the door open,as she prayed silently.
Please selene, don't hate me for this.