Feigned Marriage

chapter 3 🔞

Sky's POV

The heavily guarded gates at the Patheera's Mansion swing open as I drive toward it, my license plate registering automatically. I haven't been able to get myself out of the funk I'm in, and I'm hoping that phayu can distract me.

All I've been able to think about all week is P'pai. I keep thinking of the way he smiled at me when he gave me my new tablet, and the happiness I saw in his eyes when he saw how much I loved it. I hate that he keeps giving me hope without even realizing it. It's in every thoughtful move, every moment we share. My thoughts have been tormenting me lately, my mind conjuring images of him in my parents' house with James, the two of them reciting their vows, him kissing him in bed in the bedroom next to mine. My mind is intent on torturing me, and there's nothing I can do about it.

I came to phayu's house leaving p'pai in my family house with james, It was james birthday and being the gentleman P'pai is he bought me the tablet as my birthday is coming up which was i supposed to buy and somehow he knew about it maybe through phayu I don't know. I stayed until the gift opening but i couldn't stand there anymore minute. I just want to forget.

I can't even remember the last time I stayed at home when P'pai was there. I run a hand through my hair and sigh. No, that's a lie. I can vividly remember the sounds coming from James bedroom. Our rooms are right next to each other, and both of our beds are pressed against the same wall. I heard them together, all night.

It was years ago, yet I still can't get myself to stay at my parents' when I know P'pai will be staying over. I can't do it.
"Sky, sweetheart," Grandma Anne says when I walk in.

I smile when she holds her arms out and walk straight into her embrace.
"Grandma," I murmur, hugging her tightly.
She strokes my back soothingly, and I smile as I breathe in her distinct lavender scent. "Rough day, huh?"

"Rough week," I tell her.

"Come on. I'll have the staff bring out some chocolate cookies that I baked earlier today."

"Wow," I murmur. "It's true love. You love me, don't you, Grandma? I always knew that I was secretly your favorite."

She chuckles as she leads me to her sitting room in the main house. I'd been planning to walk straight through toward phayu's house, but I can't resist Grandma Anne's cookies. Grandma's home is at the centre of the compound, and it connects directly to each Patheera's sibling's house through elaborate hallways. Whenever I come here, I always stop by Grandma's instead of driving straight to phayu's.

Grandma sits down and pats her legs. A soft chuckle escapes my lips as I lie down on the sofa, my head on her lap. She massages my head for me, and my eyes fall closed.

"Your heart is aching," she says, her voice soft.
I tense, unsure what to say. I'm worried that she'll see straight through me.
Grandma Anne has this uncanny ability to read people, to uncover secrets. It's taken all of me to keep mine.

"Just tired, Grams. I think I've just been working too hard."

"You've been running too hard," she corrects me.
I fall silent, scared I'll betray myself if I speak. I inhale deeply as I focus on Grandma Anne's hands. She's always been able to soothe my worries with such ease. She's always provided me with the home and the love I lacked, never asking for anything in return.

Once again, I find myself wishing it was me who'd be marrying into this family. I love my brother, but I can't help the resentment I feel. It's not just our parents and P'pai's love that he has... soon it'll be all of the Patheeras. He'll be Phayu's brother-in-law. They might be used to me coming here, but I'll never belong here the way he does.