A Twist Of Time

thirteen

It was hard for me not to talk to Margaux. She was like my closest friend that I've met in this era aside from Jane, making me an ugly mixture of hatred, loneliness, and guilt when we fought. It was that hard. After I dramatically stormed out of our room, I went straight to Sergio's and knocked. No answer.

And knocked again.

And again.

I sighed and lifted my hand again to hit the hard wood, but the door opened, revealing him with messy hair and a buttoned undershirt with long cotton pants underneath. He yawned and lifted his lazy eyes to look at me. "Hello, Miss. Is there anything I can do for you? And why are you up in midnight? The soldiers might—"

"I need somewhere to sleep," I blurted out.

"What for? I thought you were with Margaux."

Looking around for any signs of her, I pushed him aside and entered his room, my hand closing the door. He looked like he was really tired. Perhaps I shouldn't have done that; he's the vice president and he does a lot, and I disturbed his only source of energy.

"I have a long story to tell you in the morning, you should sleep first."

"No." He scratched his eye and stretched. "Tell me. I-I can stay-stay awake. Trust me."

"Yes. In that state, you can really stay awake. Get to bed, Ser." I took his arm and he fell on me. He was unbelievably really heavy for his really thin built. His feet were struggling to stay on the ground and with every step I took to help him back to his bed, he slowly fell. "There," I said as soon as he got on his bed and started getting comfortable. "I'll sleep on the floor. Goodnight."

He shot up. "You're not sleeping on the floor."

"I thought you were sleepy?" I asked, pulling up the wrist-long sleeves of my blouse.

"I'm not allowing you to sleep there. You're not for floors. You can take my bed."

I stared at him unbelievably. This was the second time he would sacrifice his sleep for me, and I felt like extra luggage to him. "No. I'll be here. You're the one who needs sleep. I—"

"It's either you let me sleep on the floor or you get in here with me."

My mouth hung open. Did he really think I was that trustworthy to let me sleep next to him, or was he that drowsy that he didn't know what he was saying? "Are you really awake, or are you half-asleep?"

"Fully awake. Pick, Miss."

"But–but I don't want you to sleep on the ground."

"Then sleep in here. That's the only solution to your problem. You're my guest, it's my intention to let you stay in my premises, which means you only get the best treatment."

I rolled my eyes. "Big words. Fine. I'll sleep with you. Don't hug me." I raised my long skirt to prevent me from stepping on it and possible making my face land on the hard floor. How did I even manage to survive days in outfits like that?

He raised his arms. "I won't."

I stepped up on his bed, my bare feet finding their way towards the part of the bed pressed against the wall. My body fell on the foam. "Thank you," I whispered.

"What for?" His face was pure curiosity, evident in the dark.

"For letting me sleep comfortably."

"It's alright. Besides, I always feel lonely here. You make my loneliness disappear."

"Deep," I said, burrying my face in a pillow.

After a few moments of dead air, he finally spoke. "What were you going to tell me earlier, when you entered my room?"

"I'm pretty sure you'll let me out of your room if I tell you. So, no. I'm comfortable."

"I will not do that unless what you're going to tell me is that you pledged your alliance to the Japanese. If ever you told me that, I would let you out of this room myself."

I laughed. "Why will I do that? I'm not that mean. But I can't tell you yet. I'll wait until the morning."

"No, you've already awaken me, therefore, as a payment for that, you need to tell me what it is."

"Or else what?"

"Or else," he smirked. "Or else I'll tickle you."

"You wouldn't."

He put a hand on my neck and moved his fingers, making me laugh instantly. I pulled his hand away. "Fine. You're not joking. I'll tell you. Don't kill me. Don't tell a firing squad to go after me."

"Promise."

"I was talking with Margaux and I did two horrible things. One, I accidentally—technically—let the truth about her being your daughter out and had a fight with her."

"You did what?"

"I'm sorry! I know I shouldn't've told her, but it accidentally came out of my mouth. It was supposed to stay as a secret and she got mad at me because I didn't want to explain what I said to her."

He groaned, then stayed quiet for a while. I was guessing that he just slept his frustration away when he suddenly said, "Tomorrow, the whole staff is going back to the palace. Wainwright has given up Corregidor and I expect the two of you to be good with each other again by tomorrow. I know healing takes time. But treating the problem early prevents it from getting worse."

"Yes," I answered.

"I'll be calling the both of you tomorrow to my office once we move back in. I'll be gone right after that for about a week more since I have important matters to attend to. I expect the two of you to be as close as you were."

"What if she asks for the truth?"

"Then politely tell her I told you not to tell. Simple."

"If she forces it?"

"Don't tell. Don't give the truth up because of pressure. Promise me you'll do that."

I chewed the inside of my cheeks. "I'll try my best to."