Alice's Pain

'What a cousin or sister? How is that even possible?' Andrew was bewildered as he thought about it.

For the first time since Vicky began working for him, he failed to unearth such crucial information which astonished Andrew.

"Is Monica your sister?"

"No, no, no, no..." Alice gestured with a dismissive sway of her hand.

"No, she's not my sister; don't you grasp it? We bear distinct titles. She's my cousin, the daughter of my aunt, but adored by everyone in the family."

Sadness crept into Alice's voice; tears gathered in her eyes. She sniffed, took the final sip from her glass, and emphatically placed it on the table. Andrew perceived her pain in her words, yet the undisclosed truth remained a mystery that Vicky couldn't unveil.

"Do you feel jealous of her?"

"Hmmm, no..." Alice shook her head emphatically.

"In fact, it's the opposite. She's been envious of me all her life. She covets everything I possess." Alice wiped away tears, gently rubbing her rosy cheeks.

Andrew empathized with her