13

VALERIA

I didn’t realize how long I slept until I looked at my phone; it was 7 p.m. I sat up abruptly and looked around the sitting room. Everywhere was pitch dark. I was so glad that Nikki covered up for me because I genuinely didn’t have the strength to attend to anyone. I didn’t have the strength to say things like:

“Welcome to our hotel; we hope you have an amazing stay.”

Or, “Front Desk, how may I help you, please?”

Or pretend to smile when all I wanted to do was take my sister’s place in that hospital bed.

I had decided to take up my boss’ offer, and I was extremely scared. I was scared of everything that would come next.

How would I be able to explain it to everyone? How would I explain it to Nikki and Vanessa? What exactly would I say? “Oh, I married him for a year to pay my sister’s debts.”?

I could already imagine their faces, looking at me with utter confusion.

I sighed and buried my face in my palms. It was all too tiring. Mentally, I was drained. But Nessa only had me,