The next morning, I woke with a plan: make him a breakfast that wasn't an insult to food. But as I stepped out of my room, I heard noises from the kitchen. Ben-Oni opened his door at the same time, his brow furrowed in confusion. We looked at each other, wondering who it could be.
A delicate, familiar voice drifted toward us. "Benny, did I wake you?"
It was Elsa. A cold weight dropped into my stomach. Sadness, sharp and unwelcome, coiled around my heart. She walked to him and wrapped him in a hug. His hands rested on her waist.
"Let's go, I made you breakfast," she said, taking his hand. "How did you get in?" he asked, his voice still thick with sleep.
"You have the same guards, dear. They know me."
They sat at the table. I followed, a silent, heartbroken ghost. Ben-Oni looked up and caught my eye. He winked, mouthing the words, What happened? with a slight tilt of his head. I forced a smile and made a 'nothing' symbol with my hands before retreating to my room.
The delusion of the previous night came crashing down. I hated this feeling, hated being the other woman, even if I wasn't real. I hated that I was falling for a man who belonged to someone else. It's temporary, I told myself, brushing a tear from my cheek. It has to be.
A few minutes later, I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder. I opened my eyes to find Ben-Oni looking down at me. "Cass, how can you sleep like a human?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
My mind raced. I was stuck. "Uh... it's..."
"Oh," he interrupted, his eyes lighting up with understanding. "Is it that prayer thing you mentioned?"
"Yes! Yes," I said, latching onto the excuse. "It was a Reaper recharge event. Not regular sleep." I pushed myself up. "Is Elsa gone?"
"She left an hour ago. I'm heading to the hospital, so be ready."
"Can I stay home today?" I asked quickly. "I have... things to do."
"Of course. But nothing will happen to me, right?
I took the small silver necklace from around my neck and pressed it into his hand. "Nothing will happen to you. Think of me when you look at this. You'll be safe." I didn't know if I was a Reaper in a past life, but the lies came so easily now. The truth felt too dangerous. I was afraid that if he knew what I really was, he would disappear from my life.
I went to the kitchen and ate some of Elsa's leftover breakfast. It was delicious. Of course it was. She was pretty, brilliant, rich, and could do everything perfectly. The envy was a bitter taste in my mouth. Suddenly, I missed my family with an ache so intense it stole my breath. My mom's hugs, my grandma's comforting scent, my sister's smile. I had to see them.
I reached my old town, the familiar air rushing memories back to me. As I entered my mom's house, I found her sitting at the dining table, lost in thought.
"Alba?" she called out. "Has she sent anything? Not even one message to say where she is?" Her voice broke. "I'm so worried. What if something has happened to her?"
"Mom, she'll be fine," Alba's voice came from the other room. "You have to give her time. She'll text." "I miss her," Mom sobbed. "It's so hard. She wasn't just my daughter; she was my youth, my friend..."
I couldn't bear it. I was so busy with my own strange life, I hadn't realized my mother was suffering every single day. We never love our parents with the same fierce, unconditional devotion they give us.
Tears streaming down my face, I pulled out my phone and texted her.
Hey Mom. I know we haven't talked. You have no idea how much I miss you. I got a really great job offer, that's why I've been so busy. But I promise I'll see you next month. I'll update you every day from now on. Kiss Alba for me. I love you. Take care.
A moment later, her phone beeped. "Alba!" she cried out, her voice filled with relief. "She texted! You were right!" Just then, the front door opened. "What's all this noise? I brought you something you'll love," my grandma said, walking in with bags of groceries. "Oh, Mom, you came to visit! Cass texted me!" They all hugged, a tangle of limbs and happy tears.