Confrontation and the truth.

Time seems to fly by when you're having fun.. Before I knew it, it was time to go home.

Mr. Nick ensured nobody left the restaurant under the influence and had a safe way home. He also offered to take me and Flora home. I agreed. We took Flora home first, she was about 50 minutes away from the party. The ride to her place had sobered me up a bit. No more regrets for me from here on out.

Mr. Nick. Why you are so kind to me?

Mr. Nick looked awkward and uncomfortable.

Do you have feelings for me Mr. Nick because if you do, I will hand in my resignation immediately. I hope you don’t feel that way because I don’t feel the same at al——

“Lina! Please stop! Thats disgusting!”

100% sobered up

Did you just call me, Lina? Yea.. Okay. That’s weird. Go ahead and have Dexter pull over and I’ll walk the rest of the way please. Thank yo—-

*Nick Sighs heavily*

“Olina, I didn’t want to have to tell you this way but what I am about to say is 100% the truth and I need to say it bluntly before you think awkward of me and distance yourself.”

Nick takes a deep breath.

“You are my little sister.”

*SILENCE*

Come again?….

I burst out in laughter.

Ahhhh! Okay, you slay me with your jokes Mr. Nick. I understand, I understand. I see you as a big brother I wish I had. The feeling is mutual.

“What do you mean you wish you had? Don’t you have an older brother, Mavis?”

*SHOCK*

Why.. How do you know that? How do you know it’s name?!

“Olina, I’ve said it already. I’ve triple checked the facts. You are my blood sister. We share the same parents”

*SILENCE*

How long have you known.

“Known for sure?”

Yes.

“Remember last year we did a charity blood drive and you donated?”

….Yes? What about it?

“I had our blood tested.”

I place my hand on my face and sigh.

Nick, can I call you Nick?

“Yes of course, I’ve always told you to. It’s weird isn’t it? But I’ve always felt we were the same since I first met you. Your drive is not like any other. May I call you Lina?”

No. I hate that nickname. Only people who don’t care to know me at all call me “Lina”. Olina is fine.. So Nick, first I want to let you know that I am grateful for the party you planned for me today. Definitely the best party I’ve ever had in my life. And I’m also not surprised or shocked that the family I came to grow up with are nothing but evil kidnappers.. I feel like that just makes so much more sense. But it’s too late for me.

“What do you mean it’s too late”

I’m 25 years old, I’ve gone through what I’ve gone through growing up and I worked my ass off to get to where I am today. It would be better to keep this hidden and forget that you ever found me. Don’t even tell your pare—- Our parents…. Are they still alive?..

“Yes, they are. And how could you say that? Since you were stolen, our mother couldn’t stand to be in the country. She hasn’t set foot back home because she hates herself for losing you—-“

Tears fill my eyes and stroll down my cheeks as I give out a small smile. I look up to Nick

So this is how it feels to be missed by someone. I see.

“Olina, what do you mean? Did something happen?”

Don’t worry about it, Nick. The past is the past, we can only continue to look forward.

There’s another 40 minutes before we reach my building.

Nick and I continue to have never ending conversations. We are laughing as if we have known each other our whole lives.. We are definitely connected, we have the same sense of humor. I’ll bet he would have been the best older brother I could have ever dreamed of. Nick let me know that if that is what I truly want. Then he will genuinely think about what I said about keeping it between us. I don’t want or need any more money, I am content with what I have built for myself but with how broken I feel personally.. I won’t be able to fill their expectations of me. They don’t deserve the broken me.

We finally arrive at my building. I thank Nick once again and let him know I may be in the office a little late tomorrow, he laughs and suggests I take the rest of the week off, I laugh back and say nope and we both just laugh and nod our heads in agreement that we are both happy workaholics who love our company and our jobs!

When I get to my door and hear the clicks from the auto locks behind me. A feel of relief and happiness let out of me, as if this was my moment. I take a quick shower and open my home laptop to prepare what is to come.

*Email confirmed: Schedule sent for 3 months out from today

*Agreement signed and pending*

*Agreement signed and pending*

*Agreement signed and pending*

*Email Sent*

11:42 pm

I stretch my fingers and arms and let out a relieved sigh.

I got what I needed to get done. Now I’m going to make me a coffee and finish the rest of this novel. No more being on time from this moment forward. I will live as long as I can, for me!.. I dive into my novel and I slowly start to feel the chains on my soul breaking. I am so proud of myself for how far I’ve come, I didn’t have the best childhood growing up but I never let it stop me from being who I am!

(At that moment, back at the restaurant)

*BZZZZZZ*BZZZZZZZ*BZZZZZZ*

“Hello?”

“Lina?! Whose phone is this? Why didn’t you answer my calls?! How dare you send me that text message, you think I’m gonna let yo—-“

“SIR? Sir. Do you know who the owner of this phone is? I believe this phone was left from a company party we had a few hours ago. Can you have them pick it up?”

“……What restaurant and which company was there?”