Chapter 4 The Cover-Up

The music in the nightclub blared so loudly, but it didn't seem to affect Andrea, who was now sitting at the bar. She kept sipping her drink, her gaze distant, as if deeply lost in thought over the situation she was facing.

Who else could it be, if not the man who had taken over her mind? Every cell in her brain seemed to curse her for asking Sean to sleep with her that night - the same man who was now dating her own sister.

"Andrea!" a girl's voice suddenly called from the side. Andrea turned and saw her best friend, Suzy, approaching with a worried look on her face. "What's wrong? It's not like you to drink like this."

Andrea hiccupped once and squinted at Suzy. "I'm fine."

She was about to take another sip of her wine, but Suzy quickly snatched the glass from her. "You never drink like this!"

Andrea grabbed the wine glass back from Suzy. "You know, there's a philosophy in a glass of wine," she said, making Suzy gape in silence. "In vino veritas."

Suzy furrowed her brows. "What are you saying?"

"It means, in wine there is truth."

"You're drunk!" Suzy exclaimed. "I should take you home."

"No!" Andrea protested. "I don't have a home."

"What are you talking about? I'll take you to your parents' house."

"No!"

Andrea climbed down from the barstool and began to walk away. Suzy watched in worry as Andrea's steps staggered until, eventually, she collapsed onto the floor.

"Andrea!" Suzy cried and rushed over, but a handsome man suddenly appeared and hurriedly checked on Andrea.

"Is my friend okay?" Suzy asked the man. "I heard her head hit the floor."

The man checked Andrea's head and found a small bump on the left side.

"I'll take her home," he said.

"You know where she lives?"

"Don't worry, I'm close with her family."

Suzy sighed in relief. "Please, take care of her."

---

The morning sunlight streamed through the curtain slits and landed right on Andrea's eyelids. She groaned and turned over, pulling the blanket tighter around her body. As she opened her eyes slightly, she suddenly realized-this wasn't her room.

She sat up abruptly. Looking down, she found herself in an oversized white shirt. Her undergarments were missing. Her mind scrambled - she remembered seeing Suzy last night, so why wasn't she at her place?

"You're awake?"

Andrea quickly turned to the doorway and saw Sean, standing there in a dark grey satin robe.

"You?" Andrea said, eyes wide. "What are you doing here?"

Sean looked at her, confused, then chuckled. "What are you talking about? This is my apartment."

Andrea felt ridiculous. "I mean... why am I here?"

"You don't remember last night?" Sean asked back, which only made Andrea more anxious.

"You... you followed me, didn't you?" she accused.

Sean chuckled softly and walked over, sitting at the edge of the bed with a longing gaze. "How have you been since we last saw each other?"

"Don't change the subject," Andrea snapped. "What did you do to me last night?"

Sean paused. He didn't expect the girl he once made love to to be this feisty. But something about it intrigued him. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"What do you think?" he teased.

Andrea, flustered, tried to get out of bed, but the moment she realized how exposed she was under the white shirt, she quickly grabbed the blanket and wrapped it tightly around her.

"Why be shy?" Sean said casually. "I've already seen-"

"Where are my clothes?" Andrea cut him off, her face flushing bright red. "I want to go home now!"

"Your clothes are dirty. Don't you remember throwing up last night?" Sean replied.

Andrea fell silent, her face scrunched in frustration. She felt truly unlucky. Sean, however, just smiled at her grumpy expression. He stood and walked to his closet, looking for something suitable for her to wear.

Eventually, he found a thick, long black shirt and placed it on the bed. "Go take a shower. The towels are in the bathroom cabinet," he said. "I'll be waiting for you downstairs."

Sean went to the kitchen and began preparing breakfast for both of them. With skilled hands, he cooked spaghetti, his dimples showing every time he smiled to himself.

He set the plates on the dining table and sat down, waiting for Andrea to come down. His heart fluttered - he finally had a chance to be with her, even if just for breakfast.

Minutes passed. Nearly half an hour went by and Andrea still hadn't appeared. Impatient, Sean left his seat and ran up the stairs.

"Andrea!" he called, opening the door - but the room was empty.

He checked the bathroom. All that remained was a used towel and the white shirt she wore last night.

"Shit!"

Sean rushed downstairs - the front door was wide open.

"She really ditched me," he muttered in annoyance.

---

"Where have you been? Why are you coming home just now?!" Margaretha shouted as soon as she saw Andrea climbing the stairs.

Andrea froze. She turned and looked at her mother, eyes filled with guilt.

"I was at Suzy's," Andrea replied. "I spent the night there."

"Oh, really? You came home wearing a man's shirt?" Margaretha said, clearly not buying it.

Andrea sighed. "This is mine, Mom! It's just oversized, that's all..."

"Excuses!" Margaretha snapped. "Let me see your phone."

"What for, Mom?"

"Give it to me."

Reluctantly, Andrea fished out her phone and handed it over. Margaretha opened Suzy's contact and called her.

"Hello? Yes, Andrea?" Suzy's voice came through.

"Suzy, this is Aunt Margaretha."

"Oh, hi, Auntie!"

"Did Andrea spend the night at your place?"

Andrea bit her lower lip. There was silence for a few seconds. She feared Suzy would blow her cover.

"Yes, Auntie. Andrea stayed at my place last night - it was already very late."

Andrea exhaled in relief. Suzy came through.

"Thank you, Suzy," said Margaretha. "Sorry to bother you so early."

"Oh, it's no problem, Auntie."

Margaretha ended the call and returned the phone to Andrea. "You could've just told me you were staying at Suzy's."

"I fell asleep, Mom," Andrea replied nonchalantly.

"Well, good thing your father didn't ask for you last night."

"I'm going to my room now."

Andrea quickly turned and rushed up the stairs.