Chapter 23

Ashley

I felt a heavy weight around my waist around. My eyes were still closed as I tried to move my body away yet, my body was too exhausted to lift up. Slowly, I lift my eyelid open coming face to face with Neil's sleeping face few inches away from. A scream left my mouth instantly and I pushed him making him to land on the floor flat.

"What are you doing?" I yelled. His brows creased in confusion.

"Are you trying to take advantage of me?"

"What are-"

A chuckle resonate from his mouth.  "Are you suffering from amnesia?"

"Why do you say so?" I asked.

He squint his eyes in thinking. "I don't know my wife has another new side to her "  he said.

"Wife-" My eyes widened in realization. I've completely forgotten about our fake acting. Before I could open my mouth to speak, a knock sounded from the door followed by Mr. Micheal's voice.

"Um.. I'll be stepping out to the clinic and I was wondering if you'll follow along" came his voice.

Clinic

Kristine.

I instantly got out of the bed running for the bathroom."Yes sir. Give us some minutes to freshen up" I shouted.

"Okay I will be waiting in the living area" I heard the sound of his footsteps leaving. I stared at the door back to Neil who was still splattered on the floor. His eyes lingers down and I quickly cover my body with the towel.

"What are you looking at?" I passed him a dirty glare. I didn't wait for what he had to say more, I make a run for the bathroom.

By the time we got out, Mr. Micheal was already waiting as he said. "Sorry for keeping you waiting sir"

His face snapped toward me at the sound of my voice. "No it's okay. I made some pasta for breakfast. Eat before we leave" he announced.

"You shouldn't have done the hassle work. We're grateful" Neil Interjected.

"You're my guest and I can't let the couples starve" he said with a small smile. A laugh almost escaped me at the mention of the word couple. Only if he knew we're not couples.

"True" Was the only thing I could answer with. With his insistence we ate the breakfast before embarking on our way to the clinic. All through my mind was preoccupied with many thought.

Will Kristine blame me for what happened to her?

Will she hate me for all that has happened to her?

Will she be able to forgive me for all that has happened?

I was so occupied in my thought when I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, Kristine will be just fine" Neil whispered to my ear. His touch sending measurement down my spine. It was as if Mr.  Micheal heard us, he turned around and spared us a glance. Neil did the unexpected. Intertwined our hands. The shock I felt down my spine was dimmed visible.

But since we're only acting, then why not I play along. "Um.. Honey I'm tired already" I began resting my head on his shoulder as we continued walking. Mr. Micheal's gaze linger on our entwined hands for a while before he spoke up. "We'll be there in a minute"

As the man turned back to the road, I pulled away giving us enough space. Surprisingly, Neil didn't say anything. I wonder what's going on in that mind of his. We arrived at the clinic after walking for what felt like three minutes. Mr. Michael led us inside to the room where Kristine was getting treatment. The clinic is not that big. If I'm not mistaken then I would say it was a house turned to clinic.

I inhale a deep breath as I stepped inside the room. The first thing my eyes make out is Kristine's sleeping figure. Her left arm was wrapped with a white bandage. Her face has completely changed. Pale and rough. She looks different.

I waited for Mr. Michael to finish up his check up before he ushered me to step forward and then left the room. Slowly and steady, I made my way to her bed and took the rusty metal stool seated beside her bed. It was as if she felt my presence, her eyes slowly opens. "Hey" I whispered out huskily.

"Hey best friend"

"How are you feeling now? Do you feel any pain? Is your head hurting or any other place?" I boambard checking her body for any wound. She stopped my action by holding my wrist. "I'm fine Ashley. Stop hyperventilating" I let out a sigh of relief at her confession.

"I'm glad you're okay. I was very scared. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have left you alone" A light sob escaped my lips. No matter how much Neil assured me, I still believe it was my fault.

"No Kristine. It wasn't your fault. You didn't expect it to happen. And Neil tried his best to protect us" Her eyes traveled behind me where Neil was standing quietly listening to our conversation.

"Help me sit up" she ushered. Neil support her while I arranged the pillow on her back. "Thank you" she said.

"Can you tell me how I ended up here and also where you slept for the night" Neil and I glanced at each other at the same time. From where do we start explaining everything to her.

"Um.."

"We'll explain everything to you later. You just get better" Neil offered out a smile. I nodded in answer. "Yeah just focus on getting better" I repeated.

Just then the door was pushed open came in Mr. Michael. "Sorry for interrupting. How are you feeling now Miss?"

"Feeling better than before but I have a slight headache"

"Um.. Ava can you help me with the first aid kit"

Kristine's eyes snapped towards me. To answer her curiosity, Mr. Michael spoke up again. "Your brother in law told me about what happened. And I must say it's an infortunate event for you"

Kristine spared me another glance. I know what must be going through her mind. I really have to prepare myself and explain everything to her.  "It's indeed an unfortunate one but I'm glad nothing happened to the couples" Her tone was dripping with sarcasm.

Mr. Micheal doesn't seem to notice as he was focused on checking her vitals. "Okay, you'll be better if you take a good rest. I will arrange some medications for you. Lucas can get it for you"

"Thank you sir" Kristine ushered. Mr. Micheal and Neil left. Before he left, he spared me a glance.

The moment the door was shut, Kristine's loud voice revamped to my ear. "Spill" I wonder if she's if the injection got her strengths back.

"Spill what?" I played pretence looking everywhere else but her. I could see her glaring at me from the corner of my eyes. "You know what I mean Miss. Ava"

"Okay I'll tell you everything. Just don't misunderstand the situation"

She adjusted her sitting position, adjusting the pillow position they way she would be comfortable. "Speak up"

"So, we told Mr. Michael that we're married and that you're my sister. We were on our way back from Neil's parent's house when we we're attacked and here we are" I explained forming my lips in a thin line. I waited to see a reaction from her. However, she broke Into a fit of laughter.

She must be better now. She dosen't look sick. "Is that something to laugh about?" I asked.

Her laughter didn't died down as she covers her mouth with her palms. "You and Neil married? Seriously I find it funny"

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "Can't we be husband and wife? Besides that's what we are doing now"

"What a good lie. Imagine you're Ava and he's Lucas. A totally different name with different personality"

"Whatever. That's the only way out. Remember we're not yet out of danger. We had to hide our identity in other for them not to find us"

She stared at me for a millisecond and squated closer. "Becareful with your arm"

"I know. Now tell me, did you guys slept in the same room then?" I felt heat crept to my cheeks at the mention of it. Earlier event skimmed through my mind. "It's not like there's anything between us" I muttered out which I know reached Kristine's ear.

"You could say that but I know what is formulating In that heart of yours"

I was quick in defending myself. "It's nothing like that. In the eyes of Mr. Michael we're known as couples so we had to play along. Don't misunderstand me. I've long forgotten about the incident"

"I see" she said finding suspicion in my words.

"So whatever you see us doing with Neil, know that it's all part of the plan. Nothing more and nothing less"

"Uhm"

"Good"

"Uhm"

"Can you stop it already" I exclaimed reaching for her injured hand. "Just say uhm one more time" I challenged.

"Sorry I won't repeat it again but seriously, will you be able to pretend?" she asked again.

"Sure why not. We both know it's all an act so there's nothing to be afraid about" I'm not sure if my statements are true but at least it'll solve our problems.

**

I was already drifting into sleep when Neil also known as  Lucas came in with a nylon bag. Kristine was fast asleep. After our little bickering she laid back down and in a matter of five minutes she drifted off. And me with nothing to do to, I began drifting until Neil enters.

"You're back" I commenced squeezing the sleep out of my eyes. He grabbed the other seat from the other side of the room and squatted beside me. I shudder at our close proximity. Why do I always feel uneasy whenever his body is close to me or whenever he touches me.  Am I the only one experiencing it or he feels it too?

The next thing I felt is a hand circling around my waist area. "What are you doing?" My body almost shiver at the mere touch.

"There's a surveillance camera in the room. Stay calm" I don't know of I'll be able to stay calm in the position we are in. Neil is always the one making move and whenever he did so, it came unexpected to me. I tried to calm my racing heart by inhaling and exhaling quietly, yet, it only increase as Neil's hand went lower.

"Is it necessary for us to do this? I mean the skinship?" I muttered asked.

"To make them believe that we're not lying. Don't worry I'm a good actor" So that's what it is about. Acting.

I found myself rising to a standing position. Neil's confusing face followed my action. "I have to use the bathroom real quick" I declared.

Neil followed my action by rising from his seat. However, I nudge him back with my palms. "You don't have to do the hassle husband" I pronounce the husband word by word.

"Are you sure you'll be okay. You know I don't want you out of my sight even for a second" He played along the corner of his mouth twitching up. He surely knows how to play it. But if I were to play by my cards then things will be bad.

"I know. Same goes to me but I'll be fine. I will be back before you know it" I confessed winking at him. He didn't say anything more only nod his head.

Thankfully Neill decided to start acting if not I don't know what would've happened. Maybe we would be caught because as I opened the door, I was met with a giggling Mr. Michael. My heart raced at his presence. I hope he didn't hear anything.

"Oh you're here sir" I said intentionally.

A smile made it way to his lips. "Yeah I was just about to open the door when you beat me to it" he answered, his eyes going behind me. He must still have his doubt on us.

"Oh I see"

"Are you stepping out?" he asked again. Don't you have the eyes to see. I wanted to say but instead I forced out a smile again. "Yeah. I want to use the bathroom real quick"

His eyes grew wide for a nanosecond. "Oh Sure. It's located around the corner by your right"

"Thank you. So, excuse me" With that being said, I made a walk for the direction. Thankfully we didn't mess up.