Little Lucy - S02 E07

Story 2 years ago

Little Lucy - S02 E07

Read Story: SEASON 2 EPISODE 7

” Hi, you must be my new stepsister.”

I didn’t say anything. I could only stare at her, my mouth hanged, my eyes wide from shock.

She cocked her head, puzzled at my shock expression. ” Umm…you okay?”

” What are you doing here?!” My voice was shrill and tiny.

She opened the door wider and came up a few inches close to me. My heart banged hard against my ribs until I thought it’d tear loosed.

” I live here,” she said, her voice bored and quiet. She leaned forward and picked up my suitcase.

Her perfume was different and so was her shampoo. This wasn’t Collette. It can’t be. I left Collette at the bus station. How in heavens name had she gotten to my house in such a short amount of time?

I studied this girl standing before me closely. Collette never wore her hair in dreadlocks. She never had a tattoo neither did she hint at being a die hard fan of the famous rapper, Juice Wurld.

” You coming in or not?” She asked, staring oddly at me.

” What’s going on there, Charlotte?” Came a familiar voice that belongs to coolval stories no one else but my mom.

Charlotte? Her name was Charlotte?

” It’s Lucy,” Charlotte announced. ” She’s home.”

” Baby,” mom’s voice rang out from inside and in a second, she was dashing out of the house at me.

I was immediately enveloped in a tight bone crushing hug that seized my breath. Mom was in some kitchen apron and that’s when I knew she must’ve been busy at the kitchen.

Mom could barely contain herself. ” Lucy! I missed you more than words!”

” Mooom!” I cried, unable to breathe. ” Can you ease it off a little. I can barely breathe.”

Mom released me, she was soo happy I got scared I’d get enveloped in another hug.

Charlotte was chewing a gum under her breath, scrolling through something on her phone as she rolled my suitcase into the luxurious sitting room.

Mom bustled me in, chattering with questions about my journey and all that stuff but I wasn’t listening to her. My eyes were on the girl falling on the soft chaise lounge chair in the middle of the room.

I grabbed mom’s arm and drew her closer. ” What’s she doing here?”

Mom followed my eyes to Charlotte and she smiled. ” Oh, that…that’s your step sister, Charlotte.”

” Charlotte or Collette?” I asked, my voice Soo low it thought we were conspirators.

” Wait, didn’t she tell you?” Mom asked.

” Who?”

” Collette,” mom answered. ” She said she was going to tell you before you leave for the holidays.”

It was then I realized Collette’s been hiding something from me and mom knew about it all along.

” Why is everyone soo secretive?” I raised my hands in the air, frustrated as fvck. ” What did Collette tell you? Isn’t that Collette sitting over there?”

Mom Clapped her hands. ” Well then, I guess I’ll have to do the introduction myself,” she stood in between me and Charlotte. ” Charlotte, I want you to meet my daughter, Lucy. I’ve already told you everything about her.”

Charlotte nodded, staring at me over her phone. ” That’s right. Nice meeting you, Lucy.”

Mom turned to me. ” And that is Charlotte, your step sister. I’ve always known how badly you wanted a big sister. Turns out Charlotte’s three years older than you, Lucy. She’s a first year student at UNILAG ( University of Lagos).”

” That doesn’t answer my question, mom!” I stumped my feet on the ground. ” Why is she like Collette?”

Mom scratched the back of her head. She was about answering when Charlotte spoke instead.

” She’s my twin sis.”

I turned sharply to face her. I had suddenly grown hot then cold. ” Twin sis?”

It all began to make a lot of sense. I recalled Collette telling me she had a big sister. After their parents got divorced, they split the kids and went separate ways.

Collette went with her mom while Charlotte went with her dad.

This was crazy! Totally crazy! If Collette was Charlotte twin sister and Mom was getting married to their divorced father, that’d make Collette, Charlotte and I–sisters!

I felt blood drain from my face as a rushing wave of realization brushed over me. If Collette and I are sisters…wait a minute, if Collette and I are sisters, that’d mean….

That means I’ve been having intimate affairs my own sister!

Mom sat down in one of the cushions. ” I’m sorry Lucy, I should’ve told you when I came visiting but Collette was against it. She told me it’d only get you distracted at school that’s why we waited till you returned back home for the holiday.”

If she weren’t my mother, I would’ve pounced on her. Does she have any idea the implication of what she’s just done? I still can’t believe I’m going to be the step daughter to Collette’s ex dad.

I darted my eyes back to Charlotte. She was very much identical to Collette. If it weren’t for her dreadlocks and the tattoo on her right hand, Charlotte was Collette a hundred percent.

Feeling weak on the knees, I flopped on a chair and stared at the two women before me.

Mom became worried. With the way I was looking, she could tell I might not recover from this unexpected shock.

” Why don’t Charlotte take you upstairs to your room,” Mom said. ” I’m pretty tied up in the kitchen. Go wash up, have a change of clothes and come down for dinner.”

I wasn’t interested in dinner but I got up all the same. Charlotte stood up as well, rolling my suitcase as we both headed up the stairs.

As we walked up, she looked over at me from the corner of her eyes. ” So you met with Collette, eh?”

” Yeah,” I nursed my throat cause it sounded croaked. ” We’re roommates.”

This got her interest but she didn’t show it too plainly. ” Haven’t seen her in ages. Such a small world don’t you think? Who would’ve thought you’d be sisters with your roommate.”

My mind dwelled on the crazy stuffs Collette and I had done back at school and I shivered.

” I don’t want to talk about it.”

Charlotte led me towards my room.

” That’s my room opposite yours,” she waved to her room which was directedly opposite mine. ” Whenever you need anything, knock before you open. I don’t like people barging into my room unnoticed.”

She wasn’t as hard or cold like Collette. She was a mixture of ice and fire.

I opened the door to my room and stepped in. She dropped my suitcase by my wardrobe and stood by the doorway, watching me closely.

I walked around my room, staring at the pink walls, the air conditioner, my own flat screen TV, a little fridge and a Jacuzzi bathroom for me.

I returned my eyes back to Charlotte. ” Isn’t this too much?”

Charlotte shrugged. ” Not when your father is the top executive manager of the city’s Bank.”

So that’s what my stepdad does for a living. Mom works at the city’s bank as well. She said her boss proposed to her which meant step dad must be rolling in dough.

” It’s good to have you here, Lucy,” she said. ” It gets bloody lonely in here. I don’t like staying in the house when it’s empty. Dad and mom are Soo busy with work and appointments they barely spend the night home. You don’t mind being left alone here for the night?”

I showed my surprise.

” I don’t think so. I’m a grown up girl, aren’t I?”

” How brave of you,” Charlotte said and laughed. ” I hate being here. It gets really terrifying at night when you’re all alone. You never know what could happen. Sometimes I think the place is haunted. There are the strangest of noises at night. Do you believe in ghosts?”

I wondered where all these talk was coming from. It seemed unlike Collette to talk this way. Then I remembered this was Charlotte, not Collette.

” Are you this way all the time?”

” Sometimes,” Charlotte said, playing with her dreads hanging over her eyes. ” I’m sensitive and nervous. Go take your bath and come down for dinner.”

And she left me. I heard her footfalls down the stairs and I hurriedly shut my door. I leaned back on my door and tried catching my breath.

I realized my hands were far from steady, my face was white from shock and my mouth was dried.

I still couldn’t believe it. I just can’t.

*

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Putting my hair in cute bunches, I sprayed a little perfume under my armpits and walked downstairs where dinner would served.

I wasn’t ready for this but since mom explained she was going to have a family dinner party to celebrate my welcome, I figured it’d do to be with my new family and battle it out.

Every step I took brought me out in sweats. Just heading downstairs, knowing I’d be seated opposite Charlotte sent my heart racing. I still hadn’t gone over my first shock.

I had dressed up in a long purple sweater and a short skirt that stop right at my mid thighs. Because of the cold, I wore a long cotton stockings.

Charlotte was seated in the living room, her legs crossed on the glassy table. She was busy with her phone, her eyes half on the brightly lit television and on her phone.

Mom was nowhere to be found but I saw a plate of rice on the table covered in some nylon foil.

” Where’s mom?” I managed to ask, still not moving towards her.

” Out.”

I didn’t like the way she answered me. It was as if I wasn’t important to her.

” Out, where?”

” Work,” Charlotte went on. ” Dad called he wouldn’t make it for dinner tonight so mom had to go clear out some of his papers. They’re spending the night at some hotel.”

This was great! I nearly cried. Now I get to spend the night with Collette’s twin sister. How cool is that?

Moving towards the dinner table, I noticed she had increased the volume of the television and the room was blasting with music.

Mom had prepared fried rice, roasted turkey, salad and some pepper soup for desert.

I was about settling down to eat when I saw Charlotte got up to her feet and turned her eyes over towards where I sat.

I saw her peered at me and then a smile flickered across her lips. ” Oh, you’ve changed. Why, you look quite nice. Never knew my little sis was going to be this pretty.”

I felt butterflies in my stomach or so I thought. It’s that face. It’s Collette face I saw, not Charlotte.

At that moment I nearly abandoned my meal and ran up to her but I held myself back and began eating my rice.

Charlotte came over to the dinning table and sat opposite me. I swallowed when I saw her staring fixedly at me while I eat.

” And why are you looking at me like that?” I asked uneasily, wishing she’d stop staring at me.

” Just wanted to remind you it’s past nine and we’re all alone in the house. It’s Just going to be you and I tonight.”

I moved my hand over to the glass jar in the middle of the table, took it and poured a stream of water into my tumbler.

My hands were shaking as I did so and I slopped some of the water on the table. Charlotte was watching me closely.

I returned the jar back and drank the refreshing water down my throat. I was giving myself some time to take things easy with this girl. Whatever she was planning tonight, I don’t want to be part of it. I could only imagine the dirty stuffs Collette and I would do if we were all alone in this house.

Charlotte fitted the role perfectly but hell, she was my sister! I began to wonder if Charlotte was also into girls.

” So what are you planning?” I finally said, meeting her dark eyes.

She smiled lovingly at me. ” My boyfriend’s coming over tonight.”

My face hardened. ” Boyfriend?”

” That’s right,” she smiled more. ” He’s picking me up to a friend’s party. I won’t be back till midnight.”

I felt deflated not because we weren’t going to be funky but because she had a boyfriend. Why would she have a boyfriend? Then I remembered again this was Charlotte not Collette.

Why was this Soo confusing?

” So what has this got to do with me?” I asked.

She sat upright and gazed down at me through her lashes. ” I want you to cover up for me. Don’t tell mom and dad where I’ve been, okay?”

Isn’t that the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard? But I didn’t say it that way.

” Why?”

” Because, little sis, I’m not supposed to stay out that late at night. Dad mustn’t know and our mother wouldn’t like it. But this guy’s my boyfriend and I can’t bear to miss this birthday party. All my friends would be there. Think you can cover up for me?”

I immediately thought of Collette. The comparison between these two girls is very clear. Collette’s an introvert, Charlotte’s an extrovert, Collette doesn’t date but Charlotte has a boyfriend.

” I think so,” I replied, then went on. ” I just don’t fancy the idea of staying out late at night. It’s not safe for you. Lagos is a very dangerous place at night.”

Charlotte laughed and stood up. ” I like you, little sis. You give me crazy ideas.”

I stiffened. I give her crazy ideas? That statement could mean anything.

Just then the doorbell rang. Charlotte went to answer it. The next thing I heard was her squealing excitedly.

I turned around to see her dragging a boy inside. I was aware of how tall he was. He wore a crazy jeans, a white T-shirts dotted by golden chain necklace around his neck and a small fancy straw hat. He had his sunglasses over his head, giving me the false impression of a typical Lagos playboy.

” I have news, baby,” Charlotte said. ” Mom and dad won’t be back till tomorrow.”

” You opportunist,” he laughed. ” Shall we go? The guys are waiting at the club.”

” Give me some time, darling,” she kissed him on his lips. ” I have to go change first.”

” Hell no!” He exclaimed. ” You look lovely in this. There’s no need to change.”

Charlotte shook her head. ” Thanks but I’m not dressing like this to a party that hot.”

Her boyfriend looked up and that’s when he saw me glaring at them.

” Babe, who’s that?”

Charlotte glanced over at me and waved me away from him. ” Oh forget her, that’s my little sis.”

” Never knew you had a sister!”

” Actually I have two.”

” I didn’t know that. You never told me.”

” How about I change into something occasional. I’ll be right back with you. Make yourself comfortable baby. I’ll tell you about my sisters later,” and Charlotte ran upstairs to her room.

I watched her boyfriend sat on one of the chairs. He wore white sneakers and there were chain watches on his wrist.

One thing was certain, I hated him.

I took my plate and walked away into the kitchen, having a sick feeling of being watched from behind. I dumped the plate inside the sink and stepped out.

I was about making for the stairs when Charlotte’s boyfriend called me over.

” Hey, Chole’s sis.”

Chole? That must be Charlotte’s short name.

I turned around. He was seated with his legs crossed and I had a sickening feeling he was nakeding me with his eyes.

I knew it. This dude is a playboy.

” What is it?”

” I didn’t catch your name,” he said. ” Mines George, what’s yours?”

I regarded him, my face burning, my eyes furious. ” Lucy. Why asking?”

His eyes went to my stockings and I realized he could see my thighs over my short skirt.

” Just wanted to know,” he showed me a perfect teeth. ” Never knew Chole has a pretty sister. You’re really pretty, you know.”

I waited, hostile and nervous.

If this son of a b!tch thinks I’m gonna fall for that stupid line of his, he’s got another thought coming.

He took out his wallet, dipped into it and drew out a one thousand note in fives.

” Yes, you’re pretty,” he went on, folding the notes into a fine spill. ” I like to appreciate a girls beauty, you know. It’s my culture to always keep my girlfriend’s sister Happy. Go get yourself a nice hairdo and look good. It’s all on me. Also you might hear and see things that are no concern of you. Chole’s father doesn’t approve of me. I wouldn’t want her getting into any trouble after tonight’s party. So… No tales. It doesn’t pay to talk.”

That was exactly the same thing Sharon’s boyfriend, Bobby said to me.

I flushed scarlet.

” I don’t need to be told that by you or anyone else!” I blurted out furiously. ” And keep your filthy money to yourself. My father’s a rich man. When I need a hairdo, I’ll have one.”

His eyebrows went up.

” Wow, you have spirit, Lucy,” he grinned. ” Don’t take it that way. I’m just trying to establish a nice relationship with my girlfriend’s sister. Do you follow what I’m driving at.”

I felt sick of this dude. ” I understand what you’re driving at. You’re trying to hook me, aren’t you? Well, here’s a news flash for you, I’m not that type of girl who falls for your stupid line. I know your type. You’re welcome to date Charlotte but it’d be d--n stupid of you to think I’m gonna get hooked with someone like you.”

He went red in the face. ” Hey watch how you talk to me, girl. We’re not age mates!”

” Then stop trying to play your silly games on me,” I began walking up the stairs. ” As old as you are, I don’t see why you’d be interested in pretty little girls.”

And I disappeared from his sight, knowing he’d be burning in rage. I laid up in bed and stared at the ceiling, angry at myself, angry at Charlotte and angry at her boyfriend, George.

I was mostly angry at Collette.

Thirty minutes later, I heard a car start up outside my window. I got down and took a peek only to see Charlotte hopping into a red open roof car with George.

They zoomed off into the highway and was gone.

I was all alone in the house. For the first time in my life, I became scared. It was Soo lonely and cold.

*

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I woke up to a creepy sound of opening doors. I was a light sleeper so any sound wakes me up real quick.

I reached out for my bedside table and checked the time.

I was surprised to find out it was 2:34.am.

2:34.am and Charlotte wasn’t yet back home?

Again, I heard the creaking sound of opening doors. Somewhere in the house, a door closed softly.

I frowned, aware of a sudden uneasiness and I waited, listening.

I remembered what Charlotte told me.

••• It gets bloody lonely in here. I don’t like staying in the house when it’s empty……It gets really terrifying at night when you’re all alone. You never know what could happen. Sometimes I think the place is haunted. There are the strangest of noises at night•••

The curtains billowed out and I could hear the steady ticking of the clock on the mantle piece downstairs.

To my horror, I could also hear the rapid beating of my heart.

I began speculating with frightful thoughts. Was there someone in the house? Is the house really inhabited by ghosts?

Then I heard footsteps and I turned cold. There was no mistaking that sound: soft, stealthy footsteps that crept to my door.

Suddenly the lights in the house went off and I was plunged into a terrifying darkness.

I jumped out of the bed, my hair over my eyes, my heart pounding. Then I became aware that in the darkness, my door handle was turning and it flashed through my mind that I hadn’t locked the door.

There was a shadowy figure in the passage as the door inched open. I drew back in the bed, crouched down, terrified.

A beam of moonlight from the window fell on the door, creating a menacing shadow that crept into my room.

The door ceased to open and I could hear someone in the passage breathing softly.

I waited: too frightened to make a sound, suspended in terror.

Then the door threw itself opened and a brilliant light shone from the shadow at me.

I let out a croaking scream!

” Hey calm down, it was only me,” Charlotte said, flicking on the light.

The house lit up with electric lights and standing before me with a Torchlight in her hand was Charlotte.

I screamed again.

Charlotte laughed. ” Did I disturb you? I’m afraid I frightened you. I thought you said you’re a grown-up girl,” she paused then smiled gleefully. ” Turns out you’re as frightened as a chicken.”

I regarded her, my face white, my teeth drawn. She was as drunk as a fish. I could smell the alcohol from her mouth.

She turned off the light and said out of the darkness. ” Goodnight, little sis.”

And the door closed.

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To Be Continued….