The Weight of Deception

Lost in her thoughts, Sushi was startled by the sound of footsteps approaching. She looked up to see June returning, a tray of steaming tea in hand. He set it down on the coffee table before taking a seat beside her, his gaze filled with concern.

"Here you go, Chloe," June said gently, handing her a cup of tea. "I hope this helps."

"Thank you, June," Sushi replied, forcing a grateful smile to her lips as she accepted the tea. She took a cautious sip, the warm liquid soothing her frayed nerves.

As they sat together in silence, Sushi's mind raced with a thousand worries. Lost in her inner turmoil, Sushi didn't notice June watching her intently, his expression thoughtful. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke up, his voice gentle.

"Chloe, there's something I've been meaning to ask you," June began, his tone hesitant. "I hope you don't mind me bringing it up."

Sushi's heart skipped a beat at his words, her stomach churning with apprehension. She braced herself for whatever June was about to say, knowing that it could change everything.

"I spoke to my parents recently," June continued, his gaze fixed on Sushi's face. "And they mentioned the possibility of us getting married."

Sushi's breath caught in her throat at June's words, her mind reeling with shock. She had known that marriage was a possibility, given her father's desperate plea to settle the debt. But she had never expected June to bring it up so soon.

"I... I don't know what to say," Sushi stammered, her voice trembling with uncertainty. "I mean, it's not that I'm opposed to the idea, but..."

June nodded understandingly, his expression sympathetic. "I understand, Chloe," he said softly. "It's a lot to take in, and I don't want to pressure you into anything you're not comfortable with."

"Thank you, June," she murmured, her voice filled with gratitude. "I appreciate your patience and understanding."

After their conversation, Sushi excused herself from June's mansion, her mind swirling with conflicting emotions. As she made her way home, Sushi's thoughts raced a mile a minute. She couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in the pit of her stomach.

Upon arriving home, Sushi found her father waiting for her in the living room, his expression anxious. He had been pacing back and forth, clearly worried about her.

"Sushi, my dear, where have you been?" her father asked, his voice filled with concern.

Sushi forced a smile to her lips, trying to appear calm despite the turmoil raging within her. "I went to June's mansion," she replied, her voice steady. "We had a conversation about the wedding."

Her father's eyes widened in surprise. "You spoke to June about the wedding?" he asked, his tone incredulous.

Sushi nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. "Yes, Father," she lied, her stomach churning with guilt. "We discussed the details, and... and I agreed to marry him."

Her father's expression softened with relief, his shoulders sagging with the weight of his worries. "Oh, thank goodness," he said, his voice filled with gratitude. "I was beginning to worry that you might have second thoughts."

Sushi forced herself to nod, her heart heavy with the burden of her deception. She knew that she was lying to her father, but she couldn't bring herself to tell him the truth—not yet, at least.

That evening, Sushi's father approached with a solemn expression, "Sushi, my dear," he began, his voice tinged with apprehension, "I have some news to share with you."

Sushi looked up from her place on the sofa, her heart racing, "What is it, Father?" she asked.

Her father took a deep breath, "The wedding date has been set," he announced, his words echoing in the silence of the room. "It's... it's in ten days' time."

Sushi felt her heart plummet at her father's words, her stomach churning with dread. Ten days. It felt like an eternity and yet, in the grand scheme of things, it was hardly any time at all.

"But Father, that's so soon. I... I don't know if I'm ready" her voice trembling with fear.

"I understand, my dear, but this has to be done now or sooner. I spoke with June's parents; they suggested this timing as they are in a hurry to marry off their son," he said and left.

As Sushi lay on her bed, her thoughts racing with worry. "Ten days... How am I going to manage this in just ten days?" she whispered to herself, her voice filled with uncertainty.

She sat up, running her fingers through her hair as she tried to come up with a plan. "I can't let June or anyone else find out the truth. I have to keep up this act as Chloe, no matter what," she mumbled, determination flashing in her eyes.

"What if I slip up? What if someone sees through my disguise? need to be careful, I can't afford any mistakes" she fretted, her heart pounding with anxiety.

Just then, her phone buzzed with a message from June. With trembling hands, she unlocked the screen to read his words:

"Chloe, I just heard about the wedding date, and I couldn't be more excited! These next ten days are going to be a whirlwind, but I can't wait to finally call you mine. I know it's sudden, but I promise to make every moment leading up to our special day unforgettable. I love you more than words can express."

A wave of conflicting emotions washed over Sushi as she read his words. Despite the weight of her deception, she couldn't deny the warmth that bloomed in her chest at the thought of June's love and excitement.