Chapter 104 - New Start

"Evelyn told me." I immediately said raising my hands in a sign of surrender. 

"I am sorry for having invited him... If I knew about you two, I would have organized  a romantic dinner or something like that." I attempted at a joke but she didn't seem to get it.

"Evelyn and I had been dating for about 2 years and a half Lily. Do you know how it feels when your girlfriend keeps you hidden for almost 3 years and doesn't even introduce you to her family?" 

No, I didn't know how it felt, I didn't know at all. But I knew how it felt to have to hide many things from your family just because you are scared of their judgment. 

I was doing the same thing now with my mother.

She shook her head and gestured with her hand not willing to talk to me anymore.

"I have a boyfriend and I have to hide it from my mother. So I can understand her. I am sorry if you felt she didn't love you enough or that we wouldn't accept you in our family. I can't guarantee for my mother since she has her own rules and strict mindset but I do guarantee you will be loved and accepted by me."

I said opening the gates of my heart to her and hoping she would understand I meant my words.

Because I did, I only wanted happiness for my sister and I didn't mind if the source of that happiness was a girl instead of a boy.

"I am sorry for bursting out with you earlier." Her voice finally calmed down and on her lips appeared a glimpse of what could be a sincere smile.

"I am just done with this situation and seeing her with Julien now drives me insane." She pulled her hair back and let out a liberating breath as if she freed herself from a burden that she was carrying for too long.

"Why does she have to hide her real self? And pretend?"

At my question, Carol shrugged as if she couldn't find herself a reply either.

"She always did since I met her. It took her more than a year to convince her to introduce me to her friends." 

Carol didn't seem a bad girl, she was a simple girl with her black bob haircut and the barely make-up she wore.

"I am glad she told me now, even if a little late. I will help her to tell mom and try my best to make her feel welcomed."

Carol smiled even if she looked a little hesitant. 

"I hope you can make it even if I am demoralized enough and I am slowly losing my hope with her."

I remained in silence, I didn't know what to tell her, rather than try to help them with doing the best I could.

"I just love her. So much Lily. I never loved any other woman as much as I love her."

"I am sure her feelings are mutual. She just needs a little push and someone to side with her. I would be there for that."

She smiled again and drifted her gaze afar to Evelyn who was starting to open gifts.

"Everyone comes here." She screamed, "I will cut the cake so if you want a slice to come closer."

We both walked closer to the table and when everyone gathered around it I lit up the candles on the cake.

"Go," I said excitedly as soon as I lit up everything and then walked in front of her to take pictures.

She took a long breath and her gaze fell for some instants on Carol then she blew on the candles probably making her yearly wish.

"Happy birthday!" We all screamed altogether in a chorus and clapped our hands.

"Thank you," she replied offering us a big smile. 

Julien went to hug her and kissed her quickly on the lips making an aww echo resonate around the room.

The only two voices who didn't join the chorus were mine and Carol's, probably because we both knew the kiss wasn't true.

"Let's take a picture of you two together." My mother intervened gesturing to Julien to walk closer to Evelyn.

I unconditionally flinched my gaze away in search of Carol to see how she was after that scene. She had a sad gaze and she was clearly fighting her inner urge to steal her girlfriend from Julien and kiss her as she only knew how to kiss her.

But she didn't, probably respectful for our mother or scared my sister would hate her for the rest of her life.

Evelyn began to unwrap the gifts and thanked the guests for the presents.

She spoke to everyone animatedly and joyfully even to her closest relatives. I wondered if she was really that happy or if that was also a fake scenario she was putting on.

When you think you know someone you always realize you hadn't known that person at all.

And that was what happened to me with Evelyn. I even wondered if I had ever known her at all.

However, I was willing to get to know her, it's never too late to build up a relationship with your sister, is it?

In that exact instant, she turned around and her gaze met mine, her smile grew bigger and her eyes thinned up. The smile touched her entire face. I recognized that smile, that was a real one. She wasn't hiding anymore and I could finally see her for who she truly was, without any mask or secrets between us and blurring the picture.

I smiled at her back.

It was time to start everything over with my sister as well. 

I closed my eyes promising myself that I would never let any job, person, or secret affect our bond. I will do everything right with Evelyn and her girlfriend.. I will finally be the perfect sister Evelyn deserved to have.