The shrill ring of her alarm pierced the morning quiet, prompting Rene to groan and swat at her phone's snooze button.
A minute later, the insistent sound returned, and she stretched, this time switching it off with a conscious reminder:
The performance.
She'd set the alarm to mimic the start of a workday, a cruel irony considering the truth.
Monday mornings were already a struggle, but now, burdened by her lie, each moment felt heavier.
She had to play the part, to feign the rituals of preparing for work, even though the reality was far from it.
She wasn't hired, in fact, she was thrown out the day she went for her work interview because of her lateness.
With a sigh, Rene forced herself from bed, the weight of her deception settling heavily upon her.
The performance commenced with a carefully selected ensemble: a crisp white ruffled button-down shirt paired with fitted purple pants and sleek black block heels.
She applied her makeup with practiced precision, each stroke a mask of pretense, concealing a normal look.
Half of her hair was swept into a neat bun, the other half cascading over her shoulders.
Adorning herself with minimal jewelry and a spritz of perfume, she grabbed her LuiVuitton bag, a gift from Eliana and twirled in the mirror to see her complete look.
A knock echoed, and she looked up, the door creaking open to reveal Mimi, her smile radiant.
"Awwww, you look so beautiful, sis!"
Mimi exclaimed, drawing Rene's laughter as they both stood before the mirror.
"You're such a beauty, my love. Do not let anyone take you for granted,"
Rene said, tucking her sister's hair behind her ears as she smiled.
Then she dropped her bag on her bed as they both looked at their reflection in the mirror.
"Today will be a good day. Good eyes will only see us no matter the turn we take!"
Rene said as Mimi sealed it with a loud,
"Amen!!!"
With a deep breath, she grabbed her bag, locked her arm in her sisters and they headed out the door, the morning sun hitting their faces.
The walk felt strange, a performance for an audience of no one.
The only thing she could do was keep up the act, especially because of her mother.
........................
As they descended the stairs, they saw Eunice at the bottom, clapping and cheering loudly.
"Oh no. Mom? What's this about?"
Mimi asked as Eunice stopped clapping and frowned.
"Why don't you ask your sister?"
"Ask your sister what? What's she asking me?"
Rene responded, sounding annoyed, and Mimi rolled her eyes.
"We might as well leave if you're not ready to speak!"
Mimi said, but just as they started to walk away, Eunice pulled Rene back and slapped her hard,
Causing Rene to clutch her right cheek and groan in pain.
"Jesus Christ, what's wrong with you, Mom? Why the hell did you do that?"
Mimi angrily stepped forward, facing Rene, who was now furious.
"How could you lie to me? Do I look like an idiot?"
"Lie about what? Seriously, can't you leave me alone, even for a day?!"
Rene retorted angrily, stepping forward, but Mimi intervened, preventing a physical confrontation.
"Look at you, a pathetic person with nothing to offer, so you resort to lying about a job!"
Rene's eyes widened,
"How...?"
"How did I find out? Let me explain. As a loving mother, I looked up the company on Google, found their PR number, and called to thank them for hiring my precious daughter.
That was when they informed me you were never even interviewed because you were late? Who goes to an interview late?
How incompetent can you be?"
Mimi turned, her face etched with disappointment,
"You didn't get the job?"
Rene, tears welling in her eyes, smiled bitterly at Mimi before approaching Eunice.
"You went through all that trouble just to embarrass me?
I think it's time you tell me what your problem is with me. Because I don't understand."
As Eunice raised her hand one more time, Rene grabbed it,
Shoving it back, rage and tears streaming down her face.
Glaring at Eunice, she seethed,
"This is the last time you lay a hand on me. Try it again, and you'll regret it. You know I'm not bluffing."
Her voice was calm but menacing.
Turning to Mimi, she forced a smile, bent down to picked up her bag, and slipped out some money.
"Since the truth is out, here. Go to school, I'll walk."
"No...I can't. I'll walk; you know I don't mind."
Mimi replied, thinking about the money her sister was offering, knowing she was jobless.
Rene smiled, pressing the money into Mimi's hand as Eunice rolled her eyes,
"Don't make this harder than it is!"
She whispered, glaring at Eunice before rushing out of the house.
"Since you don't need the money, give it to me; I'll use it for groceries."
Eunice's words annoyed Mimi, and she glared at her.
"Don't you work? What do you do with all that money?"
Eunice frowned,
"Does someone help me pay bills in this house? Don't get on my nerves young lady!"
She exclaimed and Mimi chuckled as she picked up her bag.
As she took a step she turned, sharing a gaze with her mother,
"Just tell her you're not her mother because we know."
"What did you say?"
Eunice interrupted, grabbing Mimi's hand tightly.
"Ouch, you're hurting me, Mom!"
It immediately clicked, and Mimi shared a look with her mother as a gasp escaped her lips.
"So it's true. You're really not her mother? That's why you treat her differently?!"
She added, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Eunice angrily pulled her closer,
"Okay, listen to me, you brat, you will mind your business. Do I make myself clear?"
"But Mom!"
"Shut up! Shut your fucking mouth up! This cannot come out! Do I make myself clear?"
She yelled, and Mimi nodded, her eyes shut in pain.
"Let go; you're hurting me!"
She muttered as Eunice released her.
Suddenly, Eunice stretched her hand, and Mimi frowned,
"What?" She asked, wiping her tears with the hem of her sleeves.
"Give me that!"
Eunice exclaimed as Mimi nodded, running out even before her mother could notice.
"Stupid kids! You'll come back and meet me here!"
She exclaimed as Mimi kept running.