Lana’s POV
My heart was beating like a sledgehammer against my chest and my hands were getting clammy. I tried breathing calmly and remind myself that I had to do this!
I absolutely HAD to!
I wasn’t a bad person and technically, I wasn’t lying. I just needed more time, time until my papers cleared and my record was once again clean. Unfortunately, that could take up to three months and I only had a week! One week and then I wouldn’t have a place to live anymore. Everything I owned had already been swallowed up by bills for the attorney and my short time in prison had robbed me of everything else…
And all because of my stupid brother!
Sometimes I wish I’d been born an only child. But unfortunately, I had an older brother that – for whatever reason – had gotten it into his head that I was put on this earth to serve him. And the second I wasn’t useful to him and his purpose anymore, he took it upon himself to frame me for his crime!
And now I was just as bad as him!
“Alana Gorge?”
I almost jumped out of my seat as I heard someone say my fake name. I spun around and came face to face with a middle-aged, kind-looking woman. She was really beautiful, with black hair that was pulled into a bun on top of her head and she was wearing a pretty white blouse and a flattering black skirt, that cut off just above her knee. She looked like some tougher than steel CEO-type, but her gentle features gave her a warm edge, that sort of made you want to become her friend. She gave me a reassuring smile upon seeing my startled expression, and with a wave of her hand, gestured for me to follow her.
“Mr. Knight will see you know.”
I tried to smile back, as I rose to my feet. But my knees felt wobbly and I gulped, as I followed the beautiful lady down a long hallway and through a set of double doors. The room I walked into was huge – easily the size of my own apartment! There was a real-life fireplace, a whole entire wall filled with books, comfortable chairs and sofas as well as a huge pianoforte. Glass doors led to a huge balcony with an amazing view of the back yard, which was in full bloom with a wide variety of flowers and trees.
I followed the housekeeper – I think she was the housekeeper? – through the astonishing room and into another room, that was just as impressive as the first one, but this one clearly was the bedroom. A huge, four-poster bed was standing against the farthest wall, with another glass door leading to a small balcony, this one with a view of a small pond that had ducks in them.
By the bed sat a man in a crispy clean gray suit with square glasses and a polite smile on his face. He was very handsome, slender, and politely stood, reaching his hand out to me and introduced himself as Mr. Carl Wells, Mr. Knight’s secretary.
I turned and there, on the bed, was the whole reason why I was here.
Mr. Knight was an elder gentleman, and unfortunately, he was dying. He was in his final stages of lung cancer and needed care 24/7.
And that’s where I came in!
“He says secretary, but that’s because he refused to accept my money as a thank you for all the times he’s been helping me,” Mr. Knight said with a tired smile and looked at the man beside him. “But he’s my good friend and quite frankly, I’d be lost without him.”
Mr. Wells let out a small laugh and rolled his eyes at the old man. You could see the fondness these two had for each other and I tried to hold back a smile of my own. Because coming in here and seeing all these real and honest people, reminded me that I was a fraud myself…
Mr. Knight looked at me kindly, his gray, tired eyes speaking in volume at what kind of person he was. Honest and caring--- and about to be scammed by me!
My stomach coiled in disgust. What was I doing? I was about to deceive an old man because I desperately needed money! What did it say about the kind of person I was? I really felt disgusted by myself…
“You’re a nurse, Miss Gorge?” Mr. Wells asked, clearly being the one to lead the interview. I squirmed at hearing my fake name. I was told that if you needed a new name, it should be one that sounded like your old one, otherwise you might not react to it. “Alana” seemed to be the perfect name for me, since my real name was “Lana”. But unfortunately, I hadn’t thought this all the way through, as “Gorge” was as far from “March” as humanly possible.
“Yes,” I said, as this probably was the only lie I wouldn’t be telling. I tried to get him to call me just “Lana”, but the gentleman insisted on calling me Miss Gorge, which had me even more nervous than I already was.
I felt sick…
On the resume, I’d hadn’t lied--- most of the time! I had 3 years of experience in a nursing home and before that, I worked at a hospice. I had all the required certificates that were required to take care of someone in Mr. Knight’s condition and I didn’t have anyone at home waiting for me, which meant I could move in and take care of Mr. Knight full time…
It was just---
“You look too pretty to be a nurse,” Mr. Knight said, already sounding like he was struggling to keep up with the conversation. Yeah, Lana! You’re practically a saint, trying to cheat an old dying man out of his money! I mocked myself, feeling my stomach and the whole nine yards of gut I had, turn and knot nervously…
“Thank you, Mr. Knight,” I said, blushing and lowered my eyes, unable to look at him anymore.
“Please. Take a seat,” he said and I quickly sat, before my legs gave out. I was practically hyperventilating at this point… “My associate will as you a couple of questions and then we’ll see if you’re a fit or not.”
“Ok,” I replied and gulped. My mouth was dry as a desert and my hands refused to stop shaking.
I couldn’t do this!
“Do you---?”
“I’m sorry!” I burst out before he even asked the first question. “I can’t do this!”
What a master criminal I turned out to be! I couldn’t even last through the first question and I broke down faster than Tokyo in a monster movie.
“Mr. Knight, I-I’m not who you think I am!” I continued and finally lifted my head to look at the two men in front of me. Surprise flashed across both of their faces and I realized that both men looked at me expectantly, as if they expected me to grow another head or pull a gun at them…
“I mean,” I quickly rushed on before I really made a mess of things and quickly explained: “I’m a nurse and I really, really need this job, but…” I know this meant that I was screwed – utterly and over! – but getting this off my chest felt like a rock was lifted off my shoulders and I could finally breathe again.
“My real name is Lana Marsh,” I explained, and despite fidgeting on my seat and being slightly terrified, I finally had the courage to face the old man. “I got a new name because I-I was charged for stealing on my last job. But I swear, I didn’t do it! I was set up by my brother and they eventually caught him, but my record hasn’t been cleared yet and I desperately need a job. Like, right now or I’m homeless at the end of the week.”
Both men seemed horrified at hearing this, but then again, perhaps people like them sometimes lost touch with the reality that surrounded them. Living in a house that was practically a palace, I bet their smallest closet was bigger than what some families had to do with just to have a roof over their heads…
“I know it was wrong, but I was desperate. Which isn’t an excuse, but…” I rushed on and felt my lips quiver as I looked Mr. Knight in the eyes. “Please, forgive me?”
He didn’t have a reason to forgive me and whatever chance I had at getting this job was now officially out the window. I’d be living on the street at the end of this week, but I suddenly realize that I’d rather be on the street than living a dishonest life.
His assistance gave him a wary glance, before turning his attention to Mr. Knight. Mr. Knight gave me another look that seemed to scan me from head to toe as if scrutinizing my soul. Plastic tubes were attached to his nose and there were all kinds of equipment surrounding him, proving that no amount of money could buy good health or a long life. Despite that, he still looked proud and every bit the monopoly king he’d been in his younger days.
Like a man, with a good sense of character…
He turned his attention back to Mr. Wells and with a small nod, Mr. Wells looked back to me.
“So,” Mr. Wells asked--- and this time it was my turn to be stunned. “You have experience?”
“Yes,” I said, gulping and tried to blink away the tears that had threatened to spill just seconds ago. “I’ve been working with sick and elderly,” I continued, hoping I didn’t insult Mr. Knight. “For 3 years. Before that incident there was never a single complaint about my service, I swear!”
He proceeded to ask some more basic questions about healthcare that I knew the answer to by heart. I loved working with people, especially the elderly. But I didn’t understand why he was asking them. I mean--- I just confessed to being a fraud! Was he just so kind that he didn’t want me to leave without having the interview?
“And I think that was it,” Mr. Wells said, turning to the man on the bed. “Do you have any questions, Mr. Knight?”
Mr. Knight turned his eyes on me again and my heart dropped to the pit of my gut when he signaled for Mr. Wells to lean over.
Oh, Lord!
They were discussing wheater to call the cops or not!
I just knew it!
I was shaking on the inside and my fingers were nervously fidgeting with the hem of my blouse. Now I really was going to jail! And this time I couldn’t claim to be innocent. This time, it was my own doing. My own desperation that led me to this…
Tears pressed against my eyelids and I had to swallow hard, not to break down in tears. What did I expect? There was no way anyone would ever believe in someone like me!
In the meantime, Mr. Knight and his secretary seemed to have a heated, low discussion. Their voices were hushed and despite not trying to listen, I did catch the occasional word…
Bold plan…
Time left…
Just one chance…
Those were some of the words I caught on to, but honestly, they didn’t leave me with much hope. My plan – my last hope of saving myself from a life on the streets – was blown to bits and pieces. And I had no one to blame but myself…
With a deep breath, I stood, ready to face the consequences.
“Mr. Knight,” I said, hoping my voice didn’t quiver as much as I thought it did. “I’m very sorry for having wasted your time and I’m sorry that I lied. I was desperate and it made me do something stupid. I hope you don’t hold it against the next candidate to come in here.” I tried giving him a small smile, but the guilt eating away at me, made me lower my eyes shamefully. I didn’t deserve to smile at him or show him any more fakeness. I---
I made my way to the door, wishing I could run out from there and---
“And where do you think you’re going?” Mr. Knight’s soft, but stern voice reached me. Pausing in my step I slowly turned to him. Unsure of what was going to happen now, my heart was hammering in my chest and my knees felt like jelly. Did he want me to stay and be arrested? Did he want to punish me personally?
He looked at me, his wise eyes scanning me from top to toe before they settled on my face. And to my surprise, a pleasant smile stretched his lips.
“How do you feel about marriage?”
