Unwanted Visitor

All through that night, Astra spent her time thinking of her troubles — the loss of her job and the fact that she has to start from scratch.

She was so tired she could barely keep awake as the sun rose over a new day in New York City's High East side.

She wasn't expecting any visitors and when one came which she was sure it wasn't the nurse's shift, Astra lifted her eyes to the door before ushering the person in with her voice.

"Enter."

A young lady walked into the room dressed in a white lab coat carrying an old clipboard under her arm along with some papers tucked inside its cover.

She looked around then stopped by Astra who sat up on her bed looking like death warmed over but still alive enough for this stranger to be here.

Her warm smile spilled into her eyes, somehow brightening the room.

"I'm Dr. Lillianna Brian," the woman said, holding her hand towards Astra while smiling warmly.

The doctor took hold of Astra's limp fingers gently shaking them slightly until they were steady again.

Dr. Brian pulled off her glasses placing them down on top of her head where they hung loosely against her hairline.

Her brown eyes studied her face carefully trying not to miss anything important or even subtle about what might have happened during those long nights without sleep.

"How do you feel?"

"A lie or the truth?" Astra asked feeling exhausted all at once after being woken up early hours ago.

"Both are fine if that is how you want me to answer your question," the Doctor replied taking another look at the chart hanging beside Astra's bed.

"You're right I don't know why my body feels so weak and worn out yet there isn't any sign of injury anywhere except maybe these bruises on my arms from when I fell against the road?"

"You did have an accident coupled with the fact that we had no idea whether you would survive through the night."

Astra's eyes went wide only to dim them when she heard the familiar held-back laughter of someone teasing her.

"Relax, I'm joking."

"Figured as much. Doctor, when will I be discharged? I feel great?" Dr. Brian narrowed her brows at her. Seconds ago, she wasn't looking like one and now she requested this?

"I'm sorry but not until you are well rested and observed, that would be till tomorrow," she stated as a matter of factly leaving Astra appalled.

"But I do not have the money to cover..."

"Your health insurance is one and if that is also a problem, I believe someone has covered your bills," Dr. Brian explained.

"Wait... what? I..."

Knock! Knock!

They both turned towards the door listening intently for whoever stood outside before giving permission.

"It's open," they voiced together and as soon as that was done, a young lady, looking no older than twenty-nine cat-walked into the ward with a lovely smile on her gorgeous face.

"Hello, Astra."

The smile faded from her face, watching the one being she hoped she wouldn't see, standing before her in her cyan blue off-shoulder dress with her bra-length dark brown hair pulled back neatly by two pins at the side of her neck. Her bright hazel eyes focused on Astra.

"Sister."

Feeling the sudden tension in the room, Dr. Brian smiled at the visitor and excused herself, leaving both of them to their catch-up time.

The second the door closed behind her, Astra focused her attention on her sister.

"You couldn't stay one year without causing trouble and bringing attention to your miserable self, could you, dearest sis?"

Astra heaved in a deep breath and lowered her gaze. This was not what she needed.

"What? Did you lose the ability to speak?" She rolled her eyes and suddenly gave a pretentious gasp.

"Oh, I forget, what right do the likes of you have to actually deny what I said."

Astra bit her lower lip and tightened her hold on her blanket.

"Oh, do not act tough. You are weak and a disgrace to Aiden's family."

Fighting the anger that swirled inside of her, Astra put on a smile. "Isis Allegra Aiden what wind blew you over to this part of the city?"

"I see getting knocked down by the car severed some neurons in your brain. Is that how you greet your older sister?"

"I didn't think you flew here for a morning greeting. Forgive me, Your Royal Sassiness, I am not up for that."

Isis scoffed at the sarcasm in her sister's tone and immediately all the smile on her face was gone.

"Hide, get lost, missing and whatnot if you must but I do not want any headlines, anything whatsoever about you and our family name, trending."

"Last I recall, it is my family name too. Who are you to speak to me about what you did not originate?"

"I am the heiress and eldest daughter as such you will show me respect."

"Respect is given to those who deserve it not some wannabes pretending to be queen because father is sick," Astra spat out.

Isis took a step forward almost growling like an animal ready to pounce then stopped abruptly with her eyes narrowed dangerously.

She breathed heavily through her nose before giving Astra a harsh look with her hands clenched tightly together around one another where they rested just above her waistband while keeping them pressed tight against her belly button.

Asta held her ground knowing full well that she wasn't going anywhere no matter what Isis did or said until she was good and done talking — whatever that would mean from this point on.

"You are all talk now. Do not think I would give you a part of mother's inheritance now that you lost your prideful job."

Astra bit her inner lip. She had just been fired and had an accident. No one knew about this save for her company. How then did her sister?

"You claim to hate me but you are so jobless that you keep tabs on my everyday life."

"To prevent you from being a bigger embarrassment to our family." She forced a smile. "I am thankful the company realized what a mistake you are and got rid of you."

"No. I am thankful I left your eyes."

"Hmph."

'As much as I hate her, she paid for my medical bill. I may as well just suck up all her madness for now till I repay her.' Astra thought.

"If you have nothing more to say, see yourself out. I need to recover and I do not need any favours from you. I will repay my debt."

She turned to her side and shifted on the bed as she curled up to sleep.

"Good, because you have a million of those to pay, starting for the death of our mother."

Rather than speak, Astra shut her eyes, trying to drown the words her sister said.

"Mother made a mistake birthing trash like you. Stay dead if I were you."

'Then die if that's what you want but you are not me.' Astra voiced inwardly.

Seconds later, the fading steps of her sister rescinded till she was left alone, to her emotional pains.

Isis stared at where she last saw her sister only seconds ago in silent contemplation until several minutes passed and the sleep that had eluded her finally closed in on her.