When Sam woke up, sunlight was streaming through the windows, warming his face. He groggily rubbed his eyes and turned his head to look at the alarm clock on the bedside table. It was only seven in the morning. Still early to get up, but he felt wide awake for some reason.
Suddenly, memories of last night came rushing back, and Sam froze. His body tensed up, and he slowly turned his head to look at the other side of the bed. He expected to see the beautiful woman he had made love to last night but found the space empty instead.
For a moment, Sam panicked, thinking that Alia had left him alone after what they did. Did she regret it? Did she hate him now? Or worse, did she never want to see him again?
"Mom..."
Sam sat up, intending to look for her but stopped when he felt that he was still wearing the clothes from last night. There were no signs of him getting undressed or that he had slept with Alia. No trace of their lovemaking on the bed sheets either.
It was as if nothing happened at all. Like it was all a dream.
"A dream...?" Sam murmured with disbelief.
Could it really be? But it felt so real. He could still remember every touch, every kiss, every sound she made...
"But if it's not a dream... then why am I fully dressed? Why is the bed clean? It doesn't make sense."
Sam ran his fingers through his hair in frustration, trying to make sense of what happened. Was he going crazy? Did he imagine it all because he had been lusting after Alia for a long time?
"No... No way... It felt so real... I could still feel her warmth, her touch..." Sam clenched his fists as doubt crept into his mind.
Was it all just a figment of his imagination? Did he want it so bad that he hallucinated it?
Before he could think further, his bedroom door opened and Alia walked in. She was wearing a simple white dress that hugged her curves, her hair was tied in a messy bun, and she had a gentle smile on her face.
"Good morning, Sam. Did you sleep well?" Her voice was soft and casual as if nothing out of the ordinary happened last night.
Sam stared at her like he was trying to see if everything was real or not. She looked exactly the same as she always did every morning when she came to wake him up. Nothing unusual.
"Mom..." Sam called, not sure how to act. Should he confront her? Ask if what happened was real or just a dream.
But he couldn't bring himself to do so. He was scared of her reaction. What if everything were a dream and mentioning it would only make her think he was perverted? That would be the worst.
"Hmm?" Alia sat down on the edge of the bed and looked at Sam with a curious expression. "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Uh... It's nothing..." Sam shook his head, trying to act normal. "Did something happen last night? I mean... Do you remember anything unusual?"
There, he asked. He needed to know. Even if it was embarrassing, he couldn't go on without knowing if what happened was real or not.
"Unusual? No... Not that I remember. I just got drunk last night and fell asleep as soon as I got into my room." Alia tilted her head slightly and frowned. "Why do you ask?"
"Your room? You didn't come to mine?" Sam looked at Alia in disbelief. Was it really a dream then? Did he really imagine it all? How could he when it felt so real?
"Of course not. You said it yourself, we shouldn't sleep together because Chloe will be angry. I've been trying not to bother you at night, remember?" Alia reached out and touched Sam's forehead. "Are you okay, baby? You're not sick, are you?"
Sam sighed in defeat, realizing that it was all in his head. All those sweet moments he thought he shared with Alia were just a fantasy, wishful thinking. He must have been so desperate to be with her that his subconscious played a cruel trick on him.
"I'm fine... I guess I was just dreaming..."
"Ah... Must be some dream. Well, don't think about it too much."
Alia smiled warmly at Sam and patted his cheek before standing up. "Now, go and wash your face. Breakfast is ready."
She left the room without looking back, leaving Sam alone with his thoughts.
But as soon as the door closed, her smile faded, and she leaned against the wall, her hand covering her face. She tried to control her breathing as tears threatened to fall from her eyes.
Last night really happened, but she pretended that she didn't remember. She was too ashamed to face Sam after what they did, so she pretended to be ignorant.
When she woke up this morning with her naked body besides Sam's, she thought that her life was over. She had crossed the line, and there was no turning back. She had made love to her stepson, and it was the best sex she had ever had. She never felt so alive or so satisfied, and it scared her.
How could she look Sam in the eyes after what they did? How could she face her daughter, knowing that she slept with her stepbrother? What would people say if they found out?
So Alia got up quietly, fixed Sam's clothes, and made the bed, removing all evidence of their sin. Then she went to her room, took a shower, and tried to act like nothing happened.
But now, hearing Sam's question, it broke her heart to see his disappointed expression. She knew that she was hurting him with her lie, but she couldn't bring herself to tell him the truth. It was for the best this way.
"I'm sorry, Sam..." Alia whispered to herself before wiping her tears. "This is the only way... I hope you'll understand..."