LEILANI "Mum, where are we going?" Melinda, who I had just woken up asked, staring curiously at me. "California," I answered and led her to the bathroom to brush her teeth. "Why are we going to California?" She asked. I couldn't help but notice that she was staring expectantly at me, as if there was a specific reply she wanted. "We are going for business, we will return soon," I replied. But then her face fell. "What's wrong baby," I asked worriedly. Linda shook her head. "Nothing." I was not satisfied with her answer. I know my daughter and I can recognize each look on her face. Melinda seemed to be holding back on voicing out her thoughts. I gazed at her and feigned a hurt expression. "I will be hurt if you do not tell me what's wrong with you." Her brilliant little eyes stayed on my face for a while, and then she sighed. "I was wondering if we were going to California to finally see Dad. But then you said it was for business. I couldn't help but feel disappointed," Meli
MALCOLM "I don't think it's necessary for you to go to New York yourself, I can just go alone," Michael said for the hundredth time today. We had just arrived at the airport and were rushing over to the checkpoint, as we were already late. Michael kept trying to make me see reasons why I shouldn't go to New York, but then, my mind was already made up and nothing was going to change it. I needed to know what was going on with the company. "You should save your strength, Mich. I won't change my mind," I said with a note of finality. Michael sighed and didn't say another word. Silently, we hurried over to the checkpoint. "Mr!" I heard a tiny voice call out. I wasn't the only man at the airport, so I didn't bother to look back. "Mr!" The calling persisted. "I think you are the one she is calling," Michael who had turned back said, making turn back as well. My eyes widened on seeing a little girl running over to me with my passport and wallet in her hands. "You dropped this," she s
MALCOLM "Don't worry, I won't hurt her. I will claim her and make her mine. Then watch you wither in anguish," Lucian said, making me glower at him. "Don't try me, Lucian. You know what I'm capable of," I warned, my eyes flashing. Lucian laughed mockingly at me. "I'm hundred percent aware of what you are capable of. You are a loser who runs away from your responsibilities. Isn't that what you can do most?" He asked tauntingly and stared at me, his eyes glinting in mischief. I felt my anger dissipate, guilt took over. "It has been years, Malcolm. You shouldn't keep blaming yourself," I whispered to myself. But then, I still felt guilty. "I'm sure you abandoned your daughter and Leilani. But do not worry, I took very good care of them. I'm sure they will prefer me to you," Lucian mocked. "Don't stress your poor self, I'll take very good care of them," he said, dusting invisible dirt off my shirt. "Just don't show your face to them again. I'm sure you don't want them to suffer
LEILANI The car pulled up in front of a magnificent building, I couldn't help but gasp in awe at how beautiful it looked. Just looking at the house brought tears to my eyes, never in my life did I imagine that I would be so rich to afford a building this big. Smiling, I pulled a sulking Melinda into the house. I stared at the entire decoration of the building, it looked so stunning. At one corner of the compound stood a statue of a sad pregnant woman, next to it is a statue of the same woman, smiling with a little girl in her arms. When I bought this house, I requested for these statues to be built. I wanted to show California and all those that rejected me that I excelled. I wanted them to know that my daughter and I were healthy and smiling. Just staring at the statue brought back memories. Memories that were unpleasant in the past, but pleasant to me in the present. "Mummy, why did you walk off like that? I wanted to get my look alike's number," Melinda whined beside me. My a
LEILANI "Sienna?" I muttered and looked behind immediately. My headache stopped instantly, tears clouded my vision as I watched Sienna who hadn't even noticed me. She looked so lean and weak. Tears rolled down my face and I sniffled. "Si…Sienna!" I called out. She paused her movement and looked at me. Her eyes widened. "Lani!" she screamed in disbelief. She took slow steps towards me, her eyes fixed on my face. "It's really you," she exclaimed and quickened her pace. Getting closer to me, she engulfed me in a bear hug. "God, where have you been Lani," she asks. "I…" I had barely said a word when she suddenly pulled away and glared at me. "What's wrong?" I ask, startled. "You are seriously asking me that, Leilani. God, you suddenly disappeared into thin air and the first thing you ask we finally meet again after five years is what's wrong. Really, Leilani?" She asks, tears rolling down her face. "You know why I came over to this place? It's because someone informed me th
LEILANI Sienna slept over last night. She was afraid that I would suddenly disappear again if she leaves. I didn't bother to convince her that I wasn't going anywhere, as I honestly wanted her to stay back. "Good morning, mummy." Melinda greeted as she walked out of her room. "How was your night baby?" I asked and approached her. "Terrible," she muttered and scrunched her face. Alarmed, I became worried that maybe she didn't like the house. "Why terrible? Couldn't you fall asleep?" I ask. "Aunty Sienna snores a lot. She cuddled me the entire night, I felt so hot, but she never let go," she complained, glaring at her room behind her. "I can hear you, Melinda," Sienna yelled from inside the room. Last night, Sienna insisted on sharing a room with Melinda. There were other rooms in the house, but then, she refused to sleep in any of them, saying she and Melinda needed bonding time. "I don't like her," Melinda whispered. "I love you so much," Sienna said. Melinda's eyes widene
MELINDA Mummy's angry voice made me leave my seat, I tiptoed a bit closer to the table, I made sure my foot made very little sound. I hated it when my mum was angry so I wanted to make sure no one was bullying her. Upon getting closer, I heard her scolding the employees. I listened as an employee suggested a collaboration, but Mummy turned it down, upon hearing the name of the CEO. The look on mummy's face made it clear that she had no idea of what else to do. I know my mummy so well, so I understood that beneath her angry facade lies a worried businesswoman. "Malcolm Blake," I muttered. Perhaps, I should look him up. I tiptoed back to my seat. I picked up my phone and searched for the name. A picture of my look alike popped up. I was shocked at first. "He doesn't even act like a CEO," I mumbled. Then I recalled mummy's words. "CEOs are normal people. It is only the arrogant ones that act all high and mighty." "My lookalike is not arrogant," I mumbled, smiling. I immediately s
LEILANI After announcing Sienna as my PA, I stayed back as Sienna familiarized herself with the other workers. I also wanted to know as many workers as possible by their names. In my quest to expand my company, I learnt that workers are inspired to do more when they know that the CEO knows them by name. This is because they feel that having been known by the CEO if they don't put in their best, they might get fired. Nearly three hours passed and I was still with the workers. While talking to one of the workers, my eyes accidentally went up to a clock on the wall. "What the fuck," I muttered on seeing the time. It was already half past two and Melinda was yet to have lunch. "You guys, keep speaking with Sienna. I will be back shortly," I said and walked away. Sienna ran after me, seeing how I was walking hastily. "Is anything wrong?" she asked. "Melinda is yet to have her lunch. Don't mind me, continue with what you were doing." I quickened my pace. Sienna didn't listen, she st
LEILANI Here I am, seated on the sandy beach overlooking the vast water. However, instead of watching the water being pushed around by the waves like everyone else, My entire attention is on my two adorable kids, building sand castles in a corner. “Stop that, Melinda,” Miranda screams at Melinda who was so invested in destroying the sand castle she had built. “Let’s do something else, I’m tired of building sand castles every time we visit the beach,” Melinda yells and continues to kick and scatter the sand castle they had spent almost an hour building. “Melinda, stop that,” I yell, bringing their attention to me. “She doesn’t want to play with me,” Melinda complains, her eyes getting moist. “You mustn’t run around all the time,” I say, but Melinda was hearing none of it. She threw herself on the ground and began to roll herself on the floor. “Melinda, stop that,” I say, now pissed off at her unruly behaviour. She rises from the ground and grabs hold of Miranda’s swimsuit. “Th
FIVE MONTHS LATER MIRANDA “Stop that Melinda!” I screamed as she continuously banged her spoon on a stainless plate, creating a loud disturbing noise. “You never like playing!” She screams back, giggling. “I’m trying to study,” I replied, pulling my hair. But my crazy twin smiled and banged the spoon on the plate even more loudly. “Fine,” I say, slamming my book shut and rising from the bed. “What do you want to do?” I ask. “Yes!” she screams and leaps up. It’s been five months since I was taken home by my real family, five months since I discovered Aunt Isabelle’s true colours, Five months since I found people who sincerely love me and wished the best for me. Honestly, my family has become the most important part of my life. I can never stay a day without seeing them. My mum, Leilani, treats me like I'm the most precious thing on earth, and most times I wonder why Melinda never gets jealous. My dad, on the other hand, treats me like I'm the most delicate thing on earth. He
MIRANDA “Is that another me?” the little girl who looks exactly like me gasps I stood still, unable to say a word and watched as she also took steps towards me, her legs shaky and her eyes fixed on my face the entire time. Getting to me, she raises her hand to touch my face. But then, I am reminded of Aunt Isabelle's words about her being the major reason why my parents don't want me. "Don't touch me," I snarled and roughly shoved her aside. "I need to speak with Malcolm Blake and his wife," I said, older this time. "That's my mum and dad," the girl who looks exactly like me says. I glanced at her and eyed her unpleasantly. "I'm not dragging that with you," I snarled at her. "Anyone getting the duo, or I should barge in and find their suite myself?" I ask. "No, I'll call them," the lady says. Nodding my head at her answer, I stood still watching her make a phone conversation. "They'll be here soon," she says, putting down her phone. "So doppelgangers are real," the annoyi
MIRANDA I was so engrossed in the storybook Aunt Isabelle had purchased for me when I noticed someone trying to come into my room through the window. Scared, I got into the closet to hide myself. I would’ve called Aunt Isabelle, but then I recalled that she had warned me on several occasions to always keep my windows locked. Not wanting to get scolded by her, I carefully hid myself inside my closet and shut the door, heart beating erratically and waiting for the intruder to show up. However, after a long wait, no one showed up, making me look out of the closet. Then, I heard someone screaming for help. People asking for help was a normal occurrence in our neighbourhood. I’ve always watched a lot of people struggle with their captors. It was a daily occurrence that scared me. But then, I always watch to know who to look out for. Like always, I tiptoed to the window and that was when I caught sight of a familiar woman being pulled by the hair. For some reason, the way the man was tuggin
"Miranda." I gasped and stared wide-eyed at my little angel staring down at me. The maniac kept tugging my hair to bring my attention to him, but then it was as if I couldn't feel any of those at this moment. My entire focus was on the little girl in the window. "Miran…" I try to call again. But then, I'm cut shut as a familiar voice calls out the name before I could complete it. "Miranda," Isabelle's annoying voice sounded. At that moment, I felt my skin crawl and my heart began to beat frantically. "Don't tell me Elodie and her husband gave my daughter to this witch," I mumbled, gripped by fear. Having witnessed what Isabelle is capable of, the last thing I want is to have her next to my loved ones. Most especially, my daughters, but it seemed like that was just my wishful thinking. Eyes still on the window, I watch my daughter's face lit up with a smile the moment Isabelle reaches her side. I watched, with tears trailing down my cheeks as Isabelle fondly pats my daughter's hai
LEILANI “What?” I gasp in shock. Malcolm ignores me and rises from his seat. I grab hold of his hand to stop him from walking away. “How can you just drop an information like this and suddenly try to leave without explaining things to me?” I ask, still in shock. Disbelief clearly written on my face. “What? You suddenly want to believe my words right now?” Malcolm asks and pulls his arm off my grasp. “Malcolm,” I whisper in shock at the force he used in pulling his hand away. “What Leilani? What! I'm sick and tired of constantly having to explain myself to you countless number of times. I try to please and understand you all the time, but you keep making things hard for me. Tell me, do you even believe what I just said about Elodie?” He suddenly throws a question at me. I stare at him without saying a word. Honestly, this news is a shocker and I'm having a hard time believing it. “See, you don’t,” he says. Casting one last look at me, he dumps his cutleries, not caring if they f
LEILANI “When did we suddenly get to this?” I ask myself. I stood in place, too shocked to move. This was the first time a gun was being pointed at me. Yeah, I live in the United States, and shooting often occurs. But then, this is the first time I’m actually witnessing it. I watched as the guy pulled the trigger. “Is this my end?” I ask. Suddenly, I’m snatched like I weigh nothing and thrown aside. “You really want to die, don’t you?” Malcolm’s angry voice echoes. His voice sounded so far away, yet I was in his arms. My focus was on the masked guy trying to get away. I watch as he slips into one of the hospital rooms. “Baby,” Malcolm calls, shaking me rigorously. “Huh,” I answer absent-mindedly. “Leilani!” he suddenly yells my name. Making me snap out of whatever trance I was in. “He tried to shoot me,” I mumble. “I almost died without meeting my daughter,” I begin to cry. “Almost, but you didn’t,” he says, pulling me further into his arms. “She is dead,” I mumble, point
LEILANI The moment Frank runs past us with his skinny wife in his arms, Malcolm and I immediately run after him. Getting outside the building, Frank runs over to an old truck that looks like it will break down at any minute. “Are you honestly taking her to the hospital with that?” I ask “Let’s use my car,” Malcolm calls after him. Soon, we all got into Malcolm’s car, and he speeds to the hospital. Getting to the hospital, Elodie is lowered into a stretcher and wheeled into the emergency room. Malcolm and Frank goes off, as Frank mentions that he would like their family doctor to attend to her since he works here. I watch as both of them walk away in search of the doctor. Frank’s sister and I rushes after Elodie, who was already wheeled to the emergency room. “Has something like this happened to her before?” I queried her. She gave me one downgrading look and didn’t bother to answer. It is already bad enough that I haven’t seen my daughter even when I’m already in Colorado. Now,
LEILANI "You should pull yourself together, Lani. I'm sure you don't want Melinda to worry about you," Malcolm says the moment he ends the call. I didn't say a word and quietly snuggled into his chest. Honestly, I, too, knew I must have frightened Melinda. Heaven knows how she is feeling right now. This is one of the reasons why I said I'm not a good mother. "I'll go heat the milk. You need something to help you calm down," Malcolm says and proceeds to leave the room. Just as soon as he leaves, my phone rings, and I realize it's Sienna after speaking with Sienna. I felt calm and knew that I didn't need the milk to calm me down again, as my best friend had already did. I rose from the bed and found my way down the stairs. I was barefooted, so my feet barely made any sound. Getting to the kitchen, I found Malcolm on a call with his back turned on me. Not wanting to distract him from the call, I quietly stood behind him while waiting for him to finish answering the call. "You mean my