GETTING AN IMPERSONATOR

 “Alessia, I promise, I'll never do anything to hurt you”

These words of his were now two-edged swords piercing his heart deeply with scars that never seem to heal up anytime soon. He had just broken his promise in a terrible way..

Ending his fiancee's life!.... how could have known that desperation could push him into doing that?

The weight of his conscience crushed him like a boulder pressing down on his chest. Her eyes that were once bright were now frozen in a permanent stare.

He confirmed her lifelessness for the third time and with shaky hands he shut her eyelids, unable to withstand the fixed gaze on him. Just a while ago, rage had consumed him but now, the flames of anger had dwindled, leaving only smoldering embers of guilt and regret.

At that point he knew he had to find a way to hide her corpse before anyone came in. Alessia always had visitors and besides, It was just three days before their wedding, anyone could come in to plan the wedding or deliver the goods they've ordered.

What if her mother comes in to check up on her? It was Alessia's house after all!

Or the cops?

How's the wedding going to take place without a bride?

What's he going to say to her family?

Hundreds of questions flooded his mind but none, he could give an answer too. He wasn't so sure of the time but the last time his gaze met with the clock, it was well past 2PM.

Without hesitation, he carried her lifeless body, rushing into the bathroom with her in his arms.

Her body was still so warm but she wasn't breathing anymore.

  “Arrgh..” he groaned as his arms ached due to her weight.

“The bathtub!” his subconscious mind yelled and immediately, he dropped her in the bathtub, drawing the curtains to cover her up.

Returning to the room, he grabbed a cloth and cleaned up the stains of blood on the floor and walls and with that, he packed the broken pieces of the flower vase and the destroyed flowers into a bin.

“There must be no traces” his subconscious mind whispered and he rushed out of the room, intending to dispose the broken pieces.

“Sir..” the delivery girl sprang up from where she sat on sighting him. Bryan raised a brow, surprised to see her still around. She made silent hiccoughs, wondering how someone could be that cute.

For the first time in minutes, he noticed she has the same eye and hair color as Alessia.

   “What are you still doing here?” he asked, trying to sound calm to evade suspicions.

“I don't have much gas in my bike, I decided to wait till you're ready to receive the food you ordered” she said. Bryan stared at her in silence, scanning her from head to toe.

Her eyes and hair…

Stature..

Skin color..

… all resembled that of Alessia and without a word, he walked over to the big bin, disposing the contents in the small-sized container he was holding.

“She has similar features with Alessia!” his subconscious mind screamed and when he tried ignoring its words, a bigger part of him still felt so drawn to that statement. Suddenly, an idea popped into his head, causing his eyes to widen.

“Impersonation” he gasped and immediately, he turned back to her. He was done disposing the content in his hands.

He flashed a smile and the delivery girl blinked repeatedly, wondering why he suddenly began smiling…

“Huh..” she voiced, feeling quite uneasy. 

“Nice meeting you, I'm Bryan” he extended his hand for a handshake. Maybe because the delivery girl admired him or because it was wrong to turn down a customer, she slowly accepted his handshake.

“Jenna" she said simply

“I'm sorry for keeping you waiting, come in please” he managed to maintain a sweet voice and smile despite how his stomach was churning in fear and dread.

He was a criminal now!.. 

“I’m sorry sir, my working hours are still on and my boss will be so mad at me if I return to the restaurant late” Jenna tried explaining but Bryan cared less, he was desperate again – to cover up his evil deeds and get someone to impersonate his fiancee.

Else, he'll surely be jailed forever.

“I’ll triple your salary, trust me" he said and Jenna shook her head in fear, assuming he was one of those customers who took advantage of young girls.

“No sir, I'm just–” she hadn't completed her statement when he pulled her in, covering her mouth to prevent her from alerting the neighbors. The bag containing the food she was to deliver fell in the process but it was the least of their problems at that moment.

“Please…"Jenna begged in fear, rubbing her palms together as Bryan locked the door.

Bryan heaved a deep sigh, he greatly disliked how he had suddenly changed to a monster within a short while.

“Stop crying!" He yelled with a glint of frustration obvious in his voice.

“I’m not going to hurt you” he said further and Jenna's cries reduced a bit, trying her best to believe him.

“Then let me go..” she said and without a response, he covered the remaining distance between them, leaning in gently.

“We can help each other you know, help me to help you" he whispered, his fresh breath brushing against her skin in the process, sending shivers down her spine.

“Huh? I don't think I have any help to render, I'm a poor delivery girl” she said and he nodded.

“I'll change your status in days if you agree to help me” he said and her eyes widened a bit but they returned to normal immediately. She didn't want Bryan to realize that she was attracted to his offer so quickly.

“Then what do you want from me?” she asked and without a quick reply, he leaned in and claimed her lips, breaking it immediately.

Jenna's eyes widened.. “Did he just steal my first –” her mind couldn't even complete its words because he spoke before she could.

“My wedding is in three days!” he growled, moving away from her. He had tried easing his pains by claiming her lips but it was obviously not working.

“And what's my business with that?” Jenna was forced to yell back. The way his mood swung in seconds annoyed her.

“I lost my bride” his voice came in a whisper this time and she gasped.

  “I need you Jennifer,” he said with puppy eyes.

“It’s Jenna," she corrected.

“I don't care” he whispered again and she sighed frustratingly. Can today be any better for her?

“What do you need me for?” she asked, losing her patience.

“Impersonate my bride for the next one year” Bryan released the bombshell and Jenna didn't only gasp, her eyes widened broadly.

“What?!!”