Five

CHAPTER 5

After struggling for several hours in Irene's office, Isabella began to feel tired of her disguise. She opened all the folders on her laptop, but found nothing. There was only one secret folder that was locked, and Isabella didn't know the password to it.

"Hey?"

Nicholas's voice approached her, making Isabella gasp. "Yes?"

"Want to have lunch together?"

Isabella blinked her eyes, she looked confused. Had the situation been changed and she was not in the guise of Irene, Isabella would have said 'yes' immediately. Who would refuse an offer of lunch from a handsome man like Nicholas? But fate had a different story.

"Sorry, but it looks like I have to do some work here," Isabella said.

Felix stood up from his desk, then approached Nicholas. While looking at Isabella, he said, "Let him do whatever. You can have lunch with me."

Nicholas smiled and shrugged his shoulders indifferently. "All right. See you later, Irene."

After the two of them left, Isabella was trying to find information again. She began to rummage through the tables and all the documents in the room. Anything that could make her find information about Irene's whereabouts.

But Isabella could only massage her head which felt dizzy. She then realized something. "If I was in the room during lunchtime, Felix would have gotten suspicious. I have to go out now."

And after spending a break in the cafeteria, Isabella intended to return to her room. At the door, she bumped into Felix who was walking alone.

"Miss Swan," Felix's deep voice called out as Isabella rushed into the office. She froze, her heart racing. "A word in my office, please."

She followed him, her mind racing. Had the man already discovered her deceit? She had only been there a day. Once inside his spacious office, Felix closed the door behind him and turned, his gaze scrutinizing.

"You are not Irene," he said bluntly.

Isabella's blood ran cold. She opened her mouth to protest, but no words came out.

Felix leaned against his desk, crossing his arms. "Who are you, and where is Irene?"

Isabella swallowed hard. Was it that easy to guess her disguise? How could she be found out so easily? And Isabella had no other choice but to admit everything.

"I'm Isabella, her twin sister. Irene is missing, and I have to find her. Please, you have to believe me." Isabella pleaded, her hands clasped in front of her chest, her tone pleading for pity.

For a moment, Felix said nothing. His eyes softened slightly, but his expression remained guarded. "Forgery of identity is a serious offense. I could have you arrested."

"Please, Mr. Kingston," Isabella pleaded. "I have no other choice. Irene may be in danger. I must find her."

"How do you know that Irene is in danger?" Felix gave her a serious look, he had heard of Irene's wedding plans from some of the staff in the office, and trusting Isabella whom he had never met before was one of the stranger things there. "I heard she's getting married. Is she trying to avoid her very busy work this week and get married secretly?"

"No! I really don't know where she is. This is the only thing I can think of because I don't have any clues about Irene. You have to believe this."

It took a while before Felix finally remembered his own problems. The problem between himself and his parents who were very religious and ambitious about marriage. And seeing Isabella's very cornered position, Felix had a crazy idea now.

Taking a deep breath, Felix nodded his head. He remembered all the words of his parents, about the marriage that should have taken place to prevent the 'gay' issue that was pinned on him.

Felix stared at him silently, his jaw hardening. After what felt like an eternity, he sighed. "I believe you. But this situation is complicated. I have my own problems."

Isabella frowned. "What do you mean?"

Felix straightened up, his demeanor changing to one of determination. "My parents are forcing me to get married. They think I'm gay because I'm not established yet. I just broke up with my girlfriend, and I have no intention of starting a new relationship. But if you agree to a contract marriage, I will help you find Irene."

Isabella looked at him, surprised. "Contract marriage? Are you serious?"

Felix nodded. "One million dollars and all my resources to find your sister. In return, we pretend to be married until my parents back down."

The offer was absurd, but it was his best chance. "Alright," she agreed reluctantly. "I'll do it."

Well, now it wasn't just Felix Kingston who was losing his mind, but Isabella as well. Isabella could not imagine how her mother would die of a heart attack if she knew Irene was nowhere to be found, and as it seemed, Felix had great potential to help her find her sister's location.

Although it seemed ... Isabella would regret that decision afterward.

"So... can you help me find Irene now?"

Felix raised his index finger in the air, he interrupted. "First of all, I want you to know a few rules during our contract marriage."

"Ooookaaaay, but we have to find Irene first," Isabella said adamantly.

"You have to listen to me first."

Isabella rolled her eyes, resigned to Felix's wishes. "Alright, alright. What rules do you mean here?"

"First, I still love my ex-fiancée, Sarah, very much, so... Don't you dare to fall in love with me."

Isabella's laughter broke out instantly. She pointed at Felix and retorted, "Tsk, do I look like I'm going to fall for an arrogant, foul-mouthed man like you? Oops! I was too honest, wasn't I?"

Felix's eyebrows furrowed. He knew that Isabella was very different from Irene and Isabella was very annoying. "And secondly, you need to be able to maintain your demeanor when you're with me. You must remain disguised as Irene as long as Irene has not been found and you must make sure... that you will not blow this disguise."

Isabella bit her lip, inwardly swearing. "Damn. It looks like this is a real nightmare."