Four

  ROCHELLE

           That threw me off!

I just stood there, looking at Aries and his duplicate. My heart pounded so hard I could feel it in my throat. My legs trembled, and my hands shook uncontrollably. I tightened my grip on my purse, hoping it would steady me, but it didn't. This was not happening. My eyes must be playing tricks on me. I blinked once, then twice. Yet, nothing changed. There they stood, two Aries. One of him was already overwhelming enough, with his sharp jawline, piercing blue eyes, and that ever-present air of cold authority. But two?

No, I wasn't dreaming. This was real. Too real.

"Rochelle, are you okay?" Aries's deep, familiar voice sliced through my confusion. His tone was calm but laced with concern, and his cold demeanor softened just slightly, which was rare for him. He noticed my expression, the wide eyes, and the trembling lips. "Why are you looking at us like you've just seen a ghost?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. Instead, a scream broke free before I could stop it. "Why the hell are you two?" I finally shouted, my voice shaking just as much as my body.

Both Aries and his duplicate exchanged a glance, and for a moment, I saw the slightest twitch of amusement at the corner of their lips. Then they burst into laughter. That rich, synchronized laughter echoed through the living room.

"It's not funny!" I snapped, my voice rising. "What's going on? Aries, explain yourself!"

Still chuckling, Aries raised a hand to calm me down. "Rochelle, relax. This is Adrien, my twin brother."

"Your twin brother?" My voice was incredulous, my eyes darting between the two of them.

Adrien, who looked exactly like Aries except for a subtle softness in his gaze, stepped forward. His movements were less rigid, more approachable. "I apologize for the confusion," he said, his tone calm and soothing. "I can see how this must be shocking for you."

"You think?" I muttered under my breath, but I kept my eyes locked on him.

Aries spoke again, his tone more serious now. "I'm surprised you didn't know I had a twin brother. Are you seriously telling me that your father never told you about it?"

That question hit me like a slap. My father. The strained relationship we had back then. When I first met Aries, my father and I were barely speaking, let alone sharing family details. My silence must have said it all because Aries tilted his head, waiting for an answer.

"No," I admitted quietly, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over me. "He never did. We weren’t exactly on the best of terms when I first met you. But you could have said something!" I shot a glare at Aries, frustration bubbling inside me. "You just made me look out of my depth!"

Adrien stepped in, his voice gentle but firm. "That wasn't Aries's intention, Rochelle. If anything, I’m the one who should apologize. I prefer staying out of the spotlight, so I don’t make public appearances often. It’s just how I’ve always been."

I crossed my arms, still feeling off-balance. "So, you hide in the dark while Aries shines in the light?"

Adrien gave a small, almost shy smile. "Something like that. It’s more comfortable for me. Aries is better at handling the pressure, the attention. I’ve always preferred a quieter life."

I studied him for a moment. He was the same height as Aries, the same build, the same striking features. But where Aries exuded dominance and power, Adrien felt... softer. Less intimidating.

"I still think it’s weird," I murmured.

Aries shook his head, smirking. "You’ll get used to it. Eventually."

I shot him a look that said I wasn’t convinced.

Dinner was… well, interesting. I had agreed to join them, though part of me wanted to curl up in my room and process everything alone. But curiosity won. I needed answers, and what better time than over a shared meal?

The dining room was grand, as expected in Aries's house. The table stretched long enough to fit twenty people, but tonight, it was just the three of us. Aries sat at the head, with Adrien to his left and me to his right. The atmosphere was surprisingly relaxed, given the earlier tension.

"So, Adrien," I began after a few bites of the delicious salmon fillet, "why do you prefer staying away from public view? Is it just a personal choice, or is there more to it than you said earlier today?"

Adrien took a sip of his wine before answering. "It’s a bit of both. I’ve always been more introverted. Crowds make me uncomfortable, and the public life Aries thrives in... well, it’s not for me. I’d rather be behind the scenes, where I can work quietly and efficiently."

"But don’t you feel... overshadowed?" I asked, genuinely curious.

He smiled faintly. "Not really. Aries and I have different strengths. He excels in leadership and negotiation, while I handle strategic planning and research. We complement each other."

Aries leaned back in his chair, his eyes glinting with amusement. "He’s being modest. Adrien is the brains behind a lot of our success. Without him, I’d probably have made a few disastrous decisions by now."

Adrien shrugged, clearly uncomfortable with the praise. "I just do my part, just like you do yours"

"Well, your part is impressive," I admitted, feeling a newfound respect for him. "But doesn’t it bother you that people don’t know about your contributions?"

Adrien shook his head. "Not at all. Recognition isn’t important to me. What matters is that things get done, and they get done well."

I glanced at Aries, who was watching us with a small smile. "And you’re okay with that? Taking all the credit?"

Aries chuckled. "I don’t take all the credit, Rochelle. But yes, I’m the face of our operations. It’s a role we both agreed on long ago. Adrien prefers his privacy, and I don’t mind the spotlight. It works for us."

I took another bite of my food, mulling over their dynamic. It was fascinating, really. Two identical men with such different personalities and approaches to life.

"So, Adrien," I pressed on, "what do you do for fun? Surely you don’t spend all your time working behind the scenes."

He hesitated, then smiled. "I read a lot. Travel when I can, but mostly to quiet places. I also enjoy painting, though I don’t do it as much as I’d like."

"Painting?" That caught me off guard. "I wouldn’t have pegged you as an artist."

Adrien chuckled softly. "It’s just a hobby. Something that helps me unwind."

Aries leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "He’s being modest again. He’s actually really good. His studio is filled with paintings, though he refuses to show them to anyone outside the family."

Adrien shot him a warning look. "They’re personal."

"Still, I’d love to see them sometime," I said, intrigued. "If you don’t mind, of course."

He hesitated, then nodded. "Maybe one day."

Aries cleared his throat, breaking the moment. "Enough about Adrien. Rochelle, how are you handling all this? I know today was... unexpected."

I sighed, leaning back in my chair. "That’s putting it lightly. I’m still processing, to be honest. Finding out you have a twin threw me for a loop. But... I think I’m okay. For now."

"Good," Aries said, his tone gentle. "Because I’d hate for this to scare you off."

I raised an eyebrow. "It’ll take more than that to scare me off, Aries."

Adrien smiled, his eyes meeting mine. "You’re stronger than I gave you credit for."

"Thanks," I said, feeling a warmth spread through me. "But don’t think I’m letting either of you off the hook. I have more questions."

Aries groaned playfully. "Of course, you do."

And just like that, the tension from earlier faded, replaced by a light-hearted atmosphere. Sitting there with both of them was strange but also oddly comforting. For the first time in a long while, I felt like I belonged.

Or maybe I overestimated how I felt…