Chapter 1

" What did she ask you this time?"

Annabelle opened her mouth to respond but her friend stopped her with a wave of her hand.

" Wait... I guess she wants you to replace her one more time?"

Annabelle nodded positively, already knowing that her friend was going to start lecturing her again. One more time...

" Lord, Annabelle It's the sixth time in less than a month!" Said her friend, offended.

" This is the last time, Kara. She swore it to me."

" Last time, she promised you on the head of her new sofa!"

" I know...but..." Annabelle answered, letting herself go on the big sofa.

Her friend glared at her and sat down on a small chair across from her before retorting...

" But what ? I really don't know why you keep helping her when she only calls you when she needs you."

" She's busy, Kara... With her job, her... I don't know."

" Yes, Annabelle. You're right. She's busy wasting the money of these men whose only sin is to fall into the nets of this... viper! Sorry to call her like that in front of you!"

" Annabella may not be easy to live with, but she's not such a bad person, Kara. Don't talk about her like that..."

" You know what, my sweet? Your naivety will lead you to hell with her. And I, I will watch you from above alongside my saviour!"

Annabelle smiled at her best friend's confused expression. The young woman knew that Kara was right but Annabella was a little different... Annabelle was convinced that with a little patience, she would manage to soften her.

" This situation suits you well since your boyfriend will be here tonight. And I'm sure you wouldn't like moaning in our bed while I'm in the living room!"

Kara got up from the chair and started pacing around the small room.

" Maybe you're right."

" I'm always right." Annabelle continued, proud of herself.

Kara gave her a resigned look and then came to stand beside her.

" I would be happy if you would leave me the house tonight but it annoys me that she uses you so much. She's really bad with you, Annabelle... She really doesn't deserve your kindness."

" Yes, but... I can help her. We have the same face...I'm broke and she needs to go clubbing."

" She's not going to pay you anything, Annabelle."

" Not quite."

" What ? An old television is no payment, Annabelle!"

" It's true but... It allows me to watch our favorite shows!"

Annabelle stared at the television set in the middle of her living room. It was her sister's reward for standing in for her 10 times at work last month. It was...the only modern thing in her living room.

Her life is a real mess... She lived in student accommodation with old furniture that barely held up and She just got fired for putting a client in her place... Which was unfair. She had complained about this same customer for more than 3 times but her boss was always telling her that the customer was king and she should avoid coming near him but as always She was on duty at that customer's table . When she decides to revolt, she was fired. It was sad but it was her reality. Her biggest regret is not having had the courage to revolt sooner...

" Speaking of boyfriends... where's your faceless prince charming?" kara asked.

" Oh my God !" Annabelle shouted, looking horrified.

" What ?"

" We should have had a video call this morning! Lord... I completely forgot!"

Annabelle got up from the couch saying that and then hurried over to a small table where her small computer was sitting. She quickly opened it and climbed onto the app where she was chatting most of the time with her virtual boyfriend.

" There you go... He was still on the line a few minutes ago. It is sure that he will not be happy."

Annabelle sighed and shut down her computer, then cast a simple glance at her friend who was standing next to her.

" I really don't see why you're in a relationship with a man that you've never met or even seen!"

" I haven't seen him yet but... It's only a matter of time before we meet."

" I understand... You live opposite each other but I really don't understand why he refuses to open his camera when you talk to each other."

" He does not like..."

" The cameras, blablabla... Honestly Annabelle, your life is really complicated."

Annabelle turned to her friend who was already heading towards the small mirror, surely to get a makeover... Kara valued her appearance especially when she had an appointment. Annabelle looked at her carefully. She was beautiful... Very beautiful... Redhead with freckles and tall, she had the body of a model. She had long legs with thin skin. She loved to wear heels even to go and throw the trash. Annabelle smirked as she looked at her friend.

They had met 4 years ago at university. Kara and she always paired up for homework. Everything was so fusion between them that they became friends overnight. In less than a year, they moved in together and now Annabelle can't see her life without Kara.

While Annabelle was calm and kind, Kara was fiery. She was responsible, decisive and outspoken. Sometimes she acted like a mother to Annabelle. The young woman had a lot of admiration for her friend for this.

" You're going to stay there watching me where you're going to get ready. It's after 5 o'clock and Carl is coming soon."

Annabelle rolled her eyes without answering and headed for the bathroom. She should leave the house before 6 a.m. so as not to be late. Which wouldn't be a problem since Anabella always arrived half an hour after her shift started. And she probably wasn't getting fired because she probably threatened them. She was a social media star, the bar had more and more customers thanks to her presence. Replacing her twin sister has always been a tough job. They were really different even though they had the same face.

Annabelle grabbed her meager cosmetics and did a little makeup to enhance her features. If it were up to her, she wouldn't wear any. But the last time she replaced Annabella and decided not to wear makeup, the latter violently scolded her. And she preferred not to take any more risks. She hated making Annabella angry...

At that thought, her door slammed open and a panicked Kara... Carl was surely already there.

" He is there... Am I beautiful, perfect...? I feel fat."

" You are beautiful, Kara... As always... Now go open the door for him."

" No! You know what... do it yourself..."

Kara always had that panic attack when Carl came over. They were over 3 years together and this scene happened every time they saw each other. Annabelle witnessed their 3 years and she had only one conclusion.

That was love...

" You look beautiful, Kara. Stop panicking." She replied, smiling and taking her hands.

" Thanks." She replied calming down.

She was lovely. This short dress fit her like a glove. And her curly hair was just perfect... Annabelle sometimes envied her...

" I go..."

" Come on champion... You're going to rock."

Kara smiled and left the room. Annabelle stared at the door for a moment, then took a deep breath before turning back to the mirror. Unlike her friend, she was short in stature. She was brown and a rather pretty face. She loved his pink lips and his little pointy nose and his blue eyes. She was much too thin with a strong chest and bouncing buttocks. With these features, she couldn't wear mini-skirts without forgetting that she hated being the center of attention...

She looked up at the clock and it was almost time to leave so she made a quick bun with her long brown hair. Then grabbed her bag, her phone and change for the taxi. She was going to get a big tip as always and could give a small percentage on the rent... She checked herself for one last time in the mirror and told herself to encourage herself.

" Annabelle, it's time to go... You have a long evening ahead of you."

And a long evening awaited her... Much longer...and hotter than she expected...