The thought that Jake might notice my deception, filled me with dread. Hence, I decided to run upstairs. I heard Angela calling me twice, but I didn’t dare to look back, completely ignoring my twin sister’s call. I gasped for air as I finally reached the guest room, my back leaned against the door, and my heart was pounding like a relentless drum in my chest. The sudden arrival of Sarah and Jake had caught me off guard, leaving me entirely unprepared to face them. And as I caught my breath, I couldn't help but question myself. Why had pretending to be someone else felt easier than now when I had to face them as my true self? Then, I realized that I really didn’t pretend to be someone else. I just used my twin sister’s name. But everything that I showed them was real. My personality and feelings towards them were all real. That’s why it was so difficult for me now to face them and make a different impression of me. I released a deep sigh. After a while, I decided to send a messag
Live your life to the fullest! That’s my personal saying in life. That's why I eat whatever I want, making me a little chubby. Who cares? Chubby now is the new sexy, right? And I've got plenty of admirers to confirm that. They describe me as perfect, with my gorgeous face, silky long hair, flawless porcelain skin, and alluring curvy figure. Even my best friend is envious of my captivating beauty. But my adventures don't stop at my dinner plate and pretty face. I also travel wherever my heart desires, especially on my birthday. Alone. Because traveling alone gives me a sense of peace. That’s how I enjoy life. Or I’d rather say, that’s how I make myself happy and forget all the dramas of my life. That was after my dad passed away when I was 22. Because when my dad was still alive, I only used to celebrate my birthday at home, with him, wearing a red dress, blowing out my birthday cake, and eating my favorite pasta that he cooked for me. We were so happy back then even though I don
I was lying on my cozy bed with my eyes staring at the ceiling of the interior cabin. I couldn’t sleep because every time I would close my eyes, all I could see was the face of the man earlier. It kept repeating in my mind, especially the passionate kiss that we shared. Sigh. I couldn’t believe that I would kiss a random stranger, especially since it was my first kiss. And now that I sobered up, I felt so ashamed of myself. “What have you done, Ash?” I muttered bitterly as I pulled my hair and crumpled my face in embarrassment. I only felt better after I convinced myself that I would never see him again. And since I couldn't sleep, I turned on the television and made myself busy watching the news. After a while, I yawned. My eyelids feel heavy. Hence, I turned off the tv and pulled the blanket to cover half of my body as I prepared to sleep. However, as soon as I closed my eyes I heard a knock on my door. ‘Who’s that?’ I asked but it didn’t come out of my mouth. I didn’t get u
I stared at my twin sister’s face with a questioning look, still couldn’t believe what I just heard. I didn’t expect that her one last wish would be this consequential that would greatly affect my life.All of a sudden, I felt reluctant to fulfill my promise. ‘Why did I put myself into a difficult situation such as this?’ I asked myself. Then I thought, ‘Or was it only a prank?’“I didn’t know that you also love playing a prank, my dear twin sister,” I remarked, followed by an awkward laugh. But deep inside I was really anxious. What if she was serious about it?And my suspicion was right. Angela remained serious as she dejectedly stared at me.I stopped laughing as I bit my lower lip. ‘So, it’s not a prank.’ I whispered inside as I sat straight in my seat, waiting for what she would say next.“It’s not a prank, Ash. I’m really telling you my last wish. I want you to attend the wedding on my behalf. They will not know since we look alike. Anyway, I understand if you can't do it for me
I was lost for words after her last sentence. I could also see how disheartened my twin sister was. I stood up from my seat. Then I placed my arms on the railing on the balcony and looked away. There are so many things going on in my mind like, ‘What can I do? Why does it seem that I don’t have a choice but to agree? Sigh. Should I agree because I already made a promise? “Don’t you think that it will only get more complicated when I pretend? What if they learn that I am not the real Angela? Look at me. Yes, we have similar looks but we have different personalities. What if he noticed that I’m a different person?” I asked for one last time while looking at the hazy moon. “I’ve never met him in person before so you don’t have to worry. And to tell you honestly, I don’t know much about him and his family because they are living overseas. Mom just told me before that he’s five years older than me and a baker. That's all I know. So, it’s really not a problem.” She stated nonchalantly. He
Wearing my classic aesthetic wedding dress, I stood frozen in the middle of the aisle as everything flashed back in my memory after I saw the familiar face of the man near the altar. ‘It cannot be,’ I murmured in disbelief while my heart was beating wildly in my chest. And as I looked at him, I felt as though time had slowed down. The sweet piece of music in the air earlier was now fading away while everything around us became blurry in my peripheral vision. However, I couldn’t be wrong. How could I forget that exquisite face? His remarkable face that I dreamed about for several nights after our first encounter on the cruise ship. It was him. It was indeed Leo King! And… and he’s the groom?! But how come? I could clearly remember the face of the man in the picture that Angela showed me. And it was definitely not him! I was in a daze while my eyes were searching for the man in the picture that my twin sister showed me, thinking that I must be mistaken. That maybe the man standing
And just like that, one month passed by so quickly. Yes. It's been a month but I am still not used to my life now. I was always left alone in this villa. If Sarah hadn’t visited me every weekend, I might have gotten bored to death already. Anyway, I was right. We got along well. And there’s one thing we have in common. We love coffee! That’s why we always go out to have some coffee every time she visits me. Good thing, I had some savings to spend, I didn’t need to ask my busy bee husband for money. Although he gave me a bank card for my allowance I'd rather keep it for Angela since it wasn't really for me. It's for her. However, I was worried about my twin sister as I had no news from her if her operation was successful or not. The last message I got from her was on the day before she would go to the operating room for her operation. She told me not to worry about her and that she might not be able to call or text me for weeks since it would take some time before she would fully r
My brows furrowed, thinking why he couldn’t just tell me directly what the occasion was. ‘Do I look like a fortune teller to predict what’s the occasion?’ I grumbled in my mind. But as we approached the garden, I couldn’t help but be amazed. “Wow!” I uttered in astonishment, seeing the venue adorned with colorful flowers and lush greenery, creating a serene and inviting atmosphere. There were also balloons and elegant lanterns hanging from the trees, casting a warm glow over the area. And as we reached the entrance, a welcoming arch made of blooming roses and cascading vines greeted us. However, I felt a little anxious when almost all the guests turned their heads after they noticed us coming. And from how they dressed, they all seemed to be from the upper class. So, I assumed that the host of the party might be a very important person of the same class. Subsequently, I saw Sarah from afar approaching us. At first, I almost didn’t recognize her when she beamed dazzlingly at us as
The thought that Jake might notice my deception, filled me with dread. Hence, I decided to run upstairs. I heard Angela calling me twice, but I didn’t dare to look back, completely ignoring my twin sister’s call. I gasped for air as I finally reached the guest room, my back leaned against the door, and my heart was pounding like a relentless drum in my chest. The sudden arrival of Sarah and Jake had caught me off guard, leaving me entirely unprepared to face them. And as I caught my breath, I couldn't help but question myself. Why had pretending to be someone else felt easier than now when I had to face them as my true self? Then, I realized that I really didn’t pretend to be someone else. I just used my twin sister’s name. But everything that I showed them was real. My personality and feelings towards them were all real. That’s why it was so difficult for me now to face them and make a different impression of me. I released a deep sigh. After a while, I decided to send a messag
My heart pounded in my chest as Leo’s scrutinizing gaze lingered on me, his jaw clenched in anticipation of my reply. Indeed, my twin sister had transformed as though she was now a completely different person. And that realization hurt me deeply. ‘Can a head surgery really alter someone’s personality?’ I wondered silently. Then, I nervously wiped my mouth with the table napkin as I contemplated how to respond to her statement. For a moment, I hesitated about denying her words. Despite everything, she was still my twin, and I held love and respect for her. Choosing to give way and let go of my feelings for Leo was a decision made out of that love. However, I was not martyr enough to let her tarnish my reputation with lies. Putting down the table napkin, a thin smile graced my lips as I prepared to reply. "I'm sorry, Anj. But I couldn't recall. And why would you text me that fact as if we had a good relationship before? Didn't you mention earlier that I was yet to accept you as my
I really wanted to ask Angela if she could leave and let things be as they were, with me as Leo’s wife. I believed she could repay me that way. However, I was fully aware that she would not agree. Moreover, just like what she told me before, I didn’t wish to become her rival as well. Thus, I decided to give way, acknowledging that I had no rightful claim in the first place. And I confirmed her displeasure when I witnessed her expression darkening upon hearing my words. It was evident in her eyes that she didn’t like what I said. Since her return, I noticed a significant change in her. She was no longer the gentle and sweet Angela I once knew. Aside from taking back her real identity, she set clear boundaries between us, emphasizing that my role was merely a substitute, without any regard for my feelings as her twin. "What did you say?" She asked bitterly while crossing her arms and raising her brow. "I said, I would like to leave, Angela. Maybe tomorrow," I repeated, amending my w
Angela and I were sitting on the plush couch in the living room, our anticipation heightening with each passing moment as we awaited Leo's entrance. This time, however, I was the one wearing the wavy, long wig and eyeglasses. Yes, it was the moment when Angela and I exchanged identities, restoring everything to its rightful place. As I sat there, I drew in a deep breath, mentally preparing for the upcoming encounter with Leo, where I would meet him for the first time as the real me–no longer Angela, but Ashley. The suspense in the room peaked when Leo finally stepped through the doorway. I could feel the atmosphere charged with tension as his gaze shifted between Angela and me. And as Leo's eyes met mine, a flicker of astonishment danced across his face. The seconds that passed between Leo's entrance and the interactions that followed seemed like an eternity, each tick of the clock resonating with heightened anticipation. With a mixture of nervousness and curiosity, I couldn't br
I made the decision to confess everything to my twin sister, believing in the strength of our bond and hoping for her understanding of my complex situation. I was silently hoping that she would understand, especially considering the tiny life growing within me. However, just as I was about to begin sharing, her attention shifted to the necklace adorning my neck. "Wait, Ash. Your necklace looks beautiful. Is that the one Leo gave you on your second month together?" Angela asked cheerfully, holding the pendant and gazing at me with anticipation. "Hmm… Yeah," I reluctantly confirmed. With no one else to share my feelings with, sending short messages to Angela became my hobby, updating her on my excitement and disappointments, thus finding a release for the emotions that overwhelmed me. Angela's radiant smile widened, and she eagerly made a request that caught me off guard, "Can you put the necklace on me?" "Huh?" I mumbled, my heart quickening its pace as a wave of emotions surged t
I stared at my phone, my mind unable to process the name that had unexpectedly appeared on the screen. ‘Impossible,’ I muttered to myself, furrowing my brows as I continued to gaze at the screen. Shortly thereafter, my phone chimed again, abruptly pulling me from my daze. Suddenly, a wave of goosebumps rippled across my body as I read the sender's name on my screen. "A-Angela?" I stammered in disbelief, my voice barely audible. It was a message from my twin sister, and the sheer surprise left me speechless. I couldn't believe that I received a text message from her. With trembling hands and a heart pounding like a drum, I pressed the screen to reveal the message. My hands continued to tremble as I read the message. ‘Ash, surprise? I just arrived here in Southland. Let’s meet. I miss you so much!’ I stood frozen in my spot feeling as though a bucket of ice-cold water had been poured over me. "How is this possible?" I questioned myself as a paralyzing shock surged through me.
"Is Mr. Scott's claim true, Angela?" Grandpa queried coldly, his gaze fixed on me, intensifying the gravity of the moment. The room fell into a heavy silence as everyone turned their attention toward me, waiting for my response. I cleared my throat, preparing to reply, but before I could speak, Aunt Ofelia abruptly interjected, her tone accusatory and skeptical. "Dad, why are you even asking Angela? Do you think she would agree with what Mr. Scott says? I mean, no one in their right mind would admit to such a shameless act," she remarked, her words laced with insinuation, clearly aimed at undermining my credibility. “I did nothing, Auntie,” I responded fearlessly, my frown reflecting my resistance. Aunt Ofelia's subtle insinuations continued, "Oh, I didn't say anything, Angela. But I do wonder, what were you doing in Mr. Scott’s room?” I clenched my fists as frustration and anger welled up within me, sensing Aunt Ofelia's attempt to discredit me and strengthen Mr. Scott's false
"Where do you think you're going, my special present?" Mr. Scott inquired, his tone sending shivers down my spine. “What do you mean by 'special present'?” I asked anxiously, struggling to understand his disturbing words. “Do you think I would easily agree to marry my daughter off to that orphan without receiving something in return? Of course not. It's because, in every agreement, there’s a hidden endowment. And I must confess, I'm delighted that it turned out to be you," he divulged with a malicious glint in his eyes. I was stunned upon hearing his statement, a sinking feeling gnawing at my gut. Nonetheless, I kept my composure and looked at him straightly in his eyes. "I have no idea what you're talking about. So please, just let me leave," I uttered firmly, my voice unwavering. But he continued as though he didn’t hear what I said, "You know, I couldn't help but admire you earlier during dinner because your beauty has this captivating innocence," he stated, his gaze sweeping
As time passed, I couldn't help but wonder why Leo hadn't mentioned anything about Aunt Ofelia and Bernadette's false accusation. The weight of their allegations still lingered in my mind, so I decided to visit Leo in his library, where he often worked. "Leo," I called out as I knocked gently on the door. "Come in," his voice replied. Upon entering his library, I found him seated in his swivel chair, engrossed in his work on his laptop, wearing a pair of eyeglasses. When he noticed me, he removed his glasses and swiveled his chair to the side. "Sit here," he invited, extending his arms toward his lap. I walked over and settled on his lap, seeking comfort and closeness. He inquired with a grin, "Do you need anything?" "About Aunt Ofelia and Bernadette," I began, a slight crease forming on my forehead. “What about them?” He asked, his forehead furrowed. “Did they call you already?” Puzzled, I asked, "Why would they call me?" "Well, I talked to them last night," Leo explained. "