CHAPTER THREE: A SHOCK

Faye’s POV

Evie’s phone rang for the millionth time but she turned deaf ears to it. Who could that be? Alex, her ex-boyfriend? No, he wouldn’t dare to call her after everything he did to her.

Evie used to be in a relationship with Alex, one of our college mates. She wholeheartedly loved him but it turned out to be the opposite for Alex. He ripped her and literally fed off her throughout their relationship. And ultimately, he almost caused her father to disown her following the fact that he never approved of their relationship due to his background.

He mostly called once in a while anytime he felt he needed money. Somehow, he still had the tendency to have Evie swayed.

I squinted my eyes, struggling to figure out whose call it was. “Harrison Sawyer?” I asked, my brows furrowed. “Did y’all have a fight again?”

Evie exhaled heavily, folding her legs so she could sit properly on the bed. “He is at it again,” she answered wearily

“No wonder you re-saved his contact with his government name,” I said, reaching out for her hand. “Maybe you should just listen to your dad, Evie,”

She removed her hands abruptly. “You want me to listen to him and get married to someone I don’t love?” She scoffed. “I can’t do that. I refused vehemently but he had set me up on a blind date with different men which a popular arrogant man is part of,”

I patted her shoulder, “Good luck with that, best friend,” I replied

She nodded her head lightly, reaching out for her phone. “It’s almost time for the date,”

“Wait, what? Your date is today?” I asked surprisingly. She gave me a look as if to say ‘I need help’

“Help you? Sure. I could select some clothes for you,” I said, tucking her blonde hair behind her ear.

“No, I could help you select some clothes,” she said, batting her eyes while making a puppy face and grabbing my shoulder.

I laughed awkwardly and in disbelief. “You can’t be serious, Evie,” I said. “Have you forgotten about what happened the last time I impersonated you?”

Evie Sawyer was my best friend whose father was hell bent on marrying her off to a prestigious bachelor from any of the worthy, popular, and rich families in the city. She had been single if not almost her life but for a very long time which had Mr. Harrison deeply worried and hungry for a change.

I could remember vividly the last time she convinced me to go on a date on her behalf. This decision of ours almost had things messed up in such a way that it almost defamed her character. She incurred so much losses in her business but had it recovered with the help of her father after several sessions of pleas. And it almost ended our friendship as her father believed I was a bad influence on her. How could I agree to the same thing which almost killed her?

“No, I can’t do this,” I stated, getting up to find my way out. I had already confirmed her safety, I just needed to find my way out so I could try to see how I could raise my $1000 debt.

“Faye, I really need your help. Please,” she begged, grabbing my arm

I turned away, avoiding eye contact. “The last blind date was it. I can’t do it anymore. You have to understand me,” I replied, reaching out for the doorknob

“I will pay you,” she blurted out. “Any amount you want,”

I stopped in my tracks, biting my lower lip. Such an offer… definitely coming at the right time…

Is it worth it? What if I get myself in trouble? Or even my best friend…

I swung to face her. “Evie…”

“$5000,” she blurted out, my eyes widening in shock. A whopping $5000 just to impersonate her? Such an amount would sort most of my debts… I just couldn’t sleep on it.

“Can we get to it ASAP?” I said, my heart almost jumping out of my chest as I wondered if I was doing the right thing.

“Yes, sure!” She giggled. “Let’s go do some shopping at the mall,”

****************

“Evie, I don't know if this is a good idea,” I said, looking around at the designer clothes and accessories on display.

“Come on, Faye, this won’t work if we don’t make you look like me,” Evie said, leading me to the stylist.

She greeted us with a warm smile and proceeded to show us the latest designers which my best friend had requested. After a few hours, I was all dressed up in the most expensive clothes I’ve ever been in then Evie led me to the makeup studio where I was glammed up.

Finally, the make-up artist stepped back and announced, “You're done!” I turned to face the mirror, and my jaw dropped. I barely recognized the person staring back at me.

“Oh my gosh,” I breathed. “I look...wow,”

Evie grinned mischievously. “I knew this would work!”

I turned to her, my mouth agape. “Evie, I...thank you,” I started, but she interrupted me.

“Come on, Faye, you need to get going. The venue is close by, and you don't want to be late,” she said, helping me gather my things.

I nodded, still in awe of my reflection. Evie handed me a small clutch and a pair of stilettos, and I felt like a princess getting ready for a ball.

Instantly, I boarded a taxi and headed to the venue.

As soon as I got there, I figured out that he hadn’t arrived yet. “Tch,” I scoffed. What kind of man lets a woman arrive before him on a date? If this was real, I wouldn’t recommend him to my best friend.

Taking a seat, I had time to rehearse every act I was going to exhibit. While on it, I noticed a familiar figure approaching my table. He walked purposely with his outfit that was seriously screaming luxury.

My heart jumped into my stomach as I immediately realized who he was.

“Y-you!” I stammered. He was the man from my one-night stand and he was already seated before me! Could it be that he was the date? Evie’s date?!

Unintentionally, my clutch fell on the floor, my cheap stuff littering everywhere but thankfully, only one thing caught his eye— Evie’s contact card.

“You seem nervous,” He smirked. “Nice to meet you, Evie Sawyer,” he said, tucking the card into his chest pocket after he had checked it out.

I cleared my throat a bit, putting the last of my cheap stuff into my clutch. “Nice to meet you…” I said awkwardly

“Right. Here,” he said firmly, handing his contact card over to me.

I reached out and took the contact card from him, staring at the name printed on it while my mind raced as I tried to place it. And then it hit me - Sterling Brooks. My boss is at work. The man who had just been made the President of Gourmet Getaway Foods where I worked, upon his arrival in the States, despite ghosting the succession ceremony. I had no idea what he looked like, having only communicated with him via email and phone calls.

I was totally in shock. My vision blurred slightly as I struggled to process this information. I couldn't believe it - the man I was supposed to impersonate Evie for was my boss. The same man who had constantly been on my mind after the moment we shared!

I felt dizzy and nauseous, my head spinning with the implications of this revelation. How could this be? What was I supposed to do now? I couldn't very well go on a date with my boss, pretending to be Evie. That would be a disaster waiting to happen.

“Sterling, I...I need to use the restroom,” I stammered, excusing myself quickly before he could ask any questions.