4. Princess

Kyla Eva Fuentabella

.

I stood empty, staring at the mirror in front of me. I felt numb and lost.

Isn't your wedding day supposed to be the happiest day of your life? No. Not! Especially if you happen to be the substitute bride!

"This will be the last, Kayla. After this, you are free to go. I also had enough of all the pretend, and I'm tired of this game. This is the last. I Promise. I will never bother you again. So, please just be my substitute, okay?" Kylie pleads once again in the line.

"But Kylie? Where are you? Who's with you? Who is he? What are you planning to do? I thought you would be back tomorrow," I frustratedly asked. I want to pull my hair so she can wake up. 

"I will be back after three days from now on, Kyla. Just be my cover for a while. I know you can do this. This is easy peasy for you. You are my professional mini-me, and I believe in you, okay? I have to go. Bye," she stated and ended the call.

My mouth parted, and I just can't believe it! 

"What!? H-Hello, Kylie? Kylie!?"

I DRANK all my warm milk while staring at myself in the mirror's reflection. I don't know what to do anymore. My flesh is shaking in anger right now.

Everyone should have their label and identity, but not me. 

When I was four, I was hidden in the basement of our house. I could only get out if Kylie was no longer inside. The maids let me play in the garden when Kylie and my mother were not home. I could only have freedom if my parents and Kylie were not around.

My father was always busy attending to our business needs, while my mother? She's a stage supporter of Kylie and doesn't care about me. 

Kylie has been in showbiz since she was three. She won the best child actress award when she was only eight years old. She can act and dance but can't sing and is mentally unstable. She needs to be more confident in giving answers to the public and correcting her mistakes, as per the interview, and that's when I switched to her substitute.

Kylie wanted to become a famous model but failed twice. The Monde corporation doesn't accept without a talent in the market and doesn't care if you are a celebrity in the industry. They value their name, as they hold the biggest title of models worldwide.

I could do everything, and I excelled academically. My father sent me abroad with Nan Melinda, who looked after me and was more than a mother to me. 

I finished secondary school in Sorrento and earned my fashion degree at one of the most prestigious universities in Paris. I was happy being alone without my parents and my evil twin sister. My life without them was almost perfect. I was close to reaching my dreams, but everything was taken away from me in a snap.

"Oh my, God! What have you done with your hair, Kylie!?" Dixie exclaimed the moment he stepped inside the room. I didn't notice him.

"But oh my, you are so beautiful!" Dixie's fingers dance in the air as he twirls around me. Behind him is Dara, his assistant.

"My gosh, why the hair?" Dara twirls his fake wavy hair while chewing something. "My god! It's your wedding day today, Miss Kylie."

I inhaled deeply and shut my eyes. In a count of three, I am Kylie. . .

"Good morning, my pretty Dixie and Dara!" I forced a smile and hugged the two.

"I had a bad night, and I didn't have a good sleep. So, I want you to fix my hair and make it into a bun, please." I pressed my lips together as I looked at the two sweetly.

Dixie's smile faded as he looked at me from head to toe. While Dara's brow raised with a sweet smile, trying to blow a balloon out of the gum he chewed.

"Won't Sir Atticus scold you for this? Your long hair was part of the contract, my dear," Darna mouthed without a smile, looking disappointed.

I shrugged my shoulders and twisted my lips while looking at my reflection in the mirror.

I promise I won't talk too much today. I will try. I know they will understand me. I will just nod and smile, but I know myself. It can't be of help.

I sighed and sat down on the chair. Dixie is now behind me, started spraying my hair.

"Oh well, Sir Atticus Mondragon and Enzo, your soon-to-be husband, are cousins, right? It won't be a problem. The company can't fire you." Dixie winked with a smile.

I nodded and avoided his gaze from the mirror's reflection.

"Just do your magic, Dix."

"You know what? I love your personality today. Straight away, when I stepped into that door, I knew it was you—the smart Kylie that I know and not the dumb one," he slightly chuckled.

My mouth parted. I twisted it a little bit as I looked at the two laughings.

"Ops, sorry, but not sorry at all." Dara laughed at my expression. 

I shook my head and sighed. I want to laugh, but I can't manage.

I have known Dixie and Dara for a long time. Since Kylie entered Monde Fashion, I have been her shadow in all the events and interviews. I am her substitute, and I often spend time with the two gays. They are lovely people.

Kylie has failed twice before in entering Monde Fashion. Even though she's an actress, Monde Fashion doesn't do special treatment. Everyone will go through the eye of a needle if you want to become their model.

Kylie was dying to be in the company. She wanted to be famous around the world, but she couldn't. So, she started having me as her substitute. At that time, I agreed to help her, but I didn't expect to pass the audition. I ended up at the top, being the most favorite of all. I got on top as Kylie.

"Have you seen the set-up outside? My good. It was heaven!" Dara said in excitement. "Dr. Enzo Denver Mondragon is so handsome, my dear!" he screamed.

"Oh, you are so lucky, Kylie." Dixie smiled.

"A hot, yummy Dr husband. Yum!" Dara licked his lips.

"Yes, that's right. And a billionaire, too!" Dixie exclaimed. The two got louder, talking ang laughing while fixing my hair. I can't help but laugh.

"Are you excited about your upcoming honeymoon?" Dara's eyes twinkled like a star.

"I bet she is, Dars. I am excited, too!" Dixie stomped his feet, and the two laughed again.

"Oh, Enzo, my love. . . Take me to heaven, ah!" Dara acted like a wanton woman.

My face flushed at the two making fun of me. I don't mind it. I got used to their personalities. Part of me is enjoying this, and the other part is wishing that it was me that Enzo loves. But it wasn't because Dr. Enzo Denver Mondragon was in love with my twin sister Kylie and not with me.

Although this wedding is private and only selective people are invited, I am still anxious. I don't know if Mama will notice me. I hope she will not notice that her lovely daughter Kylie is not present at her own wedding.

I agree to this because part of our agreement will set me free.

AFTER two hours, everything was fixed and ready. I took a deep breath while standing patiently in the powder room, waiting for the ceremony to start. They were busy taking pictures and videos of me. The wedding dress was so beautiful, and my back was very exposed.

I designed this wedding dress myself, and Kylie loved it.

"I love your wedding dress, Kylie. It's beautiful. Who's your designer?" Dixie asked. He put the lace around the side of my shoulder, fixing my dress for the final time.

"I heard the designer was from Paris. Is that right?" Dara asked.

I nodded.

"What's her name? I heard from my beautiful resources that she was called Venus Magic. Oh my God! You are so beautiful, Kylie." Dixie distanced himself and looked at me for the final time.

"Perfect." He winked.

Yes, I am the 'Venus Magic'; that title was given to me by my colleague and professor. According to them, besides being competitive in the fashion industry, I was also a beauty capturer.

I didn't recognize myself for that as I lived a simple life there. I have a lot of suitors coming from Paris and Sorrento. Most of them are from prominent families abroad. I had my job already and started my career, but everything hit rock bottom because of Kylie. And now? Here I am, doing a stupid job as her substitute.

"Please refer me to her, Kylie. I want to know her," Dixie smiled.

I nod and smile again. If only I could tell Dixie he is now facing the person he wants to know, but I can't. It's too complicated.

I took a deep breath and smiled in silence. I could no longer wait to get out of this and have my own life away from them and away from everyone.

"Are you ready?" si Darna asked, giving me the lily of the valley bouquet.

Every detail of this wedding was after all my ideas. Kylie was so busy doing nothing that I ended up meeting the entire team regarding the preparation for her wedding. I know Kylie would be happy to do this, but where the hell is she? Huh, she's crazy!

AND it all started. The videographer and cameraman follow my every move. Everyone's eyes are on me, and I smile widely. I stop for a moment while Dixie is fixing my wedding gown.

"Dix?" I whispered, and he stepped closer to me.

"Can you roll down my wedding veil, please?" I politely ask, and she twinkles her eyes.

"I thought you didn't want to cover your face."

"Oh, I've changed my mind."

"Okay. No problem." He rolled the veil back, and it now covered my face.

Now that the wedding veil covers my face, I can freely breathe. The wedding organizer then signaled, and the wedding started.

I looked around. I couldn't believe it. Everything was so beautiful, and Enzo was so handsome. My stupid heart beats erratically. Enzo is standing mighty, like one of the gods who hold power and possession. It's melting my heart as he smiles in my direction.

Who wouldn't fall for him? He is the most loving man I ever met in my life.

I swallowed hard and composed myself when my mother and father stepped closer to me.

"Oh? Look at you, Kylie. You are so beautiful, my dearie," my mother said, quickly giving me a hug.

I never say a word and just smile. I felt tense, and I didn't want to say anything and would just go with the flow. I held my father's hand, and he stared at it. He looked back at me and back to my hand. He paused as he seriously looked at me, and that scared me to hell. I know my father has greater senses when it comes to who Kylie and Kyla. My heart is drumming inside my chest now.

"I'm happy for you, my dearie. Be happy, okay? And I'm sorry for everything," he whispered.

My smile faded, and it felt like a bucket of cold water had thrown on me. I looked at my father in the eyes while he handed Enzo a handshake.

I was right. Father knows now that I'm not Kylie because I am Kyla.

"Take care of my princess, Enzo," Father said to Enzo.

My mouth parted, and my heart throbbed. It's only my father who calls me his princess. That's me. He knows it's me.

My lips tremble as I look at my father, and he sweetly smiles and nods at me.

.

C.m. louden