CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to barge in like that. I think I missed my way,” Angelie said, embarrassed, already backing toward the door.

Damien smiled, the kind of smile that made you wonder if he practiced it in the mirror. “You must be new here,” he said, his voice smooth and clear, almost like a melody. “Always use your map till you get used to this place. The building can be confusing.”

“I forgot mine in my room,” Angelie confessed, adjusting her bag.

“No worries,” he said, that calm look never leaving his face. “What’s your room number?”

She told him, and without hesitation, he stepped forward.

“Come on, I’ll walk you there.”

They moved down the hallway together, and a few turns later, they reached her room.

Just as Angelie was thanking him, the door flung open, and Damien left.

Flora stood there, wide-eyed.

“No way! Just how many days and you already got Damien’s attention? Girl, you are on fire!”

Angelie rolled her eyes, but made sure Flora didn’t see it. What is it with this girl and exaggeration?

“I got lost and he helped. Nothing more.”

Flora folded her arms, grinning. “Still… I knew there was something intriguing about you the moment I saw you.”

Angelie gave a tired smile. “I just want to rest now.”

“Okay, okay. I’ll save my gossip for later.”

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

Back at the Lu residence, Jeffery’s footsteps slowed as he saw the person standing at the foot of the staircase.

Amaya.

For years, he’d convinced himself she was a victim, just like him. That maybe, just maybe, she was trapped in the same lies his father had fed everyone.

But everything changed when he found out the truth. When he realized Lucas was also the seed of betrayal. That his mother may have lived her final years without knowing she’d been replaced long before death took her.

“Hi,” Amaya said softly. “You’re back. You must be tired. I told the cook to make red beans tonight. I noticed we haven’t had it since I moved in.”

“I don’t eat red beans. I’m allergic,” he replied coolly, his face unreadable.

“Oh… I didn’t know. I’ll have them prepare something else.”

“There’s no need. I’ve already had dinner.”

She was turning away when his voice called her back.

“Amaya.”

She stopped.

“I need you to be honest with me.”

“I will.”

He walked toward her, his gaze fixed and steady.

“For years, I gave you the benefit of the doubt. I thought you were just another piece in my father’s game. But I’m done assuming.”

Amaya's eyes widened.

“Were you having an affair with my dad while he was still married to my mother?”

Her mouth opened, but no sound came.

“Let me rephrase it,” he said, each word like a knife. “Did you sleep with a married man knowingly?”

The big air conditioner humming in the corner couldn’t stop the sweat beading at her temple. Her breath caught in her throat.

When the question finally landed, Amaya staggered back slightly, like her knees buckled.

Hot tears spilled before she could stop them.

Jeffrey’s jaw tensed. “A mistress. A pretender. That’s what you were.”

“Jeff…”

“Don’t.” His voice was like glass. “The nerve… to be kind to me, to pretend to care, when you…”

He couldn’t finish the sentence.

“I just have one question,” he added, turning toward the stairs. “How do you sleep at night knowing you broke a home?”

He didn’t wait for her reply. He walked up the stairs, two steps at a time, his chest burning.

Behind him, Amaya broke into a sob, her hands covering her mouth as she ran out of the room.

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

Lucas sat in a quiet restaurant tucked at the corner of the street, sipping on red wine.

Across from him sat Jimmy, all 6’5” of muscle and quiet menace. He wore dark jeans, a plain black shirt, and sunglasses that made him look more like a bouncer..

Lucas, by contrast, was in a simple white linen shirt and navy trousers. Classy but casual. He looked relaxed, but the tension in his jaw betrayed him.

They were having a late lunch. The restaurant was cozy with soft jazz music and polished wooden furniture.

“So what’s the plan?” Jimmy asked, his voice low.

“Get some men to keep an eye on her. I’ll send you the school address,” Lucas replied.

Jimmy tilted his head. “Why’d you let her go? What if she spills everything?”

Lucas gave a cold smirk. “She won’t, she loves her twin too much. She knows what’s at stake.”

Jimmy began chewing loudly. Slurping his drink and moaning like it was his last meal.

Lucas gave him a side glance.

“Must you eat like an elephant? What is that sound?”

“Sorry, boss,” Jimmy said, chuckling. “This food is just too good.”

Lucas wiped his mouth with a white napkin.

“Just wait for my next instruction. If what I have in mind works, I’ll be one step ahead.”

He stood abruptly, grabbing his coat.

Jimmy kept eating.

Lucas rolled his eyes. “Try not to finish the entire kitchen.”

Jimmy laughed, but Lucas was already out the door.

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

Angelie sat on her bed, flipping through her notes. The room was quiet. Flora had gone out hours ago.

She missed her already.

She smiled, remembering how Flora always managed to lift her mood. She had a way of making everything seem less heavy.

A knock interrupted her thoughts.

She opened the door to see a staff member from the admin block.

“You have a visitor.”

Angelie blinked. “I think you’ve got the wrong person.”

“Are you not Angelie Smith?” the woman asked.

Angelie nodded slowly.

“Then it’s you. He’s waiting outside.”

Confused, Angelie grabbed a light scarf and stepped outside.

She scanned the quiet path just outside the school building.

Then her eyes landed on him.

“No… I must be hallucinating,” she whispered.

But she wasn’t.

There he was. Standing tall, dressed in an elegant white two-piece. His skin glowed under the soft campus lights. His presence made everything else fade.

How could a man be this effortlessly handsome?

Her heart pounded.

“Jeff?” she said, barely audible, her throat thick with emotion.