CHAPTER 3

HAYLEY

“I want you to act as your twin sister.”

It wasn’t a request, but a command, like he was talking to me as if he was my boss. He isn’t. He is my father as he said so I appreciate at least a bit of concern…or perhaps a hug that says he was happy to see me. However, it seems like my twin sister is more important than me.

“I am not getting what you want from me,” I replied.

“Well, what part did you not get?” It was the woman now. “Your sister is missing and we need someone to pretend to be her for the wedding to happen. Of course, you will do it because you certainly looked alike.”

The woman raised her brow as she looked at me from head to toe like she was trying to find my soul. Indeed, we do look alike because we are identical twins but her life was different from the life I have known so it’s impossible to do the job. I don’t even wear heels which my twin sister happens to have as her closet only has those.

“Hayley…” My father held my hand. I am surprised he even knew my name. “Just pretend to be Harriet until we find your sister. I am very sorry for kidnapping you as this is the only way we know. I am pretty sure you will not even agree with me if I talk to you about this in your hometown.”

“What makes you think I am going to agree now?” I asked my father as I glared at him. I have been wanting to have a family I can call my own but if it’s like this…then I’d rather go back to the orphanage.

“We need to have this marriage with Mr. Cavill as this is the way for our company to be saved. We are on the verge of bankruptcy.” My father explained to me. The word father still seems to be alien to me as of the moment.

“Well…I am not part of ‘we’. I don’t even know who you are.” I shook my head.

“I am David Parker and she is Melina Parker. We are your family. Don’t you want to help us? This is also for your sister and for you…” My father sounded hopeful.

“Don’t be selfish. You will gain money from this, too.” Melina told me. I can sense that I will not like her as time goes by.

“I don’t need money,” I firmly said. “And, I don’t intend to pretend —”

“Don’t you need it for Sister Mary's operation?” Melina stated, making me look at her. “Yes, I’ve done my research. Indeed, you are working in an architectural company. But, is it enough for her operation? It will surely cost a lot.”

“Sister Mary would not want me to pretend just to save her.” I emphasized that. “It’s none of your business how I am going to earn money as it’s also none of my business how you’re going to find my twin sister.” I told them.

“Don’t you have a heart?” Melina yelled. I felt insulted by her. I hate her right now. She needs my help yet she still acts like she’s the god.

“Melina, your tone…” My father warned her before looking at me. “This isn’t forever, Hayley. We are just looking for your sister. She has been missing for a week and the wedding will happen in two days. Unfortunately, we cannot reschedule it as Mr. Cavill is a very impatient man. He also needs to get married for his inheritance.”

“How long should I do it? Like you said, she was missing and you are unsure if she’s already dead. What if she never comes back? Do I have to pretend like her forever? I have my life, too…” I said, begging my father not to do this to me.

Surely, I would want to help them because they are my family. But, there are a lot of uncertain things in here. First, I am not sure about their identity. Yes, my father has proof about my mother but I don’t know them. It’s just hard for me to give my trust knowing there’s a lot of uncertain things in her.

“We will give you money,” Melina said. “This is easy money that you will get from us if you marry Mr. Cavill on behalf of your twin sister,” Melina added. She went to me and held my hand. She doesn’t look sincere at all.

I sighed. “I am not sure about this.”

“At least, you are considering it.” My father smiled at me. “Rest assured that we are not going to put you in danger. Mr. Cavill is one of the most eligible bachelors in the country. I am sure you heard of him.”

Mr. Cavill? I recalled the name’s man but unfortunately I am not fond of those eligible bachelors and I came from a suburban place which doesn’t pay attention to fame nor money. I am living a simple life so I wasn’t sure how I was going to pull out the act if I ever agreed to it.

“I don’t know him.” I honestly said, “So, you cannot push me to marry a stranger.”

Melina walked to the side and handed me some magazine where there’s a dazzling man on the cover. He has a serious look yet it was so attractive that any girl will fall for it except me as my heart already belongs to someone. The more reason why I don’t want to agree for this marriage is because it would mean betraying him. He must have been worried about me now.

“Mr. Jin Holland Cavill is one of the grandsons of the CEO of the Cavill Corporation, one of the biggest corporations in the world. We have a business with his company, but unfortunately…one of our partners scammed us so we are facing difficulties now. We couldn’t pay our debt to their corporation so we entered an agreement with Mr. Cavill.” My father explained. “He will marry Harriet, then our debt will be paid off and he will also give us a lot of money. He needs someone to marry for his inheritance and he sees your twin sister as fit. We cannot go out of this deal, so we really need your help.”

Wait a minute. I recognized the man, he was the one who bumped into me. Now, I get why he was calling me Harriet. We must really look like in person for him to call me Harriet.

“So, you made a deal already?” I nodded, trying to think about it. “How long should my twin sister pretend to be his wife?”

My father shook his head, which means he doesn’t know. And, he doesn’t know it could be a year, two years, or as long as Mr. Cavill wants it to be.

“We are not sure yet but the agreement said that by the time Mr. Cavill will get his inheritance,” Melina said. “You don’t have to worry about it because we will find Harriet! We just need you to attend the wedding and exchange vows.”

I shook my head. “No!” I firmly said.

“What? Seriously? You are not going to help us?”

“This is uncertain and I like certain things. After marrying him, I am sure I need to live with him as long as Harriet is not yet here, right? I just can't leave my life in my hometown. Sister Mary needs me too…” I explained it to them. “So, please…just be honest to them that Harriet is missing. Maybe, he can help find her. It’s better to tell the truth because there’s a lot of consequences that can come out of a lie.”

I don’t want to lie and fake it because karma is a bitch. So, as much as I want to help them, I also want them to be honest because I believe Mr. Cavill deserves honesty, too.

I found my things on the side. Thank God, they didn’t throw it away. I walked towards the door. Halfway, my stepmother spoke.

“You will not get away from this,” She warned me. “They will surely come for you next.”

“What do you mean by that?” I raised my brow. “Are you threatening me?”

“No, what we mean is that you look exactly as Harriet…” My father said, “And, if she’s really with someone who wants to harm her…surely…they’ll come for you.”

“I am not sure if you are telling me the truth, but still…it will not make me change my mind.” I bowed my head. “Thank you. I’ll go ahead now.” I picked my bag on the side and went out.

There’s a maid waiting at the corner who guided me out. The house was huge, but I didn’t bother looking at it as I was in a hurry to go home, making me realize I am in the city which is definitely hours far from my hometown.

I was already walking towards the gate searching for my phone to book a flight going back. The guard stopped me upon reaching the gate. I thought it was because of my father, but he handed me a small envelope.

“Ms. Harriet, there’s a delivery for you.”

He called me Harriet so he’s not aware that Harriet is missing. Should I open it? I looked at it for a while…then decided to open it as it might be a clue from Harriet’s abductor.

“Aaaah!” I screamed and threw the card upon pulling it from the envelope as it was written in blood.

My whole body was shaking. I heard footsteps towards me. When I looked down at the card, a text was written: How the hell are you still alive, Harriet?

The next thing I knew, there’s gunshots fired towards the house.