CHAPTER 4

HAYLEY

"It's 99%, Ms. Basco," the doctor told me as he handed me the envelope.

My mind was still loading as I reached for it with my shaky hands. I already knew this but it still felt new to me. Of course, in my 25 years of existence I never thought that I have a twin nor a biological family I can count on. I grew up in an orphanage. At first, I wanted to find my family but as time went by I realized that my family in the orphanage is already enough for me. And, if they want to find me…they'll make an effort to do so. Should I be happy now? I couldn't find in myself to be grateful of the situation knowing my father is just using me to save his company. And, my stepmother seems to be digging money.

“Is there anything I can do for you, Ms, Basco?”

I shook my head. “That’s all, doctor. Thank you for your service.” I smiled at her and turned to the paper again, still couldn’t believe what I was reading.

“Anything for you, Hayley…” She smiled at me. “Send my regards to the orphanage. I am glad you already found your family.”

“Please don’t tell Sister Mary,” I told her. “I just don’t want to tell her now since I am still fixing some things,” I explained, although it was because I don’t want her to know about my father’s doing and the threat in my life. I cannot put their life in danger.

“As you wish, Hayley. Let me know if you need anything, okay?”

I nodded and we both parted ways. I stared at the document for a minute until I put it inside my bag. I slowly walked towards the main door of the hospital thinking of the life I would have been if only I met my father earlier than now. I think I wouldn’t experience grief and sorrow, not that I am not happy but I had walked through fire just to find happiness on my own because I always felt that I wasn’t enough.

The sun was rising from above the mountain and its rays scattered on the sea. I lifted my hand and slightly covered my eyes while looking at the sun. The folks greeted me good morning which I replied with a smile. The town I grew up in was a small one which explains why everyone knows each other. It’s hard to keep things from them as we have bonds with each other.

I drove back to the town I was staying to reflect on things. My father kept on calling me since I told them I will think about it. I haven’t thought about it. I don’t even know what I will do. If I pretend to be Harriet then I have to leave my life here which I don’t know for how long. Harriet is missing and if the people behind this crime are telling me the truth, then she is already dead. If she is dead, I have to pretend for the rest of my life if I married Cavill. And, I cannot do that because Harold is waiting for me. What am I going to say to him? There is a lot of uncertainty yet I want to know who is behind this because if I will not uncover it then surely I’ll be next. I also have to stay away from the orphanage because they might be the next target.

Ugh! This is giving me a headache. As I was walking towards the coffee shop to buy something for my fiance, my focus was on my phone while I was replying to my father. He was rushing me for the wedding when my life was on hold because I had to think of my twin sister’s life.

I was already at the counter when someone grabbed my arms. “Why aren’t you answering your goddamn phone?”

I blinked upon hearing the man’s baritone voice. I immediately turned to him and was surprised to see that it was Jin Cavill, the man Harriet was supposed to marry. I panicked as I gulped the lump in my throat. I pulled my hand from him.

“What are you doing here?” I stuttered. I tried my best to be calm even though I want to run away now.

He looked at me, his eyebrows arched, his lips twitched, as it he was confused by my sudden expression, then he eventually scoffed.

“Should I be the one asking you that?”

I waited for him to say something since I wasn’t aware of Harriet’s personality and to what extent she knows about Jin and the other way around. Jin seems to have some conversation about Harriet and one wrong move might make him think I am not Harriet or perhaps I am fooling her.

“Are you trying to run away from our marriage?” He eyed me. Jin’s the same as the man in the magazine my stepmother had shown me and even more dazzling. His features weren’t soft, it was rough yet it makes him more attractive including his refined jawline and his deep blue eyes that’s drowning me like I am in the ocean.

“Of course not,” I shook my head. “How about you? What are you doing here?” I tried to change the topic.

He scoffed. “I don’t need to explain it to you!”

Oh, I wish I had a lot of patience. If I am not thinking of Harriet, I already knocked his head off. Why of all places he is here? I am not even sure about pretending to be Harriet but it seems like this is the universe giving me signs.

“Seriously? You didn’t even go to our meet-up. You made me wait for hours without any explanation then I am going to see you here enjoying yourself. Are you fucking kidding me? Don’t you dare break our engagement! You know what will happen if you break it!”

I don’t know what will happen and I don’t feel like knowing it. For a moment, I felt like going somewhere people don't know me and pretend I am missing.

“Wait, meet-up? Where and what —” I stopped when I saw the confusion in his eyes because of my question. “I mean, I am sorry for not replying but I am just thinking about the marriage. Can I not have a second thought about it?”

Jin sneered at me. “Why are you having second thoughts when you are the one who proposed this marriage in the first place?”

I blinked. What? Harriet proposed this marriage?