Sighing in exasperation, I allow Zoya to do what her daddy has said. I stand on my feet and sit on the bed. Curiosity is bubbling up in me. I want to know what both of them are doing secretly. I'll be mad at Ashar if he has changed his plan of coming here. I mean, I have prepared dinner for him, even got ready for him and he's not coming here.
It has been a week since I last saw him and seems like he didn't miss me. He didn't even sound excited on call while talking to me and here I'm being so eager to see him, hear him.
I sit on my bed for like ten minutes all alone and try to think of Ashar's reasons when finally my doorbell rings. Maybe Zoya is back. I'm going to get all the details from her.
I pull opened the door and become startled when I witness Ashar instead of Zoya. My mind forgets all complains and anger in a swift and I feel myself lose into a trance.
In blue slim fit jeans, white striped shirt and a black jacket on it, he's looking dropped
"Let's have some fun tonight." Carol, my high school friend and my roommate speaks on call. "What's the occasion?" I hear myself asking. She sighs, "It's weekend, Sanaya." "You're right. I need a break too." I muse. She is asking me to hang out at some posh night club. She has the passes. I knew she won't take no for an answer. Whole week she blabbered about this club that how swanky that place is. I'm not curious, though. I agree to go there to freshen up my brains. Tossing my phone on my bed, I rush towards bathroom with my clothes. I change into short silk top with ankle-length, skin-tight pants. The top has some diamonds around the neckline. My attire is not posh like that place because I'm not a fashion person plus I don't have enough budget to buy pretty dresses for special occasions. I have kept few pairs for nights like today and normally I put them on without much grieving about my collection. I used to have complexes about my sense of style
Just a thought of working in the large, sumptuous mansion is enough to give me creeps. My mind is giving me alerts that I have taken a wrong decision. The neighborhood of the Hobsons Mansion is quiet and calm and has only few residential houses. The Mansion itself looks like a modern-day royal castle with the magnificent architectural work, palladian windows and warm brown bricks. I see array of beautiful maple trees at the opposite side of the house, long palm trees are standing. Their branches are moving back and forth due to light breeze. "Yes?" Sudden male voice disturbs my sightseeing. The person is in uniform, older than me, probably a household staff, standing at the entrance of main gate. I clear my throat, "I'm Sanaya Frances. I came here for the interview for the house cook job. I've already talked with Mr. Brooke." He pauses for a moment, then says, "Please come inside." I nod and start taking miniature steps, following him. The patio of the ma
Andrew gave me advance payment for the job. The salary he offered me is larger than the amount I used to earn through those part-times. I was right. Wealthy people keep their employees happy. I resigned from all the places in order to fully focus on my cooking. If I would make myself stay longer at Hobsons as their cook, my financial burdens will soon ease. With my savings and this new amount altogether, I'm able to pay my first college semester. It's confirm I'm going college this year. Hobsons saved me. Andrew told me that Katherine and his husband would see me in person soon. They want to meet me at the day of interview, but due to their upcoming big event, they both are occupied with a lot of work. Whatever, I don't mind. I'm nervous to see them in person. They are big people. A week later, I decide to visit my foster home and thank my teachers for raising me, especially Mother whose cooking lessons are now my source of income. I'm going to tell her about my
My foster home told me I was found in empty apartment when I was around two weeks old. That apartment was not registered under anyone's name. It was open for sale for like two to three months. The next-door neighbor found me there and contacted the foster home right away and they took me in. They told me no one came for me. Orphanage tried like they do for every kid who have fate like me, but nothing worked. The identity of my parents is a forever mystery. And I'm not curious anymore. I have passed that stage. It's not easy to live this way. Things about my family and why they left me kept bugging me during my growing years. But, other orphans around me who had similar stories somehow motivated me to move on and live and dream like normal people. "Do you know the cost of the wedding ring of Samara Elizabeth?" Carol questions, lying on her own side of bed while scrolling her social profile. "I'm not interested." Who cares about the ring and it's worth when bride a
I search for some fresh clothes in my small wardrobe. Carol has invited me to join the discussion about our final exams at the library. All of her friends decided to study together so she also asked me to come over. The discussion is exam related so I should join them too. My eyes catch the silk blouse that was blemished by that suited-booted man. I take it out and stare the stain on it. The whole scene of that night replays in my head, bringing smile on my face. I didn't plan to go to that club again. We can't go there without passes and I can't afford to buy them. Disappointment wells up as I recall the blue-eyed man's lack of interest in me. Maybe I should change my style of clothing, get a new haircut and learn some good makeup techniques. Maybe my appearance is a problem. My phone rings. I throw my silk top back in the wardrobe and reach to my device. Caller is Ryan; my friend since my early days. "Hey, hi." "Hey, how are you doing?" He asks.
My mind suggests me to ignore that woman who is certainly out of her mind. After all, no sensible bride would say such a thing on her own wedding day. "I don't think you're in your senses right now. Whatever it is, not my concern. I'm leaving." I turn around with an intention to storm out of this room, but she comes forward and blocks my way, "First hear me out. I'm not asking you to get married at my place." Her voice is panicky, "I'm only asking you to wear my dress and pretend to be me just for an hour. I've to go somewhere right now. It's urgent." My nostrils flare as I give her angry look, crossing my arms under my chest, "Are you dumb? Or you're just acting like one? I'm not your twin. People can easily recognize me that I'm not You. You can just call your fiance or someone and delay the wedding and finish whatever work you need to." I can't believe I'm even arguing with her about this. Something is definitely wrong with her. What a pain.
"Remember everything I told you. Follow my instructions. When lights go off at the Church, hide somewhere or runaway, okay?" Samara reminds me, while arranging heavy veil on my head. I barely nod. I'm almost ready in her wedding dress, ready to be at her place. She covers my face once she is done fixing the veil, "We both are trusting each other. I chose you to handle everything here so don't let anything bad happen. I'm trusting you, Sanaya. I hope you won't get caught." I'm still unable to form words from my mouth. My body, my muscles are jammed and my mind is no more working. It's blank like black screen. Samara is forcing me to be a part of her fraud. I'm still not willing, still not sure that I would come out of this situation safe and sound. She moves away from me, takes her purse from the bed and wishes me luck one last time and afterwards leaves the room, leaves me all alone. Hesitantly, I turn towards the mirror to see my reflection.
He bends down and picks up the file folder from the bed. He opens it and flips through some pages.Creases form between his brows as he looks up, "I told you I need to submit them to the court today. It will take only few seconds of yours to sign them."I understood who he is. He is Samara's father. I can now observe the resemblance of his features with hers. Samara inherited most of the features except the hair color from her father. His hair color is more like dark chocolates."You told me you'll sign them once you'll be free. That's why I've sent Sara away. But these papers are still blank."He brings the file in front of my face and takes out the pen from his suit's front pocket, "Just do it. Lawyer is waiting outside."I fist my palms, clutching my dress with them. "I'll d-o later." I slur."Are you kidding me?" His brows lift up, "I told you lawyer is outside. I need to hand over this to him. Come on, Samara. We're getting late."