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Ixora exhaled and nodded, "Can you go to her father's place and tell him I'll be late today, Cher?" she hurriedly requested.

Cherry scowled, "Just call him."

Ixora shook her head, "He doesn't have a phone."

Cherry scowled harder, "A guy paying you that much to cook doesn't own a cellphone? Where's he from, the jungle?"

Ixora shrugged, looking apologetically at Zira, who observed without speaking. "Please, Cher? Pretty please?"

"You two really look alike," Berezira's soft voice interrupted. "Must be like looking in a mirror for both of you."

"Unfortunately," the twins chimed simultaneously.

Cherry turned from Zira and glared at her twin, "You owe me."

Ixora smiled gratefully, "Thank you, Cher." She didn't expect her twin to agree, but she was glad she did.

Ixora mentally thanked Jake for the subtle change in her twin's behavior and left the room, leaving Zira and Cherry alone.

After Ixora's door slammed shut, Cherry emerged from her room, dressed up.

She glanced at the girl, "Looks lik