Camilla's POV
“Why are you not saying anything Ariana?” the lady asked, scrutinizing me with her eyes, and I bit my lips anxiously hearing her words.
What am I to say? Do I say no, I am not Ariana but her substitute, and that's why I don't remember you. I wondered, and I hoped that Blaine was going to arrive and save me from the trouble.
“I…I..” I was trying to find the best lie to save myself from the trouble but I heard a cold voice behind me.
“What is going on here?” I heard Blaine's cold voice behind me, and I felt relieved to hear his voice, and I have never longed for someone as I longed for him that much.
I noticed the girl disturbing me looked flustered seeing Blaine, and she rearranged her hair and tried to look presentable.
What was that?
“Oh, Mr. Sanders, you are here? I am only trying to make Ariana comfortable..” she was saying but Blaine cut her off coldly. “Ariana? Don't you think you are too comfortable with your future madame? You guys are not even friends,” Blaine says, and he grabbed my hands but I was perplexed.
So the girl earlier wasn't even one of Ariana's friends but she was so friendly, why was that? This is going to be more tiring than I thought.
Blaine walked me out of the company, and immediately we got into the car. I noticed he was angry but why? Shouldn't I be the angry one?
“Even though you are clueless, don't you think you can find an excuse to leave the place?” he asked with his icy voice, and my palms got sweaty hearing that.
“I…I couldn't possibly run away from the man, and your fiance..I mean Ariana looked close so I don't think that I can be rude to her,” I mumbled gently even though I felt like screaming at the suffocating situation.
“You are in a pickle, did you think you have the time to be polite?” he asked, and I shook my head. “But you can at least tell me what I need to know, who I need to know..” I was saying but the man stopped my words as he shoved an iPad into my hand, and I took it wondering what I should do with it.
“I ask someone to prepare it for you so you can learn all the information on that iPad, and then do your best to fit in,” he emphasized, and I nodded my head gently switching on the iPad.
I found some information about the family, and I was surprised to find out how rich, and influential Ariana's family was that I got jealous.
We had the same face that we could be each other's substitute but our fate was so different.
“We are here,” I heard the man announce, and I looked around to see the magnificent building, and my mouth was left hanging at the sight. That kind of house I only saw in movies.
“Where are we?” I asked turning around to look at the man. “Your parent's house,” he mumbled, and my growth ceased hearing his words.
What? Ariana's parent's house? Is the man crazy or what?
“What are you doing, sir? Are you trying to make me lose my mind? Why will you bring me here?” I asked, and he shrugged his shoulders.
“To drop you off of course,” he says, getting off, and my face gets reddened hearing his words.
What does he mean by saying that?
“But you can't…” I was saying but he got down from the car not minding my words. I also got down from the car, and I watched as workers trooped out of the room to receive me, and that was when it dawned on me.
I looked like Ariana, but I didn't know how Ariana acted. I don't know her relationship with these people who lined up to receive her, and most importantly I don't know this life, I thought, and my gaze landed on the man with a cold look in front of me.
“Welcome back ma'am, let's escort you to the house, while you wait for your parents because they are not home presently,” a man said walking towards us, and he bowed.
Her parents are not home? That's better I could quickly persuade this cold man, and escape from the place.
“Where did they go?” I heard Blaine's magnetic voice ask, and my finger shook in anxiety. “They went to an exhibition," the man I suspected to be the mansion's butler replied.
“Then I will take my leave, I am only here to drop…” Blaine was saying but I tugged his arm angrily, not letting him say a word. “Don't mind this man, he is going to stay for tea, you can prepare that," I said hurriedly, not minding my flaws as I dragged Blaine into the house.
I was able to locate Ariana's room on the second floor seeing that the maid was going to that room with the packed suitcases.
“What is your problem?” he asked grumpily, seeing that the maids went out of the room, and I glared at him.
“That should be my problem, what are you doing Mr. Sanders? You don't even care about my mental health, and you decided to shove me into this misery, what if I got caught by her parents? Did you think just because we have the same face means our temperament is the same?” I roared, not minding how loud my voice was, and I could tell that the man was angry.
“Don't you dare…” he was saying, and the door to the room was pushed open gently, and a woman who looked like the older version of me was revealed, and I could tell that she was Ariana's mother.
The resemblance was alarming.
“What are you two talking about?” I heard Ariana's mother ask, and my back stiffened hearing her words.
Does she hear all that I just said? We are busted, aren't we?
Ariana POVAs I entered the room, all eyes swiveled towards me with a palpable sense of incredulity. "Ariana?" Blaine breathed out in a daze of astonishment and bewilderment.After hearing about the attack, my heart was racing as I replied, "Yes it's me. I came right away."Blaine inquired with an aura of tension, "What brings you here?""I needed to witness it firsthand. There's a lot that has gone awry, and I believe it is high time we have a conversation," I stated while glancing back and forth at Marcus, Elena, and Cherry who remained quiet in the distance."You want to talk about what?" Marcus challenged, defensively crossing his arms. "After being in a coma and suddenly showing up now? We thought you were...""I understand," I reassured him, my voice now calm and composed. "Although he may be gone, I am alive. After all, I was hospitalized for the purpose of recuperating.""What do you mean recover? Is it from your accident?" Elena asked, her eyes narrowing."I unearthed somethi
Marcus POVAs the gunshot reverberated through the air, it seemed to herald an ominous fate. Suddenly alert and tense with a rush of adrenaline, I whipped around to face the masked figures whose demeanor had now changed from self-assuredness to bewilderment. My heart was thudding as I demanded in a loud voice: "What on earth just occurred?"The leader shouted, "Keep your distance!" as he pointed his gun at Blaine. His eyes betrayed hints of terror - clearly the sudden outburst had caught him off-guard.With my heart racing, I yelled Blaine's name and swiftly positioned myself between him and the assailant. "We must flee this place at once!" I exclaimed with a surge of adrenaline.Blaine commanded the crowd to calm down, his voice unwavering despite the heightened atmosphere. "It's in everyone's best interest for this situation not to intensify."A second collision echoed from the rear of the estate, accompanied by footfall sounds before we could respond. "We have company," I whispered
Elena POVAs the silhouette in the darkness pulled a sly grin, I felt my heart surge. It turned out to be Cherry Hill, Blaine's initial flame. "Oh look what we have here," she jeered as she made her way into view under the spotlight.Asking Cherry what she was doing there, I attempted to maintain a steady tone."Simply relishing the performance. You both seem remarkably intimate," she retorted, her gaze sparkling mischievously."Go away, Cherry. We're not interested in playing games," snapped Marcus as he guarded me defensively."My dear, this is anything but a game," she declared with heavy sarcasm. "I've been privy to some rather interesting details regarding your beloved initiative.""Cherry, tell me your desire," Marcus stated with tense fists.Her expression calculating, she responded: "I possess information that has the potential to either benefit or harm you."I questioned her motives and asked, "What is your reason for helping us?"Cherry twirled a strand of hair around her fi
Marcus POVThe intensity of our shared purpose had strengthened the bond between Elena and me. However, as time went on, we both felt increasingly burdened by the enormity of our duties. I completed my morning routine and found Elena sitting at the dining table deep in concentration, her brow furrowed while she stared intently at her laptop screen.As I poured myself a cup of coffee, I inquired, "Are you okay?"Abruptly, she gazed upwards with a blend of worry and resolve etched onto her face. "I've been analyzing our social media engagement numbers," she stated firmly. "Unfortunately, we're not gaining ground."Leaning in, I was fascinated. "What are you trying to say? Didn't our previous rally go smoothly?"Her response came as such, "Although it had an initial boost in engagement, we have observed a decline. Hence, we must seek ways to rekindle interest," she stated while tapping her fingers on the keyboard".I proposed, "Let's arrange a subsequent event - one that showcases the pe
ELENA POVAs we embraced each other, basking in our shared heat, the environment around us dissolved into nothingness. Though unremarkable at first glance, this instance of togetherness conveyed immeasurable depths about our relationship and the path we traveled together.As the night descended, we retreated to the interior of our abode where a tranquil ambiance enveloped us. Our companions had dispersed for the evening, leaving us with an unusual moment of seclusion."Maybe we could watch a movie or something?" Marcus proposed with a playful tone.I chuckled at the sheer simplicity of the idea. "That seems to be just what we need! Perhaps something light?"Seated on the couch, bathed in the soothing radiance of TV illumination, a much-needed sense of routine permeated through me as we watched those opening scenes - an undeniable comfort amidst our otherwise frenzied existence.As we watched the movie, our interaction was filled with fun teasing and fleeting chuckles; it was a clear s
MARCUS POVI was deeply moved by her genuineness, so I grasped her hand and weaved our fingers together. "Elena, my sentiments are mutual. We shall stand united through thick and thin."Her words touched me deeply with their sincerity, prompting an irresistible urge to draw closer. I leaned in and gently captured her lips with a kiss.As we kissed, the world stood still and time seemed to stretch on endlessly. The soft warmth of her lips conveyed a hopeful future for us as one unit.As we eventually separated, I nestled my forehead against hers and felt a definite bond between us. "I've been desiring to do that for some time," I disclosed in a hushed tone.Her laughter was a melody that elevated my mood and she said, "I'm happy you did."As we stayed there, holding one another tight, the struggles of life faded away. Though a modest moment in appearance, it was profound in illustrating our shared progress and unshakable connection.As the glowing sun descended below the horizon, color
ELENA POVHe softened his gaze and moved closer, providing a constant reassurance. "Elena, I share your feelings. We are united in this venture through thick and thin."His words were brimming with sincerity and they stirred something deep within me. I couldn't ignore the urge to move closer to him, so I leaned in and planted a tender kiss on his lips.As the moment stretched into eternity, it felt as though the entire world was holding its breath. His warm and tender lips against mine seemed to hold a promise of endless possibilities for what we could become together.As we finally bid goodbye, I leaned my forehead onto his and felt the palpable bond that existed between us. "I've been yearning to do this for a long time," I whispered tenderly.With a chuckle, he lifted my spirits with the melodic sound of his voice. "It brings me joy to hear that you did."In each other's embrace, we remained still for a while - oblivious to the woes of the world. An uncomplicated moment that convey
ELENA POVAs the sun descended beneath the horizon, casting a shimmering gold light over our sanctuary in the garden, we knew it was time to go. But even as we departed, we carried within us a poignant reminder of how much strength and support had blossomed between us.After the event, we were caught up in a whirlwind of activity as we planned our next steps. The excitement around us grew stronger, resulting in an inundation of inquiries for interviews and collaborations that became overwhelming. Despite daily challenges that cropped up along the way, every day brought opportunities to amplify our message beyond measure.Despite facing numerous challenges, the team persevered together. Blaine offered guidance to steer them in the right direction and Sarah's unwavering dedication towards helping others served as an inspiration for all. Jack's expertise kept them one step ahead of potential threats while Elena's steadfast determination shone brightly as a beacon of hope during difficult
MARCUS POVThe day following the rally appeared like a tranquil aftermath of charged emotions. The atmosphere was chilly and still, as if the planet waited in anticipation after our achievement. I stood next to the window overlooking the garden; my mind still teemed with vigor from yesterday's event. Our demonstration proved an immense victory that underscored both our resolution and solidarity.Elena accompanied me, her calm aura unchanged. Her hair was disheveled from resting and she held a teacup emitting steam in the chilly atmosphere.Her voice soft and warm, she greeted him with a "good morning."I responded, facing her. "Good morning. How do you feel today after yesterday?"With a smile and excited eyes that reflected my own enthusiasm, she expressed her feeling of being both exhilarated and slightly overwhelmed. The incredible turnout had taken her by surprise.Recalling the sea of faces and applause, I nodded in satisfaction. "Our impact was truly amazing."Together we stood