CHAPTER ONE

Evelyn.

.

.

“Get these files to the HR department immediately. Have them give me a report by tomorrow morning.” Liam, my boss, said huskily, handing me a huge file of papers. I nodded, and scurried out of his office, trying to catch my breath. Being around him was exhausting.

I rearranged my clothes, and strutted gracefully towards the HR department. Today was going to be a long day, I could sense it.

“Evelyn, have you heard about the new supermodel Mr Liam is bringing in tonight? I hear she's a real beauty.” Gina, my coworker and friend, beamed at me as soon as she saw me walking towards her. I rolled my eyes.

“Stop reading those useless headlines on social media Gina. They'll be the end of you.” I said, smirking. She huffed, and stuck her nose back into her computer. I let out a small laugh, and hurried over to the bathroom.

I was feeling so nauseous today. Maybe it was the nacho ball I had last night. Or the pepperoni pizza afterwards. Or maybe it was the-ooof! I had bumped straight into someone.

I paused, the familiar scent of rosemary and cinnamon permeating my senses. A huge wall of muscle stood in front of me, blackening my vision. I gasped softly and backed away. “Sorry, sorry!” I muttered before rushing to the restroom. My tummy didn't make it easy to stand and talk.

A few minutes later, I was relieved from the volcanic mess that went down in my stomach and began heading back to my office. My mind drifted to Gina's words. A supermodel? Liam? Highly unlikely, but not impossible. He was a charmer.

Not that I cared though. He had affairs every now and then, and I was so used to dealing with the media that it had become muscle memory. I often wondered if he would ever find true love and stop his numerous affairs. Oh well, thoughts for another day. I don't even see myself loving someone for another 5-10 years, and I'm 26.

As soon as I got to my desk, I saw Liam marching right to where I was seated, his expression darkened. I straightened in my seat, placing my palms on my knee to keep them steady. What could he want? Liam never walks to my office unless he was angry about something. My head quickly did a run over of everything I had to do. I had done them all, so I just sat and waited.

He stopped in front of me, and leaned down to my height behind the desk. His blue eyes held mine, as he slid an envelope across. “7pm. Be there.” He said curtly, and I glanced at the envelope. It looked like a wedding invitation, but I wasn't sure.

Who the hell has a wedding by 7pm?

“Okay sir.” I nodded, gathering all my courage to look back at him. My eyes dropped to the middle of his shirt, a faint red smudge conspicuous on the white crisp material.

Lipstick?

I wouldn't be surprised. Maybe I'll believe the whole supermodel thing.

***********

“Gina, please don't get drunk tonight.” I muttered as we packed up our stuff. It was 6pm, and I had exactly an hour to prepare for the “wedding” I was supposed to attend with Liam. It turned out it was the vice mayor's daughter's wedding, so Liam wanted to make use of any opportunity to bag a contract with them.

“I’m not making any promises hun.” She giggled, sauntering towards the entrance. “Have fun at your wedding.” She blew me a kiss, running off before I could retort.

Silly little woman.

I was done packing and had just left the office when my phone buzzed loudly, startling me out of my thoughts. “Mom” displayed boldly on the caller ID, and I felt my stomach sink. I looked around the dark streets, the headlights of cars flashing ahead and behind. I walked towards a streetlight and picked up the call.

My stomach twisted and turned, and no, it wasn't the nacho ball or pepperoni pizza. It was the haunting feeling of something being terribly wrong.

Mom was crying.

“Mom? What's wrong? What happened?” I said frantically, trying to calm myself down as well.

“Ev-Evelyn…your grandma, she..” her voice broke, and she sniffled so much. “She had a stroke this morning.” She finally said.

My world tilted. “A stroke? W-where is she right now?” I asked, clutching my chest.

Mom sniffled a bit more. “She's at the hospital, but she's insisting on seeing you. She's refused to take any medication. The doctors said her brain could fail completely if she doesn't get help…Evelyn…”

Shit.

Grandma had always been stubborn, but this? This was too far.

I exhaled. “Can't Avery do it? I kind of have somewhere to be right now.” It was already 6:20pm. Liam would kill me if I didn't make it.

“Oh no no. You know she can tell the difference between you two. And Avery tried, but she told her to get her ‘sassy ass’ out of her room.” Mom's tone had lightened a bit, and it released the weight that was pressing down on my chest. I had never seen an old woman so stubborn.

“Fine. I'll be there in 15 minutes. Text me the address of the hospital.” I said before ending the call.

What the hell am I gonna do? “Fuck.”

Of all days to have an emergency, it was tonight. The first time I would be having an official arrangement after 6pm. I wonder if Liam would mind if I cancelled last minute. He had a million other women who could accompany him to the wedding right? I could definitely do this.

Except I couldn't. I took a deep breath and exhaled. And suddenly, I had an idea. My fingers flew across my phone's dialpad, and my heart picked up speed. I just hoped she would be free tonight.

“Hey pookie, what do I owe this fancy evening call? Oh wait. Did mom call you? Grandma has been a total wuss since her stroke this morning. Can you believe she called me sassy?” She rambled on as soon as she picked up.

“Avery, slow down. Jeez.” I muttered, a small smile forming on my lips.

“Sorry sis, I can't help it. I'm completely pissed. Like what the hell?” She grumbled, and my smile turned into a chuckle.

“You'll be fine. You know how grandma is.”

“Well, that's her business. One day she's gonna look for me, and I won't be there.” She grumbled further. “Enough of grandma. What's up with you?”

I exhaled, trying to find the words. She had already covered up for me three times this month, but one extra wouldn't hurt now would it?

“Um, grandma wants me at the hospital and I need to attend this event with my boss in like…” I checked my wristwatch. “30 minutes. Can you help me?” I asked in one full breath.

Please be free tonight, please be free tonight.

After what seemed like forever, she finally spoke. “Of course! I mean, what's the use of having an identical twin if you can't bend the rules around a bit? Besides, your boss is pretty hot.” She said, giggling.

The second weight on my chest lifted immediately. “I'm gonna love you for the rest of my life.” I said gratefully. “And Liam isn't hot. He's a weird ass cold human.”

“Gasp! Evelyn used a curse word! That has got to be another record this month.” She said dramatically, and I could already picture her clutching her chest in mock disbelief.

I laughed, slowly walking to the bus stop. “I'll text you the address of the event. It's a wedding, so don't dress too flashy.” I warned. Avery had a tendency for wanting to go ‘all out’ whenever she had the chance.

“That's a bummer. But no worries sis, I'll do you good. I'll leave a good impression on your boss too.” She said cheerfully, and I ended the call. A good impression indeed.

I could only hope this would go well.