Chapter 3

Chapter Three

Being among a new family was one thing, but getting to know them was another.

Addison stood speechless as the twins walked into the room, both dressed up in their own unique styles.

Gabriel stepped out first. He wore a pair of black jeans held together with a belt, paired with a dark shirt that perfectly highlighted his eyes. His tinted black hair and sharp features gave him a mysterious appearance that was hard to ignore.

Then came Gabriella.

She looked like she had walked straight out of a fashion magazine. Her white dress was nothing jearelegant, it was way to daring, showing off her confident personality. Her pointed lace heels clicked against the floor as her long black hair flowed down her back, resting beautifully against her skin.

To Addison, they looked like the kind of people everyone noticed the moment they entered a room. But she refused to judge them based on their appearance.

Instead, she smiled.

"I love your confidence," shesaid to Gabriella with a bright smile.

Addison looked at her. Gabriella was a few inches taller than her, but that didn't stop her from stepping closer.

"You look like a hot band guy," she whispered to Gabriel.

The strange compliment caught him off guard, making him let out a small amused smile.

The new family continued their morning with a casual drive around town. Gabriel might have owned the cars, but Addison didn't dare allow herself to hitch a ride with any of them driving.

She was still learning about this new family, and she wasn't ready to become too comfortable just yet.

Although she didn't have her license she took the liberty of driving her it.

"while time to put little of my practice to work. Legs don't fail me" she prayed silently.

​"Hey Addison, Dad told me you are a year or two younger than us, so..."

Gabriella stretched out her statement, waiting for Addison to fill in the blank.

​"I'm twenty-four, so you figure it out," she replied.

​Gabriella nodded while chewing her gum.

She glanced over at Gabriel, who silently observed Addison like an unknown mystery waiting to be solved.

​"Well... that makes us twenty-six. Addison, your elder siblings both have diplomas in Law and Business majors," Gabriella said.

​At her statement, the car came to an abrupt stop—luckily, they were on a clear road.

​Addison turned back with a shocked expression, scanning the twins in hopes of hearing something else.

Perhaps it was all a lie.

But nothing more came.

​"I don't want to discriminate, but how did you end up following the wrong path?"

​It was a statement Addison instantly regretted saying, but the expressions on their faces told her far more than she needed to know or hear,.

"I think I now know why your dad intends on marrying my mum," she turned on the ignition.

"I may not know how you two ended this way, but I'll do my best to help"

​They didn't know why Addison was so adamant on helping them, but having someone show concern toward them was reassuring.

"Thank you" a deep tone sounded out for a very long time and just when she Addison was about to appreciate Gabriel, she found her self being kissed by him just for a few seconds, the harsh taste of alcohol that was in Gabriel's mouth moved found its way into her throat.

Making her to cough slightly.

​"That was a thank you" Gabriella reaffirmed

"Oh!" Who says thank you and gives a kiss, Addison thought.

They continued the drive and Gabriella kept on bringing up disturbing questions.

"oh.. Over there I need to meet someone"

Gabriella pointed a hotel while applying more red lipstick.

​She parked at the hotel and watched as Gabriella walked in.

Inside the hotel, Gabriella stroded with complete confidence, her heels echoed through the vacant hallway as she meet the receptionist, "Mr JR called for me" She whispered to the receptionist whonodded as she receiving the money Gabriella handed over.

​"Room 429."

​Gabriella smiled.

​As she arrived at the door labeled 429, she knocked once and invited herself into the dark room.

​"You came," a voice spoke, guiding her into the shadows. Slowly, Gabriella began to undress with composure.

​"Of course I did. We just have to be quick—my stepsister is waiting."

​"Mmh, I'll see about that."

​His grey eyes glimmered in the dark as he smirked.

The life one had chosen will be hard to let go of, and this was one of those moments.

​Meanwhile, Addison sat awkwardly in the car, humming to herself.

Even that wasn't enough to push aside the unease she felt under Gabriella's piercing gaze. Driven by a flare of frustration, she finally let it out.

​"Okay, I know you're older than me and all but could you stop looking at me like that it's very disturbing and even rude too"

​She poured everything out in a single breath.

Yet, Gabriella’s facial expression remained completely neutral.

​Addison sighed, ignoring him completely, before he finally spoke up.

​"Gabbs likes attention, but you seem to avoid being known."

​Is he trying to start a conversation? Addison thought, despite feeling completely dead to the core.

She at least had to try and give him a shot beside they'll be siblings.

She rested on the chair heaf leaned back.

​"Yes, I like being the extra," she said.

"All of the movies, anime, cartoons, comics—you name it, I love the extra."

​Besides, she had to get familiar with him. He was her brother, after all.

​"Why?" he asked.

​"They can play any role! The hero is the protagonist, villain, antagonist... Side characters are there to assist. But the extras? No one cares about who they are. They can be anyone."

​Gabriell could clearly see the smile on her face, though Addison never noticed his own faint smile as she kept talking.

​"The wedding ceremony—" he cut her off.

​"What?" She tried to process what he was saying.

​"The wedding ceremony," Gabriell repeated. "Dad has already sent invitations to powerful, influential families for the wedding next week—no, this Sunday.

So, how are you going to handle it?"

​Addison blinked, processing what Gabriell had just told her.

She felt the walls of the car compressing around her as heat began to radiate through her chest.

​Gabriell noticed the sudden change. "Addison... Addison?"

​He called out to her, but Addison ignored him.

She quickly opened the door and stepped out, letting the fresh outdoor air embrace her.

​A wedding was one thing, but a wedding with high-ranking, powerful families being invited was a totally different story.

​Gabriell stepped forward to help her, but Addison pushed him away.

​"I'm fine. I'll be in the restroom, thank you," she said, the pain clear in her tone.

​He watched silently as she limped toward the hotel entrance.

Her injury was something she couldn't hide from the human eye, no matter how hard she tried to conceal the agony.

​As Addison disappeared into the building, a sleek black SUV pulled up in the driveway. Four men dressed in tailored black suits stepped out.

Among them stood a man taller and bolder than the rest, wearing dark shades. He kept his left hand casually in his pocket while holding a phone to his ear with the other.

​With a slight gesture, the unknown man motioned toward the hotel, accompanied by only one of his guards. As he moved, something shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight.

​It wasn’t just an emblem—it was a family crest.

Anyone in high society would recognize it instantly: a bold capital letter 'R' entwined with snakes, crossed by two sharp swords.

​It belonged to none other than the Reed family.

​Gabriell watched in silence as they walked inside.

​As Addison finally met the receptionist she gave a weak smile but yet held a little charm.

The receptionist tilted her glasses down exposing her blue eyes that highlighted her blonde hair "How may I help you... beautiful"

She spoke out slowly licking her lips, Addison confused about her display touched her neck

"Uh, I just need to go to the toilet if that would be okay"

"Okay, walk straight ahead... but..." she used her thumb to trace across Addison's palm "if you need more help I'm happy to help"

She spoke in a flirtatious manner brushing a finger against Addison palm, Addison pulled away with a smile about to leave.

"I think I'll be fine, ah" a sharp pain came across her leg again.

She held the table to keep balance

"Thanks"

she smiled weakly and limped towards the toilet.

Getting inside, Addison immediately slumped behind the door with gritted teeth while holding her right leg.

She looked around for a shelf.

She held the sink and jacked her self up reached the shelf and found what she needed, heat packs.

She did her daily pain relief exercise by tearing out the heat packs and pressed it against her knee with full force, biting down on her lip.

​"Fuck," she hissed under her breath.

​After a few minutes, she managed to stand up and exit the restroom.

​"Come again, love," the receptionist called out with a warm smile.

​Addison offered a faint smile in return.

But as she reached the double glass revolving doors, confusion washed over her.

Stretched out before her eyes was a long flight of stairs that she couldn't recall climbing on her way in.

​The immediate threat loomed: how was she going to get down without killing herself or becoming permanently crippled if she stumbled?

​Slowly, step by agonizing step, she steadied herself as she descended. She had barely made it halfway down when her leg failed her entirely.

​Your life flashes before your eyes.

​Addison experienced that exact phenomenon in a split second.

Tears welled up as she squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the impending impact.

​It's not my time to go. I'm not ready yet—Mom still needs me, she thought desperately.

​Then, grace intervened.

​Strong, firm hands caught her, lifting her clear of the fall.

When she opened her eyes, she was met with a striking pair of gold and grey eyes hidden behind dark shades.

An overwhelming mix of safety, reassurance, and sudden fear washed over her.

​"Miss..." the man's deep voice resonated, pulling her back to reality. She was no longer tumbling down the stairs.

​Addison immediately pulled back and bowed her head in respect. "Thank you... I owe you my life."

​By the time she looked up, he and his bodyguard were already walking toward the black SUV.

​"I doubt we will meet again."

​The echo of his previous presence sent shivers down her spine as she watched the car pull out of the parking lot.

The sudden dread of meeting him under different circumstances gripped her tightly.

​Prring! Prring!

​Addison nearly jumped out of her skin as her phone rang.

​"Uhm, hello?"

​"Addison?" Jackson's voice came through the line, laced with worry.

​"Oh, Jackson. Hi, what's wrong?" she asked, still trying to process the adrenaline rush.

​"I think I should be asking you that question. You sound frightened—or confused."

​"I think I just almost died and met your double ganger".

Addison trailed off. Walking again brought the sharp ache back to her leg, reminding her of her reality.

​"I'm really sorry, were are you let me take care of you," he insisted, his tone anxious.

​Trying to calm him down, Addison looked up toward the hotel windows.

A silhouette stood framed against the glass, seemingly staring right down at her while holding a phone to his ear.

​"uhm just head over to Florence boutique we'll talk about it there so uhm bye need to go"

​She kept her gaze locked on the figure above.

​"Addison, don't—"

​She hung up.

Up at the window, the figure glared at his phone in visible frustration—reacting the way anyone would when rudely hung up on—before abruptly drawing the curtain closed.

​"Darling sister!"

​Addison turned to see Gabriella's striking figure walking out of the hotel.

​"Ladies, let's get going," Gabriell called out calmly, drawing their attention.

​Addison limped behind Gabriella. As she reached for the driver's side door, Gabriell suddenly intervened, pulling her back—much closer to him than expected.

​"What is it?" she asked, her voice rising slightly, but his unreadable, calm expression cut her off.

​He guided her into the back seat alone, then leaned down to meet her gaze. "Don't you trust me?"

​The question caught Addison completely off guard. Common sense dictated she should try to build trust between them, but...

​She glanced between the twins.

​"Between you and me... I trust you only," she whispered, cupping Gabriell's cheek.

​"Good." He stood up straight, his eyes fixing on her coldly. "I don't know why you're trying to hide your deformed leg from me, but I won't risk having you die—or getting us killed—by keeping secrets."

'' Did you see who that was '' Addison asked vividly remembering his pair of gold and grey eyes.

Gabriel rested his head against hers '' Don't bother yourself with that okay'' his tone may had been composed but she clearly knew he was hiding something.

''HEY, did I miss anything let's get going''Gabriella announced entering the car. Gabriel gave Addison one last glance before turning on the ignition.

Addison gave the hotel building a glance to were the silhouette stood, a figure walked out from the hotel. White shirt blue jeans.

'' Addison Rachel says that you're good at architecture, and that you always work on great projects''Gabriella asked drawing Addison attention

''Well it's nothing it's just it's a habit of mine and well I grew more passionate about it''she was earnest with her answer. But what Gabriella said next cut her off

''Such a waste of talent you could sell those designs or even invest in them, I'm pretty sure you can't do a suitable part time job with that leg of yours ''

Addison gritted her teeth, Gabriella was right but who was she to say it was a waste.

Addison gave a sinister chuckled

''Coming from someone who became a slut even after studying law....'' her statement silenced Gabriella, Addison sighed

''just saying before giving of advice lool at your own situation first.

After that the whole car went into complete silence, with only the sound of the wind brushing against the car.