Aeliyah's Knockoff

Aeliyah gave a brief introduction and a few polite words. Then she slipped her arm through Edward's and followed Janice toward the CEO's office.

Penny craned her neck to watch them go, her face full of envy.

"First day on the job, and Mr. Strickland personally escorts her in? Is this the legendary domineering CEO and his little sweetheart?"

Lauren draped an arm over her shoulder and clicked her tongue.

"You really don't get it, do you? She just got back to the States and she's already CEO. Evergreen's old shareholders are never going to accept that. So on her first day, Mr. Strickland walks her in himself. It's a message to the board. She has the Strickland Group behind her."

Penny propped her chin on her hands, green with envy. "He's already paving the way for her. Mr. Strickland is so devoted."

Lauren's eyes were full of jealousy too. "If she weren't the chairman's daughter, the most powerful man in New York would never have noticed her."

Penny shook her head. "Ms. Hale is impressive on her own. Great education, gorgeous. Although, speaking of looks..."

She turned to Estelle. "Doesn't Stella kind of look like the new CEO?"

Lauren leaned in for a closer look. "You know what, she really does. But I think Stella's prettier!"

Estelle's face was pale. "Don't be ridiculous," she murmured, then got up and headed for the restroom.

Penny watched her thin figure walk away, a little worried. "What's going on with Stella?"

Lauren snorted. "She probably realized she looks like the CEO but doesn't have the CEO's luck. She's jealous."

Penny didn't respond. Lauren was the type to smile to your face and stab you in the back. Better not to say too much around her.

In the restroom, Estelle quickly pulled out the pills that dulled her heart pain and swallowed them dry.

It took a long time for the pain to settle. Finally, she turned on the faucet, splashed cold water on her face, and looked up at the mirror.

Her illness had worn her down to the extent that her cheeks were hollow and her face had lost all its glow.

And Aeliyah...

Just as she was lost in thought, the restroom door swung open. Aeliyah walked in, her heels clicking on the tile.

Her skin was smooth and flawless, glowing with health. Everything about her radiated class and elegance.

And on top of that, she was highly educated. Beauty and brains. Something Estelle could never compete with.

When their eyes met, Estelle suddenly felt small. She lowered her head, grabbed a paper towel, and turned to leave.

"Wait a moment."

Aeliyah called out to her.

Estelle's heart began to pound. She froze in place, as if she had been caught doing something wrong.

She was the one who had been used as a stand-in. She hadn't done anything wrong. But standing in front of the real thing, she still wanted to disappear.

Aeliyah walked up to her and gave her a warm smile. "You're one of the assistants in the executive office, right?"

Estelle forced down the chaos inside her and nodded, eyes on the floor. "Yes."

Aeliyah glanced at the watch on her wrist.

"I have a full shareholders' meeting in half an hour. Could you make me a cup of coffee and bring it to my office? I need to wake up a little."

Estelle knew Edward was still in the CEO's office. Everything in her wanted to say no.

But she hadn't quit yet. When her boss gave an order, she had to follow it.

So she nodded, planning to make the coffee and ask Penny or one of the others to bring it in.

Aeliyah said "thank you" and walked out, head high, shoulders back, every inch the CEO.

Her confidence and polish were the exact opposite of Estelle.

Sick and worn out, Estelle felt like a cheap knockoff of Aeliyah. Like she had nothing to offer at all.

She stood there in a daze for a while. Then she pulled herself together, left the restroom, and went straight to the break room.

She made the coffee the way the chairman liked it, then went to find Penny and the others.

But they had already been called away to set up the conference room. She had no choice but to bring it herself.

She knocked.

"Come in."

Aeliyah's soft, sweet voice drifted through the door.

Estelle knew walking in would be awkward.

She hesitated for a long time. Then she gathered her courage and pushed the door open.

The moment it opened, she saw Aeliyah sitting on Edward's lap.

She had braced herself. But at the sight of them, the hand holding the coffee still trembled.

Afraid they would notice, she quickly lowered her eyes and spoke as if nothing were wrong.

"Ms. Hale, your coffee is ready."

Aeliyah looked a little embarrassed. "Just set it down over there."

Estelle nodded, placed the coffee on the desk, and turned to leave. Not once did she look at Edward.

The moment she stepped out of the office, her legs gave way. She had to lean against the wall just to stay standing.

That position...

It was Edward's favorite position with her.

They hadn't been doing anything just now. But her mind was flooded with images of the two of them wrapped up in each other.

Every way he had ever held her, he would probably hold Aeliyah the same way.

No. That wasn't right.

Every way he had ever held her was only a way he had once held Aeliyah.

She had never been anything more than a living, breathing stand-in...