Chapter 15 Playing Matchmaker for Our Parents

Lucas's Perspective:

Hearing Saki's voice gave me an instant headache. For someone so smart, my sister could be really dense. I was curious if she'd get what I was about to say.

I sighed, "Saki, it's me, Lucas. Is Mom with you? Let her take the phone."

"Who are you trying to fool? Lucas is right here next to me!" Saki shot back, sounding pissed.

I was stunned. I mean, I was right here, so how could I be with her?

"I think you're the one being fooled. I'm your real brother. Look closely at the person next to you. And listen, you dummy! I've been your brother, taking care of you since I was born four minutes before you. Can't you even recognize my voice?" The more I talked, the angrier I got.

This clueless girl! She couldn't even recognize me. It was infuriating.

"And if you can't recognize my voice, you should at least recognize my number! Check if this number is mine!" After I said that, Saki went quiet, probably checking.

Just when I thought she was coming around, her annoyed voice came back, "The person sitting next to me is Lucas! How could I mistake my brother? And maybe you stole his watch to call and scam us. Well, you're out of luck. I don't have any money! Not a cent!"

Then she added, "Mom's broke too, so stop calling, or I'll call the cops and have you arrested!"

I realized Saki was about to hang up.
Panicking, I shouted, "Don't hang up!"

Surprisingly, it worked. She didn't hang up.

"Saki, are you finally recognizing me?" I sighed in relief, ready to ask her to hand the phone to Mom.

Then, a slow, small voice came from the other end, "Are you her brother?"

Alex's Perspective:

I was sitting on the hotel sofa. Seraphina was cooking in the kitchen, and Saki was laughing at the TV, almost resting her head on my lap.

We stayed like that for a long time, and my leg started to go numb, but I didn't move.

It was my first time feeling the warmth of a family and the happiness of being with loved ones.
I wished it could stay like this forever. Even if I had to eat bland porridge every day, I'd be happy. However, I couldn't.

I was not their family. Sooner or later, I would be sent back. When their real family returned, I would have to leave like a stray mouse.

Thinking about it made me feel a wave of sadness, and I almost wanted to cry.

Just then, Seraphina's phone rang.

"What?" Saki frowned at the caller ID and said, "Lucas, why is your watch calling? Did you lose it?"

Hearing that, I got nervous.

It must be their real Lucas calling.

I watched helplessly as Saki answered, calling the person a scammer and then angrily threatening to hang up.

I knew it was because she couldn't tell me apart from Lucas. Since I was there, she thought the Lucas on the phone was a scammer.
Even though I didn't want to leave them, I couldn't be selfish. So, when Saki was about to hang up, I grabbed the phone and ran to a corner.

"Are you her brother?" I asked, feeling lost and unsure. What if he found out I had been pretending to be him and got mad at me?

"Who are you?" The voice on the other end was a bit harsh. "Let me tell you, Saki might be naive, but she doesn't have any money. Don't try to scam her!"

"I'm not a scammer," I hurriedly explained, "My name is Alex. Maybe we look too much alike, so your family mistook me for you. But don't worry, I never intended to steal your family. I'm ready to tell them the truth and leave."

Talking about leaving made my eyes well up with tears. I didn't want to go.

"So, you're Alex," the voice on the other end said, surprisingly not angry but rather excited. "I was wondering where the Alex from this family went. Turns out we got switched!"

Then he continued, "I'm at your house now, and your dad thinks I'm you."

"What?" I was stunned. Could such a coincidence really happen?

"By the way, do you only have a dad? What about your mom? And what's the deal with Cecilia? She's really mean!" Lucas asked me and complained.

"I don't have a mom, just a dad. Cecilia is my dad's fiancée, but they haven't married yet. I heard it's because of me that she hates me," I replied.
I was surprised at how much I was able to say in one breath.

"I've always wanted a good mom like yours, so when she mistook me for you, I didn't correct her. I'm sorry! Please forgive me! I can switch back with you right now."

I was afraid he'd think I was trying to steal his mom.

"You like my mom, and I like your dad. So, how about we make my mom your mom and become one big family?" The voice on the other end laughed mischievously.

I didn't know why he was asking, but I nodded. "Yes!"

"Great! My mom is single, and your dad, though he seems tough, is a good father. He even kicked Cecilia out today and cooked really well. So, let's use this chance, since we look alike, to set them up. If they get married, we'll be one family. You'll have a mom, and my sister and I will have a dad. How about that?" Lucas suggested.

"Can we really do that?" I asked, eyes wide with excitement.

In the Alpha Kingdom, everyone thought Cecilia was the best match for my dad. If Seraphina could be my new mom, and I could have two new friends, I'd be thrilled!

"Here's the plan: your dad is looking for a new doctor for you, and it just so happens that my mom is that doctor. If she comes to your house to treat you, it'll be the perfect chance for them to get to know each other," Lucas said.

"That's awesome!" I was over the moon. "What should I do?"

"Just play along for now," Lucas instructed. "Keep being me until my mom shows up. When she does, make sure to be extra nice to her and your dad. Help them see how great they are together. And don't worry, I'll do the same on my end."

"Got it!" I said, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. "Let's make this happen!"

"Deal," Lucas replied. "We'll be one big happy family soon enough."

As I hung up the phone, I felt a surge of hope. Maybe, just maybe, this crazy plan would work.