Manipulator
**Sarah**
I managed to get some sleep after Rachel left and woke up feeling refreshed and energized. I believe the change of scenery was responsible for the vitality I was experiencing, and that was truly excellent, given the past month. The room was quiet, but as soon as I fully woke up, I heard sounds coming from the bathroom. Rachel was wearing a long terry-cloth robe and applying makeup.
"Oh, you're awake!" Rachel brightened upon seeing me. "I didn't want to wake you up too early. You looked so tired when you arrived that I thought it best to let you sleep as much as possible."
"I was."
I wouldn't go into details, as I didn't want to tell Rachel how pressured I felt during the time I spent with Kael, but now that I was away from all of that, I realized that relationship wasn't doing me any good.
"Do you feel better now?" Rachel asked, concerned.
"Yes," I was telling the truth. "I'm great."
"So, sit down and tell me a bit about the time you spent with Graham."
I deflected and asked questions about Rachel and her trip to Europe and now to Montreal, to which she gave evasive answers, changing the subject much like I did.
"Where did you leave your things? I only saw one suitcase."
I then told her about selling the clothes to the bazaar, and she seemed upset by the information. I figured she would complain that I got rid of designer clothes, something she hadn't allowed me to do when we left our home, claiming they would be necessary for us to continue mingling in the same circles.
"You were right to sell them, and the money will be very welcome." She surprised me by saying. "You should have taken some money from that jerk Kael, but I understand that's not in your character."
I was extremely relieved by Rachel's understanding, pointing out the obvious, and I almost hugged her in gratitude, as I needed words of comfort, even if they came with a reprimand as well.
"I couldn't bring myself to take money from anyone, Rachel."
"I know," She sighed, resigned. "But soon I'll be engaged to Lorenzo, and we'll buy new clothes."
"Lorenzo? Engagement?" I asked, not understanding who she was referring to.
"Calm down," Rachel asked, smiling. "I'll tell you everything. Let's sit."
Rachel interrupted what she was doing, and we returned to the room. I waited anxiously to hear about Rachel's engagement. I had no idea she was dating, let alone planning to get married, and even before knowing the story behind it, I was already happy for my sister. I could never have imagined that the man in question was the same one I met on the day I went out with Madison to celebrate her birthday.
"I... am in shock," that's all I managed to say.
"I'm completely in love with him, Sarah. He's amazing, and the best man I've ever known."
"This is so unexpected," I was still very surprised by everything. "I thought he was very kind."
I still couldn't define what I was feeling. I would never have imagined that lying about my name would lead that man straight into the arms of my twin sister. However, those were just brief moments, and I couldn't say there was any kind of betrayal or anything like that. It was just... unexpected.
"He's quite hot, Sarah," Rachel said playfully.
"I don't think that's the most important thing in the man you're in love with, Rachel."
I wanted to ask if they had already reached the point of sleeping together, but I understood they had, based on the way Rachel referred to Lorenzo. The fact that they were in separate rooms must be just a courtesy on his part.
"But there's a big problem, and I'm so worried, sis. So afraid someone will ruin the relationship I'm building with Lorenzo."
The tone Rachel used also worried me. After all, she seemed on cloud nine just a few seconds ago. I looked at her curiously too, waiting to know what had put her in that state.
**Rachel**
I was starting my makeup when Sarah appeared in the bathroom doorway. I smiled enthusiastically at my dear little sister and understood that this was the moment I needed to persuade her to take my place, acting as herself. In other words, a silly girl with no major interests.
I gazed at Sarah attentively and even managed to bring a few tears to my eyes, which was relatively easy to do, considering my words were entirely truthful now. I feared Bianchi would ruin all my plans.
"Is this what you were talking about yesterday when you called saying you needed me?" she asked, already ready to help me.
"Exactly," I confirmed, answering her question. "I didn't want to talk about this, but do you remember why I couldn't fulfill my part in the auction scheme?"
I put a dreamy look on my face and told the truth about Lorenzo and how I met him. She seemed a bit disoriented at first, but I was sure the silly girl would fall for this lovey-dovey story and help me.
My sister was so kind, always willing to help others, and in the end, no one helped her when she had to spend a month with that jerk Kael. But I wouldn't talk about that now either, as I didn't care if it had been good or bad. The only thing that mattered at the moment was my situation and how she could help me with it.
What's done is done, end of story.
I immediately noticed how tense Sarah became when I mentioned the auction.
"Because you ended up losing your virginity the night before the... um... delivery was scheduled."
Sarah, who until now had been sitting on the bed facing me, abruptly stood up, walking over to the window. In other words, she didn't go there to enjoy the view, but to escape my gaze, disguising how much that topic affected her. But I would never miss the chance to take advantage of that, and I used the situation to my advantage, of course.
"That man ruined everything, sis. Everything!" I said, standing up as well, facing her back. "If that hadn't happened, everything you went through could have been avoided, as I would have taken responsibility for my actions."
Sarah didn't look my way, and all I could see were her tense shoulders, a posture indicating discomfort.
"I'll be forever grateful to you, and I know I owe you an apology for all the horrible things I said to you after that day. But I was feeling so confused and lost," I spoke dramatically.
Sarah seemed genuinely moved by my outpouring and turned towards me, hugging me, and I could feel her tears wetting the bathrobe.
"Let's not talk about it anymore, Rachel," she pleaded without looking at me. "Let's forget about this and pretend it never happened."
"I wish I could forget, but I can't!" I said, stroking her hair. "The problem is that the man I spent the night with is Enrico Bianchi, Lorenzo's rival in Formula One, Sarah. I'm afraid he might want to use me to get to the man I love."
"No way!" Sarah was moved, lifting her face to look at me, horrified. "Could he do that, Rachel?"
"I don't know. I don't want to find out the hard way either."
"How could you prevent that from happening?" she asked, worried, just as I expected her to.
I took the opportunity to explain what I had in mind, saying that if he believed he had slept with her and not me, it wouldn't harm me, and he wouldn't have a weapon to confront Lorenzo with, in case he intended to provoke his biggest rival.
"I'll help you, Rachel," she agreed without hesitation. "Nobody should want to ruin other people's happiness for such selfish reasons. But if that's the case, Bianchi won't succeed as far as I'm concerned."
I embraced Sarah emotionally, thanking her for her help and repeatedly saying how she was the best sister anyone could have.
Things were falling back into place, and I still could manipulate my sister as I pleased, she would be very useful now that I was one step closer to achieving my main goal at the moment: a millionaire and easily manipulable husband.
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