CHAPTER 11 (SHE HAS A TWIN)

MARINA

After eating, we went straight to a well-known Luxury Mall. I don't know why he even brought me here.



"What are we doing here?" I asked him.



"Shopping?" he mocked.



I smacked a punch at his shoulder, causing him to twist in pain.



"Is my punch that hard? You're overreacting, Adam."



"You're hurting your husband and that’s not good," he said.



"For your information mister, you’re not my husband," I said to cause him to frown and that made me laugh.



"Yet," I added.



He gripped me tighter, causing me to frown.



"Adam?" I asked.



"Read the warning," he said as he pointed to the signage on the wall.



Warning: Watch for and treasure the important things you have.



"I should hold you tight," he said as he held my hand tighter. My heart skips a beat when he looks at me. His eyes were full of passion and desire.



My heart squirms in pain because I know that it was only for Mirana, his eyes, love, and desire are only for Mirana and not for me. I am here to pretend to be her.



I wasted so much time, I had to do what was asked of me or just tell her the truth. He deserves to know the truth.



"Mirana, you okay?" he asked worriedly.



"Y-yes,” I weakly smiled at him, feeling pain.



Adam was talking to a man in the jewelry shop and, based on his appearance, he spoke of wealth but his face was like an old loving grandfather.



He wore simple yet elegant trousers and a black coat. He looked at the right shoulder of Adam where he could see me through, and smiled warmly. I returned the gesture.



And they both shake their hands and bid goodbye. The man waved at me saying goodbye, and I just bowed my head.



Adam smiled as he walked in my direction and his smile was full of delight; his eyes were sparkling with happiness.



"Who's that?" I asked.



"A friend," he answered, holding my hand.



"What did you two talk about?" I asked confusedly.



"For now it’s a secret," he said as he kissed my knuckles.



I smiled at his sweetness. I hated myself for loving him. It's not right for this Adam, Mirana's Adam.





Paris 12:00 pm

I was sitting on the veranda and sipping my coffee when someone called. I looked at the caller ID and I immediately answered it.



"Any news?" I asked straight.



"Yes, Sir, she's currently living with your friend," Leo answered. Leo, my well-trusted investigator.



"What do you think?"



I patiently waited for his answer until he spoke. We both have the same opinion and I have no doubt.



"We are both the same. Keep searching and call me if there is any necessary," I said as I ended the call.



"Today is the beginning of pretending. If that is how she played, I'd do the same. Sorry bro, but I have to do this for our own sake. Poor Marina, she's been used and she will be hurt. And all of this should be blamed on her lovable sister. I didn't want to include Marina here, but what else could I do if her sister herself included her in her madness," I thought as the wind crawled to my skin.





FLASHBACK

"I told you she's a bitch," he furiously stated.



I ignored her presence because I knew what she was going to say was outrageous. But I am thankful that he didn't leave me even though I spoke trashed words through him.



We are still on the campus, on the rooftop. I looked at the sky and closed my eyes as the tears ran down. I'm broken, I cannot live without her. I love her with all my heart. I squirm as the bruise in my elbow bleeds.



"You alright man?" Rosso asked worriedly.



"I'm okay physically but here,” I pointed to my heart.



"It’s not okay," my voice cracked. I know it sounds gay but I am truly hurt. It felt like it was stabbed so many times.



He laughed bitterly and looked at me with sympathy in his eyes.



"Man, physically, you’re not okay. Look at you, you've got a nice blush on me with a purple color and a dark underliner in the bag of your eyes and a lot of bruises on your body," he mocked as he looked at the sky.



"Tell me, are you studying cosmetics?" The teasing caused him to laugh.



"Stars die too and they will sail again.”



"Where did you pick that?" I said in a disappointed look.



He shrugged and laughed.



"I don't know it just came from my tempting mouth that every girl dreams of,” he said.



"Forget her, be you again. Face them like you," he added.



"I will at the right time, Rosso. For now, I should move forward and try to forget her even though we are in the same school. In the first place, it would, but as the time went by it would be healed," I said as I got up.



"I'm looking forward to it,” he said as he got up too.



"So are you going to school tomorrow?" he laughed.



I didn't reply as we reached our car in our private park. I don't want them to know about my life, I want them to know that I am just an average student.



"I'll take that as a NO,” he mocked as he opened his car.



"See you around Nero," he said as he started his engine.



I just waved at him, not bothering to look, as I opened the door of my car and drove as fast as I could. The only thing running on my mind is her. I want to see her tonight. Maybe she was just joking or playing around. I'll forgive her.



It was already midnight when I reached their house. I pushed the button on the doorbell until an old maid opened it.



"Good evening, manang Lettie,” I greeted her casually.



"Iho, it’s already past in the evening. Why are you here?" she asked politely.



I was about to speak when she cut me off.



"You know my child is studying there too. She told me what happened between you and Mirana. That girl's behavior is very different from that of her twin. But somehow that boy also has a hidden goods. But if you mean Mirana, she has warned me that 'you can't come in because she doesn't want to see you. I would love to let you enter but-" I cut off her speech.



"Manang Lettie, did you say, twin? She has a twin?" I curiously asked.



"Why son?" She was cut off when somebody shouted and I knew it was Mirana. She even tried to change her voice but I know it was her.



"Manang! Closed the gate already! It's already past evening and we don't accept visitors anymore!" she shouted like an old grumpy woman.



"Oh Iho, it looks like her. Sorry, just visit tomorrow," she apologized sympathetically.



"It's alright, manang, I understand. Sorry for disturbing you,” I said as I bid goodbye.



"Be careful going home," she smiled warmly before closing the gate.



I was already driving when I remembered what manang Lettie said.



"She has a twin. As far as I remember, she hadn't talked about her sister and I didn't see her in school. I’m going to find an answer," I said as I looked at the picture of her that was framed and displayed in front. I turned it down because I didn't want to see it.





And now I know where your twin Mirana is. I will take back the pain you gave me.