Twin Flames, Twin Lies
988 Words
Hannah’s POV
That night, Dennis drove his svelte black sedan to pick me up. The plan was for us to eat dinner at a restaurant with a rooftop view of the city. Even though the view was stunning, I sensed something wasn't quite right as soon as I sat down.
He didn't even touch his dinner. His eyes lingered on me as if he could read every action I took.
The silence was abruptly broken when he said, "You've been quiet lately."
I forced a smile and answered, "I've just been tired."
He gave a slow nod, but his expression was unconvinced. "You have something to hide."
In midair, my fork froze. "Why do you say that?" "
His elbows were resting on the table as he leaned forward. You stayed away from Darren. You didn't mention seeing him to me. And since that night, you've been behaving oddly.
"I didn't avoid him," I blurted out. "I simply was at a loss for words."
Dennis's voice trailed off. You treated him as though he were important. As if I hadn't.
Guilt rose in my chest like fire as I looked down.
His tone sharpened as he added, "Hannah, I'm not stupid." You believe him to be peaceful, gentle, and nice. You don't know him, though. Darren is not who you believe him to be.
I looked up at him. Then, who is he? "
His eyes narrowed. He lies. He conceals himself behind his artwork, but he has done things that I have concealed to preserve our family name.
My heart was racing. "Like what? "
Dennis remained silent. "Just be careful," he said, leaning back in his chair and staring at me. I'm alerting you.
Our dessert was brought by the server, but I hardly tasted it.
I kept thinking about what he said.
Why would Darren require defence?
What did Dennis conceal?
I lied the following day and claimed to have errands to run. I rode in a taxi across town to a peaceful studio on the outskirts. The interior of the building smelled of paint, wood, and memories, despite its age and dirty windows.
With a big canvas in front of him, Darren stood in the middle. His eyes glowed softly when he turned to face me.
"You arrived," he replied quietly.
I said, "I wasn't sure if I should."
"I'm happy you did."
I approached him cautiously and carefully. "This location is stunning."
He smiled. "I feel like myself there and nowhere else."
Several portraits were leaning against the wall in the corner, which he indicated. I took a step closer, gasping for air.
I was all of them.
My face in various contexts, expressions, and angles.
Stunned, I turned to him. "Have you been painting me?" "
His words were, "For five years." "I never forgot you." I searched for you after I saved you. But after that, I was deployed overseas.
"Why? "
He paused. "Family matters. Enterprise. Command. The public side was taken over by Dennis. They sent me away as the silent issue.
But why me? I said.
His voice was full of emotion as he took a step closer. "Because the only thing that felt real was you." I was drowning, and you were drowning. Saving you gave me a sense of life.
My heart tightened.
He declared, "You've changed." "Your eyes haven't, though."
The gap between us narrowed. He extended his hand and lightly stroked my hand. I didn't back off.
His voice was low as he replied, "I wanted to find you sooner." "However, they kept me out."
I met his eyes. "Until recently, I had no idea that you even existed."
Slowly, he leaned in. I could see how his eyelids quivered, smell the paint on his skin, and feel his breath.
The distance between our lips was inches.
However, I retreated.
"I'm unable to," I said.
Hannah—
Dennis and I are together. I made a decision.
Did you? He inquired. Or are you simply stuck in an incomprehensible situation? "
I was unable to respond. My eyes were scorched by tears.
He cupped my face tenderly. "Don't marry him if you don't love him."
I took a trembling step back. "I require time."
He gave a nod. "I'll hold out. However, don't allow fear to rule your life.
I was dazed when I got home. It split my heart in two. I kept thinking about what Darren had said.
At first, I was unaware of it. It seemed like my purse was heavier than normal. Something spilt out when I dumped it upon my bed.
A little USB drive that is black.
That wasn't what I placed there.
I carefully connected it to my laptop. A nameless folder appeared. There were old photos of Dennis and Darren as children. Some were too dark to see properly, while others were fighting or laughing.
A voice recording follows.
I hit the play button.
The room was filled with the low, distorted voice of a guy.
You don't know them, even though you believe you do.
Darren keeps to himself. Dennis conceals himself behind authority.
There is no truth in either of them.
Are you curious about what transpired five years ago?
Find out from Dennis why Darren vanished.
Find out from Darren what transpired before the river.
The message was over.
I had trembling hands.
Before the river?
I believed I nearly drowned.
Were there any others?
My breath froze in my throat as I sat on my bed.
I had sunk far deeper than I had ever thought possible.
The water was rising once more.
The distorted recording ended, but my laptop screen flickered—another file loading on its own. A video.
It showed the river. My body thrashing. My screams muffled under the water.
But the hand dragging me under wasn’t faceless.
It was one of the twins—and he was smiling.
- Writer
