Her Fake Lover

It was a lively evening at the Karfis home in Elderville-Bryxton. The party had started. Twenty-ninth birthday party for Emmeline Karfis and Lea Karfis, non-identical twin girls, daughters of Guillaume Karfis and Jeanne Karfis. That party was no ordinary birthday party. That party was a party where Lea, would introduce her new boyfriend to her entire family—including her twin sister—even the entire party present. She had conveyed the plan to Emmeline, which made Emmeline excited and then tried to make sure the party preparations were going well. Emmeline ordered dresses for herself and Lea, from her Parisian clientele—who used to work with her to dress models for the luxury jewelery and watch products of Karfis & Vin, Emmeline's self-started company—with a slightly different concept than usual. If usually Emmeline liked the concept of the same dress for herself and Lea for their birthday party, this time Emmeline wanted a different concept, especially to give Lea a special impression when she introduced her boyfriend—whom Emmeline didn't know—later. "You prepared this party like an engagement party for your sister, instead of a birthday party for both of you," commented Chloe, Emmeline's assistant and friend, whom Emmeline had invited as a friend. "I just wanted to make Lea have a memorable moment. Tonight she's not only celebrating her birthday, but she's also going to introduce her first boyfriend." "They've only been officially dating for a week. Are you sure her plan to introduce her boyfriend to the rest of the party isn't too much? What if they broke up shortly after?" "Be quiet, Chloe. Do I have to break her wish? Lea looks so happy with her plan, and she's been telling me over and over how her boyfriend has melted her," Emmeline whispered, amidst the growing crowd of guests. "Miss Emmelline, how are you?" "Ah, Emmeline. Long time no see." "Emmi." "Miss Karfis!" Calls came and greeted Emmeline's ears from several of her invited guests, both friends and business associates, and it was quite busy for Emmeline. Chloe continued to be with her and she got her share to ward off a few men who seemed interested in flirting with Emmeline. Seen from a distance, Lea was busy receiving guests from her co-workers from her scope of work as a doctor. From the aged and serious-looking, young and lively, to the pretentious flamboyant style, who upon arrival, then immediately cast glances in all directions. "Ten to one. That person will be looking for you after this. Ah, no, my God. He saw us," Chloe croaked, and apparently the newcomer had really come close to them. "Your job, Chloe." "Ah, I thought so. I know." Chloe's voice then sounded faint, blocking the arrival of Lea's friend. "How are you, Doctor?" "I want to see Miss Emmeline, Miss Chloe." "No, Doctor. You will see me. Long time no see. Let's talk and spend some time together." "But Miss Chloe—" "No, no, Doctor. Come with me." Vaguely, the voices of Chloe and her guest disappeared. Emmeline had left them, and they had gone away into the house—because the party area took up both indoor and outdoor spaces. Emmeline, chose to head to the swimming pool, which, although still covered in party decorations, was lit more dimly. Emmeline was silent for a moment, enjoying her time in a place where people's attention was not easily drawn to her. She had been quite busy since earlier, and now she was feeling quite tired. Just a few moments when Emmeline was gazing up at the sky by the side of the open pool, Lea's voice startled her from behind. With joy and enthusiasm Lea said, "Emmeline, my boyfriend is here. He was forced to come late because of an urgent matter, but lo and behold. He's come to greet you." Emmeline, turned around with a smile and enthusiasm too, but just as her gaze met the man Lea introduced, Emmeline, along with the young man, stood still. The smiles that originally graced their faces quickly faded, and each of them stared at the other in stunned silence. "Darren, this is my twin sister, Emmeline. We're not identical twins. I didn't introduce you to her before because I was waiting for my birthday," Lea said. "Emmeline, this is my boyfriend. Darren, the guy who helped me a month ago in an accident, which you didn't get to see then. The one I've been dating this week. Sorry, I made you curious, Emmy. I was waiting for this party to come to tell you." Someone's footsteps were heard. Chloe came over to them. "Hi, Chloe," Lea greeted. "Ah, you guys wait here," said Lea then. "Look, the director of the hospital where I work is coming. That's also Dad's friend." Lea, left her boyfriend along with her twin sister and Chloe swiftly, while the people she lived ignored, apart from only Chloe who said, "Sure Lea, enjoy your party." Chloe glanced back at Emmeline and Darren who were still transfixed, before being seen reaching out and shaking hands with their eyes still locked on each other. "Emmeline," said Darren. "Darren," said Emmeline. Chloe frowned. "As far as I know when people meet they always say their own names, not each other's names. Why are you two different?" "Ah," Emmeline came to her senses quickly at Chloe's interruption, but just as she was about to let go of Darren's hand, the man held her back. "How are you, Emmeline? I didn't know you're Lea's twin sister?" Emmeline raised her eyebrows. She glanced briefly at Chloe, who seemed to be straightening her back swiftly, visibly surprised. Chloe had already heard what Emmeline thought she shouldn't have. But Emmeline couldn't do anything about it. "I—I'm fine. I didn't think that ... Lea's boyfriend was you either," Emmeline replied. "Ah," Darren smiled broadly. "Forget about it. Emmy, I really didn't think we'd meet. Listen. I'm happy with this meeting. I—" Emmeline made Darren stop talking by pulling her hand a little tight and jerking. Lea had apparently come back to them. "Hi everyone, I'm back. How, honey, have you met Emmeline?" Lea asked her boyfriend. "Yes, Leah," said Darren. "Listen. Actually we—" "Ah, that's right," Emmeline cut in. "I've met Darren, Lea. I congratulate you both. Darren, I'm pleased to meet you." Darren raised his eyebrows at Emmeline's words. "Ah, that's great," Lea agreed. "I'm glad you two know each other now. Then get ready. Emmeline, Mom and Dad are calling us. The main event is about to begin. Let's all go inside." Lea grabbed Darren's hand to invite him in, but Emmeline just said yes, without actually moving on. "Excellent," Chloe interrupted. "Tell me, what does this mean?" Chloe asked, a little fiercely. "You two obviously know each other. Now tell me, what's the story? Who's that guy named Darren?" Emmeline sighed, then closed her eyes tightly for a moment. Her expression was still filled with shock, because she didn't expect to meet something like that.  But Chloe, was more shocked than Emmeline, when Emmeline said honestly, "He is my ex-boyfriend." "What?" Chloe shrieked. "Are you serious?" "Yes." "How could that be?" "Why do you think it can't be?" "No. No. I mean, Lea ... doesn't she know this?" Emmeline took another deep breath. She then shook her head. "We've only been in a relationship for a month, Chloe. We were ... still in college at the time. Lea went to a different college, so she didn't know. I didn't tell her at the time either. Darren suddenly moved to Germany, and he ... he asked to end our relationship." "Oh, outrageous!" Chloe commented again. "Just because of changing colleges he dumped you? Bullshit! That's a joke!" "Right. It was a joke. Never mind. Forget it." Emmeline passed, but— "Hey!" Chloe withdrew her hand. "You forgot your mom and dad are waiting for you? Come on, come with me quickly." Emmeline, following in Chloe's footsteps. When her friend brought her into the crowd at the party and her parents, Emmeline, put a smile on everyone's face again. The father greeted her, "Well, here it is Emmy. Emmeline and Lea, my two daughters who always make me smile in life." Mr. Guillaume hugged his two daughters. "Although their age has made me realize how old I am now, it still makes me proud and happy. Believe me. Watching the two daughters I love so much grow up makes me proud to have aged as a father. Only my fellow fathers can understand this well." Everyone in the audience laughed at the joke, and Emmeline and Lea looked down and smiled. In her accidental glance, Emmeline found Darren glancing at her with lively eyes and a faint smile, and it suddenly made Emmeline quickly avert her eyes. "Besides," continued Mr. Guillaume, "my daughters also have some exciting news that I would like to share in the midst of this joyful moment. Emmy," he turned to Emmeline, "Congratulations again on the award you recently received from Switzerland, for one of your watch products. I'm glad your business continues to make progress. Would you like to say something about that, Dear?"" "Oh, um—it's been a month actually. But, yeah. I'm happy for the achievement. It's all because of your support." Emmeline rushed over and kissed her mom and dad. "Oh, we love you, Dear," said her parents. There was loud applause again. "And from Lea," Mr. Guillaume continued, "say what you have to say, my dear." Lea smiled. Meanwhile Emmeline straightened her body for a moment. Emmy looked away, with slightly sad eyes. The light in her green eyes dimmed a little, but a smile, moments later, stiffened. Not betraying her original plan, Lea introduced her boyfriend to her friends. She spoke his name proudly, and clung to his arm smugly. Excitedly, she declared that her new relationship was one of the special gifts for her on her birthday. "Plan an engagement soon, Lea," one of her friends chimed in amidst the laughter and cheers. "Or maybe a wedding if you are ready," said another. Lea laughed a little at those words. Darren's smiling gaze—which Emmeline had always found attractive—was fixed on Lea who was beside him before they faced each other. In a low whisper, Emmeline heard Darren said to Lea, "You don't have to take a hasty suggestion seriously." Darren's glance then flew at Emmeline with a mysterious smile after saying that, which he could easily do since Emmeline was right behind Lea. Emmeline raised her eyebrows swiftly. Surprised by the glance, she immediately turned her gaze in another direction. ***