A SECRET APPOINTMENT
1228 Words
Victoria sat across from the surgeon with her hands folded neatly in her lap.
The consultation room was quiet. Everything about the clinic was designed to feel private. There were no crowded waiting rooms or curious patients. The receptionist had taken her directly to the consultation room as soon as she arrived.
Dr. Hale opened the folder in front of him.
Inside were photographs of Victoria and several photographs of Amara.
He studied both sets carefully before looking at Victoria.
“You and your cousin already have a noticeable resemblance,” he said. “That makes what you're asking for considerably easier than it would be otherwise.”
Victoria's eyes remained on the photographs.
“How close can I get?”
“Very close, if we keep the changes controlled.”
She looked at him.
“I don't want anything dramatic.”
“I wouldn't recommend dramatic changes. Your bone structure is already similar to hers. If we change too much, you could actually end up looking less like her.”
Victoria nodded.
Dr. Hale turned one of the photographs toward her.
“We would start with the nose.”
He pointed to Amara's profile.
“Your noses are similar, but there are differences in the bridge and tip. A rhinoplasty could narrow the bridge slightly and refine the tip.”
Victoria touched her nose unconsciously.
“And the jaw?”
“Your jawline is a little stronger than hers. Some contouring around the jaw and chin would soften the lower half of your face.”
He moved to another photograph.
“The eyes require less work. You already have a similar eye shape. A subtle procedure around the outer corners and eyelids could bring the shape closer to hers, but I don't want to overcorrect.”
Victoria listened carefully.
“What else?”
“Your eyebrows.”
She looked surprised.
“Eyebrows?”
“People underestimate how much they affect facial recognition. The shape, thickness and position can change the way the entire face is perceived. Your hairline also differs slightly from hers.”
“So?”
“So we'd style both to resemble hers.”
Victoria nodded.
Dr. Hale continued.
“And your eye colour?”
“Contacts.”
“Coloured contact lenses.”
“Yes.”
“That part is simple compared with everything else. You'll need properly fitted lenses, not cosmetic lenses bought randomly.”
Victoria looked down at the photographs again.
Rhinoplasty.
Jaw and chin contouring.
Subtle eyelid and outer-corner changes.
Coloured contact lenses.
Eyebrow shaping.
Hairline styling.
That was all.
Nothing about her needed to be completely changed.
That was what made the plan possible.
She and Amara already shared enough features that small differences could make a significant impact.
Victoria leaned back.
“How long?”
“For the entire process?”
“Yes.”
Dr. Hale considered it.
“If you're planning multiple procedures, recovery periods and adjustments, I'd advise you to take several months away from your normal life.”
“How many?”
“Six months would be safer.”
Victoria nodded immediately.
“I can do that.”
He looked at her.
“You'll need a convincing reason for being away.”
“I'll handle that.”
“You should also understand that no surgeon can guarantee you'll become an exact copy of another person.”
Victoria's expression remained calm.
“I don't need exact.”
She looked at Amara's photograph.
“I need convincing.”
-
That evening, Victoria drove home without turning on the radio.
Six months.
She could disappear for six months.
It was long enough for the changes to be completed and for the swelling to disappear.
But that wasn't the most important part.
She also needed to learn how Amara lived.
How she spoke.
How she dressed.
How she reacted when she was angry.
How she behaved around her parents.
How she handled business.
Victoria knew some of it already.Afterall, their mother are sisters.
her mother had always tried to make her Match Amara in Everything . Victoria was only a year older. their behaviours were slightly alike . just few differences that made Amara better
Six months would give her time to learn the rest.
-
A week later, Victoria told her mother she was going away.
Carol was sitting in the living room when Victoria came downstairs with a small suitcase.
“Where are you going?”
“I'm travelling.”
Carol looked at her daughter.
“For how long?”
“Several months.”
“Several months?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I need a change.”
Carol was silent.
Victoria had expected more questions.
Instead, her mother simply studied her.
“You've thought this through?”
“Yes.”
“Does Amara know?”
Victoria's expression tightened slightly.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don't want everyone asking questions.”
Carol leaned back.
“You're running away.”
“I'm taking time for myself.”
“From what?”
Victoria didn't answer.
Carol watched her carefully.
Then she said, “Perhaps it's good for you.”
Victoria picked up her bag.
“I'll call when I arrive.”
“Do that.”
She turned toward the door.
“Victoria.”
She stopped.
Carol's voice softened.
“Whatever you're trying to prove, make sure it's worth it.”
Victoria looked back.
For a moment, their eyes met.
Then Victoria left.
-
She told Elena almost the same thing.
Elena wasn't convinced.
“You've seemed unhappy lately.”
“I'm fine.”
“You keep saying that.”
Victoria smiled.
“Maybe because everyone keeps asking.”
Elena studied her.
“Where are you going?”
“Somewhere quiet. Maybe Towards the Coast”
“For work?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
“I just want some time away.”
Elena nodded slowly.
“If you need anything, call me.”
“I will Aunty.”
Amara was standing nearby.
She had been silent throughout the conversation.
When Victoria turned toward her, Amara gave her a questioning look.
“You're really leaving for six months?”
“Probably.”
“That's a long time.”
“I know.”
“Are you sure you're okay?”
Victoria looked at her cousin.
There was genuine concern in Amara's expression.
For one second, guilt returned.
Victoria pushed it away.
“I'll be fine.”
Amara nodded.
“Then take care of yourself.”
“I will.”
Victoria hugged her.
Amara hugged her back without hesitation.
Neither of them knew that it would be the last time they embraced as they were.
Victoria had planned everything carefully.
The six months away were not simply for the surgeries.
They were for disappearing.
She needed Victoria to cease to exist.
That was when she decided on the plane crash.
She would book a flight under her own name, but she would never board it.
The plane would crash somewhere far from home.
Her passport, luggage and personal belongings would be arranged to make it appear that she had been on board.
There would be no body.
Only enough evidence for the authorities and her family to believe she had died.
Victoria would then remain abroad until the transformation was complete.
When she eventually returned, she would not be Victoria.
She would be Amara Vale.
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