Bound by Love

Xanthe's eyebrows furrowed in irritation as the jarring sound of her cellphone interrupted her stride. She came to a halt, her steps ceasing, and slipped her hand into the pocket of her pants to retrieve the insistent device. "Damn it! What a bothersome interruption! Who could be calling at this inconvenient time?" Pulling out her cellphone, a scowl formed on her face as her gaze landed on the screen, revealing Nathaniel's name. "What does this person want now?" she muttered; a tinge of frustration evident in her voice. Taking a moment to collect herself, she reluctantly answered the call, her tone curt but controlled. "Hello." "Xanthe, where are you?" "In your heart," she retorted, a hint of sarcasm lacing her words. "That's not funny. Where are you right now?" Despite her annoyance, she provided a response to Nathaniel's question, her voice carrying a trace of irritation. "I'm at the Mall. Why do you ask? Are you aware of how disruptive you're being?" "The g**g is involved in a fight today." "What?! Why are you telling me just now?" The people strolling in the mall glanced at her as her voice suddenly grew louder, fueled by frustration. Her face flushed, and she forced a smile. 'Darn it! I embarrassed myself there,' she thought to herself. Her pace quickened as she kept the cellphone pressed to her ear. "Don't shout, it hurts my ears," Nathaniel said from the other end of the line. Judging by his tone, Xanthe could imagine his raised eyebrows as he spoke. She chuckled softly before responding. "Sorry..." Upon hearing her laughter, Nathaniel's heart skipped a beat. "Tsk! Let's just meet in front of the mall, I'm on my way." A wide smile formed on her lips, her delight evident. She no longer needed to take a taxi as she had arranged for someone to pick her up. "Okay, bye!" Her cellphone made a sound, signaling that Nathaniel had ended the call. She carefully slipped her cellphone into her pocket, gracefully making her way towards the entrance of the clothing store for men. With efficiency, she selected a stylish t-shirt, a fashionable jacket, and a well-fitting pair of pants, ensuring they suited her taste and size. Completing her purchase, she promptly paid for the items. With a sense of purpose, she then proceeded to the wig store, her gaze fixed on the assortment of options. After thoughtful consideration, she made her choice—a pixie cut wig that exuded confidence and sophistication. Xanthe entered the women's restroom. She carefully removed her clothes, revealing her slender waist and smooth, fair skin. One by one, she elegantly adorned herself in the garments she had purchased. Stepping out of the cubicle, she placed her belongings on the side of the hand basin, neatly arranged. As she lifted her head, she caught a glimpse of her reflection, adorned in a fitted blue t-shirt, layered with a sleek black leather jacket. Taking a step back, her eyes fell upon the dark blue trousers, completing the ensemble. A contented smile graced her lips. The only missing piece was the wig to transform her appearance into that of a man. Retrieving a tie from her backpack, she skillfully arranged her long hair into a high bun, securing it in place with a hairnet. She then gently positioned the purchased wig on top, ensuring a seamless and natural look. She added a cap as a finishing touch, perfectly complementing her new style, and couldn't resist capturing the moment with a self-portrait. "I look so handsome, I really resemble Prince," she exclaimed before placing her cellphone back in her pocket. That's why she was currently dressed in masculine attire, assuming the identity of Xavier. Xavier was her identical twin, bearing an uncanny resemblance to each other despite their differing genders. Xanthe affectionately referred to her twin as Prince, as it aligned with his full name, Prince Xavier Sinclair. In turn, her family affectionately called her Princess. Her full name was Princess Xanthe Sinclair. Gathering her belongings, Xanthe gracefully walked towards the exit. Two women who were about to enter the restroom were taken aback when they unexpectedly collided with her. Their eyes widened in surprise, and they instinctively covered their mouths, their gazes fixated on her appearance. "Oh my god! He's so incredibly handsome! Wait, are we about to enter the correct restroom?" The two women tilted their heads up to glance at the restroom door, where the female sign was displayed, and a collective gasp escaped their lips. "She's a woman?" If they hadn't witnessed her exiting the female restroom just moments ago, they would have undoubtedly mistaken her for a man. As Xanthe gracefully exited the Mall, her eyes immediately locked onto Nathaniel, who leaned casually against a sleek red sports car. With confidence radiating from her, she approached him, ready to engage in their next interaction. "Let's go," Nathaniel said, looking Xanthe up and down before taking action. He opened the car door and gestured for her to enter before making his way to the driver's seat. She embraced her backpack and leaned against the window, finding solace in the view outside. Gradually, the car's speed decreased as it encountered heavy traffic, eventually coming to a complete stop. Through the car window, she noticed two children—an energetic boy and a playful girl. They were engaged in a game of tag, chasing each other with carefree laughter echoing in the air. However, their innocent fun came to an abrupt halt when the little girl stumbled and fell. Tears welled up in her eyes as she let out a cry of pain. Moved by the sight, the boy hurriedly rushed to her side, extending a helping hand. With gentle care, he assisted the girl in standing up, brushing off the sand that clung to their shorts and knees. They exchanged a comforting embrace, symbolizing their unwavering bond and the power of compassion. As she observed the heartwarming scene, a bittersweet sigh escaped her lips, evoking memories of her own twin, Xavier. It reminded her of the strong connection they shared as children, always looking out for each other in times of need. Nathaniel noticed the decline in her mood. He was certain that she was once again thinking about Xavier. Despite the physical distance separating the twins, they couldn't help but maintain a deep emotional closeness. Nathaniel knew that Xanthe and Xavier would talk every night, allowing her to promptly learn about any misfortune that befell Xavier, even if they attempted to conceal it. "Will you continue your search for the person who shot Xavier?" Nathaniel inquired, interrupting her thoughts of the past. When Xanthe glanced at her companion, she observed that he was already focused on the road, prepared to resume driving. "Nathaniel, I won't rest until I uncover the individuals behind the attack on Prince," Xanthe affirmed resolutely. If it were necessary for her to shake the entire world, she would do it just to seek justice for her twin. Two weeks ago, Xavier was shot. Although his life is now out of danger, he remains in an unconscious state. When she witnessed his condition, she made a solemn vow to herself that she would tirelessly search for the individual responsible for the attempted murder of her beloved twin. As anguish washed over her, her eyes welled up with tears, and a single droplet cascaded down her flushed cheek. "You're crying again," a voice gently remarked, as a caring hand reached out, tenderly wiping away the teardrop from her face. The car came to a halt, its engine idling in silence. "I'm sorry, I cannot help but shed tears whenever I recall Prince," Xanthe confessed, her voice filled with a mix of sorrow and determination. Nathaniel nodded understandingly, his expression a forced smile, his intent to provide solace in the face of Xanthe's pain. "We've arrived."