Replaced By My Twin: Now The Alpha's Obsession

CHAPTER 4: Between Hell And High Waters

~ AKIRA ~

It was morning. I knew it the moment the skin on my face went warm. But I didn't stand up from where I lay, nor open my eyes.

Amanda, Alexander. It wasn't a dream. It wasn't some bad joke. Friday held answers to my questions. But I still didn’t know what the f**k happened on the eve of my wedding to have changed the course of my life in a heartbeat.

Juliet would’ve helped. But the universe just had to drag her out of town at that exact moment.

I could only hope she wouldn't fall for Amanda's tricks when she returned.

“Argh,” I groaned and turned, the pounding in my head returning as memories of last night came flooding back.

The bar. The bottles of whiskey. Someone named Jake, was it? And this place, this bed.

My lashes fluttered open slowly despite the panic rising in my chest. I checked my body first. Everything seemed intact, aside from my shoes.

Next, I took in my surroundings. The king-sized bed was the biggest I've ever seen, even though I was no stranger to luxury.

Above, a huge vintage chandelier glowed, casting crystal-like droplets of light on the floor. By my right hung silk grey floor-to-ceiling curtains. The air in the room carried an expensive scent, the interiors exquisitely detailed, whispering both taste and class.

How can a bartender afford all this?

My heart began to pound now. Oh my God. There was another man with him last night. The one with the seductive voice who carried me from the bar’s cold floor. A gasp escaped my lips as my hand flew to my mouth, covering it in shock the moment I remembered my final words to him.

Fuck Akira, how could you be so… STUPID.

What if they were kidnappers?

Or

Organ harvesters?

Oh no. Though both were terrible, I desperately prayed it was going to be the former if this was such an unfortunate situation I had found myself in. The heavy knot forming in my stomach told me that the men I was dealing with were dangerous—the kind of dangerous that only filthy rich men could afford to be.

The knob to the door turned.

I braced myself, reaching for the nearest tool I could find, holding it tight against my chest. It wouldn't do much, but I couldn't stay unguarded.

His eyes peeked in first, and seeing I was up and seated on the bed, he threw the door open and walked in with an irritated scowl.

“You are awake.”

“W… what do you want from me?” I stammered, my grip tightening around the ceramic.

A deep frown settled on his face as his fingers traced the lines on his forehead. “Do you want to destroy the vase?”

“Answer me,” I snapped.

“And who do you think you are?” he snapped back, instantly looking like he regretted it.

He closed his eyes, inhaled, exhaled. “I’ll turn a blind eye to what you did last night. But if you don't quit talking and start moving…”

“You'd kill me?”

I could see his jaw clenched, hands balling into fists. He spun and slammed the door behind him. “Be down in five.”

After much contemplation, and not wanting him to come up again, I headed for the door. Stepping into the hallway, my jaw dropped. The hairs on my skin stood at attention at the strange cold that engulfed me, the building stealing my words.

In the living room were two men. Jake, who was standing near a window, and the other seated, a business article held up against his face, the air brewing with the scent of coffee I knew was in his other hand.

“Ahem,” I cleared my throat, aware they knew I was there.

The mysterious man slowly lowered the papers in an almost cliché manner, revealing a sun-kissed face that made me forget how to breathe. His high chiseled cheekbones framed a pair of cold hypnotizing grey eyes that seemed to see right through me and my deepest, darkest secrets, crowned with tempting full lips that were now curved into a smirk. I squirmed, heat pooling low between my thighs as I felt my walls tighten.

Damn!!! I never knew humans were allowed to be this beautiful.

The stranger didn't look away. He only stared at me with an unblinking focus, as if evaluating a work of art. Yet a look at him had told you he'd seen better on the worst of days.

“Ahem,” Jake cleared his throat this time.

“Pardon me, my lady,” his voice–that angelic voice wafted through the air and tangled with my senses. And did he just call me “my lady”? “Please, sit.” He gestured towards the sofa opposite him.

“He cleared your bills last night,” Jake, the dark-haired and least happy man, said, occupying the chair next to mine.

“Why am I here?” I asked, skipping the pleasantries. “For whatever amount you paid last night… scribble down your bank details and I'll have it transferred.” I tried to sound brave and not like someone swooning over his looks.

“Nice. A businesswoman,” the mysterious man, who had his blond hair styled in a sleek bun, spoke, dropping the papers onto the table. “Let's get straight to why you're here then.”

I swallowed, feeling something drop to my underwear. I quickly pressed my legs together, praying nothing was as obvious as it felt.

“Jace?” he stretched forth his hand towards the man whose name I'd mistaken all morning.

“Amanda Darks. Akira Darks. Which are you?” he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice. “I heard you caused a little circus at the wedding.”

I bit my lower lip, my hands crumpling at the sides of my already tiny dress. Darn. I knew these people were dangerous. They’d already dug up an entire file on me before dawn.

“Akira,” I muttered, my voice barely audible. “My name is Akira.”

“Did Alex send you? Was it Amanda? Or… is it Dad?” My heart came to my throat, thoughts running frantically. “Believe me, I did nothing wrong. She's the imposter.”

“Akira then,” he said, his expression unreadable as he returned to the file in his hand.

His grey eyes sparked briefly as he leaned back into the sofa. “I don't know for sure what happened in your life,” he continued. “But one thing I'm certain of… you are extremely lucky you didn't marry my enemy.”

“Enemy?”

He pulled some papers out of the ones he was given. “I am offering you revenge, Akira. Considering your sister's life isn't much to go back to.”

“Why are you doing this? What has Alexander done to you? W… who are you?”

“You ask too many questions, little one,” he said, a low smile spreading across his face.

My fingers curled into my palms. Tongue glued to the roof of my mouth, as I tried desperately not to form a retort. Was he finding amusement in my suffering? And how dare he call me “little one”.

A smile that didn't reach my eyes appeared on my face as I forced myself still. I couldn't afford to do anything more stupid.

Not when I wasn't sure what they were capable of.

“I am Stefan,” he finally said, his tone dripping with authority. “The CEO of BrightsGry Corporation.”

“BrightsGry?” I almost screamed, the sudden movement causing me to bite my tongue, tasting blood. Do you mean to tell me I am seated in front of the freaking CEO of the multinational corporation BrightsGry?

In his home?

Now that explained his wealth, I thought, running my eyes over him with newfound intensity. Since the existence of that company, I doubt the public knew of its owner. The CEO prided himself on guarding his identity like classified documents.

And now, that man was seated three feet away from me, sipping something dark from his mug.

A shot at BrightsGry was almost impossible.

I vividly recalled sending my CV until I eventually got tired. Even Alex with his executive title couldn't help me secure a job there. That was how exclusive the corporation was.

“Yes,” Stefan set his white coffee mug down with a soft click. “The beloved company your ex-fiancé works for. If the choice were entirely mine, I would have relieved him of his duties, but he's temporarily indispensable. He'll remain until I find his replacement.”

“And why should I help you?” I muttered, suddenly becoming aware of the aura of power and confidence that surrounded him behind his calm gaze.

He chuckled, a rich melodious sound that had birds resting at his rooftop.

“Help? Not help, little one. Work. You work and get paid.”

“I am granting you a position in BrightsGry Corporation, a rank above your fiancé. He’d report to you for all his dealings. This is the best you can do with this new life of yours.”

I paused for a brief moment.

Stefan was right. There was nothing for me to go back to, and Dad? He probably had a van of authorities, or people from the psychiatric ward waiting to “welcome” me home. He loves his daughters, but wouldn't tolerate a brat. Maybe when everything was finally better, I’d go home.

And Amanda… that deceptive, back-stabbing b***h. So she flied all the way from Argentina to take my man? I should’ve listened to Mum, to Dad. I shouldn't have invited her. Her life wasn't worth living as her. Stefan's offer seemed to be the only way out for me now, and I'd seize the opportunity to reveal Amanda's real identity and get my life back.

“Ex,” I corrected bitterly, hating the taste of it on my lips. But I wasn't going to pretend. No way I’d allow myself to go back to a man who didn't love me enough to tell the difference between me and my sister.

Besides… Alex and Amanda must have undoubtedly slept together by now. I tried with every ounce of willpower I could muster not to picture Alex touching her, but their images played on repeat in my head for the better part of last night.

I forced the burning thought away from my mind, letting the sheer thrill of a position at BrightsGry overshadow the pain, a cold smile forming on my lips. This was a dark dream come true.

“Ex,” he acknowledged. “Of course. Be reassured I won't let him go without proper sanction for what he did.”

“Feel free to torture him,” he added.

“Fine,” I muttered, the gears of manic ambition taking over. “But I want something more than that.”

“Who the hell does she think she is, trying to haggle?” Jace whispered harshly, shifting his massive weight uncomfortably.

“What’s that?” Stefan asked, crossing his long legs, totally discarding his associate's show of discontent.

A dark, reckless thought had brushed through my mind earlier. I trapped it, nursing it longer. Alexander was with Amanda now. Fine. But Alexander worshipped power and status above all else. If anything, I needed to build my new life, one he'd choke just looking at. That would be my revenge. I cleared my throat, forcing my voice steady.

“I don't assume you're married, right?”

“No,” he answered quicker than I expected, with no question about my desire to know.

“A contract marriage,” I said. “If you really want to hurt Alexander, then you have to take up something that was his.”

Stefan let out a short, sharp bark of a laugh. Damn it. I must’ve been delusional. “How’s that going to hurt a man who doesn't acknowledge you lost?”

“I will personally make him realise what he lost,” I muttered, forcing a confident smile.

Stefan looked genuinely amused. He leaned in. With my peripheral vision, I saw Jace violently shaking his head, as if to stop him from making a fatal decision.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Deal,” he said, straightening his right hand, pulling back before my fingers could graze his skin. “I'll have the marriage agreement drafted.”

I sat limp.

Honestly, I didn't expect the Almighty Stefan, the multi-billion-dollar business tycoon, to grant me a business contract and not just that, agree to marry me. I suppose there was a bit of good in every bad that happens.

Besides… what's the worst that can happen to a girl who has lost her entire life?

“Now, why don't we get you something, little one?” Stefan's voice softened as he picked up his own mug of coffee. “You might just regret the deal you've trapped yourself in when you've sobered up,” he smirked.