The Doppelganger

Chapter 4

The divorce proceedings didn't take much time. After all, the Carson's were one of the Richest business tycoons. They had a successful chain of subsidiaries and was almost involved in every sector. Medicine,Transport,Business,Agriculture,Clothing. Mrs.Carson really outdid herself..

She was happy when her daughter didn't hesitate to divorce Andrew. She was making her prouder day by day.

"Hello,Munchkin." She kissed her cheeks.

"How's life going? How do you feel now?"

The Mother and Daughter laughed.

"Free Mom, Took me such a long time." Elizabeth giggled.

"I'm so happy for you honey. Yea, there's a business summit coming up in two days in France. Many promising partners would be there. Business Moguls too. I was hoping you could attend. I'm getting bored of them seriously." They laughed again. "You can also use it to take some time off. You've been working so hard." She caressed her hair, "I'm so proud of you. If you're interested in going in my place, I'll book a flight for you and have all your needs reserved."

Elizabeth hummed for a while then nodded. "Thanks Mom,I love you." And She meant it genuinely.

"I love you too,baby. Your flight leaves tonight. You can take Cassie with you. To aid you. Have lots of fun too."

"Sounds like someone is pushing me away." Elizabeth giggled.

"I don't want you breaking down, baby. There has been too much on you lately, and now a divorce. But just so you know, I'm so damn proud of you."

"Aww,you're making me teary."They hugged briefly and returned to work.

****

It was her first night in France, Elizabeth was excited. And so was her friend, Cassie, who was also her personal Assistant and Secretary. Cassie had immediately suggested Clubbing, which Elizabeth had vehemently refused at first but with much conviction, she finally agreed to. Giving conditions to it too.

They entered the club and Cassie left Elizabeth alone all by herself, going to have fun. The club looked quite expensive but money wasn't a problem to Elizabeth now. How fast things change.

She was sitting by the corner sipping on a cocktail, when her eyes darted to a corner of the room. The eyes in the corner were tightly fixated on her as if ripping her open.

She felt uncomfortable and made to leave when suddenly, he was in front of her. Elizabeth was nearly knocked off her feet. His eyes..seemed like a pool of their own, drowning anyone who dared to look into them for too long. You could even say things you didn't mean to say. His hair,tiny lips and a perfectly sculpted nose gave him a very charming and boyish look. But his eyes were his most outstanding features. He had a very rare pair of eyes. The heterochromia eyes, one iris was blue and the other green. It gave off a supreme, indestructible aura from him that made Elizabeth feel hot. Elizabeth had just eye-raped him..

"You could actually have the real thing, Princess." He spoke, his voice threatening to put Elizabeth to sleep. She felt hot all of a sudden,her legs too. She didn't know if it was the drink or this Magazine-cover worthy man.

"No thanks." She blushed, looking away.

"Let me buy you a shot." He offered, without giving her a chance to protest, the bartender poured the shot.

"I don't take..." She stopped halfway. Well, this might just be what she needed. She took it and smiled.

"Thank you." She said, feeling a bit dizzy.

"Well Princess, If you're feeling so grateful, you could pay me back with a kiss. I'd love to taste those lips."

Elizabeth looked at him as her legs tightened at his words, her insides burning, she pulled him close and stared into his eyes. They were her favorite thing about him. She intended to peck him lightly but as soon as she kissed him, she felt all her senses awaken. She took it farther and when she pulled out, she felt embarrassed.

"I'm..So.."She started apologizing.

But the stranger didn't give her enough time to think about embarrassment because he pulled her head towards him and claimed her lips viciously,her whole body screaming yes. She didn't know if it was the drink or the man but her hands moved of its own accord, all over him, matching his hunger and thirst. They were both longing for an odd satisfaction.

Emotions got them to the doorpost of one of the rooms in the club as they entered the room and shut the door with a loud bang.

****

It was the day of the Conference. Elizabeth had spent the rest of yesterday bemoaning her fate. The first time she cherished so much was taken by an absolute stranger she knew nothing about,save for the fact that she loved his eyes. She mentally slapped herself.

"Are you Okay, Elizabeth?" Cassie asked, concerned.

"I'm fine, just getting cold feet." She lied.

"We'll be fine. Just introduce the company, your name and pitch for investors.Quite Simple." Cassie shrugged.

"You bet." Elizabeth rolled her eyes.

Halfway through the speeches, Elizabeth was already bored but then she saw a familiar pair of eyes staring right at her. She was horrified but quickly masked it. Very much perfectly you could have missed it, thanks once again to Mr.Wick's trainings. Finally, she went up to the podium to speak and did so excellently, avoiding contact with the corner.

But at the last moment, she looked there and found three pairs of eyes boring right into her soul.

One was full of surprise and shock, one was full of disgust, and the other was just empty. Funny enough, it was the empty one that made her legs quiver and shake. She recognized the eyes and now She was seeing him in broad daylight, he looked..distant.. She managed to hold her balance until her speech ended and she descended the podium.

After a few more speeches, the Conference came to an end and Elizabeth hurried to go. She wasn't in the mood to stay and socialize,or even get the investors. She just wanted to leave but a voice stopped her.

"Elizabeth," He called. She slowly turned to look up at him.

"It's Miss.Carson,Mister and do I know you?" She said, without any emotions. All she felt was anger, disgust, and exploitation.

"What? Is this some kind of joke? You're going to pretend not to know me now?" Steven was baffled.

"And that's because I don't." She replied indignantly.

Steven scoffed, "Elizabeth,look I know that I did some wrong things in the past but, you can't just lie to me and say that you've forgotten me.I mean, we loved each other." Elizabeth wanted to puke.

"Is there a problem here?" Elizabeth heard another person ask. Great,the day could only get worse.

"Andrew, back off, I don't need your Help. This Stranger was just leaving." Elizabeth eyed Steven up and down.

"Stranger? Elizabeth,we dated for four years. We were even engaged."

Andrew looked at him, "You must be delusional,Mr..Whatever-your-name-is. This lady here, is my wife."

"Ex-Wife." Elizabeth said,clenching her teeth and rolling her eyes.

"Whatever, and She cannot be who you're making her out to be. We dated for three years, and were married for two." Andrew countered.

Steven was perplexed. "Elizabeth, Were you cheating on me?" Elizabeth felt like laughing,or scratching his face. Either one would be satisfying. But, She couldn't say Anything. It was like choosing between Suicide or poisoning, either way, you had to die.

"I think I need to get a restraining order. Seems it's only psychopaths that came for this conference." Elizabeth turned to leave when someone grabbed her, but unlucky him.. He was on the floor.

"Damn, you shouldn't have done that." She said, feigning mock pity for him. Dusting her suit, she stepped over him and left.

****

Damn it. She was soon over the news in France, blogs carried her news,in totally half baked ways. Only few told close to what could have transpired.

"Another shot, please. Stupid, lying men. Always looking for the next victim." She downed the shot and looking up,met..Steven.

"What do you want from me?" Elizabeth asked,already tired.

"We're alone now, Elizabeth. You can tell me what exactly happened. I was so worried when I heard what had happened to your car. Your Step-Sister even had the police arrest me for questioning." Steven went on.

"I'm Sorry,You have the wrong person." She made to leave when he grabbed her hand. She was pissed off at him, more than ever but before she could do anything, she heard a voice.

"Let her go."She really hoped it wasn't another stupid man she wanted to get rid of. She looked up.

Oh No..Not him. Definitely not him.