THE SIDE PIECE (ENGLISH)

Tamara let out a long sigh as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. She could barely recognize herself. No matter how long she looked, what stared back at her wasn’t her own face—it was Tamiko’s, her twin sister. Her mother had done a brilliant job making her look exactly like her twin. And Tamara wasn’t stupid, she knew very well why her mother dressed her up and made her look this way. She lingered in the salon’s restroom, reluctant to step out. When she finally did, she didn’t bother saying goodbye to the staff—she just walked straight out. “Miss! Wait!” Tamara froze at the familiar voice. She turned and found Nyx, her friend, scanning the inside of the salon as if searching for someone. “Miss, did you see the girl I was with? I just went out to buy bottled water and when I came back, she was gone. She doesn’t have any sense of direction and she doesn’t even know how to commute. I’m afraid she might get lost and not find her way home,” Nyx rambled on, eyes still fixed inside the salon. Tamara waved a hand in front of her face, but Nyx brushed it aside. So Tamara leaned in close, blocking her friend’s view, until Nyx finally looked—and recoiled. “What the hell, Miss?! Look, I know you’ve got a big tìts, but excuse me! If it’s a boob battle you want, I can give you a run for your money! You just can’t see mine because I’m all wrapped up right now!” Nyx rattled off indignantly. “Nyx, it’s me…” Tamara said at last. Nyx frowned, eyes narrowing as she studied her. “It’s me. Tamara.” She couldn’t really blame Nyx for not recognizing her. She herself was shocked by her own transformation. Yes, she and Tamiko were twins—but they couldn’t be more different. Tamiko dressed to impress, always elegant and feminine. Tamara, on the other hand, valued comfort above all else, whether in clothes or appearance. Makeup, combs, skincare—those were foreign to her. Their mother had spoiled Tamiko with luxury and trained her to chase wealth and ambition, never to settle for less. Their mother had once been an entertainer in Japan, until she met their father, a wealthy Japanese man. He couldn’t marry her, though—he already had a wife and family back home. No one in his household knew about Tamara and Tamiko. He provided for them generously… until last year, when his family discovered the truth. Overnight, the support stopped. Before cutting ties, though, he had given their mother several million pesos and bought them a large house they had previously only rented. It should have been more than enough. But their mother and Tamiko, too accustomed to luxury, squandered it all. Now the house was mortgaged to a real estate company, and eviction loomed over them. And their mother’s solution? Seduce the company lawyer! At first, Tamiko had been tasked to do it—but since she’d run away a week ago, Tamara had been forced into her place. “Holy mother of—damn! God! Every curse word I know!” Nyx exclaimed dramatically, staring at her. Tamara was used to her theatrics by now. Nyx had just been released from an asylum when Tamara met her. With no luck finding work, Nyx had taken a job as their maid when the previous one left. Tamara had insisted on it, despite her mother’s protests—Nyx hadn’t even known how to wash dishes back then. But Tamara couldn’t abandon her. “Is that really you, Tam? Why do your boobs look bigger than mine now?” Nyx said, frowning at her chest. Tamara grabbed her friend’s arm and tugged her away from the salon. Nyx kept stealing glances until Tamara finally scowled. “I know it doesn’t suit me. Don’t even say it. I already know I look like I’m trying too hard to imitate Tamiko,” she muttered irritably. But she had no choice. If she didn’t follow her mother’s wishes, Nyx would be the one to suffer. Her mother had threatened to throw Nyx out if Tamara disobeyed. And Tamara couldn’t let that happen. Nyx was her only friend, her only ally in that house. “Your twin’s really not coming back home, is she?” Nyx asked. Tamara sighed. She didn’t know why Tamiko had left. But one thing was certain: Tamiko wouldn’t have run away unless she’d found someone willing to bankroll her expensive lifestyle. “She’s not coming back. I know her. She wouldn’t leave unless she was sure she’d be taken care of,” Tamara said heavily. “So that means… It's you. You’re the one your mom’s sending to seduce that lawyer?” Nyx pressed. Tamara nodded. They walked the rest of the way in silence. When they reached the house, her mother was already waiting, eyes sweeping from head to toe. “Not bad. But fix that face, Tamara! You won’t seduce Attorney Revamonte looking like a kitten just torn from its mother!” her mother snapped. Tamara drew a deep breath. On the way home, she had been building up the courage to refuse. For the first time in her life, she wanted to disobey. If she didn’t do it now, when would she ever? “What if I don’t seduce him, Ma?” she began cautiously. Her mother’s brows furrowed instantly. “Are you defying me, Tamara?!” she hissed, eyes blazing. “I’m good with people, Mama. I can talk to the lawyer, maybe convince him to let us stay—” “You insolent brat!” her mother exploded, cutting her off. She stormed forward and grabbed Tamara’s face in a crushing grip. “M-Mama—” Fear flickered across Tamara’s face. “Why did Tamiko have to be the one to run away? Why not you? You’re useless in this house anyway!” her mother spat, her nails digging into Tamara’s cheeks. “Ma’am, stop—” Nyx tried to intervene. “And you! You’re just as useless as Tamara!” her mother snapped, releasing Tamara only to turn her fury on Nyx. Tamara winced, touching her aching jaw. “With all due respect, ma’am, you can’t just throw your daughter at some man—” “And what right do you have to question me? You’re just a stray I took in! Get out of my house!” her mother barked. Tamara’s eyes widened in horror. She rushed forward. “Ma, please, Nyx hasn’t done anything—” “Didn’t we have a deal, Tamara? If you won’t obey me, then your friend leaves. She’s useless here anyway!” her mother snarled, shoving Nyx toward the door. “Mama, stop!” Tamara cried, trying to intervene, but her mother was relentless, dragging Nyx all the way to the gate. “Get out! One less mouth to feed!” Tamara burst into tears. “Mama, please! I’ll do it! I’ll do whatever you want!” Her mother froze. “What did you say? You’ll obey me?” “Tam, don’t! I’ll just leave—” Nyx protested. “You’re not leaving!” Tamara sobbed, clinging to her. “You promised me, Nyx. You promised you wouldn’t leave me here. You’re all I have. Please, don’t go. Please!” Nyx’s shoulders slumped. “Fine. I’m not going anywhere.” Tamara wiped her tears, then turned to her mother. “Yes, Mama. I’ll do what you want,” she said firmly, gripping Nyx’s hand tightly. “I’ll do everything I can to make Attorney Revamonte fall for me…” Even though deep down, she had no idea how to seduce a man.