Chapter 2
1358 Words
Playing Two Parts
Ava paced back and forth around the guest room Robert had led her to, the clicking sound of her heels on the marble reverberated everywhere. She was so tense and was etching to leave already.
She walked back to the door, pulled it open and headed out to meet Robert.
“Since I'll be staying, I guess I need to go pick up a few things from my apartment”. She said with a smirk on her face.
“Alright then, I'll come pick you up”. Robert replied.
“Sure”...
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When Ava got home, she opened the door and slammed the door shut behind her, looking all frustrated. Her elegant dress accentuated her body as she marched up and down in front of Mia, who sat up on the bed, putting down the magazine she was reading.
Mia arched her brow as she looked up. "Rough day?" she asked with a sly smile that spoke volumes of her knowing better.
"You have no idea!" Ava huffed, slinging her bag on the chair. "That woman is impossible!"
Mia balanced herself on the bed, interested. "What woman?”
Ava stopped her pacing and turned around, "Robert's grandmother! She wants me to move into the mansion with her." She sank into the armchair, putting her face into her hands. "She says she needs to 'monitor' me to make sure I'm truly in love with her precious grandson. Can you believe that?"
Mia chuckled. "Well, you are dating the heir to a huge fortune. What did you expect? That she would throw you a welcome party?”
Ava shot her a glare. "This isn't funny, Mia, besides it's not like we're really in love. It’s a charade.”
She looked me straight in the eye and said, “Ava dear, you don't seem like the homemaking type. I need to see for myself that you can handle being part of this family.” And then she practically ordered me to pack my bags!"
Mia smirked. "She's not wrong, you know. You're about as domestic as a wild cat."
"Not helping!" Ava groaned, throwing a pillow at her sister.
Mia dodged it effortlessly, laughing. "Alright, alright. So, what’s the big deal? Move in for a while, show her you’re the perfect girlfriend, and then you’re done."
"I can't do it, Mia!" Ava jumped up, her voice rising. "I'm not wife material. I don't even know how to boil an egg properly. I'll mess everything up, and mess things up for Robert too."
Mia c****d her head to one side. "Well, you're not wrong. So what are gonna do now? Call off the contract? Cause it seems to me like you’re stuck.
"That's the thing," Ava said, her voice falling conspicuously. She leaned in, talking Mia's hands on her own. "You can help me."
Mia's eyes narrowed. "Help you? How?"
Ava dramatically fell on her knees. "Mia, you're my identical twin. Even our closest friends can’t tell us apart! You could go to the mansion in my place. For just a few days, just until I figure out what to do!"
Mia burst out laughing and yanked her hands away. "You've got to be kidding me! I should go play house with Robert and his grandmother? No way."
"Oh, please, Mia!" Ava begged, tugging on her sister's arm. "I'm begging you! I'll do anything you want. Name it!"
Mia shook her head violently. "No way. I have a life, Ava. I'm not about to put it on hold to bail you out of this mess. And that’s a crazy risk!”
"But Mia…!" Ava stilted her head to the side as if trying to remind Mia of something.
Mia's jaw dropped. Then her head shook again. "This is different, Ava. You're asking me to pretend to be you for who knows how long. And for what? So you can avoid facing your responsibilities?"
Ava groaned and threw her hands up. "It's not like that! I just. I need time to figure things out. Please, Mia. I'm begging you."
“It will Just be a few days I promise.” Ava begged.
“Alright, just for a few days alright?” Mia replied.
“What do I do?”
“Yesssss…. Good. Get dressed. you'll just play along with Robert. It's a fake relationship which will eventually lead to a fake marriage but for now you just have to fake being his girlfriend to impress his grandma at the house. Robert will tell you what to do but first he shouldn't know that you're not me”
Mia nodded as she got up to get dressed, while Ava packed her suitcase.
“Robert will call any moment from now, he'll be coming to pick you, just act like me.This is the script you are to follow, keep going through it to memorize every detail you need.” She said.
“You know you're so dramatic and I'm the opposite of you” Mia hinted.
“I know but you just have to try. You can do this”. Ava said convincingly.
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“You ready.” Robert said, staring Mia in the eye.
She smiled and nodded. Robert stepped out of the car and helped Mia get off too.
They walked hand in hand in the living room and Mia got a sight of the old lady sitting on the luxurious sofa.
She swallowed hard. The old lady looked up and Mia paused on her feet.
“It seems you went to get your luggage.” Evelyn asked.
Mia nodded, not wanting to use her voice.
“Welcome back. Make yourself at home.”
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Robert took Mia on a tour of the estate to familiarise her with the estate. They walked over manicured gardens, past marble fountains and thick hedges.
"This place is ridiculous," Mia mumbled, looking at a horse statue. It was beautiful.
"Welcome to my world," he said dryly.
"So, what is the plan if your grandmother doesn't buy this act?" Mia asked.
"Oh, she will," he said confidently. "She is arrogant but values appearances. So long as we present the perfect couple, she wouldn't dare risk a scandal by cutting me off."
Mia frowned. "And what am I supposed to do after all this is over?
" We divorce. You take your money and go, free of any incumbrances," Robert said. "It's easy."
"Easy," Mia said.
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Later that night, Evelyn mentioned a dinner party to get Mia acquainted with the King family's inner circle; Mia freaked when Robert delivered the news.
"A dinner party? With your family?" she repeated, pacing the room. "What if I mess it up?"
"You won't," Robert said, lounging on the sofa. "Just smile and nod. They're more interested in gossip than in details."
Mia gave him a dirty look. "Easy for you to say. You're used to this. You've been doing it your whole life. I'm not exactly used to dining with the one percent."
Robert sighed, and stood. "Fine. Let's practise."
"Practise?" Mia asked sceptically.
He took a chair and pulled it out for her. "Sit."
She seemed to hesitate, but sat stiffly as Robert began pouring her a glass of wine.
"Alright," he said, setting a chair across from hers and taking a seat. "Let's get started with some small talk. I'll be my nosy cousin, Charlotte. 'So, Mia, how did you meet Robert?'
Mia smirked, remembering their script. "Oh, it was fate. I spilled coffee on him at a café, and he was so charming about it. We just clicked."
"Good," Robert said. "Now, what if someone asks about your career?"
"I'm a freelance artist," Mia said confidently. "I work on commissions and occasionally sell pieces to galleries.
Robert nodded. "That will do. At least you don't say anything specific. Now, in case someone asks about your family-"
"My parents are retired, and I have a brother who's studying abroad," Mia rattled on.
Robert raised an eyebrow. "You have been rehearsing."
"Yeah," Mia replied, a little definitely proud of it.
"Okay," Robert said, rising. "You'll be alright. Just stick to the story.
- Writer
