The Billionaire CEO and the Switched Wild Twin

(SELENE’S P.O.V) I stood in front of my full-length asymmetrical mirror with bright eyes and an upward tilt of the corner of my lip as I slowly slid my hands down the soft fabric of my gorgeous A-shaped mini-gown. “You’re so gorgeous, Selene. I wonder why I haven’t dated you.” I murmured to myself and laughed at my crazy thoughts. This was why I didn’t have many friends, even now that I had bought my freedom. They wouldn't be able to keep up with my spontaneity. “Drooling over yourself again, Selena De Luca?” My best friend, Mercedes, asked as she walked into my room with her mini gown and stilettos matching mine. Immediately, I heard her utter that forbidden name; I turned swiftly and shouted. “Take that back, M. My name is Selene, that’s it! I am not a De Luca.” Mercedes raised her hands and stepped backwards dramatically. “My bad! My bad! I forgot that you are dead, and I am living with a ghost. Sheesh! You’re one feisty ghost!” I laughed at Mercedes’ joke about my current reality. No one except Mercedes and my twin sister, Karlene, who found out by accident, knew that I was still alive, as I faked my death five years ago because of my parents. I am sure that such a revelation would raise eyebrows, but I faked my death to buy my freedom when I discovered that my mother was about to sell me and my talent to the highest bidder in the business world. If that had happened, then child labor, suffocating expectations, and controls would have tripled, and I would have lost what little part of my life I could call mine to powermongers, all because I had an unusual fashion talent that brought millions of dollars to my parents’ fashion company. “I wonder how you joke about my supposed death, and I don't find it annoying.” Mercedes moved closer and placed her hands on my shoulders. “Because you, my dear girl, did the right thing. If you hadn't forcefully bought your freedom that way, you'd be slaving away sketching unlimited design collections in some isolated fashion-themed mansion in Paris right now.” The beep of my phone prevented me from replying to her comment. I turned and checked my phone, expecting payment receipts from a client. Instead, the message I received made a deep crease form on my forehead. “It's that b***h, Karlene, isn't it?” Mercedes c****d her head to the side and asked as she studied the expression on my face. “She's my sister, Mercedes. My twin sister.” “Yeah, right. One twin sister doesn't treat the other the way Karlene treats you, and you know it.” “She's just desperate, M. I know how my parents can be when they want results.” “I’ll always be honest with you, Selene, and I'll tell you that your reply doesn't make any sense. You faked your own death to get away from that crazy life. You lived blissfully for three years, and in the fourth year, your twin sister finds out that you are still alive, and what does she do? “She continues from where your mother stopped by subtly blackmailing you to sketch collections for the De Luca fashion empire, which she now heads in your stead. Do you know the annoying part? For two years now, you have been secretly doing all the work to avoid exposure, and she boldly takes credit for it all. Look at her in the f*****g news again.” I turned towards my gigantic television, which was on, and saw from the news headline that Karlene had just won the category for Women's Wear Designer of the Year in the recent CFDA fashion awards held in New York. Mercedes stomped towards the television and poked it with her forefinger. “This award is supposed to be yours, Selene. They are your designs. These people are giving their award to a crook who cannot even sketch one design to save her life. When will all of this bullshit end?” I sighed sadly because I had not only heard the anger in Mercedes' tone, but I also glimpsed the pain in her eyes. “I am sorry, Mercedes.” I replied softly because I didn't know what else to say. “No, no, no.” She moved towards me with outstretched arms and pulled me in for a hug. “I should be the one who's sorry, la mia bambolina (my baby girl). You've gone through so much in life, and just when you find your peace, bad tidings show up again.” We hugged for a while, then I said. “It's okay, M. Let's throw all of these behind us and go have some fun at that new elite club downtown. I am sure Karlene can wait a while for more sketches.” Mercedes squealed at my suggestion. “Yes! I like the sound of that, baby girl. We party hard and wild and pick two hot guys for the night. Let's gooo!” “Did you book the hotel rooms as I asked you to, M? You know I don't like having our boy toys coming here. This is our private haven and not for s****l shenanigans.” “Yeah, yeah, whatever you say.” Mercedes waved me off excitedly as she danced towards the door. She was in her partying mood already. We met up with some other clubbing buddies, and as we drove to the club, I smiled and laughed at the jokes and playful banter all around me, but I couldn't help but wonder what Karlene's message meant. The message simply stated, 'I need your help, Selene. It's bigger this time. It may change everything.’ 'What does she mean by it may change everything? Is that a good thing? Should I finally be worried about her forced existence in my life?’ After finding out that I was still alive, Karlene didn't waste much time before threatening me to send her collection designs, or she would inform my parents that I was still alive. A part of me hated her for the subtle blackmail, but then I also tried to understand that she may have done that under pressure. I know how stifling my parents could be when their child was not producing the results they expected. And having faked my death and moved out of the scene, all responsibilities, alongside the grueling oppression of my parents, fell to Karlene. I feel sorry for her. The crystal-studded ceiling of the club shimmered like a million stars, and the deep, hypnotic beats from the DJ made the air feel thick and electric. “We are so going to have the freaking time of our lives tonight,” Mercedes whispered excitedly as we made our way inside the club. Smoke curled from Cuban cigars in the VIP sections where billionaires and their plus ones or twos sipped whiskey and expensive wine. In no time, Mercedes and I were on the dance floor, twisting and turning our bodies like we owned the dance floor. “I need a drink, M.” I strutted towards the bar with Mercedes behind me, and as soon as we settled on the high stools in front of the waiter, a security personnel walked up to us and gave me an expensive white handkerchief with beautiful writing on it. “Hello, ma'am. The gentleman in the blue suit over there requested that I give this to you. He awaits your reply.” I stared past the bulky-looking man, then turned to Mercedes. “That doesn't look like a boy toy.” “Nope! That's a manny man. He may want to see you again.” “Not interested in that. A one-night stand is the plan.” I turned and smiled at the security personnel. “Tell your boss that I am not interested.” The bulky man gave me a brief nod and then headed back to the suited man, but instead of the suited man letting it go, he stood up and headed towards me and Mercedes. “Listen up, Mister,” I stated firmly as soon as he was within earshot. “I already...” “Karlene?!” I heard Mercedes gasp loudly and then half-shout behind me, Then I turned to her swiftly and asked, “What happened to Karlene?” She didn’t reply but kept staring past me with wide eyes. I turned towards the location her gaze was fixated on, and my stomach dropped. It was like looking in the mirror, except my replica in this strange mirror wore her usual drab corporate outfit. I didn’t know how she found my location, and as I stared at her, I couldn’t help but feel that my life was about to change forever. How? I don’t know, but I know that the darkness that was my family had followed my twin all the way to Mexico, where I currently reside. “Karlene? Wh…what… What are you doing here?”