WRONG TWIN

THE MEETING

Ray's words hit Jake like a slap. The Dermans were Cliff's closest partners—still a young company, but with a few buses and delivery drones that made the transportation of tech products easy. Jake sipped his wine to steady himself.

“I need to calm down. I can't let him get to me; we still need their company." He told himself. He forced a smile. "Why don't we discuss this further in a less crowded area”, Jake suggested.

“Sure”, Raynold replied.

“Raynold”. He froze on hearing the soft feminine, voice; he was sure he just heard someone call him. He scanned the crowd, but there was no one who could have called him.

Shaking it off, he followed Jake toward a quieter corner.

* * * * * *

The Strefords and Cliffs, stood in the Cliff's living room, glasses half-full; the air was filled with celebration with a splash of seriousness. The two families had left the event for the more private Cliff's living room to have a discussion, which was overdue.

“Raynold's return shows promise. We’ve been talking about growth—about a closer tie between our companies. I think it's time, Geogery.” Maurice took a slow sip from his wine glass.

“A tie how?” Geogery’s deep voice was tinged with a little confusion.

Lilian Cliff, Maurice’s wife, smiled a little; she dropped her glass on the center table, ready to speak. ”A merger. And… perhaps a family link to seal it. Marriage can make partnerships steadier. Don't you think so, Eleanor dear?”

Eleanor’s expression cools.

She freezes for a moment, a little frown forms on her face. “Marriage to secure business? That reduces people to instruments. I can’t support that.” She says bluntly.

Maurice laughs a little as if he anticipated her reaction. “We didn’t mean to offend. Think of it as an invitation—closer family ties that also align our firms. Imagine two tech gaints coming together through a tie as strong as marriage.” He let his offer hang between the two families, a tempting promise.

Geogery's expression is as cold as always. It’s difficult to read him even for his friend Maurice. “Alliances built like contracts.” Geogery continues, “In this world of business, staying on top is always the goal. If a marriage can take us there faster, then I see no issue with it.”

“What! Consent and affection matter. If you truly value family, let any union grow naturally, not as a corporate strategy.” Eleanor says she's disappointed with her husband's words.

“Oh please, Eleanor. We only meant practical—stability for both sides.” Lilian crosses her legs, adjusting her dress a little.

“Then pursue stability through clear agreements, not vows. Keep business and marriage separate until there’s genuine feeling. These are our children's lives we're talking about. We can't just…”

“That's enough! I've made my decision; we'll have a talk with the twins as soon as we get back.” Geogery interrupts his wife.

They lower their glasses. The plan had been accepted, and Eleanor’s refusal had no effect; a family merger was in motion.

* * * * * *

Jake guided Raynold toward a quieter alcove behind a tall cluster of potted palms outside the event hall. It was quieter and more conversation-friendly.

Raynold sank on a nearby sitting area alongside Jake and pulled his phone free from his pocket. The picture of the three of them stared back at him—Lily, Vera, and himself, frozen at thirteen and fourteen, grief and defiance stitched into the same frame. He swallowed, the memory making his chest tight.

“They’re supposed to call the family up later,” Jake said, following Raynold’s gaze. “Big show. You’ll be up when the formal stuff’s done.”

“Seen someone who looked like her? Vera.”

He pushed the image toward Jake; his hands trembled slightly. “She—God, I haven’t seen her in years. I—”

Jake gave him a half-smile, half-sympathetic nod. “Hope you find her.”

Raynold closed his eyes for a second. When he opened them, his expression had a new steadiness. “I need to tell her. Everything. About me, where I am, what I’m doing. I—” He laughed softly, nervousness and relief braided together.

“I love her, Jake. I have for a long time. It's funny since I only spent 13 years with her and her twin sister.”

Jake nearly chokes on his drink.

“You do know we're supposed to discuss business-related topics, right? Wait, did you say Vera? Like … Vera Streford?”

Jake asked, fearing the worst.

“Yes, have you seen her or maybe Lily? They're identical twins.”

Ray's voice was hopeful. Jake choked for real; his eyes turned red from coughing and the sudden reveal. “s**t Kingsley, you've made the mistake of your life”, he said to himself, already sweating with worry.

“Dude. Are you alright?” , Ray asked with genuine worry. Their conversation continued.