The Substitute Bride

Chapter 1

    "Damn it!" Rella swore for what seemed like the hundredth time in just an hour. She was picking up Cindy's bad language without her realising.

The whole pre-wedding thing was driving her insane and she was never a fan of such pump parties but it was the night before her other half Cindy's wedding and she was expected to be there not only that but she found herself in such situation she could've avoided.

     "Rella how did you get into this mess again? Oh yes because you can't say no to Cindy that's why." In a tone that was half-chiding and half-miserable, she addressed her reflection on the mirror in the washroom of her family's restaurant. She reached down unto the marble counter top and retrieved the lipstick that had slipped out of her hand. Right now, she's in Cindy's shimmering blue dress and sparkling diamonds, her makeup was as identical as it could be and if she didn't know herself better, she would've fallen for her own sham and believed she was Cindy. Why did she have to fall for Cindy's theatrics over and over again? All it took was a little of her signature water works and Rella gave in.

 After all that's happened in their earlier years right from grade school to high school you'd think Rella would’ve learnt her lesson by now but she was still as feeble minded, a big softie when it came to her twin.

       The dress was too fitting, and its plunging neckline left nothing to be imagined.

It was outrageous!

 It outlined every supple curve down to the tiniest detail—curves Rella had no idea were there until this moment and she would never be caught dead dressed in such slutty outfit.

      Except she wasn't Rella right now but Cindy.

She had never devoted such attention to herself before, not even the society had anything to say about her because Cindy had always been in the spotlight and well she, Rella always faded away into the background and she didn't mind that at all for she hated the attention.

      Rella made some final touches to her makeup, her golden tresses were a tumbling wave of curls around her shoulders just like Cindy's.

      An hour ago the party had been in full swing.

 Her mom had called it an intimate dinner with family and a few friends but apparently a few friends meant the entire Manhattan high society. Of course that hadn't surprised Rella, it wouldn't be the first time Evie Cortés had gone overboard when it came to her parties.

      She grabbed Cindy's dark clutch from the dresser and made for the door.

 Cindy had lasted a good thirty minutes at the party after which she disappeared. Evie Cortés had been so restless she had to ask her to bring her sister back to the party before she does anything crazy and Rella had found Cindy tearing out of the restaurant like she had a swarm of bees chasing her.

     "Please don't tell anyone Rella." Her twin had implored.

      "What are you up to now huh?" Rella had expected an explanation but instead she only got a promise. For one, Cindy had been nervous as hell and Rella was tempted to press further but before she got another word out Cindy said, "Rose needs me right now. Her water broke.’’

     “So call her husband or boyfriend!’’

     ‘’She doesn’t have a husband or boyfriend and her family disowned her.’’

     ‘’Cindy, no woman in her right mind would leave her own pre-wedding party after being here a few minutes.What about the party?"

      "Well about that, I'll need you to do me a favour." And she quickly rattled off the idea.

      "No. You have got to be kidding." Rella shock her head in stern disapproval.

      "Please Rella you're the only one I trust to help me with this."

       "Absolutely not. I will not be dragged into your affairs especially when I know it's bound to be a disaster."

      "It'll only be for a few hours I promise I'll be back before the end of the party."

      "How can I pretend to be you at your own party this is absurd."

      "No it's not, you've done it so many times before." Cindy pointed.

      "That was different you were not getting married tomorrow!"

Things hadn't turned out the way Rella had imagined and she caved in.

      "I sure hope I don't regret this."

     She was regretting it the moment she stepped out of the washroom. She couldn't help but think of all the guests down there and her thoughts inadvertently revert to Cindy’s fiancé—Stefan Diamond—the CEO of the vast Diamond hotels and resort empire.

Rella felt an involuntary shiver run down her spine at the thought of him.

     He was as intimidating as he was sophisticated with an air of enigma around him. No man had ever made her as flustered as she was each time he was close or when she thought of him.  

     Rella had met him three weeks ago and had learned about the proposal. She had been reeling from the aftermath of her break up with Ryan but Stefan had come as a shock to her. Cindy was rebellious and impulsive while Rella seemed so reserved at some point she had been dubbed a wallflower. It was no surprise at all that Cindy would get a match like Stefan Diamond and there was no doubt at all that the two were smitten with each other Cindy had all but purred like a slick kitten when she told Rella, "he's so hot I feel like I'm going to die whenever I look at him!" Then she had dramatically fanned herself.

  Rella had been wary of him right from the very first day, there was something about him she couldn't quite put her finger on but she knew he was dangerous— not like  a serial killer or anything of the sort— he just seemed to discomfit her every time and it didn't help that he was sinfully gorgeous with his aristocratic face; his firmly set jaw, his cobalt blue eyes that were cold and calculating always having a certain glint of mischief in them. He was intimidating enough without having to throw in his massive built and broad shoulders which only made her more affected by him than she could ever allow while reminding herself at every turn that he was her sister's fiancé. While Rella could never measure up to her twin's air of cool sophistication she was more than contented with being only in the background. Even when they were still teenagers, Cindy easily outshone her and she had been the shy little Rella.

       She scanned the crowd for Stefan and only felt her nerves flaring uncontrollably. What if he realises she wasn't Cindy? And what if she messes up everything? The questions only made bile rise up from the pit of her stomach to her throat before she swallowed nervously and tried furtively to calm her exploding nerves.

     Rella relaxed a bit when she saw no sign of Stefan and decided warily that she needed some fresh air. She wobbled uneasily as she threw the French doors open and let out a whoosh of breath. At least she would have time to gain her composure back before she face him she told herself. She had just closed her eyes and was beginning to enjoy the feel of the balmy air on her skin when he spoke, "I thought I may have to call the cops to make you come to your own party." Rella stuck one foot against the other and she found herself losing her balance. She flung out her arms in a desperate attempt to hold herself. Her ankle had twisted in a wrong angle.

Large pair of arms caught her at the last minute, wounding around her protectively.

     "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

 Rella almost couldn't move and speech had evaded her and it's not because she was hurt but the thought of Stefan Diamond wrapping her in his embrace was more than she had bargained for, he had caught her off guard. She’d never expected him to be on the balcony of all places.

      Slowly she lifted her head and her breath caught in her throat when she found herself staring into his beautiful eyes, she saw his expression quickly change from annoyance to concern when she didn't move.

      "Are you hurt anywhere?" She shook her head slightly regaining her senses.

      "Ah, er, I...I am fine." She stuttered a response but he stared at her sceptically.

Rella cursed herself silently, why was she stuttering? Cindy would never stutter especially in a situation such as this.

      "Really? It didn't seem that way." She could swear she saw a smirk but she was too displeased at their lack of contact when he extracted his hands from her to care. She watched him bury them deep inside his pants' pocket.

      "Where were you? I got worried when your mom said she couldn't find you."

       "Oh, um, I was freshening up a bit."

For a moment he looked like he was going to say something but he thought better of it and instead he held her gaze steadily and suddenly appeared pleased with whatever it was he seemed to have discovered. His eyes roamed languidly over her frame and his brows furrowed. Rella squirmed uncomfortably under his careful scrutiny and knew she had to up her game and play her part well or this evening would be a disaster.

     "Shall we?" Stefan eventually put out his hand to her. For a split second she wondered what he was talking about and flushed profusely when she realised. She placed her hand in his outstretched one and felt a jolt of electricity when he gave it a light squeeze.

     The party was just like she left it and Rella could see her mom breathe in a sigh of relief at the sight of her.

Two glasses of wine later, and Rella could feel herself becoming bolder than she'd ever allowed herself to be so when he asked her for a dance she was up for it.