The Twin Temptations

CHAPTER FIVE

ELENA’S POV

We stepped out of the bakery. I hugged myself tighter as the cold breeze sent my hair into a flutter.

“Come with me,” Justin let out as he grabbed my hand, pulling me in the direction opposite the one we came from.

The urge to ask him where he was taking me danced at the tip of my tongue. But I bit my lip as I decided to wait and see.

We eventually turned a corner, as I was faced with a homely building. It didn’t look large from the outside, but I could see that it was a wide area.

“We’re here,” he breathed as he fumbled around for his keys. “The Whitewater Orphanage?” I questioned out loud as I threw him an odd look.

A light chuckle escaped his lips as he whispered. “I’m not abandoning you here, I live here,” he said as he turned to face me with glittering eyes.

“Really?” I let out, not hiding the slight disbelief in my tone as I didn’t peg him for an orphan. He felt more like someone from my world, than an ordinary person even.

“Yes really,” he chuckled as he keyed the gate gently. His movements were light, as though he was trying to avoid waking the house.

But I didn’t see how that was possible. “Come on,” he said, pulling me inside as we walked towards the back. A trace of curiosity flashed across my gaze as I caught him looking over his shoulder multiple times.

“Is there something we should be worried about?” I whispered into his ear as we kept on walking lightly.

“Nope. We’re fine,” he said with a tight smile as beads of sweat dotted his forehead. “Okay,” I replied softly, until I was forced to come to an abrupt stop. Hitting his back.

“And where the heck have you been?” a deep voice floated into my ear as a shudder ran down my spine.

“Brother! You’re awake,” Justin called out with a groan as he shielded my figure. My eyebrows jumped at the title. I peered my eyes out slightly as I hoped to get a better look.

I could only make out a blurry figure in the darkness. I squinted my eyes as I somehow hoped my actions would force him to step into the light.

“What’s that behind you?” he asked in a chilly tone, as I was taken aback. There’s no way he just called me a ‘What’.

“Did you just call me a ‘what’?” I questioned as I stepped out of Justin’s shadow. I watched as the obnoxious brother c****d his head to the side as he went on to ask, “Yes, and?”

I couldn’t make out his expression, but the arrogance he exuded only served to further heighten my anger. It felt like I was back in that horrendous mansion where I was viewed as less than human.

“You’re the ‘what’!” I let out, pointing a trembling finger as tears pooled in my eyes. “Elena,” Justin called out softly as he placed a warm palm on my shoulder.

“Tch,” the obnoxious brother clicked his teeth as he turned to leave. My chest heaved as I forced back the tears that threatened to spill.

I wasn’t about to make a fool of myself in public. I knew there was no way I was going to survive on my own, if I didn’t learn to toughen up.

“Are you okay?” Justin asked after a long silence. I forced a smile as I turned towards him. Only after making sure there were no remnant tears left.

“Never felt better,” I let out as I shook my head softly. Justin gave a low hum in acknowledgment. If he did in fact notice the traces of tears, he didn’t show it.

A sense of gratitude warmed my chest at the act. “Forgive my brother. He’s not normally like that,” he said with an apologetic tone as he looked at me with a pleading gaze.

“I guess,” I replied in a noncommittal tone, as I wasn’t interested in whatever was happening with that devil's advocate.

“I’m serious. Believe it or not, but we’re identical twins,” he said with a small grin, as my eyes widened in surprise, before he went on to say, “Something must have put him in a bad mood.”

Justin shook his head as he finished his statement. But I was still left reeling as I took in the news.” Twins?” I let out in an incredulous tone as I took a few steps back in shock.

Justin threw me a confused look as he stared back at me. “Yeah. You haven’t seen any before?” he let out with a light chuckle as a trace of amusement flashed across his gaze.

“I-“ my mouth was left wide open, as I didn’t know what to say to that. I had seen my fair share. In fact, I had made it a personal promise to not get involved with twins ever again.

To think I would meet a set as soon as I escaped one. “Come on, I’ll show you where you can stay tonight. I’ll introduce you to our caretaker tomorrow.”

Justin said as he led me away from the entrance. Not paying any attention to my dumbfounded state as he grabbed my arm and pulled me with him.

“What the hell did I get myself into,” I muttered underneath my breath as I trailed off behind him. My gaze darted to the night sky as I contemplated my next course of action.

Which, of course, will only happen, once I get a good shower, as well as a good night’s rest.