Twins With Benefits

14

Gigi

As I move in my sleep, I slowly awaken and, with a startled gasp, I sit upright on the bed, recognizing the familiar room around me. Breathing heavily, I struggle to calm my racing heart, wiping the sweat from my brow. It dawns on me that it was all just a nightmare.

As I make my way down the stairs, I notice Roger pacing back and forth, his expression tense with frustration. "Roger!" I call out, but he appears lost in his own thoughts. "Roger!" I try again, and this time he swiftly turns to face me. Catching his attention, I inquire, "What are you doing here? Isn't it time for you to head to the office with your boss?" He remains silent, leaving me puzzled and concerned, unsure if something is wrong.

He silently excuses himself and walks out, with me trailing behind as he engages in a phone call. After overhearing his conversation, I position myself in front of him, my lips pressed into a thin line and arms crossed defensively over my chest. "Now, would you care to tell me—" Interrupting my query, he sighs deeply and comes closer, offering an apology. "You are right, Ms. Knight. Please forgive me. You have every right to know, being a member of this family."

With a look of concern etched on his face, Roger begins to tell me the details. "What do you mean he's nowhere to be found? Have you tried calling his cellphone?" I inquire, prompting Roger to nod in affirmation. He reveals that he has been attempting to reach Alex all morning, but his phone remains unreachable. "I fear that something may have happened to him," Roger admits with a sense of worry. Squinting my eyes in contemplation, I seize this opportunity to ask, "Does he have any rivals?"

Roger's expression shifts quickly, and he hesitates before answering, "Um, no, Ms. Knight. Not that." With my arms still folded across my chest, I assert, "I know everything, Roger. I witnessed him murdering that man last night and concealing the body in the wine barrel." Beads of sweat form on his forehead, betraying his guilt. "Um, Miss... you can't tell anyone, please," he pleads. Striking a deal, I insist on knowing all the details.

Roger and I find ourselves seated in Alex's study, where he begins to explain everything that has occurred since Alex’s arrival. Pondering the situation, I suggest, "Is it possible that he could have been involved in his own father's death?" Roger's expression darkens as he responds cautiously, "No, ma'am. That is highly unlikely." Having obtained most of the information, I prepare to speak further, but Roger's phone interrupts us with a ring.

He apologizes and steps away to take the call, leaving me on the sofa, waiting for his conversation on the phone to end.

"Are you certain?" he inquires over the phone. Sensing Roger's unease, I hope for a positive outcome regarding my stepbrother. His behaviour hints at unsettling news that may be difficult to comprehend. As he declines the call and returns to me, Roger discloses, "His car was discovered abandoned on a road." I wait for him to elaborate, but he remains silent. Urging him to continue, I ask, "And then?" Roger sighs heavily before revealing, "There is no trace of him." He informs me of his intention to personally visit the location of the incident.

As several hours pass with no sign of Roger's return, I find myself consumed by confusion, anxiety, and a sense of anticipation. The unsettling reality of my stepbrother's disappearance weighs heavily on my mind, particularly as I live in the vast mansion alone with my mother. With the sun gradually setting, darkness envelops the sky, intensifying my unease. Thoughts of my stalker's potential arrival linger in the recesses of my mind, causing a chill to run down my spine.

I ask the security guards to be alert and lock up all the doors and windows inside the mansion. Now, I'm sitting in my mom's room on a chair while she's asleep. I'm staring out at the street, feeling nervous about the possibility of being chased by my stalker. My mom is sound asleep, machines beeping softly in the background, and the nurse is taking a break.

Feeling hungry, my stomach growls, but I feel too scared to go to the kitchen. After a few minutes of hesitating, I gather my courage and head to the kitchen, scanning the room nervously. I prepare a sandwich for myself, and when I reach for a knife in the drawer, I notice that one of them is missing from the set. My breath catches in my throat, and a chilling image of my stalker holding a sharp knife flashes through my mind.

A hand on my shoulder startles me, and I jump in horror. When I turn around, I see Natalia looking at me with surprise. "Madam, are you okay?" Her question jolts me out of my thoughts, making me realize how much I've been lost in my own fears within the safety of my home. I need to gather myself since Alex is not here, and I must protect my mother. The last time Alex was absent was the night my stepfather was murdered, a memory that fills me with dread and determination to stay strong.

The approaching storm darkens the sky, with thunder rumbling and lightning flashing. I attempt to call Roger, but he is unreachable, leaving me concerned for his safety. I begin to question if my stalker is involved in these events, especially after the recent altercation between Alex and him in the parking lot.

I sink into the soft cushions of the living room sofa, closing my eyes briefly until the sound of the main gate banging repeatedly disrupts the silence. My heart races in my chest as the banging persists, and with everyone else asleep in the house, I muster the courage to approach the door. I no longer fear whether the stalker himself has come to confront me. It's time for a showdown, either he intends to harm me or leave me in peace. Steadily, I swing the door open, and Roger rushes inside, drenched from the rain.