BECOMING HIS SUBSTITUTE WIFE

Uncanny

Uncanny.

HAZEL'S POV.

I knew I had seen him somewhere.

He was the man from the car earlier today, the one who had nearly run me over on the street.

I gazed at him with my heart rocking madly against the walls of my chest, trying to understand what was happening. He was staring at me the same way he did when he nearly ran me over with his car; his intense, unwavering gaze was as though he had seen a ghost.

There was no mistaking the recognition in his eyes and I felt as though I were being choked by the odd intensity of his gaze.

" Welcome Mr. Nathan"

As soon as David said that, the tension subsided and I turned to try to gather my thoughts. David's face changed as he turned back to face Nathan.

"Sir…" he addressed the smartly dressed man behind me. "This is Hazel. She works here. But in all honesty, she has caused more trouble than she has been worth. Unreliable and late. She's going to get fired."

Nathan kept his gaze fixed on me. He kept staring at me as though I were some sort of mystery that he was trying to solve. There was a suffocating intensity to the crackling air between us.

Nathan's voice was deep and authoritative as he said softly "I'll take it from here."

I could tell David was irritated but he didn't argue. He gave me a brief glance before leaving while muttering something to himself.

I was so preoccupied with the man in front of me that I hardly paid attention to what he was saying.

"Come with me," he muttered.

Without saying anything, I followed Nathan into his office, my feet stomping as he pointed to the rear of the café. With everything so well-kept and polished I felt tiny in this enormous office.

As though still trying to understand me, Nathan remained motionless and fixed his gaze on me. The silence between us deepened and dragged on until it was nearly intolerable. I was too anxious to move or talk, so I just stood there, not knowing what to do.

Nathan finally spoke in a clear but low voice."What’s your name?"

" Hazel," I said, barely raising my voice above a whisper.

He took a while to answer. Instead, he picked up a file and moved to his desk. His intense eyes left me confused and uneasy as I watched him.

" Hazel Roderick" he whispered to himself, tightening his eyes. He gave me a look. "Hazel, how old are you?"

I blinked at the unexpected question. "I’m twenty-two," I answered, not sure where this conversation was headed.

Before I could ask any more questions, a knock sounded at the door, and another man entered the office. He was tall and casually dressed but he didn't have Nathan's confidence. And like Nathan, he froze when his piercing eyes fell on me.

His mouth opened a little as his face changed to one of surprise, just like Nathan's reaction when he first saw me; it was like déjà vu.

"Brian" Nathan said in a strained tone." This is Hazel."

At first, Brian said nothing. He simply gazed at me with the same look of surprise. He spoke slowly almost as though he was having trouble believing what he was saying

"She looks… exactly like Fiona."

Fiona?

The name kept coming to mind but I was unable to identify it. Nathan's jaw tightened as he looked at Brian. "I know. It's eerie."

I was becoming increasingly confused by the moment. My voice finally came out, and I asked, "Who’s Fiona?"

With his eyes fixed on mine, Nathan put the file down with a gentle thud. "Fiona is my wife," He said with a tone that I couldn't quite identify."But she has been in a coma for two months after an accident."

My stomach began to sink." Sorry, but I'm... I'm not sure I understand. How is that related to me?."

Brian moved forward while keeping his gaze fixed on me. "Fiona Nathan's wife was in a coma following an accident. Her family doesn't know about it. They are not supposed to know. They will take everything she owns, including her businesses and inheritance if they do."

I tried to understand what Brian was saying by blinking. "Why keep it a secret? Why would they do that?"

Nathan straightened up with annoyance shining in his eyes." Our families arranged for our marriage. Love wasn't necessary at first. It was a business matter. Empires merge while safeguarding our riches. Her step-siblings will take everything she has ever owned if her family learns that she is in a coma. All of it will be taken. They'll make sure that even if Fiona wakes up she can't claim anything."

I felt as though his words were bearing down on me. This was completely different from what I could have ever imagined. But everything made no sense and my head was racing.

"Okay but… what does that have to do with me?. I'm not Fiona. I've never even met her. None of this has anything to do with me. " I said my voice shaking

Nathan stepped closer to me and his eyes grew gloomy. "You look exactly like her. You might be identical to her. Nobody would be able to tell the difference. We can act like she is here. Until after the family dinner "

I felt like I was punched in the guts." You want me to pose as your wife?"

Nathan gave a nod, his face grave. "Yes. Her step-siblings will become suspicious if I don't show up with her. They'll start to ask questions. We can keep them off our backs with your help. I'll see to it that you get paid for posing as Fiona."

I stepped back and shook my head." I can't do that. I'm not Fiona. I'm not even sure how to do that."

At that moment my phone rang. The hospital's number was displayed when I looked down at the screen. I felt sick in my stomach. I had to return to my mother.

The deposit!

I can't stay here and listen to all this anymore. "I have to go,," I said in a strained voice. "My mother is dying. I have to go back to the hospital "

Nathan stayed put. "I understand that this is a lot to process, Hazel. But you need to help me and I can give you something in exchange."

In an attempt to get out, I shook my head." I have no interest in all this sir. I can't be involved in all this."

Just as I got to the door Nathan's voice stopped me. "I will compensate you. A huge amount of money. Two million dollars. I'll handle your mother's situation, though I have no idea what's going on. Please I just need your help"

When the money was mentioned, my heart skipped a beat. It was everything my mother and I needed and it was worth millions. With my mind racing I hesitated. I was unwilling to do this.

I didn't want to act like someone else. The money, however, might be able to save my mother. It might completely change things.

My thoughts were interrupted by Nathan's voice. "I'll see to it that she receives the attention she needs. I'll take care of the medical expenses. Please just assist me with this one task."

Torn. I stood there for a moment. I could never have imagined how alluring the money was. Apparently sensing my hesitancy Nathan extended the offer.

"Four million dollars," He said.

When he mentioned a higher amount my eyes widened. The silence in the room became oppressive. I felt as though the decision was bearing down on me.

The cash. My mother. I took a large swallow. The money might make all the difference. Could I actually follow through on this though?

"Seven million dollars," He increased again.

I nearly fell in disbelief when Nathan raised the offer once more. The amount of money exceeded my expectations.

My heart was beating.

I inhaled deeply and spoke in a hushed tone. I said the four words that would either change my life or ruin it forever...