OLIVIA
I could feel the cold breeze kissing every bit of my skin as we got out of his car. My eyes landed on the huge manor in front of us. It was like a Georgian manor, too old-fashioned but speaks of elegance and nobleness.
"Where are we?" I asked curiously to the handsome-yet-grumpy man standing next to me.
"At your home," he said coldly. He held my hand and dragged me without any hesitation.
"Seriously, you need to go easy on me while I'm still in control!" I hissed as we walked through the stairs.
"Your mother is waiting for us," he said when we reached the front of the double doors.
I just shrugged and rolled my eyes. Those were good words to hear only if I had a mother. I bet Reese' mother will think he's gone insane once she sees her supposed son-in-law bringing another woman into their house.
He knocked on the door and minutes passed, it was opened by a housemaid. He was still holding my hand tightly when we entered inside.
My eyes roamed around and all I could see were luxurious furniture and interiors that made the whole living room livelier, comforting and warm. The house was undeniably spacious and truly stunning. Across the living room is a grand staircase which leads to the second floor. I gazed up there and saw a woman who seemed to be in her mid 40's and was standing in the first rung of the stairs. Her hand was caressing her chest as her eyes started to get teary.
She must be Reese' mom . . . she then ran downstairs and it somehow made me nervous thinking that she might fall. I thought she would try to hit this insane man beside me but I was stunned when she ran towards me and embraced me tight.
I blinked several times, and swallowed hard when I heard her cry on my shoulder while hugging me as if she didn't want to lose me . . again.
"Oh, God! Sweetheart, where have you been all this time . . . I was so worried to death," she said in between her sobs. She then faced me and the next thing I knew was she's caressing both of my cheeks that somehow sent warmth to my spine. "I am so happy you're safe and back, Reese. Mommy missed you so much . . ." She hugged me again.
I didn't know how to react. God knows how I wanted to burst her bubble and tell her that I am not her daughter . . . that I am not Reese Jones, but something inside me slightly pity her. I don't know why.
I still don't understand why both of them are calling me Reese. Who really is she?
I didn't manage to utter a single word in front of Reese' mom. I am still confused and definitely convinced that this wasn't a prank anymore. After the emotional breakdown Reese' mom had upon seeing me, she was sent to her room with a house nurse who's in-charge with her because apparently, she's suffering from depression.
When the grumpy guy confirmed that she's already having a good rest, he then walked me to Reese' bedroom.
As soon as I entered the room, my eyes widened in disbelief. I glanced at the portraits hanging on the wall and saw a familiar face of a woman . . . my face . . .
I shook my head, trying to get a grasp of everything but I couldn't seem to understand what was happening.
Like what the hell is going on?
Reese Jones and I have the same face? How could it be possible?
I stiffened when I felt him embracing me from the back. I was about to protest but his arms were snaking my waist tightly. He buried his face on my neck, and when I felt his mint breath on my skin. A sudden wave of electrifying sting sent shivers up to my spine.
"I forgive you for everything you've done . . . whatever you've been doing, I will forget about it. Just promise me you won't leave me anymore," he whispered, almost pleading.
My forehead creased. I know I was whining to him a while ago but after seeing all Reese' pictures, it was as if my strength faded away because unanswered questions started to haunt me.
"Don't fucking run away from me, Reese." His hands traveled on my shoulders and he made me turn around so I could face him.
My brows furrowed. The rage on his face has gone. The only things I see in his eyes are sadness and desperation.
"We'll get married tomorrow. You can't escape from me. I won't allow you to leave me ever again," he uttered with finality.
To my surprise, he leaned forward and gave me a rough kiss.
***
The next day . . .
I was pacing back and forth, biting my nails as I tried to think of a good escape plan. After what happened between me and that grumpy man last night, after how he stole kisses from me and swore that he won't let me go, it became clearer to me that I was in a big mess.
My eyes darted on the telephone on the table beside Reese' bed. I immediately walked towards it and dialed Lara's cell number. If there was one only thing I am good at, that's memorizing phone numbers of the people I care about. I heard three rings on the line and then she answered the phone call.
"Lara!" I called her name as I sat on the side of the bed.
"Olive? Geez!" She exclaimed. "What happened to you last night? Mike checked the CCTV footage and told me someone has kidnapped you. I took a closer look at that man's face and figured out it was no other than Chase Maxwell!"
My forehead immediately creased. "Chase who?"
"Chase Maxwell, Olive! He's one of the most famous billionaire bachelors in the country! How did you know him? Care to tell everything because I'm freaking out here!"
"Well, I'm freaking out too, Lara. He ruined my performance last night because he thought I'm his missing fiancee." I lowered down my voice, afraid that someone might hear me from the outside.
"W-What? Fiancee? How come?"
"I don't know but I'm here in the house of that woman. Listen, you won't believe what I found out."
"I'm all ears, Liv!"
"His fiancee, Reese Jones? We have the same face! I mean . . . we're too identical and that's the reason why that man, Chase, has dragged me into this place! He thinks I'm the woman he's been looking for, Lara!" I told her as if I am becoming more hysterical right now.
I heard her gasp. "What the— are you serious?"
"I really want to think this is just a nightmare but hell, this is real. I don't understand what's going on. I haven't been able to sleep in Reese' room. Her pictures are giving me creeps." I then turned to the wall and gazed on Reese' portrait, and instantly I felt the goosebumps all over my body. "But, I have another problem."
"Another one? What is it?" Her voice sounded so concerned.
"That Chase? He said we're going to get married today!" I said and palmed my face. "He's so convinced that I am Reese, that I left him for unknown reason and now he's not going to allow me to escape anymore and will force me to a shotgun marriage. This is insane!"
"Oh my goodness, am I hearing it all right? That famous bachelor wants to marry you? You'll be an instant billionaire's wife if that's the case then!" she said in glee.
"Let me remind you that I'm not Reese Jones, for the love of God, Lara!" I rolled my eyes. How could she get so giddy with the thought of me marrying that grumpy billionaire?
She sighed. "But isn't it an opportunity you should consider, Liv? It only takes one vow and you will get your chance to escape from the rat race. Come to think of it, you will no longer need to work as a stripper. You'll have a wealthy life, and the most good-looking husband. You'll never have to worry about money, you will get anything you want—"
"Again, I'm not Reese—"
"But this might be the chance you've been waiting for, Olive. If that girl, Reese, really wanted to marry Chase Maxwell, she should've been there to begin with. However, she's missing in action, and the only woman who gets the chance right now is no other than you."
I inhaled heavily as my chest started tightening . . . somehow, at the back of my mind, I knew Lara was right. I felt like my mind and conscience were battling against each other. My mind strongly agreed to Lara but my conscience was telling me otherwise.
"You know how impossible it is to reach a dream when you don't have the means to depend on. Liv, you only live once. Chance like this can only stumble in front of your feet once."
The memory of my younger self stealing bread in a bakery store when I was wandering on the streets flashed in my mind. It was followed by my teenager self who stood in front of the bar, and how my life changed afterwards . . . my life has changed, yes. But I had to admit that I am still at my lowest.
Silence engulfed me for a moment. If only I could see a sign that would make me decide what to do . . . something that would encourage me to go on with Lara's suggestion.
If only someone would knock on the door and tell me it's okay for me to do it . . . I was holding the telephone to my ear so tightly, and my eyes couldn't help but be teary.
"Fuck . . ." I gasped and ended the call without saying a word to my friend.
I heard two knocks on the door that made me hold back to crying. I cleared my throat and stood up. The door opened and the familiar God-like Chase Maxwell entered. Compared to last night, he looked more calm today. He was wearing a black suit that fit his body perfectly.
"Good morning," he said huskily.
I swallowed hard and just nodded at him. My eyes gazed down at the white huge box he was holding and then glanced at him curiously.
"We have to keep going, Reese. We will marry today," he said genuinely and handed me the box.
I didn't know why but I found his voice soothing . . . as if it was the sign I just asked earlier, and like he was pushing me to do it, to grab this one in a million chance.
"So, you're still going to marry me," I said with my voice on the verge of cracking.
"Yes, I will still marry you. Whatever it is that happened last night, it doesn't change what I feel for you, Reese."
Our eyes were still locked with each other. I could see the sincerity in him. I hate to admit it but it felt like Reese had missed this gem in front of me.
I inhaled and walked towards him, then tiptoed to give him a peck on his lips.
"Alright, let's get married then . . ."