Outwitting Destiny

Chapter 3

I wake up and the sun shining through an unfamiliar window. Right, my mother sent me here. I look over and see Lexi soundly asleep next to me. Father gave me a couple days to settle in before I started taking over as the CEO of his business, Stardustechnologies. So, I came up with a plan to scope out the enemies. I get up and walk to the closet. I pull out a black suit with white stripes on in. I noticed there was a full-length mirror in here. I walk deeper into the closet. I pull out the bindings. I sigh and take off my shirt. I start wrapping my chest, I don't tighten it much to see if that helps with the bruising. Once I get dressed, I walk over a table and pick up the papers. I head down the hall and down the stairs. I don't know where my father's office is.

"Excuse my Lord, do you need anything?" the butler noticed me.

"Ah, yes. I am looking for my father's office." I said.

"Of course, this way. You are in luck because he is there right now." He leads me to the left and through the two swinging doors. They are a deep rose red color. We come to a smaller set of doors. He knocks and here a 'come in.' He leads me into office. It's dark gray walls are lined with shelves full of books. My father is sitting at the dark red wooden desk. Above him, hangs a family portrait of him, mother, Ryan, and I. Looks like Ryan and I were just born when this was made. The more I know about him, it doesn't make sense that he would just leave my mother and I. We wait for the butler to close the door before speaking.

"Good morning Ray, how did you sleep?" he asked.

"Uh, good morning. I slept okay." I replied. I stood behind one of the chairs that faced the desk. He motioned for me to sit but I shook my head. I wasn't going to be here long. I have plans today.

"Um, these are the papers I fixed to help with your budget and other things. I wanted to give them to you before you head to the office on Monday." I sat them down. He nodded then opened his mouth to speak.

"Ray, you do look beautiful no matter what you wear. You look like your brother. You will be replacing him until we can find out what happened to him." He said.

"What happened? And who else knows he is missing?" I asked.

"He was meeting a possible client then never came back. Thankfully no one knows he is missing. So, you be called Ryan for now. It's only at the office. Here you are Ray. No one who you are or where you came from just expect the staff." He said. Well I guess my identity didn't completely switch. I am just being robbed of my gender. That's all, but it's to help figure out what happened to my brother.

"Good then we can keep this under wraps. No one knows you have another kid or that I am a girl. It was nice talking to you father. Um, father could you make sure that none of the staff are around 6pmish?" I said. I can't bring myself to ask why he left mother and I. I have a feeling that it wasn't him who left. He nodded but didn't question me. He stands up and walks over to me. He pulls me into a hug. It was warm. I returned it. It... feels nice. He walks me out and I head up to my room. I see Lexi is awake. I guess speaking to my father passed the time because it was already late afternoon.

"Lexi, how do you feel about dressing me up? I have something up my sleeve." I said while smirking. She eagerly nodded her head. She pulls out a black strapless dress from the suitcase. I take off the bindings. I slip into the dress and it hangs a few inches below my butt. It is covered in sparkles. She grabs the wig from the closet and puts it on. It comes to my lower back, just above my butt. I sit on a stool and Lexi does my make-up. I smokey eyes and red lips. I pull out a black pair of heels. I check the time and it is 6pm on the dot. I have a nice body with curves in the right place. I pull on a black coat in case someone is out. It would be easy if I could tell the staff but we can't risk anyone finding out about me. I poke my head out in the hall way before walking quietly to the stairs. I peek over the railing and the coast is clear. I slowly take each step quietly. I make it to the door but just as I open it I sense someone is behind me. I turn around and my father standing with his arms crossed.