I heard something vibrating beside me. I slowly opened my eyes and my phone. Someone was calling me. I rub my eyes and sit up. I shiver and notice my clothes are on the floor. I grab my phone and see that Lexi is calling me. I answer the phone.
"Hello?" I answered
"Thank goodness you answered. I have been calling you all morning. Where are you?" she said
"I am at a friend's house. Why?" I ask
"Your father has been bugging me all morning. Did you forget that today is the day of the launch?" She said.
"Oh shit." I whispered yelled. I start to gather my clothes. My body aches. Did he have to be so rough?
"You have an hour to get your ass here and change. The launch in five hours and I was told your father has an announcement to make." She said after she hung up. It is a good thing that this wig clips onto my actual hair, making it hard for it to come off. I scribble a note for Cole. I tie up my hair into my hat and walk out the door. I walk down the hall to the elevator. I wait for the door to slide open then I get in. I push the first-floor button. I walk out and head to my car. I get in and drive away. After a little bit, I reach the villa. I park the car and walk up the stairs. I rush to my bedroom and head to the bathroom. I take off the hat and unclip the wig. I take off my clothes. I turn on the shower and step under the hot water. I feel my muscles relax. I wash my hair and Cole's scent off my skin. I spend an hour under the water. When I step out, I find Lexi standing in the doorway with her arms crossed.
"Where were you? And by the looks of it, you had quite a night." She points to the marks Cole left on my skin.
"I went to see Cole. He said he would help me in finding my brother." I said. I reach for my towel.
"Yeah. Looks like you did more than talking." She smirks.
"Yes well, he was my first love and we got to be reunited. But..." I tail off.
"What?"
"I think I have feelings for Asher and feelings for Cole." I said.
"Raylee, you do not have to choose right now. You are going through a lot right now. You probably should not mix your feelings into this." She said. She walks to the closet and grabs the suit I ordered for the launch. She is right. I cannot let my feelings get mixed up with this. I take a deep breath and start to get ready. I dry off and dry my hair. Lexi hands me the compression wraps. I wrap them around and tighten them, I wince in pain. I slip on my tank top. It helps hide the creases from the wraps. Lexi helps me slip on the white button up then the navy-blue jacket. I slide into the matching pants. I put on ankle socks and my dress shoes. Lexi taps her phone signaling it is time to go. We walk down the halls to the stairs and out the door. I walk to the driver's side. Lexi grabbed the keys and pushed me into the back seat. She passes the keys for the driver and gets in the passenger seat. People do not know that I am staying at my place instead of Leo's. We must make it look like I am the spoiled son of a snobby business man. We head to the venue. When we arrive, I step out and hear a lot of cheers. Maybe this is why Ryan did not show his face much, he sure is popular. I smile and wave. I walk down the path headed to the stage. Thankfully, my injury healed before this event. I get on stage and stand behind the podium. I scan the crowd and I see Cole standing in the back. I looked away then back at him, he was gone. I thought I saw him. I should not let my feelings get the better of me. I start my speech. I announce Asher to test the app with me. After the demonstration, people cheered and clapped.
"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, now my father has a few words to say." I step away from the podium while my father walks up to it. He looks at me. He smirked and whispered 'good job.'
"The crowd cheered louder. He walked away from the stand. I said goodbyes to everyone and the launch comes to an end. I head to the car.
"Ray!" I head Leo's voice comes from behind me.
"What?" I ask
"I just want to say you did a good job today. I just wanted to say that I am proud." He said
"Yeah sure. You are just happy that you made a lot of money because of me. This party for you, not for me." I said. He did not speak a word. He knew I was right.
"Well, you will see you tomorrow Mr. Wood." I said, getting into the car. I feel tears filling my eyes. I do not know what I was accepting from him. He does not really care at all about us. I do not want to go to this party. Ryan is still missing. Lexi and the driver get in the car and take me back to the villa. Lexi opens my door.
"You do not have to pretend to be my personal assistant anymore. I know your real identity." I said, shutting my door.
"I know but I like it. I was with you for so many years before I became an agent. I enjoy being your personal assistant and not to mention, you are my friend." She said.
"Oh, before I forget, I have a surprise for you..." There is a 'but' coming.
"But" called it.
"You will need to close your eyes," before I had a chance to react, she ties a blindfold over my eyes. She grabbed my hand and started leading me somewhere. After tripping a couple of times and running into some walls.
"Ow! You know, Lexi... you are horrible at this." I hear her giggle and let's go. I keep my eyes closed. I feel the blindfold coming off. I open my eyes and see two costumes with masks.
"Lexi?" I start to say
"You want to meet Asher without being seen. Well, you can do that. I have a different color wig for you to wear and when you are done with Asher, you put on another one," she said. I walk up to both costumes. The female one a beautiful Victorian dress. The sleeves off the shoulder. The dress is a beautiful shade of pink with roses and black stitching at the bottom. It is very beautiful. The wig is bright red color. There are beautiful black heels. Next to the dress is a male costume. It is a black suit.
"Wow, thank you Lexi. But it is a costume party, how will I find him?" I said
"Don't worry, he sent me an envelope with his costume name in it." She said
"Okay." I said. I walk over and sit on the couch in my room.
"Hey, what's wrong?" she sits next to me.
"Lex, I do not want to go to this party, not without Ryan. He is my twin, my other half. Our birthday is tomorrow. I am nowhere close to fining him. I do not know what to do." I burst into tears. I miss him. Even though we grew up separated, we have a bond.
"Oh Raylee, I am sorry. You must go. Now that you have shown your face in public, those people who took Ryan will come after you. I do not know if they will strike at the party or not, it is hard to tell. You must be strong, for the both of you." She hugs me and I feel better. My heart aches, but she is right. I must be strong for the both of us. I wipe my tears and stand up. I walk to my door and exit the room. I head to the gardens. I asked the staff to bring me some targets. I practice shooting. I hit the center on each one.
~
???
"Welcome everyone to my new app. Please help me welcome Asher Rodriguez to test the app." 'Ryan' said
"Well... well, looks like my little sister came to visit me. I should go see her."
"I have a special announcement. Tomorrow is my son's twenty-second. So, I will be hosting a huge birthday party for him. Since it is also Halloween, it is a masquerade party. It will be held at my mansion."
"Perfect, I can use the party to see her. I must warn her about our father and that awful woman who kidnapped me before it is too late. They are working together. She is in danger. I must get to the city but I cannot show my face, it would put her in even more danger."
"Hang on little sis, your big brother will come save the day."
YOU ARE READING
Outwitting Destiny
RomanceWhen Raylee's twin brother suddenly disappeared, her mother sends her to the U.S. to find out what happened. When she gets there, she has to pose as her brother? While she is trying to navigate life while living dressed as a male, she comes face to...
