The Case Puzzle

Chapter 20

"Angelia? What is going on?"

I frowned in confusion, meeting her cold stare. My eyes trailed down at her black pantsuit and her black suede boots. Her inky black hair was slicked back. That seemed like an unusual look on her.

My confusion quickly dissipated or rather increased when a replica of the same person entered. The real Angelia eyed me nervously and glanced back at the duplicate. I was sure that I was not seeing double because it was easy to differentiate between the two. The duplicate wore all black while Angelia was still wearing her white dress from earlier.

Angelia's duplicate rolled her eyes at her and fixed her glare on the man and woman behind me.

"Sei sordo? Ti avevo detto di legarla. Adesso!" she snapped at them.

The old man bowed his head and scurried out, with the woman following his trail, probably in search of the materials needed.

The look-alike turned back to Angelia, whispering something in a harsh tone. She gave me a side glance and smirked at me. What was the deal with her?

She pushed Angelia sideways, making her stumble some steps away, and left without any more words. Oof, I felt the love.

Silence filled the room again. My hard gaze fell on Angelia, who was staring at the floor, resigned. She had the guts to remain quiet after whatever happened today. I felt a burning rage threatening to erupt inside of me. Most especially, at myself, for falling in this pit of deception.

"Look, I'm sorry. I didn't know this would happen," she finally said, releasing a frustrated sigh.

"You did all this on purpose, right?" I let out a dry laugh and focused on her, "Meeting me, talking to me, befriending me. In the end, you're double-faced like everyone else." I shook my head in disappointment.

"I'll explain," she said, taking a deep breath.

"Oh, you better. First of all, tell me who is that bitch?"

"Violetta. My twin."

"Both of you are quite similar. Of course, I don't mean your appearance but your character instead," I sneered.

"Let me explain before you assume," Angelia interrupted sharply, clenching her fists in annoyance.

"Seeing my current situation, my assumption is definitely right, irrespective of the excuses you'll try throwing at me. If anything happens to me, I'll hold you responsible for it," I retorted.

"Do you know who my family is?" Angelia asked seriously.

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "Who else but a bunch of bit-"

"Verdino. Verdino is my surname."

I froze, gaping as the name rolled out of her mouth, echoing in the empty room and my blank mind. A stillness reigned about as I processed what she said.

"As I was saying, a bunch of bitches," I completed, staring at her, in what must have seemed, a judgemental way.

"You're partly right in thinking so. Violetta is the biggest one among us too," Angelia shrugged. I opened my mouth to bring up yet another remark when she stopped me with her palm.

"Let me explain everything first. I only have time until someone returns."

"Oh, of course. But I have all the time. After all, it seems I'll be here for a while or forever, thanks to someone," I muttered. Angelia ignored me and started talking, pressing both her hands together as she leaned against the wall.

"First of all, it seems that I have to rectify many of your assumptions. I am a Verdino, but I was never a part of any criminal activities linked with the family."