Bloody Ink (Discontinued)

11: Hailey's Fate

Three Weeks Later

POV: Corvina

I've always hated Hailey Stein. With her brown curls, fair skin, and warm eyes, the former animator had everything I ever wanted. Down to her drawing skills and her abundance of friends. Every time I saw her, it felt like she was mocking me, even though she had no idea I existed. Sure it's crazy, but I am a psychopath. Hailey and I are identical, and her very existence seemed to mock me.

Before she quit Joey Drew Studios, I schemed of ways to kidnap her, so I could torture her and break her. Then she would've told me everything about herself, including her darkest secrets. Finally, she'd help me perfect my imitation of her. After that, I would've eliminated her, and replaced her.

The fact she quit the studio was infuriating, however at least I finally have everything I've ever wanted. Now my life was perfect. Everyone except for Joey, Rebecca, and that Thomas guy truly believed I was Hailey Stein. There was a three week adjustment period. Thanks to Hailey's friends and family, I was able to learn a lot her entire life. It helped that my lookalike had surprisingly detailed journal entries. Now I know everything about her.

Thanks to my agreement with Joey, I've got what Hailey never had, fame and recognition. It was ironic in a way since while it was hers, it was directed at me. Now Rebecca and I lived at a magnificent apartment. For now, I wasn't able to spoil her to my heart's content. However, I would fix that eventually.

The past three weeks also helped me get used to the routine at Joey Drew Studios, and how Joey liked to run it. In the end, I was appalled by how bad a boss Joey was. I had no clue why the authorities hadn't shut this place down by now. One thing was clear, a lot needed to change. That's why I decided to have a meeting with Joey Drew in his office a couple of hours before the work day started.

"What is this about Corvina?" He asked.

"I have a simpliste reason for this réunion d'affaires. I've had beaucoup de temps to observe how you run cet endroit." I then crossed my arms. "After trois semaines I have finally come to une décision."

I took satisfaction from the fear in Joey's eyes. "What is your decision?"

"Joey Drew, vous êtes a terrible patron. Honnêtement, it is étonnant that the studio hasn't been fermé by the autorités. The affreux working conditions here, and your traitement de vos employés is..." I shook my head, unable to think of an appropriate word for it. "Mon point est, you have a problème sérieux." I smirked. "It's rather chanceux that I know how to résoudre this."

"How?"

A predatory grin formed on my face, and I reveled at how fast Joey's fear was rising. "Oh that's facile," I purred. "It is nécessaire, that I diriger l'entreprise instead of you."

"What?!"

I laughed. "Hailey was your associé. Normalement, that means she would've run this compagnie with you. However, since she was 19 when you two l'a ouvert, I doubt she did. Dîtes-moi Joey, am I right?"

He nodded. "You are."

"Now, you admis à la press Hailey's rôle réel dans in the success of Joey Drew Studios. Now, basé sur on how this récit I've crafted has déplié so far, wouldn't it be raisonnable for me to aider you run this endroit?"

I could tell he wanted to glare at me, but his fear of me prevented him from doing so. So all he did was make me feel powerful, and I enjoyed it. "Good point." He reluctantly agreed. "It would make sense. However if I had to guess, you ultimately plan on running everything."

"Exactement! Let's face it, Hailey serait a very popular patronne. I know how elle gérerait this place. Je peux use that to mon avantage. I intend to sauver le studio to honor ma mère who adoré the Alice Angel les dessins animés."