#LOVE_OVER_BLOOD
© Sir Zach
EPISODE 4
At the Hertiz residence, a well-dressed middle age man got off the car. Mr. Hertiz greeted him in surprise.
“Brother! What brings you here so early in the morning?”
As soon as they entered the house the man handed him an envelope that contains some pictures of someone, someone he knew? He raised a brow.
“Emily?” Robert was puzzled. For what he knew his adoptive daughter already flew in Paris. “I thought She’s in Paris, why is she lur-k-ing around the Central city in broad daylight?”
“Emily is indeed in Paris right now.” the man who is now standing looked outside the window.
“So what is this?”
“that’s the reason why I came to see you Robert.” The man paused and light up a cigar. “Emily doesn’t want to come back despites the threat that your company is facing right now. Breaching the contract will cause you a great loss.”
“I know that brother. But Emily had sacrificed a lot for the sake of our plans. She only agreed to stay for two years so we can’t blame her.” Robert was downhearted. Even if Emily is his adoptive daughter, he still cares for her. Emily served as his light when he lost his son in an accident fifteen years ago. His wife had a ha-rd time accepting their loss but Emily came into the picture. They treated her as their own.
“Then it can’t be help then.” The man walked in his direction. “we don’t have a choice but to use her twin sister then.” He laughed evilly. “Don’t you think the heavens is helping us as well?”
Robert was stunned. Did he hear him correctly? Emily has a twin sister? This woman in the picture? Robert could only listen to his brother’s plans. Robert stared at the picture but although they are identical, he can frankly tell a little difference.
“Don’t you think this idea is a bit off. One can tell the differences in their height. This girl is somewhat an inch taller than Emily. and their smile, Emily rarely laugh nor smile. She’s a bit reserved”. Robert pointed out.
“he won’t be able to see it as long as he won’t discover that they are twins. We have to take the risk because we nee-d more time.” The man clenches his fists at the mere thought of crushing the William’s empire.
_________
Aisha returned to her apartment at eight in the morning from her regular routine. Jogging is already a part of her daily lifestyle first thing in the morning. She went directly to the kitchen and brewed her favorite tea. Suddenly she recalled his father. Drinking tea became one of their bonding moments. They would wake up in the morning, brew their favorite green tea, seat in the couch at the veranda while appreciating the beauty of the heavens. They can discuss anything un-der the sun while indulging their selves with the sweet aroma of their own green tea.
“hmm, when was the last time I sent a letter to my old man? Was that a week ago?” a small curve formed from her li-ps at the thought of her father. “I guess I will just call him later.” She looked at her non gps phone. “I don’t think they can track me with this.” Aisha was watching a reality show when she heard the continues doorbell. She got irritated since she is not expecting any visitor. It wouldn’t be Lisa cause she’s surely in their office right now. she stood up and open the door.
“H-hi! G-good morning Miss.” She saw a stout middle-age man in a casual outfit. She crea-sed her brow but she still holding the doorknob half-open.
“Thank you but I’m sorry I don’t know you and I don’t talk with strangers”… Aisha’s about to close the door but the man placed his foot inside.
‘I-I’m sorry but I really nee-d to talk to you!” the man insisted.
‘Sorry, I don’t know y—–”
“it’s Emily! It’s about your twin sister Emily!’
Aisha was startled when she heard her sister’s name. she invited the guest inside and sat opposite each other. The man gaped at her in amazement. He can’t believe his eyes. Although they are identical twins, one can easily sp-ot a slight difference. Emily has a fair skin but Aisha’s skin is glowingly fair. She has a slender body but her curves were more emphasized unlike Emily. She is definitely taller by an inch but it may not be noticeable since Emily uses pointed heels always. Ethan may not notice that Aisha have long legs since Emily wears dress most of the time. But her eyes! her eyes, though they both have hazel green, Aisha’s eyes are livelier and much clearer. The man was in daze when Aisha asked him about Emily.
“I’m sorry for intruding your peaceful morning miss. My name is Robert, Robert Hertiz. I am your sister’s adoptive father…” Robert continued his revised version story on how Emily got into their family. He also told her about her sister’s academic achievement when she was in high school and college. But she never mentioned anything about her family nor her having a twin sister..
“I-Is that so?” her voice quivered. She doesn’t know if her sister still remembers her or not or is she searching for her too? But they promised to find each other no matter what. But her father Demetrius knew that she has a twin sister. She once told him about Emily before when they had a conversation about Aisha’s family background. Her Father Demetrius also tried to locate her twin’s whereabouts but to no avail. Her heart ached at the thought that her sister might have forgotten her.
Robert saw throu-ghher sadness, “But Emily once told me that she still has a relative but she doesn’t know where she is. I didn’t know that she was pertaining to you,” Robert smiled.
“Where is my sister? Can I see her Mr. Hertiz?” Robert sighed heavily. “please I want to see her…”
“I really want you to meet her, but she’s not in good shape right now. she’s in danger that’s why I came to seek your help.'” He said.
Aisha raised a brow, “What do you mean?” she asked.
“She’s in comma right now. someone tried to kill her few weeks ago.” Robert stood near the window. Aisha grasped her as she can’t believe what she heard.
“C-can I see her?”
“the thing is Emily is not in our country right now. we had her moved overseas to protect her from the people who wants to kill her.”
“Who are they?” she asked furiously. “Who are the people behind it? I want to deal with them!”
“calm down, will you? As for their identities, we do not know it yet. There’s just too many enemies that we can’t figure out who the culprit is. There’s a lot of people hating her husband and I have my own enemies as well, so we do not know the motive of the culprit.”
“Did you report this to the police? Does her husband know about what happen to her?’
“We can’t involve the police! Not even Ethan! We have to be careful. If we want to catch the one who tried to kill your sister, then we have to act wisely. Do you think your sister will be safe once they discover that she was just injured? No! we have to show them that their plans did not succeed.”
Aisha was in de-ep thought. “Aisha, I’m begging you. Please save your sister’s life. Please protect her beloved family.” Robert pleaded. Aisha sighed as if she doesn’t have a choice.
“What am I supposed to do?” Robert’s face lit up when he discerned her willingness to help. He cleared his throat as she faced Aisha.
“You must pretend to be Emily. You must live her life for the time being…”
“What!? I don’t mind helping out my sister but she has a family! I am okay with her kid, but her husband? I can’t! I simply can’t!” Aisha started to play-bite her finger nails. It’s a mannerism that she can’t get over with when she is anxiously troubled and worried. She walked back and forth, thinking of another way but despite wracking her Br@in, she can’t think of anything.
Pretending to be Emily means taking care of the kid which she willingly accepted, but living Emily’s life also means sleeping beside a stranger. And who knows if that man takes advantage of her?! “Let’s just cross the bridge when we get there” she exhaled.
“What are the things that I nee-d to know?” she inquired.
“This is Ethan Saphiro Williams, the Husband. This child is their four-years-old son, Eli.” He showed her a picture.
“Ethan?” she whispered. her mind involuntary remembered a certain memory way back 15 years ago in the orphanage. There she met a boy with the same name as “Ethan, Ethan Amir”.
*FLASHBACK:*
“there you are. I’ve been looking for you everywhere”, it was little Erika. She found Ethan sitting un-der the mango tree at the east side of the orphanage.
“Go away! The boy shove her while hu-gging his knees.
“No I won’t unless you come with me inside. it’s time for dinner. If you will not eat I will eat your portion.”, she smi-rked.
“go ahead.” He answered. Little Erika got upset and smacked his head. “ouch! What is that for?” he cried.
“that’s for being so pathetic! If someone is bullying you, you should know how to fight back. If you keep your mouth shut, you will end up as a loser! You wont last long if you allow yourself to be haras-sed easily! Do you want to be weak for the rest of your life?!” The little Erika girl yelled at him. Ethan was taken aback.
“I don’t want to! I want to fight back but they are stronger than me…” he pouted.
“Tsk! Strong? Even strong guys have their own weaknesses. So If you want to win against them, you should know their weaknesses! So stop spouting nonsense and let’s go back because I am so hungry!” she reproached. she tried pulling his arm but he didn’t move. The little girl looked at her then sighed.
“don’t be scared, I will stand by you so they won’t bully you anymore, okay?” she said to him … the little boy looked at her. “I-Is that true?”
“of course Yes! I’m not a person to take back my words. And you should know that no one here dares to lay their hands on me so you are safe with me. I can even teach you how to punch their as-s.” she proudly uttered.
The boy stood up and held her hand. He smiled at her. Suddenly the little girl blus-hed when she noticed how close their faces are. She can clearly see Ethan’s adorable dimples both side when he smiles. He looks so cute.
“Yes! So are we friends now?” the boy suddenly spurt.
“O-of course, why not?” the boy unexpectedly hu-gged her. And that day, they sealed an oath that no matter what happens they will be there for each other.
Aisha smiled as she remembered her childhood friend Ethan, ‘where are you now? Do you still remember me after all this years” she muttered..
Robert heard her mumblings. “Did you say something?” he asked.
“Oh I’m sorry. I just remembered something. where are we again?” she shook her thoughts of him.
“also, you have to know that Emily is widely known as Stacy. No one calls her Emily anymore except us, her parents.”
Robert showed her all the necessary people she has to remember. She shouldn’t have any problem with her work because Emily – known as Stacy is the Head Manager of The White Lotus — A manufacturing company producing Br@nded clothing. They are in charge of the distribution of the latest fashion designs in all its Br@nches including their international Br@nches. All Br@nch manager reports to her directly. However, Stacy is someone to slack around. Being the head manager is just a title given to her because she is the wife of the acclaimed CEO. Her job was being taken cared off by Ethan’s Personal as-sistant while Stacy spends her time and money on her luxurious shopping and travelling addiction.
They even discussed several plans on how she will be able to return to the mansion without attra-cting any suspicions before the man left.
Aisha dragged her tired body inside her room. She just can’t process all the things that happened this day. It’s just too much to handle. She thought she already found her sister but it seems destiny set another time for them. Pretending to be Emily to save her sister’s life isnt that ha-rd to do but the thought of having a husband is. She rejected the idea of pretending to be Emily at first but she can’t think of other solution so she agreed in the end. She stro-ke her forehead when she recalled her conversation with Robert.
Aisha screamed un-der her pillows. She doesn’t know what to do and if it’s the right thing to do. once again she tosses and turn un-der her bedsheet which gave her a sleepless night.
But this is also an opportunity to hide from her father and to her enemies as well. Might as well grab it.
On the other hand, a vague shadow at the rooftop facing an apartment complex is bathing in a fading moonlight un-der the starry night, looking at a woman who cannot sleep. “Yes, I am watching her very close…”. A cool voice ured the person on the other line before the call got disconnected.
TBC