Four
1296 Words
“You didn’t eat your dinner, Signorina?” Carla asked when she came into my room this morning.
“Who would have the appetite to eat when I’m in a place so unfamiliar to me?”
She sighed and pulled something from her pocket. I glanced at the cellphone she handed to me.
“You can call Sir Calil,” she said, which made me even more confused.
I sat up from the bed. “You know Calil?” I asked.
“Yes, Signorina. I know you’ve already spoken with him, and I was expecting your arrival.”
Everything was becoming more and more confusing. But despite my confusion, I took the phone from her hand. I was about to ask if she had Calil’s number when she spoke again.
“His contact is already saved there,” she said.
Calil’s number was at the top of the list, so I didn’t have to search for it. I didn’t waste any time—I called him right away. He answered after just a few rings.
“Carla?”
“It’s me,” I replied.
“Dane? I’m glad you called me.”
I rolled my eyes. “Cut it out. I know you were expecting me to call. Now, tell me—what’s your plan?”
“Okay. We can’t talk over the phone. I’ll come there tomorrow.”
“Here? You’re allowed to come here?”
“Why not? I’m your personal secretary, after all.”
“Personal secretary? You know I’m not—”
“Don’t say that. You are Dane, and I’m your secretary. Understood?”
“Y-yeah...”
“Good. See you tomorrow.”
And with that, he ended the call.
“So, you already know I’m not the real Signorina?” I asked Carla, frowning as I handed back the phone.
“Yes. I’m sorry.”
I let out a deep sigh. Now that I’m in the world Dianna left behind, I can’t help but feel afraid—afraid of all the possible changes that might happen in my life. And now that I’ve agreed to pretend to be my twin sister, I have no idea how I’ll ever get out of this situation.
“I know you’re scared, but you have to be brave—for your sister. If you really want to find her and return to your old life, you need to be strong.”
Can I really do that? I’m not strong like Dianna. Even when we were kids, people would always say we were complete opposites. She was bold and fearless, while I was always in a corner—quiet and crying.
“For now, until you get in touch with Sir Calil, just do what Signore Dark asks. Don’t push his patience. If you think he wouldn’t hurt you, you’re wrong. He’s not a saint, Signorina.”
What else could I do but agree with her?
“Get ready and join Signore Dark for breakfast,” she said before leaving the room, carrying the untouched food from last night.
Instead of being stubborn, I got out of bed and went to the bathroom to take a shower. Then I searched for something to wear in Dianna’s walk-in closet. I could barely find anything appropriate—everything looked like it was meant for a party. Until I saw a dress tucked in the corner of the wardrobe. It was the only one that looked simple and modest. I grabbed it and put it on.
I brushed my long, slightly curly hair, then headed out of the room and made my way to the castle’s dining area.
“I thought I’d have to drag you here for breakfast,” Dark said right away when I sat down at the far end of the long dining table—typical of the rich. The house staff quickly attended to me.
“I thought you didn’t like that dress?” Dark added after a moment.
I frowned and looked at him. “Excuse me?”
“That dress. I was beginning to think I made a mistake buying it. But it looks good on you.”
So, he was the one who bought this dress? I didn’t bother responding. I didn’t want to talk to him.
“What are your plans now that you're back in Sicily after months of being away?” he asked. I thought he’d stay silent if I did, but clearly not.
I set down my utensils and looked at him. He was still wearing a black mask that covered half his face. In fact, even his outfit was completely black from head to toe—nothing ever changed. But what puzzled me most was, why is he wearing that mask?
“I don’t have any plans. Since you refuse to believe I’m not the woman you’re looking for, all I want to do is lock myself in my room.” I didn’t care if he understood my Tagalog.
He raised one eyebrow. “That’s new. Every time you return to Sicily, all you do is shop and spend money.”
“Well, that was before. People change, Dark.”
His eyes narrowed, as if I said something wrong by calling him by his name.
“But not you, my Cara.”
I clenched my fists. Why did it sound like he was blaming my twin? Like Dianna was the one who did something wrong? I wanted to respond, but I had nothing to say. I didn’t know what had happened between them. So I chose to stay silent.
“We have a birthday party to attend tonight,” he said, wiping his mouth with a napkin.
“Call Steffi and Charlotte. I want you to be the most beautiful woman at the party tonight, Cara mia.”
With that, he left, leaving me alone at the long dining table.
I blinked and stared after him. The way he said Cara mia made something inside my chest flutter—despite the fact I didn’t even understand the language.
Was it really that pleasant to hear? God, I must be losing my mind.
I shook my head and decided to eat, then returned to my room—where I felt safer and more at ease.
Later in the afternoon, Carla knocked on my door to tell me that Steffi and Charlotte had arrived. They would help prepare me for the party I’d be attending with Dark.
“Buon pomeriggio, Signorina,” Steffi greeted.
God! I don’t know how to speak Italian!
“H-hi,” I replied with the safest word I could think of.
“Ciao, Signorina. È molto tempo che non ci si vede,” said the woman named Charlotte.
I looked at Carla, silently asking for help. She walked over to me and whispered the meaning of what they said.
“Signorina is not feeling well today. Just do your job. Signore wants her to be the most beautiful woman at the party tonight,” Carla said on my behalf.
“Ohhh... That won’t be hard. We all know how beautiful Signorina Dane is,” Charlotte replied, eyeing me from head to toe.
“Something seems a little different about her,” she added, making my heart race.
She stared at me closely, and I silently prayed she wouldn’t realize I wasn’t the twin they knew.
“Her skin looks more tanned than before,” she finally said, which helped calm me down.
Thank goodness that’s all she noticed. Compared to Dianna, my skin is tan while hers is fair. Her hair is straight, while mine is a bit curly.
She didn’t say anything else and began preparing me, dressing me in a lavish gown—one I had never worn in my entire life.
- Writer
