Three
1318 Words
I didn’t do anything when Dark brought me to Sicily. Dianna even used my name on the passport, so I was able to leave the country without any issues. I wanted to be angry at my twin, but what’s the point? She’s missing anyway.
As soon as we arrived in Sicily, we went straight to Dark’s house—if you could even call it that. I knew he was rich, just like Calil said, but I didn’t expect him to live in a castle. The word "rich" doesn’t even come close to describing how wealthy Dark De’Longhi is.
I couldn’t believe my eyes as I took in the palace’s surroundings. Had his twin sister ever lived here?
“Is what I’m seeing real? You're amazed like you haven’t been here before, Dane,” Dark said coldly behind me.
I looked at him. “Because I’m not the Dane you’re looking for,” I said firmly.
“Are you still going to insist that you’re not the Dane I know?”
“Yes! And I’ll keep saying it over and over because I’m not who you think I am!” I shouted at him.
The corner of his mouth curled into a smirk. “Okay. I’m tired,” he said, then walked past me and started climbing the long, wide staircase.
“I’m leaving! No matter what you do, I’ll find a way out of this place!” I yelled.
“Do as you please,” he said, continuing up the stairs until he disappeared from sight.
“So annoying!” I grumbled, stomping my foot like a child.
I need to call Calil, I thought. But to my dismay, I realized I couldn’t use my phone in this place.
“Welcome back, Signorina Dane.”
I turned to the woman who greeted me. From her appearance, I could tell she was Filipino.
“You’re Filipino?” I asked, unable to hide my surprise.
She furrowed her brow. “Yes, ma’am. You hired me to serve you.”
I gave her a weak smile. “I-I’d like to rest,” I said.
She nodded. “I’ll take you to your room,” she replied, picking up my bag and heading up the stairs. I followed her until she led me to a large room.
“This room is as big as my whole house…” I whispered as I looked around.
I wasn’t well-versed in interior design, but I could say the room was beautiful—everything from the interior details to the furniture. Whoever designed this palace was clearly meticulous and talented.
“Did you say something, Signorina?” the woman in front of me asked.
What’s her name, I wonder?
“N-no. Nothing.”
“I really thought you wouldn’t come back here, Signorina, after everything that happened,” she said while neatly arranging my clothes in the closet.
What did she mean by that? Should I pretend I have amnesia so she won’t question why I don’t remember anything?
“Um... I’m sorry. I don’t remember anything. I had an accident in the Philippines that caused me to lose my memory,” I lied.
She paused. “Is that so? So… you don’t remember my name?”
I nodded. “That’s right.”
“My name is Carla, Signorina. I’ve been taking care of you since you started living here in Sicily.”
I nodded. “What kind of person is Damon?” I asked curiously.
“I’m sorry, Signorina, but I can’t answer that,” she replied quietly.
“Why not? I won’t tell anyone. I promise.”
She looked up at me. “All I can say is… you wouldn’t want Signore Damon to get angry.”
Her words sent a chill down my spine. From the way she said it, it felt like I wasn’t safe here.
“Can I ask one more question?” I asked after a moment.
“What is it, Signorina?”
“How was my relationship with Damon?”
She hesitated, as if choosing her words carefully.
“You can tell me everything, Carla.”
“Well... You and Signore Damon didn’t get along. You were always fighting. This isn’t the first time you ran away. But he always brought you back.”
“Is that so?”
“If you don’t need anything else, I’ll excuse myself. Just call me if you need me. Welcome back again, Signorina Dane.” She bowed and left the room.
---
I woke up to a loud clap of thunder. Rubbing my sleepy eyes, I opened them. The room was dark. I sat up, and a bolt of lightning briefly illuminated everything around me. That’s when I remembered—I was in Sicily.
I shut my eyes tightly. I needed to stay strong. I was in a completely different world now.
I flinched when I heard a knock on the door.
“Signorina, Signore Damon is asking for you. He wants you to join him for dinner,” Carla said from the other side.
I cleared my throat. “Tell him I’m not eating. I’d rather die of hunger than eat with him!”
Carla didn’t say another word. I heard her footsteps walking away.
I lay back on the bed and quietly cried. I used to dream about seeing my twin again and being with her—but not like this. Everything is far from what I ever wanted. Because of what happened, my peaceful life was now in chaos.
I kept crying, unaware of how much time had passed, when suddenly the door burst open, and Damon entered, furious.
“Why didn’t you join me for dinner?”
I turned away from him. “I don’t want to eat with you.”
“What?”
“I don’t want to eat with you!” I repeated with no energy.
“Whether you like it or not, you will eat with me!”
Annoyed, I got out of bed and glared at him. “I said I don’t want to eat with you. What are you going to do about it?!”
“You—”
“You’re going to hit me? Then go ahead! Hit me!” I even moved closer to him, daring him.
He froze.
“I told you, I’m not your fiancée, Dark. I’m Dianna’s twin sister. Dianna used my name while she was living here. How many times do I have to tell you that?”
As I spoke, tears began to fall—tears of frustration and anger.
I expected him to listen, to understand, but I was stunned when he let out a dry, bitter laugh.
“Dane, Dane, Dane… Do you expect me to fall for that lie again? You already told me that before. How many more lies will you tell just to escape me?”
I froze at his words. So Dianna had already used the “I have a twin” excuse?
Damn you, Dianna!
“I even asked your father about it. He told me you’re lying.”
My eyes widened when he mentioned my dad. A spark of hope ignited—maybe he could help me.
“Where’s my dad? I want to see him.”
“No, you can’t.”
“Why not?”
“That’s part of our agreement, mia cara.”
He’s speaking in another language.
“Whatever you say, I’m not your fiancée!”
“Just keep being stubborn, Dane. You’ll never get what you want.”
Dianna’s desires? What were they?
“You’ll never be free of me if you stay stubborn,” he said through gritted teeth.
“Because you’re stubborn too!” I snapped back.
Carla entered, carrying my dinner. She placed it on the small round table and left again.
“Eat your dinner. We’ll talk tomorrow,” he said, turning his back on me and leaving me alone.
- Writer
