Chapter 3 DEAL SEAL

The next morning, the tension between Denzel and Nadetta was palpable. They barely spoke to each other, their usual warm greetings replaced with cold shoulders.

Their daughter, Angel, sensed the awkwardness and approached Nadetta with concern. "Mom, what's wrong? You and Daddy aren't talking."

Nadetta forced a smile, trying to downplay the situation. "Oh, sweetie, it's just a little disagreement. We'll be fine."

But Angel's curious eyes lingered, sensing that something more was amiss. "But what happened?"

Nadetta hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Daddy and I just don't agree on something right now. But we'll work it out, okay?"

Angel nodded, but her expression remained worried. "I don't like it when you and Daddy fight."

Nadetta's heart ached, knowing her daughter was affected by their argument. She moved closer and hugged Angel tightly. "I know, baby. We'll try to do better, okay?"

Meanwhile, Denzel stood in the kitchen, his eyes fixed on the coffee brewer, his mind still reeling from the previous night's argument. He knew he needed to apologize, but his pride was getting in the way.

As the silence between them continued, Nadetta's mind wandered back to her plan to find her doppelganger. She couldn't shake off the feeling that it was the solution to all their problems...

Denzel came out of the kitchen and left for work.

"Baby,get ready for school please" Nadetta told Angel and she nodded.

**

{ ROOM}

Nadetta got to the room and picked up her phone and dialed her friend Imelda's number, trying to sound casual.

"Hey, girl! What's up?" Imelda answered, her voice bubbly as always.

"Nothing much,Denzel refused. He said he won't allow me go for the trip,"Nadetta shrugged.

"I knew it,he won't agree. Just tell your boss to go with someone else,am sure he'll understand " Imelda replied from the other end.

"Okay" Nadetta replied, trying to sound nonchalant. "Hey, can I ask you something?"

"Shoot, what's up? Imelda asked, her curiosity piqued.

Nadetta hesitated for a moment before asking, "So, where exactly did you see my... uh, 'twin' again?"

Imelda laughed. "Oh, girl, it was at the Oakwood Mall! I'm telling you, it was like looking at you!"

Nadetta's heart raced as she scribbled down the name of the mall. "Oakwood Mall, got it. Thanks, girl!"

Imelda's voice turned sly. "Nadetta, what's going on? You're not thinking of tracking her down, are you?"

Nadetta laughed nervously. "No, no, nothing like that. I just... uh, wanted to know where to find the best sales."

Imelda chuckled. "Sure, sure. Just be careful, okay?"

Nadetta smiled to herself as she hung up the phone. She had the information she needed, and now she could start her search for her doppelganger and she's not going to inform her friends about it.

**

{ OAKWOOD MALL}

Nadetta's heart raced as she walked through the sliding glass doors of Oakwood Mall. She had been there for hours now but wouldn't give up.

As she scanned the crowded food court, her eyes landed on a lady who made her do a double take. It was her - the doppelganger. Nadetta's heart skipped a beat as she approached the lady,she moved closer and the lady looked up.

Nadetta's eyes locked onto her doppelganger, Her name is Keaton, she was sitting at a small table in the food court, eating a plain sandwich. Keaton looked up, and their identical eyes met, causing a shiver to run down Nadetta's spine.

As Nadetta approached, Keaton's gaze faltered, and she looked away, her cheeks flushing. Nadetta noticed the worn-out shoes and the faded uniform with the mall's logo on it.

"Hi," Nadetta said softly, not wanting to startle her. "Mind if I join you?"

Keaton shrugged, her eyes still cast down. "It's a free country."

Nadetta sat down, taking in Keaton's disheveled appearance. "I've been looking for you," she said, trying to sound gentle.

Keaton's eyes narrowed. "What do you want?"

"I'm Nadetta,what about you?

"Keaton " She replied simply. "What do you want?

Nadetta hesitated, unsure how to reveal her plan. "I want to help you. I know we look identical, and I think we can help each other out."

Keaton snorted. "You think I need your help? You're probably just some rich lady who's never had to struggle a day in her life."

Nadetta winced, feeling a pang of guilt. "You're right. I have been fortunate. But I'm willing to share that fortune with you, Keaton. I have a proposal that could change your life."

Keaton raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "What kind of proposal?"

Nadetta took a deep breath. "I want you to take my place for a month. Pretend to be me for a month while I go for a business proposal. And in return, I'll give you a sum of money that will set you up for life."

Keaton's eyes widened in disbelief. "You want me to pretend to be you? Are you kidding me? No way, I'm not doing that."

Nadetta expected hesitation, but Keaton's outright rejection caught her off guard. "Why not? It's a chance to change your life," Nadetta pressed.

Keaton snorted. "Change my life? You think pretending to be some rich lady is going to solve all my problems? I don't think so."

Nadetta leaned in, trying to persuade her. "It's not just about the money, Keaton. This could be an opportunity for you to experience a different life, to see what's out there."

Keaton shook her head, her ponytail swishing behind her. "I'm not interested in your life. I have my own problems to deal with. And what about your husband? Won't he figure out I'm not you?"

Nadetta hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "My husband... we're having some issues. He won't suspect a thing."

Keaton raised an eyebrow. "Issues? You mean like he's going to kill me when he finds out I'm not you?"

Nadetta laughed nervously. "No, nothing like that. Just... marital problems."

Keaton stood up, her chair scraping against the floor. "Look, lady, I appreciate the offer, but I'm not interested. I'll stick to my own life, thanks."

Nadetta watched as Keaton walked away, feeling a pang of disappointment. She hadn't expected Keaton to reject her offer so outright. But Nadetta was not one to give up easily...

Nadetta quickly got up and followed Keaton, determined to change her mind. "Please, wait! Please hear me out."

Keaton stopped and turned around, her expression unyielding. "What else could you possibly say to convince me?"

Nadetta took a deep breath and decided to reveal more. "I'm not just offering you money, Keaton. I'm offering you a chance to escape your struggles, to experience a life you never thought possible. And I'm willing to pay you $100,000 to do it."

Keaton's eyes widened, clearly taken aback by the amount. For a moment, Nadetta thought she saw a glimmer of interest, but then Keaton's expression hardened again.

"I don't care about your money," Keaton said, her voice firm. "I care about my dignity. And pretending to be someone I'm not? That's not dignity, that's desperation."

Nadetta felt a sting from Keaton's words, but she refused to give up. She knew she had to find the right angle to convince Keaton.

"Desperation?" Nadetta repeated. "You're working in this mall, Keaton. You're struggling to make ends meet. Isn't that desperation?"

Keaton's eyes flashed with anger, but Nadetta could see the faintest glimmer of doubt. She pressed on.

"I'm offering you a way out, Keaton. A chance to change your life. Don't let pride get in the way of that."

Keaton's expression softened, her eyes wavering as she considered Nadetta's words. The mention of her struggles had struck a chord, and the promise of a better life was tantalizing. Her mind also went to her sick mother who needed treatment.

"Okay, fine," Keaton said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll do it. But just for the money. And I'm not going to pretend to be you forever."

Nadetta's face lit up with a triumphant smile. "That's all I ask. Just one month, Keaton. And the money is yours."

Keaton nodded, a hint of determination in her eyes. "But I'm doing this for me, not for you. I want that money, and I'm going to make sure I get it."

Nadetta held out her hand, and Keaton shook it, sealing the deal.

"Welcome to my life, Keaton," Nadetta said, a sly smile spreading across her face.

Keaton's eyes narrowed. "Don't think this means I'm going to start acting like you. I'm still me, no matter what."

Nadetta chuckled. "Oh, I'm counting on it."

Nadetta dropped her contact for her when she found out she has a small phone.

As they parted ways, Nadetta couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement. She had found her doppelganger, and now she could finally take a break from her suffocating life.

But little did she know, Keaton had secrets of her own, and this deal would change both their lives in ways they never imagined...