Chapter 5 A Twist of Fate

Dan's Penthouse

Standing at the large window in his penthouse suite, Daniel stared into the dark, trying to process what he had just seen. From the reports his investigators had given him, he had heard Arianna was calm, composed, collected with a calm demeanour and humble self. However, the vivacious, social-climbing damsel in distress he saw wearing fake mango stilettos, an imitation Guess 2021 edition bag and a synthetic wig was the complete opposite. He smiled silently. From the pictures he had seen of her, her eyes were a beautiful shade of turquoise, and her ginger hair shone exquisitely in the sun. On the other hand, in person, her eyes were a dull shade of maroon, and her hair looked closer to gold, but it could be the dark windows, too, he thought. From his dad's letters, she was a respectful girl who could outplay a chess prodigy and loved animals immensely.

Well, she was beautiful, though with a less than sizeable chest and lacking in curves, she was his for the keeping.

And that rundown house looked like it would give way any minute. He had to make the decision soon.

However, the girl in the crowd still pricked his imagination. Though he caught only a glance at her hair and a side view of her skin, her hair was the best shade of ginger. Just like in the photos and somewhere else. Where did he know her from? For some reason, he felt like they had met before.

Well, he had to visit the neighbourhood again to find out and get an impression of his future wife. He had to make his presence known, and there was no time like the present. So off he went to meet his betrothed.

Tracy quickly took on the life she had cheated her friend out of. Her clothes, shoes, scent, and dress sense. Ari was an introvert, so many won't notice if she didn't let it slip. Just then, the doorbell rang, and she apprehensively approached the door. This better be good, she thought silently. Arianna never had visitors, preferring to keep her life as private as possible. Even the neighbours barely saw her.

Standing at the door was Daniel in all his Greek god gorgeousness.

"Arianna Simson?" Daniel said, looking over with confusion. The lady in the clothes was the social climber from yesterday, but the clothes were from the girl in the street, at least the scarf.

Trace was too shocked and stayed rooted in place, absorbing his presence. Here was her knight in shining armour, her dream come true, and she was basking in his glory. She didn't even remember she was Arianna.

"Arianna?" Daniel said this time, inviting himself into the house, glancing over its state.

"Oh, hi sir, umm, sorry Daniel. What a surprise to have you here," Trace said, trying to calm the tremor in her voice. "And I prefer you call me Crystel or Telly"

Daniel looked at her once again, wondering what her life was like, then past her to the photos on the cupboard

There was Arianna with her dad, lively and smiling with those eyes that were seemingly missing right now.

At the far end of the cupboard was a picture of Arianna with a girl who seemed surprisingly identical to her.

There was no mention of a twin, and he wasn't sure how to understand this. Trace noticed him staring at the pic and quickly stepped forward.

"That's my friend Tracy and I, we have been best friends since kindergarten and always played the switch game. We share the same middle name, Crystel," she said. She was babbling, which wasn't a good sign. She didn't think he would be so imposing, and she had no time to compose herself.

"The switch game?" Daniel asked, looking between the picture and the person in-front of him, not sure who he was talking to right now.

"Oh! Just this silly thing where we put on each other's clothes and act like the other for a while. It was so fun we picked up each other's mannerisms." She said, staring everywhere else but at Daniel.

"So, where is your lookalike now? I mean, Tracy?" He asked, observing how she strung her fingers and avoided his eyes, wondering if his presence or the topic that made her jittery.

"Oh, funny, you asked. She left to explore the world for God knows when. She has always been ambitious and adventurous, so I don't know when she will show up. She always has some paramour she's running around with," Tracy said, cursing inwardly that she had to talk down on herself.

"Well, that's an unfortunate coincidence. I would have loved to witness the switch game at least once!" He said

"Anyways, I just wanted you to know this arrangement is up to you. You can discuss the details with my assistant. Here is her card. We can get to know each other and possibly get engaged for the time being" You have a free hand, so you can get whatever you want. And just let me know the date and venue, and I will show up. The earlier the better. Have a good day, Arianna". With that said, he dropped his personal assistant's card on her table, brushed past her and walked out, leaving her in a daze.

That was a weird exchange, more like a command. But she didn't mind as he was about to change her life. And did he say a free hand? Oh! She needed a remodel and a new closet to fit her new status. Her life was about to change, and she was about to be known publicly as Arianna Crystel Simson, fiancée to the New York Times' most eligible bachelor, Daniel Devarras. The life she had been wishing for was right before her eyes. She picked up the cards and quickly saved the numbers, planning to call the assistant first thing in the morning. For the next week, Tracy spent time shopping and planning, but at the back of her mind, she needed to get out of this neighbourhood, especially as she could feel eyes on her while she left and returned home daily.