The Billionaire's Hidden Twin

Crystal

"You may lose your scholarship if you keep skipping classes and getting average grades. I don't know what's going on with you but you have to tighten up" .

Professor June's words echoed in her head like a siren. Crystal slowed as she exited the class, nearly bumping into someone at the door. Her vision blurred, and her chest tightened.

She stumbled to the nearest bench and sat down, the tears finally spilling over.

She couldn't afford to lose her scholarship, not when it was her only shot at a better life.

But she had no choice. Her only surviving parent had passed away six months ago, leaving behind a crushing debt that she now carried on fragile shoulders.

And now, loan sharks were after her, threatening to sell her organs if she failed to pay up.

Every day felt like a ticking clock counting down to disaster.

She closed her eyes and whispered to herself, "I need a miracle."

But miracles were expensive. And she was broke.

Her phone buzzed, snapping her back to reality.

Work. She was late. Again.

She bolted from the bench and made a beeline for the faculty exit. She had fifteen minutes to make it to the restaurant.

She couldn't afford to get fired as this job was the only thing keeping her from drowning completely.

She hit the elevator, punched the ground floor button, and prayed it wouldn't stop on every floor. As soon as the doors opened, she rushed out, fumbling with her phone to order a ride on Taxify.

A cab pulled up nearby, just as a man stepped out.

Crystal didn't hesitate.

"El-Paso Lounge!" she shouted, yanking the door open.

The driver motioned for her to enter, but just as she did, the passenger who had just stepped out, reached for his wallet.

AHMAD

Ahmad reached into his pocket to pay for the cab when someone slammed into him.

Seriously?

He was already stressed from a long day at the office and wasn't in the mood to argue with a careless stranger.

"Could you watch where you're going, young lady?" He said, annoyed and irritated.

"No, you watch where you're going, Mister!" she snapped, bending down to pick up her books.

She hissed and muttered something under her breath as she climbed into the cab.

He blinked, stunned. He hadn't expected such a fiery mouth on such a stunning face.

She didn't matter anyway. His client was waiting for him and this random girl wouldn't spoil the rest of his day.

He reached into his pockets again, but something felt wrong. His face fell.

It seemed like he left his wallet in his office. His phone too. Today couldn't get any worse.

"Sir," he leaned in through the driver's window, trying to maintain composure. "Please be patient while I run to that ATM. I must've left my wallet in the office. Five minutes tops."

The driver had started to say something in agreement when the girl cut in.

"And what about me? You won't ask me to be patient? What if I'm in a hurry?" She snapped at him

Ahmad turned, and time stopped.

Her face.

She was extraordinarily beautiful. Her soft brown eyes. Her perfect nose. Cherry pink lips. Her beauty punched the air from his lungs.

He was so lost in her eyes that he noticed that she began to cough violently.

"Miss, are you okay?" His voice softened, concern replacing irritation. "I was just asking if I could run to the ATM......"

"I don't have that kind of time," she interrupted, glancing at her watch. "How much does he owe?".

"Ten dirhams," the driver answered.

"I'll pay for it, just go" she said curtly.

He was genuinely surprised. No one had ever done that for him.

"Thank you so much miss" He shouted as the cab pulled away, smiling like a fool on the curb.

Wait! He didn't even know her name. He shook his head as he rushed towards the restaurant on the other side of the road.

But he knew one thing: he wanted to see her again.

Crystal

She ignored his thanks.

He bumped into her and didn't even apologize. And now he wanted her patience? She didn't have time to be polite.

She glanced back just once.

That face.

That man was the most beautiful person she had ever seen.

He had the deepest blue eyes she'd ever seen, his cheekbones looked like they could slice through metal, a jawline that looked like it had been sculpted from stone and his Jet black hair that peeked out from under his hoodie.

Her breath caught. She choked and coughed, trying to push the thought away.

"Miss, are you okay?" His voice, deep and velvety, had made her heartbeat spike.

Crystal thought back to the Man.

That beautiful face, those eyes.

She shook her head violently to get the thoughts out. She couldn't afford to be distracted.

The cab finally pulled up at El-paso restaurant and lounge located right in the heart of Dubai.

Crystal checked the time, 7:35pm.

She was twenty-five minutes late for her shift. Damn.

She tossed 20 dirhams to the driver and mumbled her thanks.

She dashed into the restaurant and almost collided with someone at the entrance. It was her co-worker, Laila.

"Girl where have you been?" Laila hissed. She looked very agitated and stressed.

"I'm so sorry, the craziest thing happened today....." Crystal replied, panting.

"No time for stories now" Laila cut her off. "You have to change now. The manager has been breathing fire for the past twenty-five minutes and I've been covering for you. Told him you clocked in since but you've been stuck in the toilet with bad cramps"

"God bless you, girl." Crystal exhaled in gratitude. "I owe you one. Let me go change".

She sprinted off to the staff room to change into her uniform.

The night flew by. It was a Friday, always the busiest as customers flooded in from every corner in Dubai.

Time passed so quickly that she almost forgot she had another job upstairs, starting at 11 p.m.

Crystal wasn't just a waitress. She was also an exotic dancer at El-Paso Lounge, located above the restaurant. One of the best. That was why the manager let her work both jobs.

At 10:45pm when Laila came around the counter.

"Girl, your act starts in 15 minutes and you're not even dressed?"

Crystal's heart almost jumped out of her chest. She didn't need another run in with the manager tonight so she passed her tray to her other co-worker Amanda and she dashed off to the changing room.

"After your stage act, you have a VIP client waiting for you at the VIP lounge. He specifically asked for you" Laila called after her.

Crystal froze and turned back.

"But you know I don't do VIP clients. Not after what happened to Prinda."

"He asked specifically for you , Crystal. And he's paying five hundred thousand dirhams" She stopped to look at Crystal.

Crystal blinked. "What?".

"You know what that kind of money could do for you. You'd be a step closer to being free from those loan sharks. You could finally clear part of that 5 million dirhams debt your late father left behind".

Laila's voice softened.

"Just do it, Crystal. Please"

Crystal knew Laila was right.

The loan sharks had given her four months to repay what was left of her father's debt, 2.5 million dirhams. And they had made it clear: fail to pay, and they'd start harvesting body parts.

She bit her lip contemplating if it was really worth it, but she knew it. This offer was a lifeline.

Her heart was racing real bad. The thought of the loan sharks taking out her organs flashed through her mind again. She shuddered, terrified of the thought.

"I'll do it" She whispered, not knowing what she should expect at the lounge but with a firm resolve in her mind.

Amir

He came to El-paso lounge with one plan in mind.

Find Crystal Lin.

Rumour had it she worked at this shabby, run down establishment.

Amir stepped into the manager's office without hesitation. His sharp eyes scanned the dusty room, catching sight of vermin, both the literal kind and the human kind, scrambling to impress him. He'd seen men like Mr. Morgan too many times before. The sleazy smile. The greed in his eyes. The pathetic eagerness.

Amir didn't bother sitting up straight on the sagging couch. He was already disgusted with the place.

He leaned back lazily and dropped the bomb without blinking.

"I want Crystal Lin to dance for me tonight."

He made a mental note to trash the suit he was wearing as soon as he stepped out of the building.

The manager blinked, then forced a laugh, his voice oily with fake politeness.

"Mr. Amir, it's such an honor to have you here tonight. I see you've heard about our best girl. But Crystal doesn't take VIP clients."

Amir arched an eyebrow. He knew what men like Morgan wanted. It was never about rules or policies. It was always about the money.

He pulled out his phone and tapped something, then looked up, cold and sharp.

"Reserve the entire lounge for me tonight. I'll pay you 100,000 dirhams extra. She'll be compensated handsomely too."

Morgan's eyes widened. His greedy little hands almost trembled as he extended one for a handshake.

"You have a deal, Mr. Amir."

Amir didn't move. He didn't shake hands with men like him.

"This way, please. Let me lead you to the VIP section," the manager mumbled, slightly flushed but still eager.

As Amir stepped into the dimly lit lounge, the sour scent of alcohol and sweat hit him like a slap. He was repulsed. The peeling leather booths, the flickering neon lights, the lost souls sipping on cheap cocktails. it was all beneath him.

But he wasn't here for luxury.

He was here for her.

Morgan bowed slightly and gestured toward a velvet booth.

"I'll have the waiter bring you something to drink, sir. Just give us a moment."

Amir didn't respond. He watched the manager walk away, his lip curling in distaste.

Then he leaned back, crossed one leg over the other, and checked his watch.

His plan was in motion.

Now all he had to do was wait for Crystal Lin.

Crystal

"It's just work", she whispered to herself over and over again, lost in her thoughts.

"Are you okay?. If the offer freaks you out that much, you can just cancel." Laila said, watching her with concern.

"No, that's not it". Crystal replied, laughing uneasily.

"I'll do it. But just for 20 minutes" She sighed heavily. "I feel so uncomfortable around those VIP clients, especially after Prinda's assault "

Laila sighed and hung her head " Girl, he doesn't care. He just wants you to dance for him. Even if it's for 5 minutes"

Crystal tilted her head to the side "Dude, who is this guy and why does he want me to dance?"

"He's one of the sons of Sultan Al-Fayad and he heard you're our best here". Laila said wide eyed.

"I better be going then. I've got money to make" Crystal squealed, dashing towards the lounge.

"The usual please" She told the bartender as she reached the counter.

She usually had a double shot of Martell before she went on stage but today, she felt like she needed three.

"Heard you have VIP duties today. Feeling queasy?" Garcia, the bartender, asked her.

"How did you know?" She asked him very surprised.

"Well, word travels fast in El-paso my love" He replied, placing the shots in front of her.

"Double up, you're going to need it".

Crystal sighed and downed the shots.

As soon as she got on stage she felt it, Eyes. Not the usual drunken gazes, but cold, piercing eyes. She felt as if someone were staring into her soul. She looked up at the VIP lounge but she couldn't see anyone clearly.

She danced steadily following her normal routine and adding some few teasing moves to excite her audience. She moved her waist rhythmically to the slow beat, twisting and whining until her audience screamed non stop with excitement.

Thirty minutes later, her set was over and she made her way to the VIP section. As soon as she walked in, she found the whole section empty. Cold sweat broke out on her arm immediately.

Her client was so rich that he bought the entire VIP section so she could dance for him.

She stood at the entrance, glancing around. This felt wrong.

"Come in, I don't bite. I promise" She heard the deepest voice she'd ever heard beckon to her.

She stood frozen. A wave of fear washed over her. She closed her eyes and muttered a quick prayer before stepping forward.

Then, she saw him.

Not her client, but the handsome stranger she'd snapped at earlier that evening. The same one she'd helped by paying his taxi fare.

But something was wrong.

This man before her, had his face but she knew it wasn't him.

His eyes were different. Cold, dark, unreadable. Not the warm blue she remembered.

"Are you going to keep staring or you're going to come dance for me". He said, smirking. "I'm paying heavily for you, you know". He gulped his drink and laughed, but his laugh was cold and mysterious.

Crystal became painfully aware of herself. Goosebumps broke out on her arm as she walked toward him and slipped off her robe, revealing a red corset that hugged her curves perfectly, paired with black fishnet leggings.

She took a deep breath and began to dance.

She moved like a seasoned performer, seductively, gracefully. Every move was calculated to tease him. She paused often, checking his expression for any sign of approval.

She wanted to treat him so well since he was paying her heavily.

He put up his hand to stop her. She scanned his face for approval but she got nothing. His expression was blank. Had she done something wrong?.

He stood up and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a cheque of 500,000 dirhams and a sleek business card.

"Miss Crystal, is it?" He said, handing both to her. "You did very well".

She took them silently, her breath shallow.

"I'll be needing your services again , soon enough". He added with a cryptic smile.

She looked at the check and grinned. Then she looked at the card.

"Amir Al-fayad," she whispered.

"Thank you so much, but I'm not sure I can offer ......" She looked up and he was gone.

A cold sweat crept down her spine. She shuddered and goosebumps broke out on her arms again.

She was hurrying out of the lounge when she heard someone call her name. She turned and it was Garcia.

"Your client was foinneeee girl. I bet he treated you right too!" Gracia shouted over the music

Crystal knew he was fishing for gossip but she decided not to indulge him that night.

"He was... alright". She replied with a yawn.

Garcia squinted at her suspiciously. He started to say something but she cut him off.

"I'm exhausted. Today drained me. I better be getting home now before I fall asleep on your counter" She told him, letting out another yawn.

"See you later? Have fun" she called over her shoulder, already moving out of the lounge.

Outside the lounge, she spotted Laila pacing. Her friend ran toward her.

"Are you okay? Did he try anything? What happened there?" She asked Crystal, her eyes wide with concern.

Crystal laughed despite her fatigue. "Girl, calm down. Nothing happened, he kept a really respectable distance and he wasn't nasty or anything . But his aura?. It was cold."

Laila raised an eyebrow. "Cold?? But said he wasn't nasty. So how cold?"

Crystal sighed. "Like, his eyes were cold and he looked exactly like this guy I cursed out on the way to work this evening. The reason I was late?"

Laila's confused expression suddenly turned to excitement. "I don't know about the man you cursed out but that could be his twin brother. Sultan Al-fayad has twin boys and you just danced for one of them. So that means you cursed out the other twin!!!"

Crystal's eyes widened with horror. "You're telling me now that I insulted one of the most powerful people in Dubai?? My life is over".

Laila burst into laughter. " Look calm down. He doesn't know who you are and trust me he doesn't care".

"Today has been all shades of crazy and honestly I just need sleep. So I'm going home and I'll see you later tonight?". Her eyes were really tired.

"You look like you could fall asleep right here". Laila was rubbing her back. "I'll grab your stuff from the locker so you can get home."

"Thanks," Crystal mumbled.

A few minutes later, Laila returned with her bag. She clocked out and hung her jacket when she stepped into the Dubai midnight breeze.

She looked up at the sky, still stunned by the chain of events. She made a mental note to make part payment to the loan Sharks later that day.

As she flagged down a taxi, she thought of the Al-fayad twins.

Little did she know that she had just encountered her nemesis and her Salvation on the same day.

Crystal

Loud bangs on her door woke her up from her sleep. Worry and fear washed over her face as she tried to wonder who might be knocking on her door at 5am in the morning.

The knocks came again, louder this time, followed by threats from the voice outside. Crystal sprung to her feet, shuffling her feet trying to find her slippers in the dark.

"Look, if you don't open this door, I'll break it down this instant" She heard the person on the other side snap at her.

The voice was unmistakable, her heart pounded loudly.

She found her slippers and quickly dashed at the door. She opened it and froze at the sight of the man before her. A cold sweat crept down her spine.

"I'm really sorry Mr Dexter" She stammered. "I was about to get your money to you this morning as soon as I woke up". Her voice was trembling with fear.

"Well, I'm here now. Where's the money or do you want us to sell off your organs to pay instead??" The man snapped at her.

Crystal rushed inside her room, her fingers trembling as she rummaged through her bag for the cheque Amir Al-Fayad had given her the previous night.

"I...I don't have the complete 2.5 million dirhams. I just have 500,000 here". She cried, her voice cracking. "And you gave me 6 months. I still have 3 months left to pay the balance of 2 million. I promise I'll pay before my time is up". She pleaded with them, tears in her eyes.

"Young lady, the big boss changed his mind. You have just one month to pay your father's debt or else, we'll harvest your organs". And with that Mr Dexter and his crew stormed off leaving crystal In tears.

She broke down crying after they'd left wondering where she was going to get 2 million dirhams in a month. Even the 500k she got was a miracle.

She didn't realize she'd cried herself to sleep until her phone rang. She jolted up. It was Laila.

"Girl, where are you? It's like you've made it a habit to piss the manager off these days. You've forgotten you're supposed to clock in by 12:30 today?" Laila screamed at her on the phone.

She checked the time and it was 12:56pm.

"I'm really sorry, I fell asleep. Could you cover for me?? I'll be there soon, please?" She pleaded, leaping to her feet and rushing into the bathroom.

Crystal dashed to the bathroom with the speed of lightning and grabbed her toothbrush trying to brush her teeth quickly and jump in the shower.

10 minutes later, she was out of the house and trying to hail a taxi.

As she climbed in, she thought about him again.

The handsome stranger with jet black hair and blue eyes. She shook the thought off. She couldn't afford to catch feelings for a total stranger and a powerful one at that.

"El-paso" she told the driver.

By 1:15, the taxi stopped in front of the restaurant, and she handed 10 dirhams to the driver and dashed out, mumbling her thanks.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry" She apologized to Laila as she reached the counter

"How many times do I have to cover for you Crystal? You know that if the manager finds out about your lateness today, he may fire me and you both and we'll be screwed" Laila told her with an annoying scowl on her face

"Look, a lot happened this morning and I'm sorry again. I'll make it up to you, I promise," Crystal pleaded with puppy eyes.

"Just get to it. And the same VIP client has booked you for tonight" Laila huffed as she turned to walk away.

Crystal stood rooted in her spot. What could Amir Al-fayad want with her?

"Crystal!!!" Amanda brought her back. "Where has your mind been girl?? Table 6, Single order. Come pick it up" Amanda tapped Crystal's shoulder lightly.

She took the tray from Amanda and brought it to the table. It was a single black coffee and peanut butter sandwich.

"Here's your order, I hope you enjoy......." She had started to say before her voice trailed off

She stood rooted in her tracks. Her knees weakened. She didn't expect to see him here.

Ahmad. Those same blue eyes and calm smile.

She could melt right now under his gaze. She grabbed the chair to steady herself.

Ahmad

"Hello, stranger". He smiled at her. "You never had the time to tell me your name yesterday. You seemed to be in such a hurry and I couldn't ask you as you were scolding me at the time".

He chuckled at the memory. Her eyes,wide with shock, still remained beautiful.

"Miss Crystal?" He tapped the tray gently. "I saw your name tag" He said with a warm smile.

"Hi, Mr Ahmad" She said softly, looking down.

That voice, soft, nervous, lovely. He felt like he could listen to her talk all day.

"Okay, I didn't realize someone was stalking me?" He teased, trying to ease the tension.

"I wasn't, believe me". She replied quickly, looking up at him. "But who wouldn't know you in the whole of Dubai?? It just came up as I surfed online". She looked down again.

He smiled. He felt she was lying, but he didn't press.

"I wanted to keep my status a secret. Anyway, I didn't get a chance to thank you yesterday". He smiled at her.

She looked up briefly, and the way she looked at him almost made him forget where he was.

But Amanda was already calling her back.

"Mr Ahmad, I'm really sorry but I have a lot of customers to attend to. Enjoy your coffee sir" And with that, she was gone.

Crystal.

She felt like fate was playing a fast one on her. Ahmad Al-Fayad was in front of her.

And he. was. talking. to. her.

She felt like she couldn't breathe.

He had a sweet smile on his face as he was talking to her. His smile could calm the thousand storms raging within her.

She had no idea she was gaping till he tapped the tray in front of her.

His eyes were so calming, calling her to experience the peace in them.

Amanda had already started beckoning to her. Crystal looked at him as he continued to express his thanks. His face was so beautiful, so divine, so calm unlike his brother's.

Back at the counter, Laila was buzzing with excitement.

"Girl, I saw you talking to Mr Ahmad. What was that?!" Laila had so much excitement in her voice.

"I'll tell you all about it later girl. Today, there has been a whole lot" Crystal sighed.

"Okay girl, but don't forget you owe me one. And don't forget about your VIP client, because you're dancing for him tonight." And with that Laila turned and walked away.

What could Amir Al-fayad want with her again? That was the thought that occupied her head all day. She worked like a robot thinking about the Al-fayad twins and how different they were. Amir was cold, Ahmad was kind.

At exactly 10:30 pm, her alarm went off, reminding her of the moment she was dreading.

She swiftly went to the changing room and put on her costume. She was going as a sexy bunny tonight. She prayed he wouldn't recognize her. She hated his eyes on her.

She went to the lounge, swinging her hips as she walked.

She went straight to the bar. "The usual, but make it three shots". She told Garcia over the loud music.

Tonight, she felt even three shots weren't enough. She had a bad feeling that she couldn't shake off. Something was definitely off.

"And now, let's welcome the star of the show, the queen of El-paso and the owner of your pockets. Your all time favourite, Crystal Lin!!!". The DJ shouted into the mic.

Loud cheers erupted from the audience. The men left their seats wildly in excitement as Crystal took the stage.

She felt uneasy but she started her set, dancing seductively and teasing her audience, tossing her cap and gloves into the audience.

30 minutes later, her set was over but her night was far from over.

She made her way to the VIP section with sweaty palms and dread all over her.

She entered the section and she felt those eyes on her again. She entered the light and touched the pole to begin dancing and she heard his voice.

She froze. Dread, then goosebumps. This wasn't good.

Amir.

She walked into the light, he didn't move.

"Stop, Sit." She trembled and shivered at the sound of his voice.

She scrambled to the nearest chair and sat.

This was good for him, she was obedient.

"I told you yesterday that you were going to be of service to me again. I have a proposal for you that I know you won't refuse." He told her, observing her face.

She looked up at him, puzzled and wondering what proposal that could be.

"I want you to marry me" He said again, his tone cold.

She jolted up from her seat, surprised and shocked

"I'm sorry sir, I don't know what type of girl you take me for but I don't.........."

He cut her with a single motion, throwing an envelope toward her.

"Go through that, sign it. I'll come pick you up tomorrow evening at the same time." He stood up from his seat and disappeared through the doors.

Crystal

Crystal picked up the envelope with shaky fingers.

It was a contract.

She was going to marry Amir Al-fayad for two years, bear him a child and disappear after the time elapsed.

In return, she'd get ten million dirhams in total.

2 million after the wedding.

8 million after the child is born.

Crystal stood rooted to the spot. She couldn't breathe.

She didn't want to marry Amir but if she didn't pay the loan sharks in a month, she was going to be killed.

Crystal knew she was between the devil and the deep blue sea but she didn't know which evil to pick

Her life in one sentence? She was fucked!!.