Thread: The Twin's Killer Wore His Face

People said, "WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOOR FOR THE DEVIL, THE DEVIL CAME." It was true because she also opened that door for a devil. She was the one who brought that devil into her home. She saw her reflection in the broken mirror on the ground and laughed at her own reflection. A monster like herself laughed at herself. Her skin was pale, too pallid with bloodied scars on her forehead. Her face lost all its color; it now looked deathly thin. Her lips cracked, and blood dripped from the corners of her lips. Her hair looks greasy. She looked sickly.

She turned around and looked out through the balcony of the third floor to see the night sky. And what did she see there? The brightest star of all. A shining star so close that when she closed her eyes, she could almost touch it. But when she opened her eyes again, it was already gone. It had moved further away than ever before, and there was no way she would find it again.

At the sound of the alarm, she got up in a panic. Drops of sweat glistened on her forehead. With trembling hands, she quickly wiped them off. She had not slept well for the past few months. Her mind raced with thoughts and fears about how she could kill someone. She quickly stumbled toward the bathroom, her eyes still half-closed. She limped as she dragged herself into the bathroom. She glanced at her reflection, and her black orbs stared back at her. She noticed that her face was injured and bloodied, just like she had seen in her dreams. Her black hair was messy and the dust was visible. She quickly stepped into the shower, bracing herself for the cold water. Despite the initial shock, she felt invigorated and more alert.

With every passing second, she became more aware of her surroundings. The pain subsided to a dull throbbing. She began feeling nauseous, as though her body was being torn apart. Images of lifeless bodies flashed before her eyes, and she instantly shook them off. She focused on washing her hair and scrubbing her body vigorously, trying to forget her nightmare. Her heart rate gradually slowed. As her shower continued, the image began playing in her head. The screams, cries, and chaos around her seemed to get farther and farther away until all she could see were her hands. A small scream escaped her lips as her skin began to change color, becoming paler, darker, and more grotesque.

Blood began dripping everywhere. The scene changed to a familiar room. The bed was empty. A large mirror hung opposite the wall. Its surface reflected the dark night sky as the moonlight illuminated a portion of the room. In a far corner lay a figure covered in blood. An overpowering smell invaded her nostrils. Her vision blurred as darkness swallowed her. Her heartbeat accelerated, and her breathing became labored. She gripped her chest as she struggled to catch her breath. Sweat trickled down her temples as she leaned forward, clutching tightly onto the shower head as overwhelming fear crept up on her. She tried so hard to control her breathing, but it was impossible. She couldn't stop her breathing from growing irregularly. Every inhale felt more painful than the last.

She squeezed her eyes shut in vain attempts to escape. The bathroom began spinning as she clutched harder onto the shower curtain, desperately wishing to hold onto something. Eventually, even with the strength of her hands, she began sliding toward the edge of the bathtub, until finally she toppled over the rim and plunged into icy cold water. After lying there for a few seconds, she quickly got up, coughing uncontrollably as the freezing spray stung her exposed face. She struggled to get her head above water as the cold water washed away her memories.

She washed the blood from her face and cleaned her scars properly. She slipped into a formal swan-white shirt and beige pants. Before leaving the room, she concealed her scars so no one would ask about them. Honestly, she didn't know either. She headed downstairs, where the clattering of dishes and the enticing aroma of food filled the air.

"Good morning, Mum!" she greeted as she entered the kitchen. Her mother, Ms. Elizabeth, turned toward her and planted a kiss on her cheek. "Happy birthday, Blair," she said. Blair glanced at her, realizing that she had completely forgotten that today marked her 26th birthday.

"Thank you, Mom," she expressed as she swiftly grabbed her beloved Americano coffee and began savoring its flavors. It was a day when she had to arrive at the office early, yet she found herself running behind schedule. Placing the now empty coffee mug on the table, she turned her gaze toward her mother, who was busy with something in the fridge. Ms. Elizabeth seemed to be on a quest for something specific. Eventually, she discovered what she had been seeking-a cupcake adorned with a delicate pink candle.

Blair eagerly watched her mom, her eyes filled with excitement. With a smile on her face, she observed as Ms. Elizabeth placed the cupcake onto a small plate. Despite her forgetfulness in the morning rush, Ms. Elizabeth had not forgotten. She had a unique talent for turning even the most ordinary actions into something special.

"Mum, I'm running late today. Our company's president, Ms. Charlotte, is coming, and I cannot afford to be tardy."

"Ms. Charlotte? Why is she coming?" Blair glanced at her mom in astonishment, as she had told her last night that today was a very important day at the office.

"Because today Mr. Ethan is taking charge of our Lopez Food Company as the new CEO," she replied.

"Well, being five minutes late won't make a difference," Ms. Elizabeth said as she lit the candle on the cupcake. "I just wanted to ensure that you began your day with a small celebration."

"Mum, thank you," she managed to say before quickly extinguishing the candle, slicing the cake, and offering a bite to her mother. She then hurried outside, devouring the remaining piece. The delectable sweetness of the frosting and the tender texture of the cake filled her mouth, evoking nostalgic memories of past birthdays and the happiness that always accompanied her mother's presence.

As she joined the bustling crowd on the streets, the morning rush was in full swing. The air filled with the sound of cars honking and people chatting creating a lively atmosphere. Upon entering the office, she noticed a significant change in the air. Everyone seemed to be in a frenzy, rushing around. In her haste, she accidentally bumped into someone. However, she quickly sat down and began organizing her bag, gathering all the scattered pages until they were neatly arranged and ready to be picked up. Suddenly, her phone started vibrating, prompting her to retrieve it from her pocket. It turned out to be yet another text message from Masson.

"Why did you arrive so late, Blair?" Evelyn's voice cut into her thoughts as she tucked away her cell phone.

"Yeah, I was a little late today. For some reason, my eyes just refused to open up this morning," Blair said with a cheeky grin.

"Well, now the boss will make sure your eyes are wide open," Evelyn said sternly.

Evelyn had been a good friend since they met four years ago. She was in her late twenties, with bright brown eyes and dark hair styled in soft curls around her face. Her smile was perfect. When they met on that first day, they clicked instantly. They shared much more than just a great sense of humor; their personalities meshed seamlessly. Blair often talked about her latest cake creations while Evelyn listened with a soft expression. They shared similar tastes in music and movies, although Blair preferred indie over pop or hip-hop. They shared a love for books equally; Evelyn had to share stories about her family's love for reading even though she hadn't read much herself.

"Why? What's going on? Where is the boss?" Blair inquired, feeling a sense of concern.

"In her office," Evelyn replied, gesturing with her eyes. Blair looked over at the glass door and saw her boss arguing heatedly with William. She was wearing a tight black pencil skirt, complemented by black silk stockings and matching high heels, along with an extravagant crimson blouse with diamond embellishments that sparkled across its surface. As their eyes met through the reflective surface of the door, Blair could see irritation etched on her face.

Blair felt a chill in her stomach while watching the scene. It was unusual for the boss to lecture William, an employee she so admired, early in the day. She quickly placed her stuff on her desk and limped into her office cautiously so as not to get scolded this morning.

On entering the office, she felt that the air was heavy with tension. William seemed visibly flustered and filled with remorse. Behind her desk, Ms. Dorothy, the boss, looked disappointed and frustrated.

"How could you be so careless? Your mistake has cost us a major client in Singapore, resulting in billions of dollars in losses," Ms. Dorothy yelled at him.

The knot formed in Blair's gut, as she thought some things over in her head. William was really talented and hardworking employee; if he got scolded then it means his mistake is really big. It was really unusual for him to make a mistake. Blair wondered what he had done to make Ms. Dorothy angry.

"I understand, but,"

"I don't want to hear any excuses, William! This was an important account, and you were in charge of it. And now we have lost not only a very valuable client but also a good sum of money." Ms. Dorothy's voice thundered, and involuntarily, Blair cringed.

Ms. Dorothy motioned for William to leave and turned her attention towards Blair, looking at her in disdain. "Why on earth are you just standing there like an utter moron!"

Blair sat quietly, smiling sheepishly as she said, "'Sorry."

"It's not about apologies," Ms. Dorothy exclaimed. "You were supposed to be here at 7:30 am. You're late for your shift!"

"Oh, right..." Blair mumbled, scratching at the back of her neck while still smiling to herself, scanning her watch. She was gazing at the time on the watch and she suddenly realized it was already 8:45 am. She panicked as she tried to rush up with something to explain her being late. "I....I must have overslept," she stammered as she lied, her smile dropping from her face.

Ms. Dorothy crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her gaze. "Sleeping in? That is not a reason. We need to be quite punctual here, and it messes the whole team off when you keep coming late."

Blair nodded again, overwhelmed by guilt, "I understand that, and I am really sorry. It is not going to happen again."

Ms. Dorothy let out a frustrated sigh, Blair could tell she didn't believing her. "This won't happen again? Do you think I'm an idiot? Do you know Ms. Chairman is coming today? Get everything ready right now!"

"Yes, boss, I am almost ready," Blair replied, and Ms. Dorothy rolled her eyes.

"Call the media and make sure they are lined up in the hall," Ms.Dorothy ordered.

"Is there anything else you need me to do, boss?" Blair asked, hoping to divert her attention away from her annoyance.

She let out another sigh of frustration, showing her dissatisfaction with Blair's previous answer. "Of course," she responded abruptly. "Make sure that the decorations are perfect, the refreshments are set up properly, and that everything is prepared according to Ms. Chairman's preferences."

"I will make sure it is done," Blair replied coolly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Quicker," Ms. Dorothy snarled, storming out of her office once again and slamming the door so hard that the glass in it quivered. Blair let out a sigh and ran her hand across her face, realizing that today was her birthday. With every stride, her heels echoed through the marble floor, heading to the elevator. Convinced to prove that she was fit enough for this responsibility despite all Ms. Dorothy said, Blair sped off in her quest to take charge of the arrangements. It was getting harder by the minute, but Blair felt she must overcome it all. She wouldn't fail.

"Is Kaylee here yet?" Blair asked Evelyn as she stepped out of the office. After all, Kaylee was supposed to oversee today's preparations as the new CEO's personal secretary.

"Yes, she's here, but she's currently with the boss, inspecting the arrangements in the hall downstairs," Evelyn replied, hurrying toward the main entrance to greet the press.

After a quick glimpse at her back, Blair went into the hall, feeling a little curious about everything's progression.

At the entrance, Kaylee and the boss were in the middle of a heated conversation. Blair couldn't help but feel envious as she saw Kaylee and Ms. Dorothy get along with each other so seamlessly. She couldn't help but compare herself to Kaylee, who effortlessly commanded the boss's approval. Blair shook her head as she walked toward them, forcing the negative thoughts away.

"I hoped you disappeared, Kaylee," Blair muttered, not knowing whether it was from her envy or pure rage. She had always wanted to be the one standing by the boss's side, aiding and backing her up.

"Hey, Kaylee," Blair said, faking a smile. "How's everything?"

Kaylee turned, brightening the lines of her face. "Almost ready! Just a few last-minute adjustments and we'll be set for Ms. Charlotte's arrival."

Blair nodded, hoping that she didn't show any nervousness of her own. "Do you need help? I can help with the decorations or refreshments."

"That would be great," Kaylee said, looking over Ms. Dorothy. "She's getting a bit stressed and could use another set of hands."

Blair felt a wave of relief. Maybe this was her chance to prove herself. She moved forward with everyone towards refreshment table and quickly took note of what she needed to prepare.

"Do you know what Ms. Charlotte likes?" Blair asked, as casually as she could.

Kaylee shrugged. She was more focused on pastries. "She likes everything perfect. Presentation is more important than anything. If it does not look good enough, then she will criticize."

Blair's stomach twisted at the thought. She had her own pressures looming, and the idea of failing in front of the new CEO was daunting. She took a deep breath and reminded herself that she could handle it.

As they tried to accomplish something, the tension in the air was visibly palpable. Employees were running around the place, and the faint sound of cameras clicking outside grew louder as the press began to gather.

Blair could see Evelyn already fielding questions from the reporters, her bright smile cutting across the chaos.

"Let's make sure that everything is set before they start streaming in," Kaylee said, pulling Blair back to reality.

"Right, let's finish up," Blair said, her face back to the task at hand. She needed today to be memorable-not only for Ms. Charlotte, but for herself as well. It was her time to shine under all this pressure. They just put the finishing touches in place as Ms. Dorothy emerged from her office, still looking a little tight but marginally composed.

"Is everything ready?" she called out across the room with an authoritative scan.

"Almost done, boss," Kaylee replied, straightening up.

Blair felt her heart race as Ms. Dorothy approached them. "Make sure it's perfect," she said, her voice low but firm. "We can't afford any mistakes today."

Blair nodded, determination flooding her. She was not going to let Ms. Dorothy down-or herself. With the last minutes ticking by, she felt a weight settle over her, expecting that all should go perfectly well. Yet inside her, she knew she was more than able to do this. Today had to be perfect.

At exactly 11 o'clock, Ethan Lopez walked into the corridor. All cameras switched their attention to him. He was the only child of the company's president, Ms. Charlotte Lopez, and the sole heir of Lopez Food Company, having recently graduated from a University in Australia.

Drowned amidst all those people, no one paid attention to the sound of his footsteps. He had a beautiful, elusive glamour: thin body, dark richly waving light brown hair and pale bright blue eyes obscured behind thick-lensed glasses. An aura of mystery and of fascination. Dressed in black tuxedo with a gray tie, he radiated casual sophistication. His tan enhanced his appearance, giving him an unmistakable air of cool distinction. He was going along the aisle of the hall where people sat on red velvet chairs arranged in rows and smiling sweetly at every face he came across.

Blair could not help but feel his life was a fairy-tale. Suddenly Masson's message appeared on the phone screen and she jerked her eyes open from dream land. She touched the screen to read the message:

'Opulent Heights'

'Luxor Lodgings Hotel'

'Meeting'

'10:30 pm'

[Flashback]

"How long did you sit here in your dead mother's room, Charlotte? It had been a month since she died."

She lifted her head upon hearing her father's voice, her eyes heavy with sorrow and weariness. The room remained untouched, adorned with her mother's possessions, as if it was trapped in a moment frozen in time. Once more, Charlotte turned her gaze towards her mother's photograph. Her mother's smile greeted her from the frame on her dresser, her eyes wide open and filled with joy, devoid of any trace of pain or sadness.

As her lengthy blonde hair was neatly tied up in a bun, it exposed the pallid complexion of her face, which had faded with the passing years. However, even in that moment, her beauty remained captivating. Charlotte felt tears forming within her, and she had to restrain them from streaming down her face. A soft sigh escaped her lips, the only sound in the silent house.

"Now that you are eight months pregnant, you should not take too much stress in such a condition," her father advised her while sitting on a chair. Charlotte gently rubbed her swollen belly and sighed as she leaned back, feeling the weight of her growing baby inside her.

"I know, Dad," she replied, trying to sound calm despite the anxiety that had built up inside her. "But I won't leave you alone, and Gabriel knew anyway, so he didn't mind me staying here. And why would he have a problem with this?" Charlotte shrugged. Though she was a wife of Gabriel Hernandez-the owner of the Hernandez empire-she was also the sole heir of Lopez Food Company. While her businesses were smaller in scale, her influence over the food chain was far from negligible. Charlotte made sure to keep her father aware of this fact whenever possible, and he never failed to let her know how happy he was for his daughter. In fact, he often sent her expensive gifts when she was away from home.

"Even though he didn't mind, still these twins needed their father, and it was good for them to see their parents first as soon as they were born," her father tried to convince her.

After listening to him, Charlotte gently caressed her belly, feeling the tiny kicks of life within; she couldn't help but feel a surge of pride and responsibility. These unborn twins were not just any ordinary members of their family; they were destined to become the future heirs of the Hernandez empire and Lopez Food Company.

Charlotte imagined the day when their soon-to-be-born twins would take their first steps, their tiny feet leaving imprints on the same ground that their father had once walked. They would grow up under Gabriel's watchful eye, learning the ways of their family and understanding the importance of unity, loyalty, and respect.

Keeping both things in mind, Charlotte decided to go back to the Hernandez mansion. The rain poured down heavily outside. It dawned on her that exactly one year ago that day, she had tied the knot with Gabriel amidst a similar downpour. "Stop, don't go alone in such weather; the driver will drop you," her father said, showing his concern.

She replied, "I'll be fine, don't worry," as she sat in the car. She felt a wave of eagerness and nostalgia as the automobile began to move. Raindrops flowed down the window, making it difficult to see the familiar buildings and streets. Her mind filled with memories of that soggy wedding day, which made her grin. How content they were at that time together, and how she longed to simply return to those times-a feeling she would never regain.

She pulled her coat tight over her torso as she got out of the car, the rain pelting down. With a sense of grandeur and majesty, the Hernandez palace towered above her. She could hear the distant sounds of the bustling metropolis, which created a haunting yet alluring atmosphere. As she stepped through the mansion's doors, the smell of pine and damp soil filled the air, making her feel at ease and nostalgic.

In the corridor, she ran into Liam Caddel, Gabriel's personal driver, and asked him where her husband was. Since it was an odd hour, Liam seemed taken aback to see her there at that particular time.

"Ma'am, if you wanted to return, you should have informed me beforehand, and I would have personally fetched you."

But because of the erratic fluctuations in her pregnancy mood, it was difficult for her to stay in the moment and talk to him. Therefore, ignoring what he had said, she asked, "Where can I look for him?"

"Gabriel has gone to the city for a meeting," informed their housekeeper Ella, who had most likely stopped by to listen.

"Why is he having a meeting at this time?" Charlotte exclaimed, taken aback. It was unusual for him to go to the city for meetings, especially in the evening. Trying to conceal her anxiety, she asked, "Do you know when he'll be back?" She was really surprised.

Ella paused for a moment before responding, "I'm not certain. He didn't mention the time of his meeting. Usually, when something like this happens, he doesn't return home at night."

"What do you mean by 'he doesn't return home'? And what are those meetings that go on late into the night?" Charlotte inquired, raising her voice a bit to get Liam's attention. He averted his gaze in response.

Charlotte had already grasped the meaning behind his gesture. "How long had this been going on?" she asked.

"For about a month now, ma'am," Ella responded.

Curiosity and anxiety consumed her as she persisted, "What was the purpose of these meetings?" Charlotte's voice quivered slightly. She craved immediate answers, and she couldn't wait any longer.

Liam let out a deep sigh, his posture drooping. "Ma'am, we cannot disclose this information to you. It is for your own protection."

Charlotte felt disappointed after hearing what he had to say. Security? What could happen to my protection? She had always regarded herself as a valued part of this family, leading a typical life. But it seemed there was another world, one she was unaware of.

Ella approached, her expression filled with worry. "Ma'am, we never intended to withhold this information from you, but the situation forced our hand. It was in your best interest to stay unaware."

Charlotte vehemently disagreed, feeling a surge of frustration. "Shut up, you are nobody to tell me what is right and what is wrong. I have the right to know what's happening. I have the right to be involved in whatever is unfolding."

Charlotte went back by herself, without consulting anyone or following their advice. Although she was unaware of his meetings, she knew the place they frequently visited, which was his flat. She briefly forgot that she had two lives inside her as she raced through the downpour. After an hour's trip, she felt overcome with anxiety as she stood in front of a stunning apartment.