Mirror Image

The First Sight

“But Father, please reconsider. I don’t understand why you are forcing Alia to marry a man whom she barely knows.”

“She knows Phoenix.”

“Not personally, Father.”

She stood and walked towards the chair positioned across her father’s table. “Why?”

Her father leaned closer and positioned his clasped hands on his table. “Will you stay here for good if I ask you to?”

She was taken aback with his question. Her father was patiently waiting for her to answer.

“Father, I don’t t---” He cut her.

“Yes or no, Alex.”

She sighed and looked around the study room before saying, “I really don’t know, Father.”

“Exactly. Alex, I have allowed you to do whatever you want and go wherever your heart pleases. You’re a famous painter and a part-time model and I am proud of you. Alia enjoys running her own business and doing everything she loves to do. I am proud of both of you.”

Alex tried her best not to cry. Somehow, she knew what her father was going to say.

Her father sighed and leaned back on his chair. “I’m already old, Alex. I’m happy to see that both of you are successful with the field you have chosen, but I’m not gonna lie, daughter. I worry every day. When I die, what will happen to everything that my parents had worked hard for? What will happen to your mom’s legacy and mine?”

She was tongue-tied. Her father had a point. But, what about her sister’s happiness? With than in mind, she said,

“Father, she has been with Carlos for the past years. It would break her heart if she leaves him. Marring her off with someone she doesn’t love will make their lives miserable. Do you want that for her, Father? I’m sure Phoenix doesn’t have any romantic feelings for her.”

Her father was just looking intently at her. He was not showing any emotions at all. She knew her father so well. So well that she felt helpless because he was really determined to marry off her sister to that Brayden man.

“Alex, love can be taught. They are strangers, yes. But strangers can learn to love each other, too.”

“I’ll talk to Phoenix.”

“You’ll do no such thing, daughter.” Her father suddenly looked irritated at her.

He looked at her the way he did when she was young and reckless. She used to cower before those eyes but not now. She had to show her father why people said that she was the female version of Harry Gomez.

“Father, we’re talking about Alia’s future here. We’re not just talking about a person. She’s my twin. You don’t know me that well if you think that I would not move heavens just to save her from this audacity.”

“Phoenix is a good man, Alex. He won’t make your sister’s life miserable.”

She already hated that man. Had he no balls to say no to his father?

She stood and was about to leave when she heard her father’s words.

“There’s only one way to change Alia’s fate, Alex.”

She turned to look at him.

“Marry Phoenix, Alex.”

*

BRAYDEN CONTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Alex was looking at the gigantic signage on top of the company’s building. She never thought that she would resort to meeting the man whom was set to marry her twin, but she had no choice. Her plan was to persuade him to change his mind.

She made her way to the entrance of the main building and when she got inside, she approached the receptionist.

“Good afternoon. What can I do for you, Ma’am?” the beautiful receptionist asked.

She gave her best smile and said, “Good afternoon. I would like to know where the office of the CEO is.”

“Do you have an appointment with Sir Brayden, Ma’am?”

“Uhm no, actually. I just really want to talk to him. It’s urgent, Sabrina.” She looked at the name tag of the woman in front of her. She was praying hard that she would just tell her where the office was.

Before Sabrina could say anything, a man in his 40s suddenly appeared.

“Sabrina, it’s okay. Let me handle this.” Then, he turned to her and extended his hand. She accepted it.

“Good afternoon. I am Greg, Mr. Brayden’s assistant. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, too, Greg. I am Alex Gomez.”

“My boss is waiting for you. Please follow me.”

He’s waiting for me? He knew that I’m gonna come?

She quietly followed as Greg led her to a private elevator. As they made their way to the elevator, she prepared herself as well as the things that she was going to say to the owner of this building.

When the elevator door opened, Greg led her to a room that looked like the waiting lounge. Beside it was the door with a sign, President and CEO. She was going to be in that room later.

“Please wait here and make yourself comfortable, Ma’am Gomez,” Greg said.

She looked perplexed. “I thought he’s waiting for me?’

Greg smiled, “Yes, but he’s talking to someone over the phone right now, Ma’am. I’ll let you know if he’s done.”

He was going to make her wait for him?! Wow. Just wow.

*

She tried to busy herself reading one of the magazines she saw on the center table. She smiled when she saw the wedding photos of Kai Stevens and Emily Fort. Everybody in their circles knew the heartwarming love story of the two. She was invited on their wedding but she failed to come due to her commitments in Pavinia.

Fifteen minutes had passed and yet Greg still hadn’t returned. She felt irritated already.

She stood and was about to call Alia when the door opened. It was Greg.

“Mr. Phoenix would like to talk to you now, Ma’am. Please follow me.”

Finally.

Greg opened the door and motioned her to get inside. He smiled when she thanked him. Then, he quietly closed the door.

She turned.

When she did, she gasped.

A few meters away from her was a man, no not just a man, a very handsome man who was looking at her with his deep brown eyes.

“What can I do for you, Ms. Alessandra Marie Gomez?”