The Double ( or More ?) Life of The Fake Heiress

As Leo thought back to the moment he had assured his agent, with a solemn swear, that he could handle the situation, he felt a sudden pinch in his cheeks. His mind raced with a myriad of thoughts, and when he looked back at Mirabella, his eyes were filled with a subtle sorrow.

Standing up, Mirabella pretended not to notice Leo’s dazed expression. “Leo, where’s the bathroom?” she asked.

Leo pointed weakly down the hall to the right, his voice lacking its usual strength. “End of the corridor, then take a left.”

With a twinkle in her eye, Mirabella had barely stepped out before she turned back and inquired. “When does your reality show start filming?”

Leo, head bowed, was still contemplating how to persuade her. He heard her voice again and looked up. “Ah… not for a while yet.”

“Oh, let me know when it does. I want to be there.” Mirabella said before heading towards the bathroom.

“Sure…” Leo nodded absently, and it took a moment before he snapped back to reality. What had Mirabella just said? Did she just agree to join him on the show?!

Elated, Leo pulled out his phone, launched Messenger, and fired off three quick messages to Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

Collins.

[My sister agreed to do the show.]

[Who said I couldn’t pull it off?]

[She’s my sister, of course I can!]

Collins, phone in hand, raised an eyebrow at the messages from his client. The first one made sense, but the next two seemed oddly defensive. “Why would he keep asking?” he wondered.

Scratching his head, Collins typed back: [Great.]

Pausing, he sent another: [Send me your sister’s Messenger. I need to talk about the details with her.]

Leo squinted at the screen, replying: [No need, I’ll talk to her myself.]

Collins: [You? What do you know? What can you say?]

Collins: [Just don’t slow us down, okay? Send her contact over.]

Collins wanted to dismiss him yet still demanded his sister’s contact information. The nerve! With a sneer, Leo exited the chat.

When Mirabella returned from the bathroom, Leo said earnestly, “If anyone adds you on Messenger or asks for your number, just ignore them. People can be devious–you don’t want

12:12

to get scammed.”

Clearing his throat. Leo stood up, grabbed his jacket, and said, “Come on. I’ll take you out to

eat.”

Mirabella watched his retreating figure, deep in thought. Did all those who seemed cool and aloof on the outside have such goofy insides?

Leo headed to the garage to get his car. Mirabella slowly walked out of the villa, taking in the neighborhood with its thoughtfully designed greenery. The detached homes provided a quiet and serene environment–a rare find in the city and certainly not cheap.

Waiting by the roadside, Mirabella suddenly heard a faint click. Narrowing her eyes, she glanced to her left, where something seemed to flicker around the corner of the villa’s wall.

She looked back to see Leo still inside, then walked toward the corner with soft, stealthy steps,

almost silent.

The man hiding there was reviewing photos on his camera with a satisfied smirk. “What are you looking at?” At that moment, a cool voice reached him.