"Jennifer?!" my mom yelled, knocking on my door.
"Sweetie, you haven't eaten anything since morning!" she said.
"I'm not hungry!" I screamed. Why would I be, when they're trying to force me into marriage? No way!
I heard her sigh. "Don't worry, honey. Elijah Gilbert is the only suitable man for you, Jenny. No one matches your identity!"
I rolled my eyes. "Did I say I'm looking for Mr Perfect? I just want a normal life. You know what, Mom? I'll eat when I'm hungry, okay?"
"Alright, but please take care of yourself for Elijah's sake. Don't anger your father. I'll tell the maids to keep an eye on your door," she said and then silence.
"Looks like she's gone," I scoffed.
I'm the heir of Kord Jewelleries ( KJ), the best jewellery company around. They've been pressuring me to be perfect since I was a kid, but too bad I'm not talented and I know nothing about running a company. They control my life! And now that I'm 23, they want me to marry Elijah Gilbert?
The most powerful, ruthless CEO in the business world. He's the only one who matches my status but he's terrifying.
I still remember the first time I met him with Dad. I couldn't even breathe. His fox-like eyes were sharp… and beautiful. His perfect face scared me even more. How can a man be that beautiful? They say, "The more beautiful something is, the more dangerous it becomes."
"Jennifer!"
I froze. Another voice in my room? I looked at the door entrance. "Ahhh!" I screamed, as soon as I saw a familiar woman standing there, looking at me helplessly.
"Aunt Ophelia? How did you get in?" I asked, shocked. I was sure I locked the door.
She chuckled, showing me a key. "I always carry a spare."
"Oh…" I almost forgot she had one. "So, uhmm…"
"What were you thinking about so deeply that you didn't even notice me enter?" she asked. She sounded just like Mom. Aunt Ophelia basically raised me, so she's like my second mother.
"Well, huh…"
"Elijah?"
Okay, okay, she caught me. There's no point lying. "Yeah… I don't want to marry Elijah. And I don't want all this responsibility on my shoulders," I said, slumping on the bed.
She raised a brow. "How is that possible when you're their only child?"
"I don't care! I'm tired of being pampered, controlled, and caged! I just want a normal life like everyone else!" She knew it was my biggest wish!
Aunt Ophelia chuckled softly. "Your laziness is getting worse. Your father asked me to prepare you for Elijah. You know what'll happen if you refuse this marriage."
I sighed deeply. That man could destroy our family's business with just one move. "I'm cursed," I murmured.
"No, honey, you're blessed. Many girls would do anything to secure your lifestyle till they die, especially marrying Elijah. He's one of the top bachelors, yet he chose you. Do you even know how many heiresses he has rejected? Your parents and I were surprised when he agreed to marry you," she said seriously, sitting beside me.
"There's something about him I can't figure out," she added, narrowing her eyes.
I rolled mine and picked up my phone. Whatever she was thinking wasn't my business. I wasn't interested in that man anyway.
"I think he's sponsoring DAMITE," she said but was confused.
I froze. "He's what?" Maybe I misheard her.
"I said he's sponsoring DAMITE. When I went to their company to help you register for that contest, and I saw Secretary May"
"Elijah's secretary?"
She nodded. "Yes. She was giving instructions on Elijah's behalf."
"That's scary," I muttered. DAMITE's sewing contest is coming soon, and I've always dreamed of joining. But my parents banned me because it's for normal people. Aunt Ophelia tried helping me, but since it involved Elijah, she couldn't do much. The contest was owned by the famous businessman Damien, it's every girl's dream. But my parents said I was above that. They just kept on destroying my dreams by trying to put me above all things.
"Humph!" I snorted and lay down. Aunt Ophelia laughed.
"Sorry dear, I tried my best," she said. "Your parents won't be happy if they find out I secretly let you learn sewing."
"Why would I care? They want me to do what they want, but they refuse to let me do what I love. That's so cruel!"
"They just want the best for you," she said softly.
I knew she was right, but people only liked me because of my background.
"Oh my gosh!" Aunt Ophelia suddenly gasped.
I sat up and looked at her. She was staring at her phone, surprised. Then she looked at me. "Stand up now! I almost forgot you have dinner with Elijah tomorrow!"
"What?!" I shouted in disbelief. I don't plan to see him anytime soon!
"Aunt Ophelia…" I looked at her with pleading eyes.
"No, don't look at me like that. I'm tired of making excuses for you. They're starting to suspect me."
I sighed and looked away. Everything about Elijah is always scary, always cold and expressionless. You could never tell if he was angry or not. That's what terrified me. I want a husband I could laugh with, hug, kiss… but with Elijah, I knew I'd never have that kind of love.
"Let's go get a new dress for tomorrow," she said, leaving the room. I had no choice but to follow her.
When we arrived at the boutique, we were led straight to the VIP section. Everyone knew who I was, so I was treated like a delicate princess.
I tried on a white dinner gown and sighed. White is my favourite colour, but this one was way too revealing.
"I don't like this dress! The colour is too flashy!" I heard another girl complaining nearby. She seemed to be on the phone.
"I don't even know why you want me to spend so much on one dress, Aidan!" she said.
I frowned. The most expensive dress here costs less than one of my handbags. Why was she complaining?
"You see, I don't give a damn about the contest! I hate it!" she scoffed.
That caught my attention. Was she talking about the DAMITE sewing competition?
"Do you know how much the materials alone will cost? I don't even like sewing, I just learned it for fun! You know what? I'm done. These dresses are too childish and expensive. Bye!"
I chuckled. She sounded so hot-tempered. Before she left the fitting room, I took the chance to go inside, to ask her about the competition.
I pulled the curtain open. She was struggling with her zipper.
"Excuse me, ma'am," I said.
"Oh, thank God! Help me with this zip quickly. I don't like your dresses, they're too childish for my taste," she said, thinking I worked there.
I couldn't help but chuckle. She turned around at the sound, " What's fu…." then she froze.
No, we are both stunned!
" My gosh!" I couldn't help but gasp
I stared at her face in shock. No… I'd never seen anything like this before.
This girl looked exactly like me, same face, same hair colour and length, same skin tone, even the same shocked expression.
"You…"