Chapter 3 2: The Pretense Begins

• I stood in front of the Locatelli's house. Now begins the start of my pretending. Alethea said I should stay here until she recovers, and once her condition improves, we'll switch. I need to keep her updated on what's happening here.
• I sighed. I didn't know why I was following her demands. In truth, it wasn't my fault that she fell from the second floor of the mall. If it weren't for knowing that if she made up a story, Mama would believe her, I probably wouldn't do this.
• I took a deep breath. ‘Just let it be, Thea. You wouldn't be doing anything during your vacation anyway. Just think that you're doing this as a good sister even if your sister isn't good.’ I rolled my eyes at the thought and walked towards the door of the grand house.
• The household staff greeted me when they saw me. An elderly woman instructed them to take my belongings. She smiled at me before introducing herself.
• "Good morning, Miss Alethea," she greeted me. I almost cringed when she called me by my twin's name. I almost corrected her and said my name is Theana. Good thing I remembered why I'm here. "I am Mercy, the head maid of this mansion. We are pleased to have you here."
• I gave her a tight smile. She led me inside the house, which I quickly observed.
• The mansion looked beautiful from the outside, but the interior was even more stunning. It was spacious and clean. The furniture, if not antique, seemed imported from various countries. In the middle of the grand staircase hung a family picture of the Locatelli family who lived here. Aunt Adelaide's three children were still young in the picture. They all looked intimidating except for Aunt Adelaide and the female child who were the only ones smiling in the photo.
• "Ma'am Adelaide, Miss Alethea is here."
• I felt a jolt of surprise every time Alethea's name was mentioned. I wasn't used to being called that because I'm not Ale!
• I saw a beautiful woman. I couldn't remember the last time I saw her, but I knew she was a close friend of my late father. She smiled sweetly at me and approached.
• "Hello, Alethea." Aunt Adelaide hugged me as she approached. I couldn't return the hug because of how quickly things were happening. "How are you? It's been so long since I last saw you. You were just kids then. How's your mother?"
• "My mother is okay. She's in Russia right now taking care of some matters, so I'm the only one who came today."
• Aunt Adelaide nodded at me. "And your sister?"
• My throat went dry. I quickly thought of what to say to her. Luckily, I'm used to lying. "My sister is also on vacation with her friends."
• Aunt Adelaide is kind. I know that because I still vividly remember how Papa used to praise her when he was still alive. I remember the story of how they met back then.
• "Are you hungry? The food is ready, but I'm still waiting for my husband and my children. You'll meet Taddeo soon."
• Taddeo Locatelli. That's the name of the man Alethea is going to marry, the man I should socialize with and get to know.
• I know the Locatelli family isn't fond of arranged marriages, so it's surprising that they're open to this now. Perhaps the wind has changed direction.
• "Not yet, thank you."
• "How was the trip, Alethea? Are you tired?"
• "Call me Thea, Auntie." I prefer being called by my nickname rather than constantly hearing my sister's name. "The trip was fine, Auntie."
• Auntie and I chatted for a while. We were touring the house together when she was called by Mercy, so she excused herself briefly. In the end, I was left alone to wander around their yard.
• Their property here in their Beverly Hills house is vast. The scenery is beautiful, and the air is fresh. It's very different from Los Angeles. It's quite relaxing, especially when the fresh air brushes against my skin.
• I stopped when I saw some men seemingly busy lifting heavy objects. I think they're working on a part of the yard, but I couldn't understand what it was. I just see a lot of equipment there.
• "I'm done. You guys take care of the rest."
• My eyes widened when a man walked towards me with no shirt on. I gulped. This wasn't new to me because often at our school gymnasium, basketball players undress there before going to their locker room. But it's different now.
• Compared to the college boys' bodies I've seen, this man's physique is more defined. Clearly toned from various activities. His full-sleeve tattoo on his right arm is noticeable, and his tattoo extends to the right side of his chest. There are small beads of sweat on his body, and it glistens probably from the work he just did.
• Is he a worker for the Locatelli family? Besides his attractive physique, I can't deny that he's handsome. It's the kind of attractiveness that's not just surface level. You really have to find the perfect word to describe him. And unfortunately for me, I can’t think of anything other than god-like.
• He stopped beside me. He ran his fingers through his damp hair, which obediently followed the direction he wanted. I gulped and kept my gaze on him.
• He probably noticed me because he glanced in my direction. At first, his eyes looked expressionless as they met mine, but eventually, he smiled too.
• I furrowed my brow, especially when I noticed him staring at my body. I'm wearing a decent dress, but I feel like I'm naked in front of him because of the way he's looking at me.
• I stepped back because I felt like he was undressing me with his eyes, when suddenly he grabbed me and pulled me towards him.
• "Watch out!"
• I heard a noise of falling objects, so I looked around the room. I wasn't mistaken because some items fell, probably because they were dropped.
• "Sorry, Miss." I saw the culprit of the fallen items. They quickly picked them up and took them to the yard they were fixing.
• I breathed a sigh of relief but realized I was pressed against the man's body. Despite that, I could smell his fragrance.
• "You, okay?" He tilted his head. My cheeks turned red when I realized how close we actually were.
• I pushed him away out of embarrassment and blurted out, "You’re sweaty."
• I couldn't shake off the thought that he still smelled good despite being sweaty. Is that possible? That his sweat even smells good?
• He was surprised by my remark, but eventually, he laughed too. I rolled my eyes, hiding my embarrassment.
• "Ace!"
• We both looked towards the voice calling him, and we saw Mercy. Perhaps she was looking for him and had something for him to do since he also works for the Locatelli family, right?
• His name is Ace?
• "Oh, you naughty boy! You're just here. We've been waiting for you since your mom's looking for you! We thought you weren't here yet. We only saw your car parked outside." Mercy jokingly scolded the man. She was just teasing him.
• "Sorry, Mercy. I noticed the garden outside still needed fixing, so I thought I'd break a sweat first. They're looking for me? Are my brothers already here?"
• I blinked rapidly as I heard their conversation. Wait, mom? Brother? Does that mean this guy is...
• "Oh! Miss Alethea, you're here too. Let's go inside, Taddeo will be arriving soon."
• I didn't pay much attention to Mercy because I was still staring at the man who was now putting on his t-shirt. He glanced at me after hearing what Mercy said.
• "Alethea? Oh, so you are Alethea Saunders?" His grin widened. He approached me and observed me closely. "My brother’s soon-to-be fiancée, huh? Nice meeting you."
• "Oh, Arcel! Go inside the house first and take a shower! Don't face the beautiful lady with that appearance! You smell of sweat!" Mercy scolded him and pulled him away from me.
• "Mercy, I still smell good."
• They kept teasing each other until they entered the house. I couldn't forget that the man glanced at me again before they went inside. He grinned once more before disappearing.
• I also entered the house, especially when Aunt Adelaide called me. She introduced me to her husband, Uncle Morgan. I also met their daughter Alice, and most importantly, Taddeo, who wants to marry Alethea.
• Taddeo is intimidating. He didn't disrespect me earlier, but I could sense that he didn't want to see me or get to know me.
• We were already seated in the dining area when Uncle Morgan spoke.
• "Where’s Arcel—"
• "I am here." Another man entered the dining area. He sat across from me, making me nervous for no apparent reason. He looked at me, and from his serious expression, he suddenly showed a playful expression again.
• I chose to avoid looking at him. I didn't know what to feel about him. I couldn't even decide who I preferred to interact with between the two of them, his brother Taddeo, who keeps giving me the cold treatment, or this Arcel, whom I can't figure out why he's smirking at me.
• When Taddeo got busy with his food, that's when I had the chance to steal glances at Arcel. I can’t read him, and I am not even sure if we can get along. Something tells me this man is dangerous.
• This man has a playful personality yet is mysterious. He looks innocent but dangerous. Arcel Locatelli is the definition of an angel with a pair of black wings. You can't tell if he’s a friend or a foe, if he's a good person or not. Because I can feel it in every fiber of my body, that behind his friendly image is a vicious man oozing with the deadliest venom.
• I shook myself. I shouldn't be associated with him. He's not the one I should be getting close to, but his brother.
• I glanced at Arcel again, and our eyes met. His gaze lowered to my lips then back to my body, he then, licked his lips using his tongue. I felt a strange heat from his action, and I couldn't explain it.