Chapter 2 First Encounter

• Lucian boarded the plane with a small suitcase.
• In June, the temperature in the city of Washington is very low. He wore a white shirt, black suit pants, and shiny leather shoes without a trace of dust, which could be used as a mirror.
• The corners of his lips were turned up, showing a serious expression as he took out a business magazine from his briefcase and flipped through it.
• Lucian didn't mind if someone sat next to him. Focusing on the magazine, there was an important article that captured all his attention.
• "Mayor Landong, hello."
• A delicate and beautiful white hand reached out to him. It was clear that the owner took good care of it. The man followed the hand, his head looking up. Lucian got lost in the girl's face for a moment. A second later, he quickly recovered and said indifferently, "Hello."
• "Excuse me," the woman's hand was still extended, "Did I bother Mayor Landong?"
• "No," he extended his hand and took hers, but instantly Lucian quickly withdrew his hand, with evident confusion in his eyes.
• The woman smiled and retracted her hand without feeling embarrassed. The corners of her lips still smiled faintly.
• "Does Mayor Landong think I'm bold? I'm sorry. Although you have been in the city for less than a year, you have carried out drastic reforms with evident results. So, I took the liberty to greet you."
• Lucian's lips curved, but his smile didn't reach his eyes. People often talk about bureaucracy and flattery. He has never liked this behavior. "I'm just doing my part."
• "It's not easy to do it," the woman smiled again, and when she smiled, her face became a bit prettier. She seemed self"assured, with a well"fitted skirt and a white silk shirt. It made her look clever and capable.
• "You're absolutely right," Lucian nodded, his gaze returning to the magazine. He had no intention of continuing to talk to this woman. She reminded him of a past he didn't want to remember.
• "I'm actually from New York. Our company has some projects in the capital, so I came here for business."
• Lucian didn't respond, and the woman didn't show any annoyance. Looking at Lucian's face, she said softly, "I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Natalia Rinaldi, but you can call me Nat."
• Lucian politely turned his head, and if he didn't miss it, the gleam in the woman's eyes seemed to be a provocation.
• "Miss Rinaldi," he said.
• "You're too polite to call me miss, as I said, you can call me Nat."
• Natalia is the daughter of wealthy businessmen. She has always relied on her appearance, connections, and status. In fact, she is her father's spoiled little girl.
• Lucian's hand holding the magazine tightened, but involuntarily he turned his face and calmly looked at the flirtatious smile on Natalia's face.
• "Miss Rinaldi, I don't think we are acquainted."
• His tone was cold, and his eyes were even colder, there was no warmth in them. Natalia was unfazed by his temperament.
• " Haha, yes, we are not acquainted. " She smiled slightly, sighed, and seemed embarrassed. " But, I don't know why I see Mayor Langdon and feel familiar, it's like I've seen him before. So, I want to talk to you. Just a few words, but if it bothers you, I apologize."
• " No " Lucian lowered his head and continued reading the magazine.
• Natalia saw that she was being ignored by him, and also picked up the magazine from the front seat and read. At that moment, the voice of a flight attendant was heard, reminding passengers that the plane was about to take off.
• Soon, the white fuselage soared into the sky. Lucian flipped through the magazine and was not affected at all by the plane taking off. At this moment, a faint fragrance wafted to his nose. That scent is clearly from...
• Turning his head, he looked at Natalia. She was looking at the magazine with a serious expression. He averted his gaze, put the magazine back in its place, adjusted his seat, and closed his eyes to rest.
• Two hours later, a voice from the plane's cabin announced that they were about to land, and passengers were invited to sit down and prepare.
• Lucian opened his eyes and realized he had slept through almost the entire journey.
• " Is Mayor Landong awake? " the girl observed as the plane landed on the runway. " I really woke up in time, the plane has just arrived."
• Lucian said nothing, watching as some passengers couldn't help but stand up to retrieve their luggage, he sat in his seat and didn't move. He rarely fell asleep when flying, but now he had. He didn't even feel the plane land.
• Rubbing his eyebrows, he attributed his sleepiness to the fact that he had read several documents late yesterday. He did not respond to the woman's words. The plane stopped and passengers disembarked one by one.
• He stood up and prepared to leave. When he saw a small white box on the side of his suitcase, the box's zipper had a decorative object.
• The decorative object was an easily taken mini photo.
• " Is the person in the photo Franchesca?"
• He was truly astonished, there were two women in the photo, two women who were exactly alike.
• " Mayor Landong " Natalia's voice sounded softly, pleading a bit " Can you help me with the suitcase?"
• Lucian didn't speak, but took the suitcase and handed it to her. If I look closely,
• does the image now show Franchesca and this woman named Natalia?
• " She is my sister " the girl seemed to be murmuring to herself " We are twins. We look alike, don't we?"