Charming Mr. Cold and Nonchalant

“So you want me to replace a missing woman as a substitute bride.” I chuckle. “Does the husband-to-be even know she’s missing?”

I search the stranger’s face, wondering if he’s joking. He’d stopped me to ask for directions and now he’s making me a weird offer.

“No. That’s why I need you.” He snaps in irritation.

“Nice offer, but I’m not interested.” I yawn in boredom.

“If you do it, I’ll take care of your brother’s education. I know how much you sacrifice for him daily.” His smile is bright, but his eyes remain cold.

I freeze. How does he know about my brother?

This conversation is beginning to get really awkward.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m an only child,” I lie through my teeth.

“Think about it. This is a chance of a lifetime. You’ll get to fly around the world and wear designer brands. Nobody would notice the swap, not even the groom himself.” He steps closer.

“This is absolutely ridiculous, and I’m not interested,” I try to walk away, but he moves to block my path. My heart begins to race. What is happening here?

“Excuse me, Mr. Man. I said I’m not interested!” I raise my voice, hoping to draw people’s attention.

“I’m afraid no is not an option. Come with me quietly, the wedding is happening in two weeks.” His smile has disappeared, replaced by a dangerous look.

“What kind of sick joke is this? I don’t even know you! If you don’t step aside, I’ll scream.” My voice shakes with fear.

The man casually flips his jacket open, revealing a gun. My stomach drops. “No, you wouldn’t,” I gasp.

“Watch me.” He fires a shot into the air, and people around scatter in different directions. In seconds, the street is empty.

Holy sh*t. This guy is not playing around.

“Th...there must b...be some kind of mistake. I’m not the person you’re looking for; please just let me go,” I take a step back, heart pounding in fear.

Just then, a speeding car pulls up beside us. The back door swings open, and the man in black motions for me to enter.

My palms begin to sweat, this is how people disappear without a trace.

“Please, just let me go. I won’t call the cops, I swear.” Sweat trickles down my face as my heart races in fear.

“You’re the perfect doppelgänger, only you can replace the missing woman. You must come with me.” he says in a flat tone.

I look around for an escape route, wondering if I can outrun the man and the car.

“Don’t even think about it,” his eyes turn cold. “If you run, your brother would suffer for this.”

“I’m an only child, I don’t have a f*cking brother.” I scream in frustration.

He chuckles darkly. “Why don’t you look in the backseat?”

Reluctantly, I peek into the car. A little boy is slumped unconscious on the seat, his sandy blonde hair sticking to his forehead.

“Jason?” My eyes widen in horror and I forget how to breathe.

How did he find my brother, a sob tears out of my throat.

“Like you said...you’re an only child, right? I can make that happen,” he points his gun at Jason.

“No, no, no. Please...I’ll go with you.” My voice breaks. “Just don’t hurt him.” Tears begin to roll down my cheeks.

“You didn’t have to make things so difficult.” He smiles and pushes me into the car, slamming the door.

“Jason, wake up!” I shake my brother, but he remains unconscious. Dread climbs in my throat.

“What have you done to him?” I scream, clawing at the man in the front seat.

He grabs my wrist, squeezing hard. “Just sleeping pills. But if you act difficult, I’ll kill him.”

But I’m not listening, my brother is lying next to me unconscious.

Panic seizes my mind and I begin to scream, pulling at my hair like a mad woman.

In this state, I don’t hear the click until the cold butt of a gun is pressed against Jason’s forehead.

I freeze as part of my brain registers what is going on.

“The boy is alive. But if you really want something to cry about I’ll gladly end him. So go on...keep screaming.” The man urges me coldly.

This time, I look at Jason carefully and notice the slow rise and fall of his chest. I quickly wipe my eyes on my sleeve and hold my breath.

“Sorry, I...I’ll behave.”

**** **** **** ****

Shortly after, we arrive at a beach house. The sound of seagulls fills the air.

“Come with me,” the man orders, stepping out of the car.

I reach for Jason but he stops me.

“Leave the boy. Your cooperation will determine if you’ll see him again.”

I glare at the man with hatred as I reluctantly leave my baby brother surrounded by men who are holding guns outside the building.

When we enter inside, I perch on the edge of a chair uncomfortably.

The man lights a cigarette without glancing in my direction.

“A week ago, my niece ran away from home and eloped.”

My voice quakes in anger.

“What does this have to do with kidnapping my brother and me?”

“Oh, this isn’t a kidnapping. I’m just borrowing you for a certain period.”

“Well, I don’t want to be borrowed,” I hiss in frustration. What part of this looks voluntary to him?

“My niece was engaged to a billionaire, and the wedding is happening in two weeks. I have to provide a bride.”

“Then find her and let me go,” I demand.

“It’s not that simple; Melissa is very smart and cunning. I’ve tried every means to find her and time is running out.”

“So you want to use me as a substitute on her wedding day.”

“You look exactly alike, I’d have mistaken you for her if not for that birthmark.”

“Well, I’m not her. The groom will notice.”

“The groom just wants a wife for the cameras. He won’t notice a thing.”

“So what’s the plan?” I eye him skeptically.

“For the next two weeks, you will learn everything about my niece to become her substitute. You’ll learn how to speak and behave like her. Most importantly, you’ll make the groom fall in love with you and sign over half of his company’s shares to you.”

“What!” I jump to my feet. “That’s impossible. No billionaire in his right mind would sign over half his company shares to me.”

“If he’s in love, he’d do it. So make him fall. Except you never want to see your brother again.”

“I’ll call the cops” I whisper weakly.

“Cops?” He sneers. “then I’ll tell them what you do for a living, I’m sure they’ll be very interested.” He smirks and I look away guiltily. This man really knows everything about me, even my dirty secrets.

“Fine. I’ll do it, but I want to see my brother.”

“NO. You’ll get him back after you do your part. Maybe I’ll allow you visit if phase one is completed.”

I begin to make plans in my head, if I escape first I can get help and come back for Jason.

I’ll just pretend to go along with this crazy plan.

“Oh, and one more thing.” The man locks eyes with me.

“If you try to betray me along the way...”

“What” I ask in dread.

“I’ll slit the boy’s throat and make you watch.