The collision sent books scattering across the ground. Both girls froze.
Tessa bent down quickly, gathering her things, but when her eyes lifted, her breath caught.
The girl standing in front of her… she looked exactly like her. Same face, same features—only sharper, more polished, framed by sleek blonde hair.
Tricia's lips parted in shock. She stared at Tessa as though looking into a distorted mirror. What the hell…?
For a heartbeat, silence hung between them. The world seemed to blur around the edges, leaving only the two of them locked in that strange, unspoken connection.
Then—
📞 Riiing! Riiing!
Tessa flinched, fumbling with her phone. Mulan's name flashed across the screen. She pressed it to her ear, still sneaking glances at Tricia.
"Tessa! Where are you? I've been calling nonstop!" Mulan's voice rushed through the line.
Almost at the same time, Tricia's phone began to buzz sharply in her hand. She glanced at the screen—Don Ricco.
Neither spoke. Neither moved closer. They both answered their calls, their gazes lingering like invisible chains holding them in place.
Then, without a word, Tricia turned away, her heels clicking against the pavement.
Tessa blinked, clutching her phone tightly, and slowly walked in the opposite direction.
HALLWAY ✦
"You missed class yesterday and you wanna also miss today too? It's already 10:50 a.m., let's hurry up. You know it's Mr. Wilson's class—he's sure gonna give us an F if we don't attend," Mulan said, tugging at Tessa's arm as she walked up to her.
But Tessa didn't move. She was staring off, lost in thought.
"Hey! Someone is speaking." Mulan waved her hands in front of Tessa's face. "What are you even thinking about?"
Tessa blinked, snapping back. Her voice dropped. "Mulan… do people really look alike but aren't related? Because… I saw a girl today who looked exactly like me. Just that she had blonde hair."
Mulan frowned, then reached forward and touched Tessa's neck and forehead.
"What are you doing?" Tessa pulled back.
"Ouu, you're hot. Seems like you're not well. Do you want me to take you to a doctor?" Mulan asked with concern.
"I'm not joking, Mulan. I'm being serious."
Mulan raised a brow. "Okay… I'd love to see this so-called 'look-alike' with blonde hair. Are you sure you weren't hallucinating?"
"As I was about to talk to her—you called me. Argh!" Tessa groaned, frustrated.
Mulan chuckled. "Sorry. Can we go to class now?"
"You go ahead. I'll come soon. I just… wanna get something first."
"Oh, alright." Mulan gave her a quick nod and headed toward the classroom.
Left alone, Tessa hugged her books to her chest. Her pulse was still racing.
"God… it's gonna be hard to stop being friends with Mulan, she just doesn't get it. But who the hell was that girl? She looked exactly like me." She bit her lip, turning back toward the gates. "I think I should go back to that spot… maybe I can still find her there."
With determined steps, Tessa walked off, her mind in turmoil.
A DESERTED STREET ★
"Arghhh!" Nikolai roared in pain as fists crashed against his jaw, blood spilling from his nose and mouth. He staggered but the men didn't stop, circling him like wolves.
"So you really thought you could defeat us?" the one who seemed like the boss sneered. "We cleared off your parents, and it won't be hard clearing you off too. They were traitors—wanted to spill our secrets and hand us to the police."
Nikolai spat blood to the ground, his glare burning. "You bastards are fûcking human traffickers. You deserve death, not prison."
Another heavy punch slammed into his ribs. He coughed, body trembling.
Then—
Wi! Wi! Wi!
The wail of police sirens cut through.
The boss's face shifted. "Shît—cops! Let's go!" He barked, and the men scrambled, melting into the shadows.
Nikolai groaned, leaning against the wall. But when he glanced up.
Hardin strolled out of his hiding spot, his phone still blaring the siren noise. A smirk tugged his lips.
"Hey man, you alive?" Hardin pocketed the phone. "I was passing by when I heard the noise. Saw them beating your ass. Had to come up with a brilliant plan."
Nikolai narrowed his eyes. "Brilliant plan, indeed."
"Stop being ungrateful and just say thank you." Hardin grinned.
Nikolai wiped blood from his lip, then muttered coldly, "Aren't you that so-called Tessa's boyfriend?"
Hardin smirked wider. "You remember, huh? Hardin White—the handsome boyfriend. That's me."
"Uh. I see," Nikolai said flatly, pushing himself up.
"Well, since I'm such a kind person, I should probably take you to a clinic. Get your face fixed. Because, damn—no girl's gonna look at that busted face." Hardin chuckled.
"I'll take care of it myself," Nikolai snapped.
Hardin rolled his eyes. "God! I regret saving your damn ass. Still waiting for that thank you, you know."
"I'm never saying it. So fûck off. I would've handled them myself if you hadn't shown up." Nikolai turned, walking away, shoulders stiff.
"Arghhh, ungrateful fool." Hardin muttered, flipping him the middle finger before heading the other way.
WHITE'S MANSION ★
The clink of dishes echoed in the kitchen as Mrs. White stood at the sink, her hands submerged in soapy water.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed on the counter. She frowned, drying her hands on a towel before answering.
"Hello? Please, who's this?"
A deep, mocking voice slid through the line.
"Well, well… Elena Cristin."
Mrs. Cristin froze. Her blood ran cold. "Ri… Rico?" she stuttered, the phone trembling in her hand.
"Ouu, you guessed right," Don Ricco drawled.
Her throat tightened. "H-how did you get this number?"
Don Ricco chuckled darkly. "I'm Don Ricco. If I want something, I get it."
Her breathing quickened. "What do you want now? Why are you calling after so many years?" She swallowed hard. "How's my daughter, Tricia? You haven't turned her into a slave, have you?"
"Calm down with the questions." His voice was smooth, venomous. "Your dear Tricia is fine."
"You're taking good care of her, right?" Elena's voice cracked.
"Well… you don't need an answer to that," he teased. Then his tone shifted, sharper. "But tell me—how's the other twin? Hmm? I doubt she's fine with you. Don't worry, I'll come to get her soon. Girls aren't that bad after all." His laugh slithered through the phone, devilish and cruel.
"You can't take her!" Elena's voice broke, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I'm coming back soon for Tricia. You're a monster. They don't deserve a father like you!"
"Hahahaha!" Don Ricco's laughter was harsh, echoing. "Goodbye, Elena. I just wanted to remind you—Don Ricco is still around. In case you forgot. And… you know I still love you, right?"
"Fûck you!" Elena snapped through sobs. "I hate you! I want my daughter!"
"You left her with me. So she's mine. Tricia isn't complete without her twin. And you—" his voice dropped, chilling, "—you're not good for either of them. They deserve better. I've got plans for your little twin."
"Wait—no! Let me talk to Tricia! Please, don't hang up, I want to hear my child's voice—" Elena cried desperately.
But the line went dead.
Her knees gave way. The phone slipped from her fingers as she crumpled to the ground, sobbing, her cries echoing through the empty mansion.
"I want my child… I want my child…"
CRESTVIEW COLLEGE — AFTERNOON ★
The afternoon sun blazed down, forcing Tessa to fan herself as she walked toward the ice cream shop. Just then, a sleek car screeched to a halt in front of her.
"Hardin! Do you wanna run me over? You scared me!" she snapped, her hand clutching her chest.
"Ouu… fierce lady was scared?" Hardin teased, leaning across the steering wheel with a smug grin.
"Just shut up, you annoying being."
"Tessa…" Hardin pouted dramatically, tugging the edge of her jacket.
"What?" she half-yelled, glaring at him.
"Calm down," he said innocently, holding up his hands.
She narrowed her eyes. "Then what do you want?"
"Food," he replied simply.
For a moment, she just blinked at him. Then a laugh escaped her lips.
"You know your way to get food, right?"
"Yeah," Hardin smirked. "But I want you to come along."
"Why?"
"Because it's not interesting eating alone."
Tessa crossed her arms. "Then call your group members. Capri. Jordan. Anderson. Any of them."
Hardin's face twisted like a sulking child.
"Okay, fine," Tessa sighed, then added mischievously, "I'm only coming because I'm also hungry. But—you're footing the bill. Just so you know, I eat a lot. You're about to go broke."
"I know."
Tessa squinted. "Wait—are you indirectly calling me a foodie?"
"You always find a way to argue. You're the problem, not me."
"Ohhh," she said, gasping dramatically. "So now I'm a troublemaker? That's what you're trying to say?"
"Gawd!" Hardin groaned, already frustrated.
Tessa smirked. "Relax, I just wanted to annoy you a little. Guess it worked. Let's go." She slipped into the car.
Hardin shut his eyes for a second like he was rethinking his life choices, then slid into the driver's seat.
"Weren't you going to get food anyway?" Tessa asked once they were both inside.
Hardin gripped the wheel, muttering under his breath. "It's my fault. Hardin, it's your fault for asking her to come along."
He drove off slowly, Tessa smiling to herself beside him.
QUIET PLACE AT CAMPUS ★
Tricia sat on the moulded bench, munching her chips lazily while scrolling on her phone.
"Hey, Tessa," a voice called.
Tricia ignored it, her eyes still fixed on the glowing screen.
"Tessa?" Cathryn repeated, stepping closer and laying a hand on Tricia's shoulder.
Tricia slapped it off sharply. "Do I look like Tessa to you? Do you see anyone else sitting beside me? Is this how you all behave here? Argh—so frustrating."
Cathryn blinked, her brows furrowing. "Tessa? What's up with the mood? And… your hair? It's blonde. Your dress—different. You look so… changed."
"For the utmost time, I am not Tessa or whatever nonsense you're calling me," Tricia snapped, rising to her feet. "If you're looking for that so-called Tessa, she's not here." She shot Cathryn a death glare before storming off.
Cathryn's lips curled. "Ohh… so she wants to play smart moves on me, huh?"
She slipped a small whistle between her lips and blew. The sharp sound sliced through the quiet air.
From the shadows, two bulky men emerged, like they had been waiting. Without a word, Cathryn flicked her fingers, signaling.
The men moved quickly. Tricia barely had time to turn when a rough hand clamped a handkerchief over her nose. The sickly-sweet sting of chloroform filled her lungs.
"Mmph—!" she struggled, thrashing, but her strength weakened. Within seconds, her body went limp.
"Take her out," Cathryn ordered coolly.
The men nodded, lifting Tricia's limp body as Cathryn folded her arms with a smirk.
"Hardin sent me out because of you," she whispered under her breath. "Let's see if he sees you again."