Chapter 1 Prologue

• Ben
• “What's taking so long?” The priest came up behind me and whispered in my ear. He was getting impatient.
• “She'll be here soon, Father,” I answered. She's probably stuck in traffic.”
• But the congregation was beginning to get fussy. People were muttering and grumbling, but quietly, careful not to make too much noise in the house of God.
• I stood there at the altar, heart thumping beneath my new suit, as I waited for Shirley, my lovely bride, to show up.
• I turned to my twin brother, Benjamin.
• “Try her number one more time.”
• “I have, she's not picking up. And just now it's switched off,” he answered.
• I nodded, but the anxiety was beginning to gnaw at me.
• “What if I go and look for her?” He suggested.
• “No, Ben. I need you here with me. You know I can't handle this big crowd alone.” I said as I removed my glasses, and cleaned it for the hundredth time.
• It was a great suggestion but I needed him. My introverted nature can only handle so much at once.
• As we stood whispering to each other, my father came up to us on the altar, bending slightly in reverence as he approached.
• “What's going on Benedict?” He directed the question at me.
• “Why aren't they here yet? It's been half an hour and people are starting to leave. The investors took their time to be here today and now this?”
• “Investors? My bride could be lying in a ditch somewhere and you're worried about business? Dad, please.” I cautioned him in my most calm voice.
• My father is a good man, but sometimes his dedication to business can be obsessive, making it seem like his only priority.
• By now, the priest had retired back to his altar chair and kept glancing at us in displeasure as we huddled together and held a mini whispering meeting right there on the altar, in front of the congregation.
• Hands on my waist, I paced back and forth within the small circle we’d formed. Every two seconds, I would look towards the church entrance, willing her to appear already.
• What if she really got in an accident? Or got kidnapped by some psycho?
• “Let me go and look for her, Ben. You stay here in case she comes back before I do, so you can get on with your wedding and not have to keep people waiting.” Benjamin suggested again.
• “Yeah, okay.” I nodded profusely. Anything to find my bride. He was my best man and I was grateful to have him by my side at that moment.
• Benjamin immediately left to find her.
• One hour later, a figure finally appeared by the church entrance. I was engrossed with my phone, trying to reach my bride or Ben.
• But the murmurs forced me to look up, only to see someone walking on the aisle towards me. Since I was nearsighted, I couldn't see her clearly unless she came closer into view.
• The congregation looked on in awe as she walked down the aisle, towards the altar.
• Finally.
• I was already smiling. I straightened my suit and stood erect, shoulders high. But my smile soon faltered as soon as she came into focus.
• It wasn't Shirley, my bride. It was her Chief bridesmaid, Chloe.
• What was she doing? Chloe has always had a thing for me but this was not the time to play games.
• She came up to join me on the altar.
• “What the hell is this Chloe? This is no time for your games. Where's Shirley?” I demanded furiously. “You're her bridesmaid and yet here you are, without her?”
• Ignoring my questions, and to my greatest shock, she hugged me and pecked me on the cheeks, her eyes filled with pity. Not the usual love or admiration, pity.
• “I'm sorry, but Shirley won't be coming.” She said.
• The crowd gasped. The sounds of oohs and ahhs reverberated through the packed church.
• If Chloe thinks I'll marry her in Shirley's place, she must be delusional. What was she trying to pull?
• “What do you mean she won't be coming? Is she okay? Did she get in an accident?” I asked in trepidation, hoping my fears had not manifested.
• “She's fine, Chloe answered resignedly.
• “Then why isn't she here?” I probed.
• I was ready to pounce on Chloe if it turned out she'd done something to my bride.
• “Because she doesn't want to marry you, Benedict. She left you.” Chloe's face didn't seem like that of someone who was joking or lying.
• The church erupted in chatters; they didn't even bother to pretend to be discreet this time. All of a sudden, they were utterly unconcerned with offending the Lord.
• A sickening feeling swept through my entire body and I felt nauseous. Beads of sweat formed on my forehead and gradually trickled down my armpit, my back, and my thighs.
• I felt hot all of a sudden as my navy-coloured suit instantly became drenched in sweat.
• I wished Benjamin was here to offer me some much needed support. He's the one with the most backbone out of the two of us.
• “With who?” I finally summoned the courage to ask, comp
• letely shaken by the next word that came out of Chloe's mouth.
• “Your twin, Benjamin.”