CHAPTER 1
ELYSE
Elyse Lancaster is a beautiful woman who owns her own business, and has everything going for her. She is known to have a carefree attitude and a sunny disposition. However, it was all an act.
Nobody knew, not even her identical twin sister. Elyse had been pretending so long that even she was almost convinced. Her wild child persona was a mask that she hid behind, so that people wouldn’t dig to deep. Nobody ever took the time to look, and she was both relieved and saddened by the fact.
It had been two years since her twin sister, Eden had been kidnapped, and everything around her had changed. Her sister was now in a relationship, and living with a man; her best friend and cousin Maleeka was married and had moved away. And she was still single, trying to outrun a past that wouldn’t let her be free.
Elyse’s signature five-inch heels clicked along the tile of the lobby in her building. She adjusted the diamond studs in her ears, and her smoothed down her natural hair that was styled into a large puff that was pulled low on her neck. She made her way to the elevator, and straightened her polka dot printed pants, and bright yellow sweater. Her outfit was a complete contradiction to the dark mood that she was in, but she would forever dress the part of “sunshine” the fun twin.
Elyse tapped her foot, and looked down at her watch as she waited for the elevator. It was seven in the morning, and the office wasn’t open for another hour. Elyse had begun coming in early since her sister was tasked with planning a wedding. The last thing she wanted to do was cause her twin any unnecessary stress, so she pulled herself together and did the extra work.
Elyse didn’t mind coming in early or leaving late because Eden had carried the weight of the business and the family on her shoulders for so long that Elyse felt that she owed it to her. Elyse felt that her big sister deserved every bit of happiness that came her way, and she was absolutely ecstatic for Eden, but she had to admit that she envied her.
All of her friends had found love, and not that frivolous puppy love; no the real deal everlasting love. Elyse couldn’t help but feel left out because she wanted that too.
Once Elyse fired up her computer, and sat down at her desk, she started going through some escalated insurance claims. She had been diligently working when her email icon beeped on her computer. Elyse sat up and rubbed her eyes. She clicked on the icon, and smiled at the name. Travis
Travis Stanley was a man that she’d met at a benefit over two months ago. He was tall with chocolate skin, and striking green eyes. His voice was deep, smooth, and sexy as hell. They’d been on one date where he met her friends, and it went well, so she’d give him another shot. It’s not like I have any other prospects. Elyse thought bitterly.
The email was regarding an invitation to an upcoming event for the mayor. Travis had invited her out a few times, but with the increase in her schedule, Elyse had turned him down. However, today she decided that she would accept his invitation. The bad mood she was in was slowly starting to lift.
****
“Elyse, you have a call on line one.” Elyse’s assistant, Leslie buzzed through the intercom.
“Okay, thanks, Les.”
Elyse picked up the phone and hit the red flashing button, “This is Elyse.”
“Hi, E.” The voice was deep and hypnotic even over the phone. She’d tried her best to resist him, but every time she failed. She wouldn’t this time though. Elyse had had enough of Harper Price. She would no longer play the fool in his idiotic games.
“Mr. Price. What is it that you need now?” Elyse tried to keep her voice calm, but the anger she was trying to suppress was starting to simmer beneath her skin.
“So we’re back to this shit again?” Harper’s voice was low; almost a growl. Anyone else would’ve thought he was calm, but Elyse knew that wasn’t the case.
“I really don’t have time for this, Price.” Elyse wouldn’t let him back in. She was done with Harper Price.
“Elyse, why must you run from me? You know we are good together. Just because I have to leave for business, doesn’t mean I don’t want to be with you. You’re being childish.” Harper’s voice was sharp.
“Childish?!” Elyse’s voice was shrill, and she had to check herself. She took a deep breath. “I’m so sick of having this conversation with you. I told you before this isn’t about your business. This is about you being an inconsiderate asshole. You run in and out of town without so much as a ‘see ya later’ and I’m supposed to just what… wait like a good little girl. Fuck you, Price. This shit is tiring. I’m tired. I. Am. Done! You don’t get to play this game with me anymore. You lose!” Elyse slammed the phone down into the cradle. There isn’t anything more satisfying than slamming down the phone right after you’ve told somebody off.
“So, I guess I should take your place at the meeting today?” Eden was standing in Elyse’s door with her arms folded across her chest.
Elyse jumped at her sister’s question. She was so involved in yelling at Harper that she didn’t even notice her sister standing there.
“Why are you sneaking up on me?” Elyse held her hand to her chest to calm her breathing.
Eden strode fully into the office, and shut the door behind her, “You want to tell me why you’re having an all-out cussing fit this early in the morning?”
“I’d rather not.” Elyse raised her head high. She wouldn’t slink down; she was tired of slinking down behind Harper Price.
Elyse took a deep breath, and mentally put her mask back in place. Fake it until you make it. She thought as she plastered a smile across her face.
Harper Price would not be the person that ruined her perfectly crafted façade. He already made her slip once, and she was determined not to make that mistake again. Elyse was determined to move on to something better for herself.
“Are you really not going to tell me what’s going on with you, Lysee?” Eden’s solemn tone of voice, and the sorrowful look in her big brown eyes made Elyse want to spill her guts, but she wouldn’t.
“Eden, everything is fine. Stop worrying about me, and concentrate on your wedding planning, and I’ll focus on keeping my composure more, deal?” Elyse gave her sister her brightest smile.
“If you need me…” Eden’s words trailed off, and her facial expression didn’t change, so Elyse knew that her smile hadn’t worked.
“Like I said… I’m fine.” Elyse waved her hand in the air, “I have a meeting to get to, so I’ll talk to you later.” Elyse grabbed her laptop and took off toward the conference room before her sister could say another word.
With all of the stress that she’d put herself under, it was getting harder and harder to hide from the people she loved.
****
Elyse sipped her wine, and flipped through her Kindle app for a new book to read. After all the meetings, and dodging her sister all day, she was exhausted. Her cell vibrated on her coffee table, and she almost ignored it. However, the buzzing was annoying, so she picked it up to turn it off completely.
When the name flashed across the screen, she changed her mind.
“Hello, handsome.” Elyse smiled.
“Hello there, pretty girl.” Travis responded his voice seductively low. “I just wanted to follow-up with you about the mayor’s party that’s coming up.”
“Yes, I think it will be fun. It’s next week right?” Elyse asked already trying to figure out something to wear. She needed to dress to impress, and maybe seduce.
“Yes, next Friday night. I’m really glad you’re able to make it.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” Elyse was really going to enjoy going out with Travis again. He was gorgeous, funny, and successful.
Travis was on the board of directors of a nonprofit organization, and he owned his own consulting firm. He also seemed to know all of the big politicians in Texas. He was the perfect man, and Elyse was going to make him her perfect man.
“I’m looking forward to it as well.” Travis answered. “I need to go, but I’ll call you later in the week.”
“Okay. Have a good night, Travis.” Elyse disconnected the call and she was in a much better mood.
“I’m going to get myself together after all.” Elyse said out loud as her face broke out into a grin.
After everything she had been through, Elyse was determined to be happy in life. She didn’t want to pretend anymore, she wanted to actually find happiness.
A knock on the door brought Elyse from her thoughts. She looked at her watch, and noticed it wasn’t too late, so it was probably her neighbor, Mary. They often got together to drink a glass of wine or two, and complain about being single.
“Coming!” Elyse yelled as she sat her wine glass down, and went to open the door.
When she opened it, she was both shocked and angered. And most of all she was disgustingly… excited.
“Price, why are you here?”