FAKE FACADE

tta was palpable. They barely spoke to each other, th

s and approached Nadetta with concern. "Mom,

ay the situation. "Oh, sweetie, it's jus

ed, sensing that something more

l. "Daddy and I just don't agree on somethi

n remained worried. "I don't li

ed by their argument. She moved closer and hugged Ange

brewer, his mind still reeling from the previous night's argument.

back to her plan to find her doppelganger. She couldn't shake o

of the kitchen a

ool please" Nadetta tol

RO

p her phone and dialed her friend Im

" Imelda answered, her

rip," Nadetta replied, trying to sound n

" Imelda asked, he

fore asking, "So, where exactly d

at the Oakwood Mall! I'm telling

bled down the name of the mall. "O

, what's going on? You're not think

thing like that. I just... uh, wanted

"Sure, sure. Just

ne. She had the information she needed, and now

WOOD

e sliding glass doors of Oakwood Mall. She had

er do a double take. It was her - the doppelganger. Nadetta's heart skipped

ng at a small table in the food court, eating a plain sandwich. Keaton looked

oked away, her cheeks flushing. Nadetta noticed the worn-

, not wanting to startle

eyes still cast down.

heveled appearance. "I've been looking f

narrowed. "Wha

lan. "I want to help you. I know we look iden

p? You're probably just some rich lady who

ve been fortunate. But I'm willing to share that fortune wit

her expression skeptical

Pretend to be me for a month while I go for a business proposal. And i

u want me to pretend to be you? Are you

ht rejection caught her off guard. "Why not? It'

pretending to be some rich lady is going

bout the money, Keaton. This could be an opportunity for yo

ot interested in your life. I have my own problems to deal with

reveal. "My husband... we're having

You mean like he's going to kill

. "No, nothing like that.

oor. "Look, lady, I appreciate the offer, but I'm

sappointment. She hadn't expected Keaton to reject her offe

Keaton, determined to change her min

expression unyielding. "What else co

money, Keaton. I'm offering you a chance to escape your struggles, to experience

nt. For a moment, Nadetta thought she saw a glimmer of

firm. "I care about my dignity. And pretending to be s

ut she refused to give up. She knew she had

king in this mall, Keaton. You're struggling

but Nadetta could see the faintest

. A chance to change your life. Don

s. The mention of her struggles had struck a chord, and the promise of a better

above a whisper. "I'll do it. But just for the mon

t smile. "That's all I ask. Just one m

s. "But I'm doing this for me, not for you. I wan

hand, and Keaton shoo

," Nadetta said, a sly smil

his means I'm going to start acting li

ed. "Oh, I'm c

ct for her when she found

ill of excitement. She had found her doppelganger, and no

of her own, and this deal would change bot