My Not So Sweet CEO

The hallway echoed with laughter. As I pressed myself against the metal lockers, my glasses slid down my nose bridge as Calvin Thompson and his gang approached me.

Most would call this an unlucky moment, but for me, it wasn't anything new; unlike others, each day in school was another round of torment.

"Look who we have here," Calvin mocked me, his hand slamming against the locker next to my head. 

"The quiet girl who thinks she's smarter than everyone else."

As he stared me down, I really wanted to open up and say that I wasn't quiet; I was just trying to live my own high school life, but in the end, I decided against it. If I had said that, I'm sure he would've gotten even more angry.

Like my middle school, High school wasn't different, So I learned to blend in and become invincible; invisibility was my armor back then. 

The only reason I got high marks was that I studied harder than any of them, but none of them cared how hard I worked or how many nights I spent trying to study. All they cared about was trying to put me down for being better than them, and I was sure Calvin was the same.

Ever since middle school, Calvin's shadow never left me. Each time he passed, a cold shiver always ran down my spine. It was a mix of fear and something else I couldn't name.

Hatred? Attraction? Confusion?

College brought new transformation. I wasn't that scared anymore. I was becoming a strap-witted business student. My curly hair, which was once a source of ridicule, now formed a face of determination. Calvin didn't bother me anymore. A distant memory of childhood torment. Finally freedom! 

 Graduation day arrived, and I made a wish as I walked across the stage. Never again will I be vulnerable. Never again would I cross paths with Calvin Thompson.

But it seems the universe has other plans.

"Lily! My twin sister Mily excited voice burst through the phone. "I am getting married today!"

Another twist of fate. I smiled, but her next words carried an unexpected twist. "But there's a little problem. My flight's being delayed. There is a massive storm at the airport, and my wedding is in six hours; I don't think I can return in time."

Panic flickered in my eyes. This can't be happening. "What are you going to do about it?"

"Could you please go instead?" Mily pleaded. " You know, just take my place. It's just for the ceremony. please."

I must be crazy. Before I could protest against it, the details of the wedding destination, the groom I had never met, tumbled out. Simple enough, I thought. 

I had no choice but to agree to help my sister out and take her place as the bride. 

As I prepared for the wedding, I looked at myself in the full-length mirror. Mily's dress.

The gown was breathtaking—a white mermaid-style dress with a delicate lace overlay. Intricate beads cascaded down the bodice, catching the light with every movement. My collarbone accentuated the diamond necklace, while the fitted waist flared dramatically at my hips, creating an hourglass silhouette I'd never know I possessed.

I told myself over and over again, "This isn't my style, and this sure isn't my wedding," to calm down my nervousness.

My hair, which was usually wild and untamed, was swept into an elegant bun and secured with pearl pins. Milly is always better at this stuff.

A sheer veil, edged with delicate lace that matched my dress, completed the transformation. I now look entirely like Mily.

I stood at the altar, smiling at myself until I saw Calvin, Calvin Thompson, waiting at the other end.

No. no.no.no.

My breath was caught in between. This is a nightmare.

The wedding march played. My heart raced. Am I dreaming? This can't be real. Calvin's eyes locked onto me. At that moment, I felt like a strange glint flashed past his eyes briefly.

Could it be recognition? Maybe confusion?

He knows. He must know, I thought to myself, wondering whether he was going to call off the ceremony any moment now, but to my surprise, 

The vows beg; my hand was trembling beneath the veil.

 What have I gotten myself into?

Before I knew it, I heard the priest's voice calling me back to reality. " Calvin Thompson do you take..."

Calvin whispered apologetically as he leaned close. "Lily....Sorry, I mean Mily." 

" Yes, Do you take Miss Mily here to be your lovely wedded wife?." The priest.

"I do," Calvin said, yet I was too confused to listen.

He said my name. ow? Maybe it's just my imagination.

The next thing I heard "You may now kiss your bride."

He moved closer, opened my veil, and kissed me passionately.

The world exploded into silence.

Did he know? Could he see through my disguise? or was this something else entirely?

What have I done?

The reception hall sparkled with crystal and white roses, but all I could think of was the warmth of Calvin's kiss on my lips. That was my first kiss, my first kiss stolen under deception. 

"You look beautiful, my princess," my mother said as she embraced me tightly. I hugged her back with guilt, chuming in my stomach. She didn't notice anything amiss, and she didn't realize she was congratulating the wrong daughter. The Twins switch was working too well.

Calvin's hand rested lightly on my lower back as we made our way to the crowd. Each touch from Calvin sent a shiver through my spine. reminiscent of those high school days when his mere presence would make me shiver, but it's entirely different reasons now.

Mily, darling! Calvin's mother approached me with her arms outstretched.

"Welcome to the family!" She pulled me into a warm embrace, I forced myself to smile and play the part of a radiant bride, while my screamed at the wrongness of it all. 

The reception was filled with music and laughter. We cut the cake, our hands overlapping on the silver knife. We shared our first dance, which Calvin led with unexpected grace. His eyes, those eyes that once tormented me? No, I reminded myself. He was looking at who he thought was his bride.

"You are quieter than unusual," Calvin murmured during our dance. His warm breath was against my ear.

Nervous?"

"Just overwhelmed," I managed to reply, which was the second word I had spoken since the ceremony. My voice didn't betray me. That's another blessing of being twins. We shared the same vocal pattern, the same laugh, the same everything.

The evening progressed quickly, and there were champagne toasts and congratulations. Family and friends gushed over the beautiful ceremony, old relatives pressed envelops into our hands with a knowing wink,

Through it all, Calvin played the perfect groom. He was attractive and charming. He wasn't the same boy who tormented me in high school. This man was different.

As the sun set and the party continued, I caught glimpses of the life I was temporarily stealing.

Calvin's college friends shared embarrassing stories about him, his sister performed an emotional speech about having a new sister, and my parents beaming with pride. Each moment was a snapshot of joy that wasn't meant for me.

My phone buzzed in the hidden pocket of my wedding dress. It was a message from Mily: 

"Still stuck at the airport. The storm is getting worse. I'm so sorry, sis. Thank you for doing this. I'll be there as soon as I can."

I stared at the message until the words blurred. What would happen when Milly finally arrived? How were we going to explain this? The end of the reception was approaching, and it was the moment Calvin and I would have to leave—together.

"Ready to go, Mrs. Thompson?" Calvin's voice startled me from my thoughts. He stood before me with his hand extended, a mysterious smile playing on his lips.

I placed my hands in his, feeling the cold metal of his new wedding band against my skin. "Ready." I lied, wondering how many more lies this night would require.

As we made our way through the shower of rose petals towards the waiting car decorated with "JUST MARRIED," one thought kept echoing in my mind: How long would I keep pretending to be my sis? And why did being with Calvin feel less like pretending with each passing hour?

Just as Calvin and I were about to step into the car, my mother's voice cut through the celebration. 

"Oh, before you go, have you heard from Lily? it's unlike her to miss your wedding, Mily." Mom's eyes held genuine concern. "She has not been answering any of my calls today."

The question hit me like a bucket of ice water. My mouth went dry, and I could feel Calvin stiffen beside me.

"I... i," my voice cracked. "She called earlier and said she was stuck in traffic. There was a bad accident on the highway." The lie tasted bitter on my tongue.

Dad furrowed his brow. "Traffic? But I thought she was coming from...

A commotion at the reception hall entrance cut him off. The crowd parted, and there, still pulling her carry-on luggage, her hair windswept, and wearing travel clothes, stood Mily—my twin sister—the real bride.

Our eyes met across the room. Time seemed to freeze. I could feel Calvin's hand tighten on my waist, and in that moment, I realized with crystal clarity that my perfect pretense was about to shatter.

My heart stopped when I saw Mily, but something happened before panic could fully set in.