12 Page 12: De ja vu

The moment I started my revenge plan with Queen three years ago, I already knew my life will never be normal. Basing on my mother's interviews, I also knew that there were things in the industry that people don't understand. Artists are passionate for their work, but for them to be able to work for that love, they must live two lives.

When I grew up to finally capture the whole image of that, I put it to heart. I always remind myself how everything you see on the outside, isn't what it is on the inside, and that's how I was able to create a perfect distinction between Hera and Eve. Two personalities that share the same confidence but two different genres of the story. You might say this is normal, true. It's quite common for us to build aliases and alter-egos. But THIS....WOW I did not expect this.

My hands trembled as I stare at her from top to bottom. Cherry didn't seem to mind my gawking, but she complained about how I tore her dress. The guards rushed to us earlier knocking on the door, but luckily we were able to drive them away with an excuse of seeing a cockroach that is now dead. But that isn't the issue here. I knew I was prepared for anything, especially Cherry's attitude towards me. I was ready to suck it up. I was ready....BUT NOT LIKE THIS!

Cherry sighs standing up, "I'll go change in the bathroom so tidy things up."

I look up from the floor, "Wait!"

Cherry frowned when I stopped her halfway, "What? Don't tell me you wanna come with me?"

"Eh? No..it's just.." I'M CONFUSED STUPID!

"Well of course I understand you'd want to check it out for yourself." Cherry folded her arms and started nodding.

"Check it out..? What am I going to check out in the bathroom?" I ask.

She gives me an evil grin and giggled creepily, "What's down there of course." she playfully glanced down.

It took me a few seconds to understand but when I did, I feel my face burn up and I panicked.

"WILL YOU JUST GO ALREADY?! OF COURSE I DON'T WANT TO CHECK IT OUT! I JUST WANTED TO ASK YOU A LOT OF QUESTIONS! UGH WHAT AM I EVEN YELLING FOR?!" now I'm just blabbering and flailing around.

I hear Cherry laugh as she walked towards the bathroom before turning to me from the door.

"Don't worry," she said with a soft smile, "I won't run or hide. I'll tell you everything." and she disappeared into the bath.

I'm surprised she could show a face like that. All I've seen from her were scowls and groans that I began to think that's all of her emotions. That look she gave me was so gentle that it reminds me of a similar smile. A person that hated me at first but from time to time that person could be very gallant and real.

WAIT A MINUTE.

I pause and realize something important. This scene just felt too familiar to me like it already happened before. But more importantly, does Niko even know his twin sister is a HE?! Ah, this whole situation is making my head hurt...better clean up first before she comes out of the bath.

* * * * *

"Tea?" Cherry said handing me a cup. She changed back to her casual attire earlier and I can't believe how a HE could look this gorgeous.

"Where'd you get that?" I said.

"From the cupboard. Don't worry, I didn't poison it."

I took the cup and frowned, "That was unnecessary but thanks."

She sat in front of me looking calm and reserve while I was already breaking a sweat from the nervousness.

"This is a nice suite don't you think?" Cherry smiled.

"Uh..yeah.." Why is she suddenly admiring the place? Well yeah it looks gorgeous especially this skyline we see from the coffee table. But why?

I put down the cup after I took a little sip and looked intently at her.

She just smiled at me and said, "Our managers sure are taking so long don't you think?"

"They're probably still busy fixing the press. That's not the point here now, is it?" I said firmly, "You told me you'll tell me everything. So why is Cherry of Heiress, a guy?"

She takes a sip of her tea and puts it down as well, "Let's make a deal." she said.

"What is it?"

"I'll tell you everything as long as you answer my question right after."

I pause, "That's all?"

"That is all." She nodded.

I guess it's fine. It would have been better if our managers were here to become our witness but if it's only this much, I think I'll manage such a bargain.

(A/N: Hera is being cautious of the formality and legality.)

"Alright. Cool." I folded my arms, "Let's hear it then."

Cherry then sat up straight and looked straight into my eyes.

"I, Cherry of Heiress is biologically a boy."

Woah, her usual feminine voice changed into a more masculine tone.

"Wait..is that your real voice?"

"Yes."

I couldn't help but hold my mouth. Cherry sounds awfully the same with Niko.

"I've been in this industry for as long as I can remember. Because of my unique girly physique despite being a boy, I was signed a contract in Heiress back when I was around 10 and debuted as Cherry. But the truth is..that was just an excuse." he suddenly showed a sad pained look.

"An excuse?"

He nodded, "The truth is, I was raised in Russia, but before that I used to live here with my uncle."

Huh? Where did I hear this story....

"My uncle was a drunkard and he was very abusive. But because he was my only relative here after my mother died, I had no choice but to be with him. Everything was fine...until that one stormy night. My uncle came home from work in the middle of the night, drunk. The kid me didn't know what it meant when a person is drunk and so I tried serving him food and all since I was a freeloader. But then he attacked me."

I gasp, "He attacked you like...punch and torture?"

He smiled bitterly, "If only that was the only thing he did. You see, he thought I was a girl so he....."

He didn't even needed to finish his sentence for me to understand what happened. To think he's experienced such a brutal childhood after his mother's death and then this violence adds on his plate.

Okay...focus now.

"Did you report him to the police?" I ask.

"Luckily one of our neighbors in the apartment building we were at heard my cries and so they called the police to have him arrested that night. My folks in Russia took me in and I lived a completely different life as if nothing had happened before that."

"But why did you come back?"

His eyes glistened, "Because we heard news that my uncle had escaped from prison. And not only that, he murdered two of the inmates who were in the same cell as his."

A KILLER IS ON THE LOOSE? "Wait, hold up. Doesn't that give you more reason to stay away?"

He shook his head, "Witnesses from the prison said before my uncle killed the two inmates, he was yelling and searching for me. Cherry was what he called me back when I was a child because he thought I was a girl. I guess he didn't bother reading the custody papers. The investigation team assigned to his case has a feeling that my uncle is looking for Cherry, and so I decided to help them out."

"Eh? You're working with an investigation team?! Isn't that dangerous for a fourteen year old!"

"It's not really that scary since the investigation team assigned skilled guards that watch over me from a distance making sure I'm safe. All I have to do is to show up in a bunch of magazines, newspapers, TV commercials and the like as Cherry to lure out my uncle. We've been doing it for years now, but we haven't lost hope."

That was too much information for me to handle. However, I find it amazing how this person isn't showing signs of drawback or fear. He doesn't even show hints of resentment or hatred towards his attacker. But why does this story light a flickering bulb in me? Have I heard this somewhere?

"Ah no wonder your team went nuts when that picture started multiplying," I sigh, "But I didn't even get to see it online. I guess I wasn't updated."

"It went viral overnight then the president of Heiress used his connections to take it down before morning."

The president huh? So even that man can be quite sympathetic towards others. Or maybe even if he knew of Cherry's case, he did it to save his own company.

"Why are you telling me this? If this was top secret information, shouldn't you be asking your lawyer first before you share this to me?"

His eyes turned from shock to glad, "That's because you said that speech earlier." he looked to the window.

"My speech?"

"Yeah. You told everyone how it didn't matter who I was as long as I can touch lives and be an inspiration for others."

"You know I said that so they'd shut up." I laugh awkwardly.

"I know but.." he then turned to me and my heart skipped a beat with the smile he gave me, "I felt like I could trust you, Hera."

In panic, I took my cup and gulped my tea in one go. Wow, that caught me off guard. He may not be as angelic as he seemed to be but...he looked really charming in that angle. What am I even saying???

"Then...that person in the picture..." I said panting.

"Oh. That? That was really me."

"Huh?"

"That was me."

"Then.." I stared blankly to him, "You don't have a brother?"

He shook his head, "None. I'm an only child."

My world collapsed. Then how...what..then who is...

"Wait!" I exclaimed, "You said Cherry was just a name you use to lure out your uncle. Then what's your real name?"

He grinned, "I am Niko Iosif Stepanov. Son of Aldred Stepanov, Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media in Russia."

WHAT IN THE NAME OF?!

"Ahahaha.." I laugh weakly almost fainting from my seat, "Is that so..." I said avoiding his eyes.

Niko is right in front of me. Okay...get it together girl. You are Hera right now. He won't recognize you. Your disguise has always been perfect. He won't know you're Eve. He won't know you're the same person he's been in school with―HOLY CRAP. I CAN'T EVEN LOOK HIM IN THE EYE.

"Now that I've answered your questions...it's time for the your end of the bargain.."

Gulp.

"Why do you know Niko Stepanov and the story of his twin?" his voice stabs at me.

Oh god why did he have to ask that...

"Well haha...umm...well you see...I'm very good at this so...uhmm I did some research..." Look away. Look away!

"Hmmm..but that information was only circulated in my school."

Geh. I froze.

"That story was what we made up for my school to ensure the safety of my identity. Why do you know that? Even with your influence, my school is very strict when it comes to high profiled students so our principal keeps a tight mouth."

I'm sweating. I'm really sweating. Does he notice I'm sweating? My knees are even trembling. What do I do? I knew I should've waited for Dave before I interrogated. Hera your identity is at stake! THINK!

I hear Niko stand up walking towards me. What is he doing now?

He crouches down to my side and maintained an eye level with such a gentle look on his face.

"Wha..What are you doing?" I stutter completely entranced by him.

"You wouldn't look at me, so I had to do this."

Agh, even his voice sounds so charming. Why is he showing me this side of him?! This is foul play!

"Why are we whispering?" I said.

He chuckles, "Does it matter?"

I frowned.

"Well? Will you tell me now?" he said.

I choked, "Wha...What am I supposed to tell you..?" Aaaaaaah I can't even escape! He's got me trapped.

"Hera.." his voice echoed in my ears and I just couldn't help but stare into his eyes as he whispered,

"Who are you?"