The Strange Man Who Looks Like Him

"Get in," A deep male voice said at the same time the door to the limousine was opened and Alicia didn't wait for a second to climb in else he changed his mind. 

Today was her lucky day, Alicia was ecstatic inwardly. Although it would have been much better if Gabriel had picked her out front. That way, she would be able to rub her success in the faces of the other socialites and as well, stake her claim on Gabriel. Also, her mother would be so proud of her. 

Nonetheless, this wasn't bad either. Gabriel picking her secretly made it seem as if they were a couple secretly dating or something. Alicia loved the mystery and it was kind of thrilling dating Gabriel behind those stupid girls' backs. That way, they would be so shocked the day she lets the cat out. 

They were crushing on her man, Alicia cackled villainously in her mind. The girls were pathetic fools. She could already envision the embarrassment on their faces the day they would find out the truth. She couldn't wait! 

"Thank you for having me," Alicia said after she came in, flashing him a huge smile. But then, Gabriel wasn't looking, nor did he answer her and merely acknowledged her presence with a nod of his head and her smile dropped.

There was no way that she could have misread the sign, Alicia could not understand why Gabriel was suddenly indifferent to her. She means, he doesn't have a girlfriend, perhaps, he just doesn't know how to behave around her and was waiting for her to make the first move, Alicia thought. 

Well, it's not like she thought that this would be easy and she was up for the challenge. Alicia knew the one thing that men liked the most and so she reached for his shirt. But the moment her hands tried to touch his buttons, Gabriel snatched her wrist so quickly that she glanced up at him in surprise. 

Alicia could not see what he looked like but his eyes were drawn together in anger and that made Alicia begin to question her purpose here. Doesn't he want her? Why was she here then? She couldn't understand him. Alicia thought they had an arrangement. 

Gabriel must have seen the questioning look on her face because his eyes softened and he said to her politely, "Not here." 

"Not here?" Alicia muttered after him, but when she got his point, a smile curved up her face. So it turned out that he was shy instead, she was pacified. 

Alicia didn't know where Gabriel was taking nor did she mind. It was not like he was kidnapping her or something? If anything, she was full of anticipation and couldn't wait to arrive where he had in mind. The night was going to be a long one, she was delighted. 

It was a quiet, if not awkward journey with none of them talking to each other, but it wasn't of Alicia's concern. It was not like the both of them were in love or something. Their union is a mutual one - she would be the woman he wants her to be and have his back as his wife. That was all she asked him for, the position of the future Madam of Alistair Group. 

It took them almost an hour for them to arrive at their destination and when they did, it was on private property. Alicia peered out through the window as the driver drove through the lawn and she turned to Gabriel, asking, 

"Is this one of your properties?" 

"Yes, it is," Gabriel answered breezily as if the property wasn't worth a lot of money. Well, one day, she would be in charge of it as his wife. 

"You make fine investments," Alicia said, intentionally placing her hand on his thigh. 

Gabriel jerked at her touch, but only for a moment because he stared at her hand on his body and then back at her face before stepping out of the car and leaving her inside. The chauffeur was the one who helped her out of the car and that made Alicia annoyed. 

She couldn't figure Gabriel out, what other reason would a man have for taking a lady he just met for the first time to his private house if it wasn't for the both of them getting down to business? 

Nonetheless, Alicia couldn't give up now. She already informed her mother that she left with Gabriel and it would be a total bummer if she doesn't get to bed with Gabriel. It was her only way of fixing herself in her life. Alistair is from an honorable family and if rumors of her and Gabriel were to surface among their social circle, they would have no choice but to protect her honor. 

Alicia had to struggle to keep up with his strides. The man had long legs with a great physique and coupled with his sexy voice, it was enough to make a lady drop her panties for him. And Alicia wanted to own all of that - all of him. Gabriel Alistair was hers. 

"Follow me," Was the only word Gabriel told her when they came into his luxurious house and led her into his bedroom. That is if she could call that his bedroom because the place lacked his warmth and personal touch. It was almost like a hotel suite - a beautiful hotel suite - there was not one of his things to suggest he stayed here, not even a picture. 

"You should wash up," He ordered her. 

Honestly, Alicia was irked by his commands. It was almost as if he was treating her like some prostitute and she wasn't one. Nonetheless, if this was the small sacrifice she had to make to get what she wants, then so be it. 

"Fine," She sighed through gritted teeth. 

Annoyed by his aloofness, Alicia found the bathroom by herself which wasn't hard, to be honest. As expected, his bathroom was sparkling clean and luxurious, it even had a jacuzzi. But there was no time to self-indulge because she wanted to set her relationship with Gabriel already. She was insecure about the whole thing, especially with Gabriel's attitude, and wants to seal the already. 

So when Alicia was done, she grabbed the clean towel she found on the rack and wrapped it around her chest and it rested at her midthigh. Determined this time, she was going to see what excuse Gabriel was going to use to delay the inevitable. 

When Alicia stepped out of the shower, she found Gabriel leaning against the wall with a glass of champagne in his hand. He had taken off his suit jacket and was only in his shirt with the top buttons open. He looked so sexy and manly Alicia bit on her lower lips unconsciously. She couldn't help but wonder what the man looked like beneath the mask. She was considering taking it off…or maybe, he can take it off himself. 

She sashayed over to him, saying, "You know we can't do this with the mask on," 

And that seemed to be a mistake because Gabriel's eyes flashed with an emotion she couldn't interpret, but it was gone almost immediately, as if it was never there in the first place. 

"Drink this," Gabriel handed the flute to her, changing the topic. 

Alicia knew better not to talk about the mask and took the glass from him. Without even questioning, she swallowed the whole drink and handed the flute back to him. 

"What now?" She couldn't wait anymore. 

"Get on the bed," He said. 

"Fine. Your rules." Alicia obediently climbed into the bed and laid down on her side sexily. She winked at him, "What now?" 

"We wait," Gabriel said, staring down at his watch. 

"What are you talking about?" Alicia frowned at him. She was seriously not in for his games. 

"What are waiting for…? " Her vision suddenly became blurry and she tried to shake the dizziness away, "Why do I feel…" Her head slipped to the side and her eyes closed in sleep. 

"We wait for that," Gabriel breathed. 

Walking over to her side, he tugged on the sheet and covered her properly. He said to her, "Thank you for giving me the perfect alibi." 

And with those words being said, Gabriel left the room. He never had the intention of sleeping with Alicia, but the others would think so and that was essential to his plans. Even if the mafioso tracked him down to this place, they would all think he was having a good time with a lady and would never suspect his plan. 

"Keep an eye on her," He said to his second in command who nodded his head, before stepping into another room that could only be accessed with a password.

Coming inside that room, Gabriel saw the doctor he employed attending to a man who had his back turned to him. However, the moment the doctor in his white lab coat saw him, his eyes lit up and he said, "We are done here, sir," 

At once the strange man stood up and  faced him. Had anyone been there, they would be stuck with the similarities between both of them - they had the same physique - and the stranger was wearing the same mask with him. There were no differences between both them except their faces. But of course, no one knew that. 

Gabriel looked at the doctor and said, "Good job,"