The Bad Twin Read online

  Her agent, Carmen Karo, had been very supportive and took a chance on her when no one else would. Carmen picked up on the first ring. “Rose, dear, why are you just now returning my calls? I’ve been calling you all week.”

  Rose knew she was in for a lecture. She continued to sip on her drink and listened. “Are you through?”

  Carmen sounding displeased with Rose’s attitude asked, “Rose. How am I supposed to beat off the press hounds, when my own client won’t return my calls?”

  “Okay. You’re right. I’m sorry. I thought if I didn’t do anything, this thing would blow over soon.”

  “I have all of the major television stations and print magazines calling me; and let’s not forget about all the tabloids. I am bombarded. This thing is not going away.” Without giving Rose a chance to respond, Carmen continued. “I got a phone call about the role you wanted.”

  Hearing those words sent a feeling of excitement through Rose. “Really so when do we start filming?”

  “Hold on. I said I got a phone call. It’s not good news. Your image is being questioned now and the producer wants someone with a little less drama going on in her life.”

  Rose sat straight up and said, “What does my personal life have to do with portraying a character in a movie? Not one thing. That’s bull.”

  Carmen in her calming voice said, “I know. You know how they can be. It’s not fair, but it’s their choice.”

  Rose was never one to show weakness. She was livid. “So what’s next? Am I supposed to just sit here and not do anything?”

  “I have a couple of things in the works for you. Right now, we need to do some damage control. I’ve setup an interview with one of Noir magazine’s competitors.”

  “Who?”

  “Channel Magazine. One of the editors and I have known each other for years. She’s setting up an interview with one of her best writers.”

  Rose took the last sip of her margarita. “Carmen, whatever you feel is best. I trust your judgment. Just let me know when. And Carmen.”

  “Yes.”

  “Thanks for everything.”

  “That’s what I’m here for.”

  Rose, not usually sentimental, said, “You know sometimes I feel like you’re more like a friend. You know more about me and spend more time talking to me than anyone.”

  “Well you’re not so bad yourself. Rose, dear, I got to go. Turn your cell phone on. I’ll call you when I hear something. Stay strong.”

  When the call ended, Rose decided to go for a stroll along the beach. The hypnotizing sound of the waves was calling her to the ocean.

  ***

  The walk is exactly what I needed to clear my head. My phone keeps ringing off the hook. Everybody has called me, except the one who started all of this. I really wanted the role in the movie The Future Mrs. Wallingford. I’ve always loved the story and it was a dream come true to be considered for the part and now because of her, I didn’t get it. I might need to pay my sister a visit. Violet you can avoid me, but you can’t hide forever.

  ***

  Rose took less than thirty minutes to change into one of her many designer outfits. Today she opted to wear a short black denim skirt and matching silk blouse with a frilly collar. Instead of her signature pumps, she wore a pair of flat black sandals with a golden buckle across the toe. She had no plans on stopping anywhere but Violet’s place, but she could not be seen in public looking any kind of way.

  5

  VIOLET

  Violet got home just in time to catch her favorite game show. She loved to answer the questions along with the contestants. If it weren’t for the fact she and Rose looked exactly alike, she would have gone on one of them a long time ago. As soon as the last commercial played, she heard a knock at her door.

  She wasn’t expecting anyone, so when she looked through the peephole, she was surprised to see her own reflection staring back. In a hurry, she fixed her clothes and smoothed stray hairs along her ponytail, because being around Rose always made her feel less beautiful.

  “Hi. Rose. What brings you out this way?” she asked.

  Rose sashayed right past Violet into her living room. “I can’t stop by to check on my only sister?”

  Violet riled that Rose was violating her space, responded, “We both know this is no social visit. So please get straight to the point.”

  “Yes, I missed you too and yes, I think I will have a glass of wine.”

  Violet stood there with her hands on her hips. “You’ll never change. How are you going to come into my house and demand I serve you? B-, I mean Rose.” She held one of her hands up in the air as she said, “See you almost made me call you out of your name.”

  Rose looked at Violet over the rim of her shades. “I am a guest, so why don’t you be the gracious hostess I know you can be.”

  Violet tried not to lose her temper. She smiled and responded, “Rose darling, have a seat and I’ll be right back.”

  Violet stormed into the kitchen. She took two clear glasses out of the cabinet, one trimmed with gold, the other plain. She put the glasses and the wine on a tray and poured some wine in each glass. Let me take these drinks out there. Because the sooner I see what she wants, the sooner I can get the heifer out of my house. A thought crossed her mind and she thought about Rose’s attitude since entering her home, so she kindly bent down and spit in the gold trimmed glass. She got a spoon and stirred it up, so it wouldn’t be noticeable and with a plastered smile on her face, she went back to the living room.

  6

  ROSE

  My dear sweet sister has a backbone. I was wondering when she was going to start using it. If I weren’t reaping the repercussions of her tongue, I would applaud her. She must be making more money than I thought. I didn’t know working at a community center would provide the type of income to support such lavish things. Hmm. Impressive, these are nice Oriental and Egyptian artifacts. I better stop picking up her stuff; the last thing I want to do is break one of her precious pieces. Now where is she with my wine?

  ***

  “It’s about time,” Rose snapped.

  Violet looked upside her head. “You’re lucky I’m giving you a drink.”

  Rose took the gold trimmed glass and sipped on it. “I see you’ve acquired a taste for some of the finer things in life. I was admiring your collection.”

  Violet, not taking her eyes off of her, sat down on the loveseat and said, “Rose, there are some things we do have in common.”

  Rose continued to drink the wine. “Yes, we may have some things in common; but for the life of me, I can’t figure out why you won’t do something with your hair. Look at you.”

  “Please don’t start. Some of us are not as superficial as you are. My ponytail works for me.”

  “Violet. You’re a beautiful lady and I’m not just saying it because you’re my twin. I know you may not make much on your salary volunteering at those centers, but you should be able to afford to get your hair done every once in awhile.”

  Violet remained quiet for a moment, cleared her throat, and said, “For the last time, I love what I do. I love helping people. It’s more rewarding than anything else I can think of.”

  Rose tired and bored of Violet’s innocent nature, asked, “Whatever the case, how can you afford to live so lavishly on your salary? I’ve offered to give you money on a regular basis, but you keep turning me down.”

  “Although it is none of your business, I am paid quite nicely to do the things I do and I do not need your money.”

  Rose reached for the bottle of white wine and poured herself another glass. “Anyway, I didn’t come over here to talk about your financial situation, because it looks like you’re doing just fine there.”

  “What did you come over here for?” Violet asked.

  Rose stood and walked around the room as if she was admiring the room’s spaciousness. “As you well know, in my field, image is everything.”

  “I was wondering when you were going to g
et around to the real reason why you’re here,” Violet said with a smirk on her face. “What’s the problem now?”

  Rose walked to the loveseat and sat down next to Violet. She batted her eyes, looked straight at her, and placed her right hand over Violet’s. “You know what you did. How could you? No matter what goes on between us, we keep it between us. This interview was very important and now everybody is calling me the Evil Twin. Did you see the headline? Roses are Thorns.”

  Violet moved her hand and said, “I spoke the truth. Did it ever dawn on you that I was tired of lying for you?”

  “Violet we had an agreement that no matter what happens; in the public, we would put on a united front.”

  Violet looked at Rose with a confused look on her face. “The agreement became null and void the moment I caught you sleeping with my husband,” Violet said before jumping off the couch. She was tempted to reach over and punch Rose.

  Rose stood up and said, “I see coming over here hasn’t done any good.”

  “And you thought it would. Do I need to rehash the last year or so for you? Starting with sleeping with my husband and then turning around and marrying my husband. If it wasn’t for Mom, I wouldn’t talk to your crazy behind.” Violet put some distance between them, because she was about to reach out and touch Rose in the worse way.

  Rose was surprised Violet still held onto the pain, because Violet usually forgave her no matter what she did. She knew she could always depend on Violet to back her up; it was one of the reasons why she was shocked to read the article. Although she knew she shouldn’t have slept with David, she could not resist the temptation. With his tall physique and exceptional good looks, he was her perfect leading man. He was a challenge and she had meant to sample the forbidden fruit before her sister married him.

  “Violet. How many times do I have to tell you I never meant to hurt you?” Rose insisted.

  Violet responded, “Not enough, because your acting may have helped ease the strain between you and Mama, but I can see right through you. Rose gets what she wants, no matter who gets hurt in the process. Frankly I’m tired of being the target. Now I think you’ve worn out your welcome here, so please see yourself out.”

  Violet walked up the stairway, as Rose stood there looking at her back. The next sound Rose heard was Violet slamming her bedroom door.

  “I can’t believe she dismissed me like that. I see now I won’t be able to depend on her to smooth things out with the media.”

  7

  VIOLET

  After Violet watched Rose leave from her bedroom window, she wiped streams of tears from her eyes. No matter how much she pretended her relationship or lack of a relationship with Rose didn’t hurt; it did.

  As if Rose could hear her, Violet cried out, “How did we get like this? Even when you did those crazy things as kids, we were still friends. I find myself hating the fact that we’re sisters sometimes.”

  Violet walked over to the mirror and looked at her reflection. She and her sister had the same smooth beige complexion, with one exception; Violet had a distinctive mole on her face. While growing up, the mole is how people were able to tell one from the other. They both had long flowing hair. The original color was jet black, but Rose currently sported a honey blond hairdo with long flowing curls. Violet still had her original jet-black color, but added some auburn highlights. She normally wore hers pinned up with a few strands coming down in her face or she would wear a ponytail.

  She wiped her face with a warm, damp towel, hoping to wipe the sadness away. Her phone rang and broke her solemn trance.

  She didn’t bother to look at the caller ID. “Hello.”

  “Hi. Violet?”

  It sounded like David, so she paused before saying anything. “Yes it is. Who is this?”

  “It’s David. I wanted to make sure you were okay after Rose’s visit.”

  “I’m fine, but I’m no longer your concern.” She hung up without giving David the opportunity to finish his statement.

  ***

  It must be a full moon tonight. First Rose and now David. Between the two of them, they are going to drive me crazy. The way I feel, I might finish the whole bottle of wine.

  8

  ROSE

  My phone will not stop ringing off the hook and Violet is being unbearable right now. I’ve tried calling David, but his phone went straight to voice mail. Now what hotel did he tell me he was staying at? I remember now.

  ***

  “Hi David. It’s me.”

  David responded, “Oh hey.”

  Rose, perturbed with the way he sounded, yelled, “Well, you don’t have to sound so disappointed.”

  David, with anger in his voice, said, “Look Rose. I don’t have time to play your games tonight. I was on my way to sleep and like always your timing is off.”

  “I do not like your attitude,” Rose stated.

  “Ask me if I care.”

  “I only called to say good night and the only thing you do is talk to me any kind of way. I am tired of this. I can’t take this much longer. If you don’t want me, why are you here?”

  “Rose,” David said, as he cleared his throat. “It’s late and I don’t feel like getting into this with you.”

  “You are going to answer me, Dammit!” Rose demanded.

  David hung up the phone without waiting to hear what else Rose had to say.

  Rose cursed him.

  ***

  If I can’t depend on my husband to comfort me, then what is he here for? David pushes me away all of the time. I don’t know how much more of his crap I can take. I should take Lance King up on his offer. He’s a little flashy for me, but at least he listens and has no problem letting me know what he would do for me--if I were his woman. I don’t feel like going back home to an empty house.

  ***

  Rose found Lance’s number and decided to give him a call.

  “Lance?”

  “This is he,” Lance said, sounding sleepy.

  “It’s Rose. I was driving around and you crossed my mind. Do you mind company?’

  “No. Come right over. Let me know when you’re ready for the directions.”

  Rose wrote down the information and headed in the opposite direction of her home. Although her marriage to David was really a charade at this point, she had remained faithful. She knew tonight would change everything and it would only be a matter of time before David got tired of the loveless marriage. If the truth were told, they never had a real marriage; it was doomed by deception from the beginning. She lied about being pregnant. Since he didn’t want his child to be a bastard child, he married her. She knew he still loved her sister. But it didn’t matter, because she had her leading man. She thought she could make him forget all about the dutiful Violet. She didn’t realize David worshipped the ground her sister walked on. If she had known, she wouldn’t have bothered seducing him.

  ***

  David you pushed me to this; so whatever the consequences, it’s your fault. A woman like me needs plenty of attention. Sometimes I just need to be held. Lance. Lance. Lance. I haven’t had sex since David found out I faked my pregnancy, so you’re in for a treat.

  9

  VIOLET

  After drinking the entire bottle of Chardonnay, Violet reclined on the couch with the television remote control. While she flipped through the channels, something caught her attention. Entertainment Source News was talking about her and Rose. She shook her head, because people were so concerned with what she considered trivial things, instead of worrying about the things in life that really mattered. She dozed off and had the same dream she had been having for over a month.

  The dream took her to a mysterious place, filled with beautiful landscaping. The colors of the flowers were vibrant. She could smell the freshness of the ocean air as she was hypnotized by the sounds of its waves. She walked along the beach and in the distance there was a tall dark-skinned man. She wanted to turn around and go the other way; however, there was a magneti
c force bringing her and the mystery man closer and closer toward each other. She continued walking and the closer she got to him, the more heated her body felt. They both stopped within inches of each other and he took his hand and placed it on her face. She looked up into the deepest grayest eyes she’d ever seen and from that moment on, his eyes held her captive.

  The sound of the television station going off the air woke her. Looking at the time, she turned the television off and headed upstairs to bed. She was exhausted; she didn’t bother to put on her nightgown.

  She visited the same dream; sounds of birds sang in the distance, as she relaxed across a nice long white blanket. She thought she was there by herself, until a strong hand caressed her calf. Looking down and back into those hypnotizing gray eyes, her mystery lover licked her toes, and traced his mouth on her legs with small circular kisses. Her body reacted to each touch.

  He reached the center of her forest and taking both hands, moved her legs apart in one calculated move. She attempted to protest, but her legs failed to cooperate and they automatically flung wide-open. Her lover dipped his tongue into the depths of her desire, as to the beat of the ocean, causing a tidal wave to explode deep within her.

  The mystery man kissed her navel and worked his way upward; stopping to tease her silver-dollar nipples with his tongue. Her womanhood was as wet as the ocean.

  The more she moaned, the more he kissed and licked. He made his way up toward her neck, driving her wild with pleasure. She could not imagine feeling like this ever again.

  He took her mouth and kissed her with so much intensity, that she had an orgasm from his kiss. He gazed into her eyes, as the trance was broken. As she examined his fine masculine features, she woke up.

  ***

  David. All of this time, I’ve been dreaming about David. This can’t be. I thought I was over him. Why did he have to call me? I was doing so well. I really loved him and I thought he loved me too. I can still hear him begging me for forgiveness. My heart broke when I saw him with Rose. For weeks he attempted to get me to forgive him and give him another chance. After losing my high school sweetheart and dealing with a few other guys in college, his betrayal was the final straw. I had no choice but to walk away. I can still see the hurt and regret in his eyes. He offered me the world to make up for what he did, but if I couldn’t have his fidelity, I didn’t want anything. Now, he’s invading my dreams. They say dreams are sometimes thoughts of the true subconscious.