They arrived at the apartment Adelina had prepared for Mabel’s arrival. As soon as they stepped inside, Adelina spread her arms dramatically and said, “Welcome to your new home. I hope you like it.

  “I don’t, how could I?” Mabel replied promptly, then broke into a grin. “I love it.”

  Adelina chuckled, pleased as Mabel moved around, admiring every little detail she had put in place to make the home cozy, just the way Mabel liked it.

  Suddenly, Mabel gasped, staring at the ceiling. Adelina immediately went into defense mode, following Mabel’s gaze. “What’s wrong?” she asked, worried.

  “The ceiling is so classic,” Mabel whispered, awe in her eyes.

  Adelina’s expression flattened. “Ow-kay.”

  Mabel turned to her with disapproval. “You’re judging me in your heart, aren’t you?”

  Adelina replied fondly, “I’m just solidifying the fact that you’re weird in a cute way sometimes. It’s admirable.”

  Mabel beamed and looked back at the ceiling. “I just really love the view. It’s beautiful.”

  Adelina chuckled. “I knew you’d love the place, though I didn’t know you had a particular interest in ceilings. But I’m happy you like it.”

  Mabel turned to her, touched. “Aww, thank you so much for fixing it up before I even arrived. I’ve got the best friend anyone could ever ask for.”

  “You know it,” Adelina replied smugly.

  “I’ve missed you too,” Mabel added with a smile.

  Adelina smirked. “Of course, I know.”

  They sat down to chat, and Adelina’s curiosity about the mysterious man who had stolen her precious moment resurfaced.

  “I’m still curious. So he just left without saying a word?” Adelina asked

  “Yeah, he annoyed me first and then walked away,” Mabel answered nonchalantly. Then she raised an eyebrow. “You look quite curious. Are you still angry with him for taking your moment?”

  Adelina tilted her head. “Why is that the only reason you can think of?”

  Mabel’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “Well, are you into him?”

  Adelina grinned devilishly. “He did send you to a police station upon your first meeting. I’m definitely interested in him.” She paused, then in deep thought, said, “He could be my avenger. Maybe that day will soon be here.”

  Dramatically, she turned away from Mabel, looking into the distance. “Maybe he is the one.” Clenching her fists, she declared, “Finally, finally, I will be avenged!”

  Immediately, she whipped back toward Mabel with eager eyes. “What’s his name? The officers must have said it.”

  Mabel smirked. “I don’t remember.”

  Adelina narrowed her eyes. “Are you lying to me?”

  “No, I also yearn to see you avenged. I really don’t remember it.”

  Adelina sighed, eyeing her suspiciously. “I could call the cops on you.”

  Mabel’s eyes widened. “Are you serious?”

  Adelina deadpanned, “I’ll do it.”

  “I’m sorry! His name didn’t stick,” Mabel said, raising her hands in surrender. “I’m being honest. You are my beloved. Even though you wish to kill me, I would help you do it in a heartbeat.”

  Adelina snapped. “Don’t say that! How could you say that?!”

  Mabel’s smile softened. “Isn’t that the situation you’re putting me in right now?”

  Adelina was struck. “This is different.”

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  Mabel gazed at her warmly. “If I can feel bad for not remembering his name just so you can be avenged, then I could do that too. It’s all the same thing to me. I love you that much.”

  Adelina shifted uncomfortably. “Ow-kay.” Then, suddenly, she flung a throw pillow at Mabel. “Why are you taking it so seriously? I will be avenged no matter what you say! You can’t guilt-trip me! It will not work!”

  Mabel burst out laughing, grabbed three pillows, and launched them at Adelina. “In your face! I don’t remember his name!”

  Adelina gasped. “I knew it! You were just trying to manipulate me.”

  And thus, a glorious pillow fight ensued.

  After they had exhausted themselves, Adelina sat up, preparing to leave. “Alright then, we’ll see each other later.”

  “Where are you going?” Mabel asked, curious and slightly worried.

  “To work.”

  “Work?” Mabel frowned.

  “Yeah, I had to make an excuse to pick you up. I’ve got to go back.”

  Mabel pouted. “Huh? But I thought you’d help me settle in and give me a tour. Today is the only day I’ll be free this week. I start working at The Very Important Company tomorrow. Plus, we haven’t seen each other in such a long time. We have to—”

  “Okay, drama queen.” Adelina cut her off with a smirk. “How about I go get us something to celebrate your arrival?”

  Mabel deadpanned. “I’m not a child, Adelina. I know you’re just going to go to work.”

  Adelina met her gaze seriously. “I promise, I’m going to get an ice cream cake as I leave.”

  Mabel squinted suspiciously. “I don’t doubt that. But once you step out, you could order it online and then go to work. What do you take me for?”

  “It’s a classic shop. One of the best in the area. You have to check in to place an order—nothing online. So, I have to go in person. Why don’t you trust me? Or is it your guilt finally kicking in for all you’ve done to me?”

  Mabel bit her lip, looking slightly guilty. "Okay, I trust you. But you won’t deceive me and go back to work, right?"

  Adelina smiled kindly as she walked away. “Stick to the first phrase—trust me.”

  Two hours later, Mabel checked the clock and called Adelina. “Hello? Where are you? I don’t mean to complain, but you’ve been gone for over two hours.”

  Adelina answered casually. “Yeah, I went to work.”

  Mabel gasped dramatically. “I knew it! You deceived me! You abandoned me, your twin! Your sister! Your own flesh and blood from different parents! How could you? I trusted you!”

  Adelina’s voice was calm. “This is only the beginning, Mabel. I will be avenged.”

  “So, you lied?”

  “No, I didn’t. I still went to the shop to place your order. It’ll be delivered soon. I just left out some bits of truth. That’s not lying. Not even legally. Also, stop complaining. You’ve done worse to me.”

  Mabel spoke in a low, wounded tone. “I would never leave you alone on your first day in an unfamiliar place.”

  Adelina hesitated. Is she really trying to with me? She sighed, “Believe me, you are not in risk of any danger just because I am not there with you.”

  Mabel sighed. “Still, I’m hurt.”

  Adelina raised an eyebrow. “Hurt? Girl, you’ve traveled around the world alone without a single complaint. What’s different now?”

  Mabel huffed. “The difference is you. You forsook me.”

  Adelina blinked. “Oh, so I’m the problem now?” She groaned. “Mabel, you are in a safe apartment, in a city you’ve been to before. You are not lost in the middle of nowhere.”

  Mabel exhaled dramatically. “Still, I trusted you… I’m hurt.”

  Adelina asked sternly, “Degree—high, low, or in-between?”

  Mabel huffed. “That doesn’t matter. The fact remains—you left me. You abandoned me. You forsook me!”

  Adelina groaned. “Do you still want the ice cream cake or not?”

  Mabel hesitated. “How does that have anything to do with this?”

  “Answer the question,” Adelina insisted.

  “Adelina, I’m the one who was hurt here. Stop acting like you’re the victim.”

  “So, I can go ahead and cancel the order, then?” Adelina asked, feigning nonchalance.

  Mabel pouted. “I didn’t say that. Fine, I want the cake.”

  “Good. Then this conversation is over. I’d like to hang up now.”

  Mabel’s voice suddenly softened. “It’s a high degree. You can hang up now.”

  Adelina opened her mouth to argue, then paused. Something about the way Mabel had said that… It didn’t sound like one of her usual antics. A faint pang of guilt crept in. Wait… is she actually upset?

  Adelina sighed, her voice turning sincere. “I’m sorry, Mabel. The truth is, I didn’t want to leave either. I just had to—”

  “Shhhhhh.”

  Adelina blinked. “What? Did you just shush me mid-apology? Couldn’t you at least let me finish?”

  “Nah, didn’t feel like waiting,” Mabel said casually.

  Adelina sighed. “Alright, so what’s this reason you were so desperate to point out?”

  Mabel’s tone turned oddly affectionate. “This is why I’d help you kill me if you ever needed to.”

  “…What?”

  Mabel continued, “Look at you, apologizing so earnestly just because you thought you hurt me. You can’t hurt me, even if you tried. You wouldn’t survive it. And I love you too.” She exhaled dramatically. “Anyway, it’s fine. I get it. You’re employed. A modern slave. And starting tomorrow, I’ll be joining this glorious system of oppression myself. So have a great day at work, okay? Byeee~” Mabel chirped, hanging up.

  Adelina sat at her desk, staring at the phone, emotionally drained from a single conversation. She always finds a way to rain a storm of emotions over me.

  Meanwhile, the ice cream cake was delivered to Mabel and she happily devoured it, deep in thought. She definitely planned this whole thing in advance. She’s completely addicted to work—there’s no saving her. She sighed. Can’t believe she actually deceived me. She’s getting better at it. That’s… good.

  Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling of disappointment. Even though I want her to get her revenge, not like this. I really feel abandoned.

  Mabel shoved another spoonful of cake into her mouth. Well, who needs her? I have Oogle Maps to show me around. I will take a tour before I start my super important job.

  She let out another sigh. Ugh, the name is so childish. I can’t wait to see what it’s all about.