Chapter 5 Be Sonia For Me
“You gave this to me on our one–year anniversary,” Daren said as his eyes welled up. “I was going to propose, but you disappeared into thin air. Andrea laughed derisively. “Perhaps because I am not Sonia! Will you, therefore, just leave?”
Daren’s face now turned resolute. “I have another reason for being here.”
“What is that?” Andrea asked warily.
“I want you to stand in for my wife,” Daren said, firm and clear.
“What?” Andrea’s voice rose in outrage. “You think I’d pretend to be your wife? Are you insane?”
His eyes, pleading, now locked with hers. “Just hear me out. Please.”
Daren’s eyes pleaded with Andrea. “I know this is an enormous favor, but I need you to play the part of Sonia Maxwell.”
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Andrea was even more incredulous. “You want me to impersonate your missing wife? Are you out of
your mind?”
Daren took a deep breath. “I had to keep her disappearance from her family for a long time. I lied to them, told them she was on a cruise ship. Andrea’s anger turned to outrage. “Why would you lie to them? She’s your wife!”
Daren’s face twisted into a pained mask. “She’s not. well, at least they think she was just my business partner. But we were married, Andrea. We were going to tell her parents, and I was going to propose, but then she vanished.”
Andrea’s mind whirled. “What do you mean, ‘they think she was just my business partner‘?”
Daren’s voice cracked. “Sonia’s family. they’re such nice people. They love her so much. Her parents would literally die if they were to hear she’s nowhere to be found. I wouldn’t dare tell them the truth.”
Andrea’s heart wrenched despite herself. “But why take me into it? I’m not Sonia.”
He let his eyes burn into hers. “You are the only one that can help me. You look so much like her, talk just like her. You are the only one who can give her family closure.” Andrea felt a shiver run down her spine. “Closure? What do you mean?
Daren’s voice went to a whisper. “Sonia’s family has come to see her as a surprise. They would like to see the cruise. But if you play Sonia just for a little while longer, we can allow them to say their goodbyes.”
Andrea furiously shook her head. “No, I will not do what you’re asking of me! What if the people who kidnapped her come after me?”
The anxious expression did not leave Daren’s face. “I’ll keep you safe, I swear it.”
Andrea raised her voice, “This won’t work! They would know in an instant I wasn’t Sonia. My hair is different; she’s a few cuts above the rest of us, including me. I’m just trying to make enough to pay for my mother’s surgery. Please, don’t come and ruin my perfect life.”
Daren’s eyes met hers, his voice soft. “I’ll pay for her bills.”
Andrea’s eyes had widened. “What?”
He moved closer. “I’ll pay all your mom’s medical bills. Just please, please help me.”
Andrea’s defenses relaxed but she clamped her arms shut. “No, I won’t do it.”
Daren’s face crumpled and he slid onto his knees.
“Please,” he begged, his voice hoarse with his need. “I want you to be Sonia Maxwell.” Andrea’s heart went out to him in the despair that looked out of those eyes.
Andrea stared at him like he had gone crazy, was he kidding her right no, how would she be able to pull off an entire scam.
Andrea firmed as he stared at her with desperate eyes.
She saw the agony, the desperation, and hope.
“How can I possibly pull off being Sonia Maxwell?” Andrea’s tone was softer now.
Daren’s face brightened with determination.
“I’ll help you. I’ll teach you everything about Sonia. Her mannerisms, her speech, her favorite things.”
Andrea hesitated as her mind became a whirlwind.
Could she actually do this? Pretend to be someone else?
For a stranger’s family? But Daren’s plea still echoed within her mind.
“How would her parents feel, knowing she is nowhere to be found?”
Andrea’s heart went out; she thought of her own mother’s frail health and the piling medical bills.
Daren’s offer was tempting. “Okay,” Andrea said finally in a voice barely above a whisper.
Daren’s face fell with relief.
“Thank you,” he whispered, grasping her hands.
Andrea drew back. “What do I need to do?” she asked.
The lines of determination sparkled in Daren’s eyes.
“First, we’ll start with Sonia’s look. We’ll get your hair cut like hers.”
Andrea nodded. And as Daren continued detailing the scheme, Andrea’s misgivings began to trickle in.
What had she just gotten herself into? Impersonating a missing woman?
But Daren’s promise seemed to ring in her ears.
“I’ll keep you safe”
And that desperate look in his eyes Andrea steeled herself.
She would do this for Daren, for Sonia’s family, and for her mother’s sake.
But looking into Daren’s eyes, Andrea did wonder.
Just then, as Andi ea was about to ask another question, the door opened, and in walked Pamela.
Chapter 5 Be Sorua For Me
“Hey, girl! I saw Daren’s car outside and wondered if all was okay,” Pamela said, the frown on her face showing her worry.
Andrea, not knowing how much to let out, was silent.
“Daren needs my help with something,” Andrea replied vaguely.
Pamela’s eyes narrowed.
“What kind of help?” she asked, looking over at Daren.
Daren stood up, his expression serious.
“Andrea has agreed to help me with a family matter,” he said.
Pamela raised an eyebrow.
“A family matter?” she repeated.
Andrea sighed.
“Pamela, I’ll fill you in later, okay?” Andrea promised.
Pamela’s eyes zeroed in on Andrea’s.
“Is everything okay? You’re not getting into something crazy, are you?” Pamela asked.
Andrea forced a smile.
“I’ll be okay, Pam. I promise.”
Pamela’s gaze remained on Daren for a second before she looked back at Andrea.
“Okay, but if you need me, I’m here,” Pamela said.
Daren nodded.
“Thanks, Pamela. I appreciate that you are worried about her.”
As Pamela walked away, Andrea took her attention to Daren.
“Where do we begin?” Andrea asked.
Daren pulled out a folder filled with photos and documents.
“Sonia’s background, her family, her interests. everything you need to know,” he explained.
Andrea’s eyes scanned the contents in a widening gaze.
This was going to get real.“Alright,” Andrea said, taking a deep breath.
“Let’s do this.”
- 1.
But stepping into Sonia’s world, the feeling couldn’t be shaken off that she was getting into a minefield. Pamela pulled her aside and spoke low. “Girl, what’s going on? You are seriously going to impersonate Sonia Maxwell?”
Andrea nodded.
“I know it sounds crazy, but Daren’s desperate. And he’s paying off Mom’s medical bills,” Andrea explained.
Pamela’s face sobered up. “Andrea, Sonia was a graduate of Harvard Business School. You’re not.”
Andrea looked down. “I know. But Daren says he’ll coach me through it.”
Pamela was unconvinced.
“And what about Sonia’s family? Won’t they notice something’s off?” Pamela asked.
Andrea shrugged. “Daren says they don’t know Sonia has disappeared. He’s kept it secret.” Pamela’s eyes went wide. “That’s insane! And what if they find out?”
Andrea’s stomach contorted with anxiety. “I know, Pam. But I have to try. For Mom’s sake.”
Pamela’s expression softened. “I understand, but just promise me you’ll be careful. This feels like a recipe for disaster.”
Andrea nodded. “I promise. I’ll be careful.” With Pamela gone, the doubts began to creep back into Andrea’s mind.
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Was she really cut out for this? Impersonating a Harvard graduate? But Daren’s words came back to her mind. “I’ll keep you safe.”
Andrea steeled herself, and for the chance to make things right.
But as she began to study Sonia’s background, Andrea realized she was in over her head.
