Chapter 8 Playing Sonia
Daren’s demeanor became more sober as he approached. “Because, Andrea, you will be seen as a danger to them. They are the family who is responsible for Sonia’s abduction, and they don’t play nice. There are stakes for them in this and that is why you will be aiming at them if you assist me.”
Andrea’s heartbeat quickened. “But why me? What do I have to do with this?”
Daren took a deep breath and below him, for a brief period, was his gaze. “You are intelligent, tough and able. I want someone who can play this game and I can depend on. And frankly, even before this, you are already concerned when you said yes to marrying me because of your mother. There’s more to it than medical expenses, Andrea. This is about retribution. For Sonia, for your family and for every person that these monsters have destroyed.”
Andrea became silent, absorbing what he said. She had never considered that by agreeing to this marriage, she would be embarked upon such a web of lies, peril and treachery. But she also firmly believed that if she refused to help Daren now, her mother would only become worse and she would probably lose the last opportunity to learn what had happened to Sonia and why Daren was so keen on the truth.
“What do you want me to do?” she requested, maintaining her calm tone but lowering her voice.
Daren’s lips twisted in a wry smile, appreciating her readiness to listen to him. “I want you to play the role of my wife whom I need to gain entry to functions, events and networks that only wives of influential men get. These people are very clannish. I think they made Sonia disappear because she was beginning to probe too much.”
“They will be analyzing us with great attention, and it is up to you to pull off a convincing act. But together, we can sift through and find what we need to take these down.”
Andrea’s stomach turned. This was not what she had signed up for. But she could not stop remembering her mother’s sick self in the hospital and how Daren was not only promising to save her, but also to help her in exposing the kind of evil that has remained buried for so long.
She inhaled deeply. “Alright,” she began, fixing Daren with a firm stare. “I’ll do it. But there is one promise you must make.”
Daren frowned but slightly. “What is that?”
“You have to keep my family protected. Regardless of what happens to me, you will ensure that my parents are all right. That is the only reason I am doing this.”
Daren nodded resolutely. “You have my word. I will do everything possible to protect them.”
Andrea looked at Marcus the lawyer who had been watching the exchange in silence. He offered her a pen and after a brief moment where she held her breath, she signed the documents, thus dooming herself to this treacherous new world.
And with that, as she set the pen down, Daren had reached over to grab her hand. “Welcome aboard.”
Andrea took his hand, but her thoughts were in a whirl. She was not simply a woman any more trying to get her mother back; rather, she was involved in something much more complicated, something sinister. And there was no way out.
“We need to start now,” she replied softly, bracing herself for what lay ahead.
As she spoke, the door clicked shut behind Marcus and when Andrea turned back to Daren, she was ready to go. But before she could voice out her intent, Daren calmly yet firmly put a hand on her arm, preventing her from moving.
“Just a minute, Andrea,” he said, stopping her, “but before you leave there is something that we have to discuss. If you wish to pull this off, then you better be acquainted with the house and more so, Sonia’s stuff. Nanny Jia will be present for most of the time and she is a keen observer. Suspicion of any kind, and it will be the end of it all.”
A frown washed over Andrea’s face, as she felt a shudder deep within her at the thought of pretending to be someone else in what was clearly an intimate space. “So, do you want me to… what, learn her ways?”
“Not quite. But enough to know how to handle yourself. Jia has worked with me for many years and she was very close to Sonia. She will be able to tell if something is off,” Daren responded in cool seriousness, though his tone didn’t betray the gravity of the situation. “Come with me. I will let you see her room.”
Unhappily, Andrea trailed behind him as he ascended the stairs. The corridor was very spacious and decorated with picture frames, while at the end of the corridor stood a big door, which Daren slowly opened. As soon as she walked in, Andrea experienced a voice like sensation familiar to her, though she had never been there before. The room was stylish yet homely with light, airy drapes, a pretty, printed coverlet on a bed, and bookcases overflowing with books and knick–knacks.
“This was Sonia’s safe haven,” said Daren almost in a whisper as he walked in the direction of the dresser and took a tiny picture of her in a decorative frame. “This room was adored by her. She spent hours in this room reading, thinking and strategizing.”
Andrea turned her gaze around and nodded. There were pictures of Sonia being close with Daren, some memories items, and a few perfumes that Sonia used. The faint fragrant scent which was soft, floral was still present in the room.
Daren pointed idiotically to the closet. ‘You’ll need to know her fashion knowledge, the things she adored. Jia will probe, and it will be much simpler if you at least know what is in here.‘ Daren watch, on the other hand, stepped forward and opened the closet doors. There were dresses, shoes, and scarves stored in an orderly manner inside. She ran her hand along one of the tomes, a donnish pink silk dress, and a thought floated as to the life which Sonia must have lived before all went up in flames.
Daren stared and scrutinized her. “She had certain habits, certain likes that you should know of. For instance, she used to love peanut butter. That was her best thing ever. She went out with it, literally applying it on every possible buyable food wrapped with bread, apples, etc. all of them.”
In that instance while facing away, Andrea hesitated momentarily looking at the fabric with some degree of affectionate interest. She switched toward Daren face–centric from body–centric and a slight furrow accentuated on her expression. “Peanut butter?” she inquired.
‘Yes, what’s the matter with you?‘ Daren was observant enough to see her mystified expression.
Andrea inhaled sharply. “Yes, I am allergic to peanuts – peanut butter,” she clarified. “Severely so. I can’t even be in its vicinity without suffering a reaction.”
Widened, are Daren’s eyes. “That’s… interesting,” he uttered after a few moments of silence. “It’s possible that Jia will offer you food with peanut paste, believing that it is one of the cuisine that you enjoy. We will have to take care of that without drawing the attention of anyone.”
Andrea agreed, already comprehending the nature and extent of the charade. She wouldn’t just have to study every detail about Sonia’s activities, but also the minutiae, like how to handle the simple matter of peanut butter without drawing any attention.
Daren appeared to pick up on his brother’s concern and tonelessly spoke. “I realize this all sounds overwhelming. But you are not going to face this alone. We will find a way to manage it, piece by piece.”
Andrea agreed but soon began feeling the full weight of what she had just committed to. Efforts to impersonate Sonia were not restricted to simply putting on her clothes and living her life; it was more about earning the trust of the closest people as Sonia herself. On some occasions, this could prove to be risky for everyone concerned.
“Do I need to know anything more regarding her?” Andrea inquired, so that she could adjust accordingly.
