Chapter 1 Mistaken identity

The music was loud as the sound banged from the speakers, it was a loud night and on this sad night, Pamela had brought her friend, Andrea to ease off her burden from work.

As soon as they got in, Andrea looked around, this was not her kind of setting, she immediately felt oddly uncomfortable with the red and blue lights as well as the secular music playing.

She was definitely not the party type, she was deeply introverted and often stayed on her own. Andrea was the perfect beauty sense, she was tall for her gender, with her silky bouncy black hair which Pamela often admired. She had silky skin and had the voice of an angel. She would rather be locked up in her room with her novels than be here.

While Pamela on the other hand, is crazily wild, she was the direct opposite of Andrea and more of the reason why Andrea had Exes, because if it were up to Andrea? She wouldn't have any.

Even though she was wild, she had her best interest at heart and deeply loved Andrea.

Still not in the mood to party or shake her body, she turned swiftly to Pamela.

“Can we just go home now? This place is sickening and it's draining my energy.” She spat out lazily, but Pamela was already deep in the music which was loud.

“I can't hear you, Andrea…what did you say????” She yelled on the top of her voice to beat the decibel of the sound blasting from the speakers but Andrea gave up, she knew she was not leaving here till dawn.

How was this going to help her? She was depressed and the best place Pamela could bring her to was a club? Well she should be grateful it's not a bar or a strip club like the last time.

Sometimes she wondered how the hell, they were both friends.

Just as she was about to talk to Pamela, her friends or more like her drinking buddies hovered her.

“Pamela..what are you still doing here let's drink!!!” One of them shouted, Andrea took a good look at him, he was heavily drunk.

“Pamela?” She called, reminding her other promise to her not to get drunk but Pamela being Pamela, pouted her lips pitifully.

“C'mon Andrea, I can't leave them hanging….tell you what? I won't drink more than a bottle.” She said, without even waiting for Andrea's response she cheered her way to her drinking table.

“Oh my goodness. She's going to get drunk again.” She ran her hands through her hair feeling the frustration cut deep through her. She was depressed or rather she was eating deep in depression.

Her boss had threatened to fire her, her mother was sick and she had to have the funds to help her father foot the bills and losing her job now was the worst thing ever that could happen to even think, Paul wasn't even picking up her calls nor her text messages.

Paul was her boyfriend as she supposed, he hadn't contacted her in months after he had left the country she helped him with nearly all her savings. She wanted a better life for the both of them, even with Pamela's refusal, she still went ahead to give him all her life savings and now he was not picking up, she felt even more depressed just when she thought her life was about to get better and now this happens.

She was going to be stuck at the party for a while to keep Pamela safe but in the meantime, she had to cool off, so she went over to the bartender, taking a seat at the counter.

“One glass of Apple juice, please.” She said with her voice in distraught.

The bartender took a good look at her, she was not demanding the right drink to help with her depression.

“Are you okay, Ma'am?” He asked with a gentle voice, and a small warm smile which made Andrea feel a little bit at ease to engage in a conversation with him.

“Hi, Hello…” She said forcing a smile on her face,

“I believe you have something bothering you but do you think Apple juice would help with that?” He asked, she let out a small smile.

“Well, unlike most people I have zero tolerance for alcohol and I have to be sober enough to keep my friend safe. She's quite drunk.” She said as she let out a small laugh, the bartender followed suit. She was quite a character too.

“Well, You could tell me. A problem shared is half solved.” He said resting on the counter, this situation looked very familiar to her, the same way she met with Paul. He was a bartender at a school party and Pamela had brought her to one party and that was how they met and talked their way through the night.

She looked at him giving a small smile, then fell into deep sadness.

“I don't think you have the solution to my problems Mr……” her eyes went to his tag on his left breast pocket it was written clearly as Mike.

“Mr. Mike.”

Mike let out a Small smile as he stretched to his full length then said,

“Do you think everyone here tonight didn't come here over a problem or so but want to drink that problem away?” He asked, she followed this gaze, there she saw Pamela in a drinking competition whatsoever with her fellow drunks. How would she know? The Pamela she knows was always bubbly and spirited. She was so optimistic in everything and every bad situation. It was one of the reasons she admired her. Her bravery and boldness to attack a problem head on. Unlike her who would sulk all through the night praying for a miracle.

Well, she was not having that alcohol tonight, not now, not ever. She turned to Mike.

“Apple Juice please.” She stated, he smiled seeing she was quite hotheaded and stubborn too.

“Your one glass of Apple juice is ready.” He said to her, handing her the glass, as she took a long gulp of it.

For her that was her Alcohol.

Just as she was still drinking, a man dressed in a suit rushed up to her, grabbing the glass off, as it snooped off her hand, pouring its content on another man who was dancing with his lady.

“What the…..?

“Sonia?” He called, Causing a deep confusion for her brain cells.

“What? I'm not Soni_” before she would complete her sentence, the other man threw him a punch on the lips.

“What is wrong with you man!” And just like that, the party turned into a wrestling squad. Andrea got down from her seat and her phone as she squeezed herself into the crowd, as she managed to get to Pamela who was half drunk.

“Pamela let's go!”

“Huuhhh??”Pamela says, not totally in her senses.

“Oh goodness gracious, Pamela?” She managed to take her up, after she booked an Uber who was waiting outside already, the place was rowdy and any minute from now the cops might arrived,

They got to the Uber,

“Get in!” She says in a hurry, just as she was about to enter, the same man rushed out,

“Sonia!” He called, he was covered in blood, from the punches she got scared,

Entering the car, then yelled at the driver.

“Let's go!!!”

And at that speed, the car drove off, the man tried to run after them but they were gone. He fell to his knees.

“Sonia you B**t*h!!!!!!”

Chapter 2 Meeting Mr. Jerkins

Her chest throbbing loudly as she held on to Pamela as they drove home, she had to drop Pamela off her home with her mother.

She stood there holding the door bells as she rang it, the door open to see her mother,

“Oh my…she's drunk again?” Andrea gave a light smile, giving her bags to get mother.

“So sorry, Mrs. Martins I tried to warn her but you know, she wouldn't listen.”

Mrs. Martin's sighs, as she takes Pamela from her,

“Thank you, Andrea. You should go home now. Your mother would be worried as well.” She says. As the door closed shut, Andrea sighed.

Her heart still beating, she wondered who could that be and why the hell was addressing her as Sonia.

Her house was just a five minute walk from Pamela's. She finally got to the door, she opened it slowly as she walked in to see her father coming out of the kitchen with a glass of water.

“Andrea? Is that you?” He asked, as the part she was was quite dark but he knew his daughter's physique from a mile away.

“Dad? Still awake?” She asked, dropping off her purse on the old couch.

“You Mom was slightly at it again. “ He sighed, taking a big gulp of water. Andrea could see that he was exhausted and couldn't do anything about the situation. She hated herself more.

“Dad, I'm sorry.” She says, her eyes filled with tears as they prepare to prick down her eyes.

Her father looked at her, he could tell she was remorseful but he wouldn't blame her, it was Paul he blamed.

“Andrea…” he cooed, as he watched her,

“Your mother would be fine.” He added, opening up his arms for a warm embrace, she rushed to his embrace, that was all she needed.

After spending a little time with her father, she decided it was time for her to sleep, so she stood up and headed to her bedroom.

As soon as she got into her room, she hit the shower, letting the water wash all over her as her thoughts went back to the man at the party. She just couldn't get over the thought of it. He seemed to know her, like she was someone he knew.

After the shower, she walked out of the bathroom, dried up her body, Wore her nighties and slid into her bed, wrapping herself with her blanket. Just thinking all night on how to raise enough money for her Mother's surgery, she dozed off, drifting off to sleep.

****

Morning came quickly with the chirping sounds of the birds and the lousy noise from outside, she could hear the horns and chattering sound of the children loading into their bus. She laid there sprawled on the bed, with her eyes shut but fully awake.

Andrea was exhausted, with work and everything else that matters to even think she went out to a party last night and today being Monday, she just couldn't have it if she were to deal with Pamela then she'd rather not.

“Thought of the devil and she came” she whispered to herself, hearing Pamela call her loud and clear from the living.

“Good morning, Mr. Owen.” She heard Pamela say, apparently getting her father.

She waited patiently for Pamela to break down her door and meet her where she laid, and with that thought, Pamela kicked her door open to see Andrea still laying helplessly on the bed.

“Hey! What the..?” She rushed to her, taking off the blanket away from Andrea's body.

“You're still sleeping? By this time? You know we've got work , or do you want to get on Mr. Andrew's bad side today?”

Andrea was not having it either, she missed aloud trying to cover up herself but Pamela took away the blanket.

“Get up Andrea Marietta Owen.” Pamela spelt out her full name, Andrea Began to wonder how she picked such a loud mouth to be her friend.

She sprang up lazily ....” There you go…are you happy now?” She fired back, her hair was a mess as well her face dry too but there was nothing a little shower could do.

“Go dress up…. I'll help you pick an outfit. You're bad at that anyway.” Pamela says walked towards Andrea's dresser, she flipped the door open to see only pairs of jeans and a few blouses.

“You have nothing here.” She spat out, Andrea rolled her eyes then slowly got out of her bed, putting on her flip flops as she was about to go into the bathroom when Pamela stopped her.

“I know I was quite drunk last night but I thought I heard someone clearly calling you Sonia.” She paused looked at Andre who seemed to have tensed up,

“Why would he call you that?” She asked again and this time Andrea went silent.

Andrea quickly avoided Pamela's eyes, with her gaze hitting anywhere but Pamela's.

If there was anything possibly good about Pamela, it was her ability to see through her. Andrea was a bad liar, in fact she was too innocent to have possibly created a good lie to tell.

“Why would you ask me that?” She asked quickly, avoiding her gaze as she grabbed her towel from the dresser, tying it round her chest.

“I can tell you're lying right now, Andrea. You are not a good liar.” She added, Andrea scoffed then turned swiftly to her.

“Do I look like I'm lying right now? You know what, Pamela? You think you know too much and that's always been a problem with you.

“Well how should I know? You know what? Just go take your bath. We're going to be late again today, thanks to you.” Pamela added as she fell to Andrea’s bed

Andrea sighs as she walks into her bathroom, taking her bath after she is done, she dressed up in her uniform, they both worked at the coffee shop. And today she was not in the mood to attend to anyone .

Picking up her backpack, she beckoned on Pamela.

“We should go now.” She said to her, distracting Pamela was too busy reading an old newspaper, Yes, Andrea was one of a kind.

They both walked downstairs, her father looked up as they both ladies approached him,

“Are you two ready to go?” He asked, Andrea flashed her father a smile before saying,

“Yes Dad,” she added. They gave him a light peck on the cheeks.

“Good morning, Mr. Owen” He heard Pamela greeted.

“Good morning Pamela. Since we're both going the same way, how about you both join me in the cab, I could drop you two off at work.”

Andrea wasn't having it, her father was already late for his usual morning rides,

“Dad, C'mon. Pamela and I can find our way so don’t_” before she would finish, Pamela butted in.

“Andrea …. c'mon, we're late already.” She added, mounting a little pressure on her.

Seeing her father's eyes, how could she say no to that?

She sighs, “ Alright…let's go. But you have to be back early because if mom, Okay?”

“Leave your mom to me, Andrea.” He added.

Dropping them off at the Dine Cafe, he bid them a goodbye.

Chapter 3 You are fired!

Andrea took a deep breath as she glared at the billboard with Dine Cafe written on it, she took a deep breathe , Pamela tapped her lightly,

“It's going to be fine…I'm sure the manager will still keep you. The customers love you.” She says trying to give her a little assurance.

“After refusing his proposal, do you think he would still want me to keep my job?” She says losing the last shred of hope she had in her.

She had a lot on her plate and that led her to the party last night, which turned into a disaster.

Andrea took a deep breath as she opened the door stepping in, her gaze immediately fell on Mr. Franco, as she assisted their colleague. She gulped down in anxiety.

“Goo..d mor..ning sir.” She managed to say, apparently waiting for the next words to be

“You're fired”

But he instead frowned and walked away, creating an entirely ball of confusion for her. She turned to Pamela.

“So is that a yes I forgive you look?” She asked Pamela who was confused.

“Uhmm…I think it's more of a watch you back, I'll be back.” She added, Andrea Instantly felt weak.

“Huh?” She breathed out in frustration.

“How about I just resign before he fires me.” Andrea said immediately.

“When he hasn't fired you? C'mon Andrea. You're just overthinking things.” Pamela added, dropping off her back at the workers counter as she put in her apron,

Andrea Sighs, maybe Pamela was right. She had to take all the negativities and toss them into the sea and be positive.

“Here.” Pamela handed her the apron,

“Let's just work.” She finally admitted.

Just as she was serving a coffee, Nina approached her,

“The Manager asked me to call you.” She said, immediately, Andrea’s heart dropped to her stomach, she turned swiftly to Pamela who too was as confused as she was.

“It's going to be fine.” She mouthed to Andrea.

“Did he say why?” She asked, but Nina shook her head.

“I don't know, Okay? Just go answer him.” Nina said flatly then walked away, Andrea's curiosity heightened.

“You don't have to be so rude about it.” Pamela says, Nina rolls her eyes then walks away.

“Pamela…” Andrea cautioned.

“What? Andrea….you should go and don't you forget if he tries to harass you, give me a loud shout. She stated, Andrea shook her head then took of her aprons she headed to Mr. Franco’s office taking a few deep breaths before opening it up, she peeped her head in and said,

“You called for me, Sir?” She questioned, he raised his gaze at her then said.

“I need you to send one coffee serving to Jerkins Enterprise.” He tossed her the serving order of what the customer wanted, it was a more complicated order.

“What a customer.”

“Sure sir…I'll send this across and deliver it myself.” She stated, waiting for him to say something else but he returned to what he was doing before she walked in earlier.

She was more confused, as soon as she got out, he picked his cellphone,

“She is on her way. Ensure she regrets rejecting me” He stated, as a wild smirk appeared on his face.

“Strange…” she muttered to herself and she got out, Pamela looked at her.

*****

Finally, staring at the building she held with her the coffee, as she got to the eighth floor, the secretary raised her head in shock.

“Ma'am?” She called, as she looked at her from her head to her toe, she looked completely different.

“Huh? Who's Ma'am?” Andrea asked, this was the same reaction she got from the security when she got here.

Andrea tried to ignore everything, she took the card, “ here to deliver coffee to one Mr. Morrison Jerkins I suppose.”

But the secretary kept looking at her, she was beginning to find it irritating.

“Miss?”

The elevator opened and he walked out in poise and majesty, his gray eyes met with her as he froze on the spot.

“Sonia?” He called.

Andrea stood there stunned to the ground, this was the second time someone was addressing her again as Sonia. Who the heck was Sonia?

Before she would even lift a finger he pulled her by the wrist, to his office. Andrea struggled with his grip but it was tightly firm around her wrist.

Mr. Jerkins was stepping closer and closer to Andrea, his eyes ablaze with intensity. "Sonia, my love, at last I have found you," he huskily whispered.

Andrea's heart protested as she exclaimed in alarm, "I am not Sonia!" and struggled to back away from him.

Undeterred, Mr. Jerkins grasped her and dragged her close to him, his lips inches from hers.

Andrea's instincts screamed warning. She tried to push him away, but he was too strong.

In utter desperation to get away, Andrea leaned back jerkily, her movements causing all the hot coffee to spill down onto Mr. Jerkins' crisp white shirt.

"Oh dear Lord. I'm so sorry!" she gasped in complete mortification.

Mr. Jerkins' face twisted out of shape as the scalding coffee seeped through his shirt.

Andrea didn't need a second warning. She turned and ran out of the office, leaving Mr. Jerkins in utter surprise and dripping with coffee.

Andrea gasped for air as she emerged into the bright sunlight, her heart still racing. What just happened?

She hastened her pace, anxious to put as much distance between herself and Mr. Jerkins as she could.

In turning the corner, she bumped into a figure rather well known to her-Pamela.

"Whoa, what's wrong?" Pamela asked, full of concern.

Andrea took a deep breath. "It's Mr. Jerkins. He thinks I'm his wife, Sonia."

Pamela's eyes were wide. "What? That's crazy!"

Andrea nodded. "I know. And then he leaned in to kiss me, and I spilled coffee all over him."

Pamela burst into laughter. "Classic Andrea!"

But Andrea did not look amused. "Pamela, I am scared. What if he is unstable?"

The smile fell from Pamela's face. "We will get to the bottom of it. Let's dig up some dirt on Mr. Jerkins."

Andrea nodded to herself, determination welling up inside her. She would find out what was going on with Mr. Jerkins and his mysterious wife, Sonia.

Pamela's face turned somber. "Andrea, go home. You've had a rough morning."

Andrea nodded, still in shock.

"I'll cover for you with the manager," Pamela said. "I'll tell him you had a family emergency."

Andrea's appreciation overflowed. "Thanks, Pamela. You're a lifesaver."

Pamela smiled and handed Andrea her purse. "Go, get out of here. Take care of yourself."

Andrea took a deep breath, shouldering her purse. "I will."

With a quick hug, Andrea stepped away from Pamela and flagged down a passing cab.

"Hey, uptown, please," Andrea said, settling into the back seat.

As the cab pulled away from the curb, Andrea gazed out the window, her thoughts reeling.

Her head would not clear of Mr. Jerkins' words, which haunted her: "Sonia, my love." Who was Sonia? And why did Mr. Jerkins believe she was his wife?

Andrea sat in the back of the cab when it pulled to a stop at a red light. She glanced upwards and caught sight of herself in the rearview mirror. Her eyes were haunted.

Chapter 4 She's a double

Andrea shook off the feeling and turned back to the cityscape rolling by outside the window. All she wanted was to get home, slam the door shut, and try to forget what had transpired that morning.

The cab pulled up in front of Andrea's apartment building, and she paid the driver and stepped out onto the sidewalk.

As she entered the apartment, the silence wrapped itself around her like a warm hug. Andrea kicked her shoes off and fell onto the couch.

For a long moment, she lay there, letting the stillness calm the racing thoughts in her mind.

As she closed her eyes, Mr. Jerkins' face came in view instead-his searing gaze, his whispered words.

Andrea opened her eyes abruptly. She couldn't shake the feeling that her life was going to be irrevocably different.

John, Andrea's father, entered the living room, his face a mask of concern. "Andrea, what's wrong? Why are you back so early?"

Andrea's eyes went big in alarm. She had not expected her father home.

She was silent for a moment, unsure how to phrase her thoughts.

"Dad?" Andrea's voice quivered. "Did Mom and you, um, have twins at birth and get separated? You know, how the story goes?"

John looked away from concern to confusion. "What do you mean, sweetie?"

Andrea exhaled and felt stupid. "Never mind. I forgot we have a birth footage of me."

John sat next to Andrea on the couch. "Andrea, what's going on? You're scaring me."

Without saying another word, Andrea got up and ran upstairs to her room. She closed the door behind her and was alone.

As she leaned against the door, Andrea thought of everything. She could still hear Mr. Jerkins' voice in her head: "Sonia, my love." Who was Sonia? And why did Mr. Jerkins think that she was his wife?

Andrea's gaze drifted to her bed, where her laptop sat open. She stood and sat, her fingers hovering over the keyboard.

Andrea's eyes narrowed, determination rising.

Andrea continued to scroll down Sonia's online profiles; she couldn't help but notice the resemblance.

They had different hair-Sonia's was darker, straighter-and their eyes were different shades of brown.

Yet, there was a similarity in the structure of their facial bones, the shapes of their noses, and the curves of their mouths that wasn't to be mistaken.

Andrea's head was reeling. Could they be siblings?

She clicked onto other photos to see Sonia's face.

It was a strong resemblance, yet different enough to detail they were not identical twins.

The fact that they could be long-lost sisters or at least second cousins sent shivers down Andrea's spine.

Andrea quickly reached for her phone and dialed Pamela's number.

"Hey, girl! How's it going?" Pamela answered.

"Andrea, I've been worried sick about you. What happened with Mr. Jerkins?"

Andrea took a deep breath. "You won't believe what I found online."

"Try me," Pamela said, curiosity raised.

Andrea was still doubtful where to begin. "I looked up Sonia Maxwell. and we look alike, Pamela."

There was a pause on the other end. "What do you mean?"

"Our faces, our features. they're similar. Different hair, different eyes, but it's uncanny."

Pamela's voice turned to a whisper. "That's freaky. You think you're related?"

Andrea's voice shook. "I don't know. But I found articles about Sonia going missing in 2019."

"Oh my god," Pamela breathed. "This is getting weirder by the minute."

Andrea's anxiety peaked. "What if Mr. Jerkins is telling the truth? What if I'm. Sonia?

Pamela sounded assuring at that point. "Andrea, you are not Sonia; you are you. We shall figure this out together."

Andrea's throat lumped. "Thanks, Pamela. Just talking to you makes me feel better."

"Anytime, girl. Now, what is our next move?" Pamela asked.

"Hey, Pamela? I need you over to my place to help figure this out," Andrea requested.

"Already grabbing my keys," Pamela said. "Be there in 20."

Andrea let the phone drop, as a sense of relief washed over her. With Pamela's cool head and quick wit, together they could unravel the mystery.

She began pacing around her room, gathering her thoughts. What did she know so far?

Sonia Maxwell, Mr. Jerkins' business partner, went missing in 2019.

She and Sonia shared an uncanny resemblance.

Mr. Jerkins believed she was Sonia.

The ringing of the doorbell brought Andrea back to reality.

She ran downstairs, flung open the door, and launched herself at Pamela.

"And thanks for coming," Andrea said as she led Pamela upstairs.

Pamela dumped her bag onto the bed. "Spill."

Andrea handed Pamela her laptop opened to Sonia's Social profile.

Pamela's eyes widened. "Gosh, you two do look alike."

Andrea nodded. "I know. And Mr. Jerkins thinks I'm Sonia."

Pamela's face set in a determined expression. "We'll get to the bottom of this."

The two began an ebullient search for more information about Sonia and Mr. Jerkins on the internet.

The sun had moved to set below the horizon of the earth, gilding the room with golden light. Andrea and Pamela continued working.

Andrea and Pamela had spent hours researching, scanning the screens until exhaustion finally claimed them.

Slumped back in unison onto the bed, Andrea's open laptop sat before them, softly glowing at them in the dark.

Sleep wrapped itself around them like a shroud, but it was short-lived.

A knock at the door brought Andrea awake.

"Andrea, sweetie, wake up," her father called softly.

Andrea rubbed her eyes, disoriented.

Pamela stirred beside her, yawning.

"Good morning, Mr. Owen?" Pamela asked.

"There's a man here to see Andrea," John replied, his voice low.

Andrea's heart flipped.

"Who is it?" she asked, a sense of trepidation seeping in.

Her father was hesitant. "He didn't give his name, but. be careful, okay?"

Andrea turned to Pamela, showing a look of deep concern.

Downstairs, Andrea felt her anxiety build with every step.

As she entered the living room, a figure stood by the window that became instantly recognizable.

Mr. Jerkins.

His eyes locked onto hers, a mix of desperation and longing.

"Andrea. Sonia," he whispered, taking a step forward.

Andrea's instincts screamed warning. She stood frozen, unsure what to do.

Pamela was suddenly there beside her, comforting in her solidity.

"What do you want, Mr. Jerkins?" Pamela asked calmly.

Mr. Jerkins didn't turn away from Andrea's face. "I need to talk to her. Alone."

Andrea turned to Pamela. "It's okay, I can handle him."

Pamela's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You sure?"

Andrea nodded. "Yeah, go upstairs. I'll be fine."

Pamela hesitated, then nodded and went upstairs.

The door creaked shut, and Andrea turned to him.

"What do you want, Mr. Jerkins?" she asked firmly.

He took another step closer, his eyes pleading. "It's Daren, actually."

"I don't care to know," Andrea replied, cold. "I'm not Sonia. Just because we look alike doesn't make us the same person."

Daren's face twisted in anguish. "You don't remember anything? Anything at all?"

Andrea shook her head. "No, I don't. And even if I did, I'm not Sonia."

Daren slumped in defeat, traces of defeat etched on his face.

Suddenly, he pulled out a small photo from his pocket.

"Look at this," he said with a voice barely audible.

The picture showed Daren and a woman who looked uncannily like Andrea - Sonia.