I usually spend my Sunday morning in the garden, painting the day way. But here I stood in front of a house in a shabby neighborhood in the south Bronx.
I frantically stared at the door with frenzies jolting over me. I felt like a soldier about to on back on a suicide mission. That was figurative. My mission isn't suicidal but crazy enough.
I dunk in a breath. With a shaking hand, I knock on the door.
I knocked for the fourth time, there was no response. Maybe this is a sign from the universe telling me to snap out of my craziness and recede from my plan.
I was ready to bolt away like the frightened kitten I was.
The door squeak opened.
"How can I help you?"
I whirled around to see a lady around my age with short bob pink bleached hair with a lot of piercings rings on her face and a tattoo around her neck.
I flinched a little, she looks intimidating enough. She reminds me of Audrey when her appearance was much crazy as this girl.
"Are you the Impersonator?" I mustered the courage to ask.
"Yes?" she confirms with a crest eyebrow
"I need your help," I said.
She glanced at me eerily making chills tingle through my spine.
"Who are you?"
"I'm a friend of AJ the pimp," I told her, praying that could make her agree to assist me.
"Alright come in"
With the thud of my heart, I slunk in.
The environment was not welcoming. The living room was littered with bottles of liquor, pizza boxes, disposable plastic cups. And other garbage stuff not suitable to be in the hall. The whole place was a hot mess.
"The aftermaths of a party of delinquents," she said nonchalantly when she noticed my prying eyes staring.
I flash her a small nervous smile.
"What help do you want from the Impersonator?".
I fished through the handbag dangling off my shoulder and brought out a photo.
I gave it to her.
"I want to be disguised as her"
She peered through the photo.
"Looks much like you, a sister?"
"No that's my mom"
She narrowed her gaze at me and shrugs with disinterest.
"Hope you know how this works"
I know what she meant. Fortunately, I came prepared. Without hesitating, I took out an envelope containing cash.
She snatches it from my hand with a sharp look on her face.
She peered through the envelope and nodded in affirmation.
"Follow me" she gestures.
I followed her to a room, that looks much of a dressing room.
"Alright let's see what I can do," she said scrutinizing me and then averting her eyes to my mother's photo.
"Your mom looks more like your elder sister" she admitted.
I guess she looks younger than her age and quite pretty.
I just smiled, not in the mood for an uncomfortable conversation with her about my mother.
She peered at me again studying me
"The only differences between you and your mom is, the hair and your figure, you are more on the willowy slender side and she is rather a bit curvier. But no worries I can work with that. The right clothes, wig, and makeup effect could transform you into a little older version of yourself, your mom" she says assuring me.
I gasped softly in relief. I pray she is good at what she does as AJ told me.
"I hate to pry but this piques me, disguising yourself as your mom is far fetched"
I agree with her this is pretty odious. So this is my reason.
Yesterday after getting over my initial shock over the photos that were sent to me. With no doubt I knew the culprit was Chris Anderson, the blonde devil of a stalker, definitely using this to lure me into agreeing to his stupid friendship offer. I know there is more to that
So a crazy idea was formulated in my brain. I'm going to Queen's elderly home to pay a visit to Brad's granny disguised as a woman called Camila, hoping Camila turns out to be my mother.
I couldn't wait for Audrey's perfect plan. I decided to do this on my own without hindrances hoping to get much leverage on this, to get the creep, Chris Anderson off my back.
But I can't blurt this out bluntly to a total stranger.
"It's just a prank I'm cooking up with my dad" It's the only lie I could come up with.
Her lips pursed, she shrugs off. Don't believe me.
"Okay, let's get the ball rolling"
She first went through her collection of wigs. and selected the perfect one that is a clone of my mother's raven waist-length hair.
She started working on my face, applying makeup, starting the transformation process.
Within an hour she was done.
I stared at myself in the mirror and smiled with satisfaction. I looked like my mother's twin. With the waist-length black wig, makeup effect, and clothes. I'm my mother's perfect photocopy.
"It is done," she said, admiring the magic work of her hand.
"Thank you, I got the desired result I was looking for"
Now it's time for the sheer part of mission Camila.
**
I walked into Queens elderly home with an aura of elegant and all the confidence I can induce but with nervousness etched inside of me
I made my way to the lobby like I expected there was a receptionist at the desk.
I darted the brightest smile ever
"Hello"
The receptionist is a plump middle-aged woman who stopped whatever she was doing on her phone and drifted her attention to me.
"I'm here to visit Mrs. Smith"
"Name please," she asked.
"Camila Jackson," I said without a beat.
She glanced through her computer.
"I'm sorry, your name isn't included in the visitor's list authorized by her family"
My pulse raced in panic. I should have known, it wouldn't be easy to visit someone important as her. I didn't think deep enough.
"Did you say you are Camila?" A lady approached us, looks like she was a few paces from us and must have heard our interaction?
"Yes" I shoot an eyebrow up
"I'm Juliet, lady Blanca's nurse"
Hmm lady Blanca, that's the old lady's name? The la Blanca restaurant and hotel chain might have been named after her. Interesting.
"She speaks so much about you," she says flashing me a smile, I smiled back.
"I think she should be permitted to see her, she mentions her name all the time"
"The old lady has Schizophrenia for Christ seek Juliet, it could be one her usual hallucinations" The receptionist protested
I was losing hope. This isn't going as I planned. I should have sought the help of Audrey
"I'm her nurse and I know what is best for my patient. And also Schizophrenic patients realize the thing or person they are hallucinating about isn't real when they come into contact with the actual thing or person." She educated her.
With a long pause. The receptionist sighed.
"Fine, she is permitted, but you are going to take the blame when any of the Smiths get a wind of this" she warns.
"When that time comes, I will carry the cross alone"
Juliet, you are an angel sent from above, I could have come here for nothing without her intervention.
"Thank you," I said to both of them.
"She is at the park taking a stroll with her caregiver, I can take you there" she offers.
"Okay," I smiled.
The facility was too luxurious for an elderly home, I kept peering around in awe.
Juliet made a stop at a room. I'm sure this is the recreational room. But looks more like a casino It was crowded with old people playing poker and other casino games.
Oh gosh never heard of this one a casino in an elderly home. Whoa, this is surely Home for rich senior citizens. I bet there are a bunch of famous rich old folks here I'm not aware of.
She interacted warmly with a few and got us walking again.
The place was huge, with everything that provides the comfort for the rich and privileged.
We finally headed towards the Home's park.
I immediately recognized her when I saw her. She was sitting on a park bench with a caregiver sitting by her side.
I could feel the quivering and twitching of my muscles as I was getting closer to her with every pace I take.
"lady Blanca you have a special visitor" The nurse chirped.
The old lady smiled seeing us, but the expression on her face softens when her gaze landed on me.
"Camila, cariño mío," she says, meaning my dear
I went to her, the caregiver pave way for me, giving up her seat to me.
I was relieved, the caregiver wasn't Phoebe's kid sister. I could have been busted.
My nerves set in. I didn't know how to address her. I thought of something in Spanish.
"Má" I warmly said.
She suddenly placed a hand on my tummy, just like she did the other day. This time around I didn't move. I just sat still waiting for her next action.
"Where is little April," she asked with confusion written on her face.
My eyes widened.
Oh my God, I was right all along, she knows me, probably when I was a child.
Suddenly she started sobbing, with a distant look in a dazed manner.
"Mijo don't cry, Mama Is here by your side" she cries out.
I felt a steer of guilt. My Nana will be stirring up in her grave with a disprove snort. I just turned into a cunny cold bitch. Taking advantage of the vulnerability of this poor old lady by deceiving her for my selfish reasons
"I did upset her right?"
"She just got overwhelmed, probably seeing you triggered some sort of memory," The nurse said.
"Má I'm here, " I said hovering my arms around her soft feeble shoulders, to comfort her, I felt so responsible for her sudden despair.
She jerks out of her dazed with a flick in her eyes.
"Camila, promise you won't leave me"
My eyes soften, swell up with steep of immediate affection towards her
"I promise mamà" I assure her. A promise I can't keep.
"You don't bring little April around anymore" she frowns staring at me with her weary eyes.
I was about to reply but suddenly a sound beeped.
"Sorry is time for her medication, the drugs always knock her out. I'm afraid you have to continue the conversation with her another time" The nurse informed me.
"Alright," I nonchalantly said turning to the old lady to say goodbye.
I hug her.
"Adiós mamà," I said to her.
She was back in the daze mood, but manage to smile warmly at me, blowing a charming kiss
The caregiver helped her sink into her wheelchair.
My heart flutters, As I watched as she was whirled away.
"Who is little April" the nurse interrupted me.
I wanted to say she is standing right in front of you
"She is my daughter" I nonchalantly said.
"Bring her along when coming next time. The old lady is fond of that little child"
I wanted to chuckle and tell her, April is all grown up but I refrained from that.
"Okay sure," I said like there will be the next time.
I walked out of the home with the reeling of my thoughts. Her last words kept baffling me.
Me coming here did pay off. I got to confirm, the Smiths knew my mother, probably me too when I was little, from what the old lady said. But why are they keeping me in the dark about that? Why pretend to me. What is their motive for keeping this truth from me?
I came here to get answers to questions bulging me but ended up with more unanswered ones.
I suddenly felt a chill run through my back. Someone or something is following me.
I turned to see a black car trailing after me.
I stop to confirm my suspicion. The car halted as well.
A muscular guy in a black suit came out.
"Miss Jackson, my boss wants to have a word with you"
I tilted my head, with pursed lips.
"Who is your boss?" I asked waveringly gripping tightly to my handbag with a steep of fear.
I peered around with fright, looking for a possible escape. Am I getting kidnapped probably by a mafia boss in broad daylight.
I wanted to bolt away but my legs couldn't take a bold step I was glued to the spot.
"Mr. Anderson" the guy finally answered.
My face twisted into a frown that could kill. With the surge of unwavering anger filled me.
I stormed over to the car. The glass rolled. The blonde air of Chris Anderson pops up.
He gestured for me to enter.
I obliged just to satisfy my curiosity.
I crouch down beside him
"Stalking me Blondie"
He chuckled.
"Don't take it too personally, it's just a hobby"
"What do you want from me"
He began to tap his fingers on the wheel profusely.
"You are starting to sound like a broken record, repeating the same question over and over again. You do know what I want"
"Oh please, stop patronizing me" I cut him off.
He didn't respond, rather handle over a photo to me. The same photo of my mother and the little boy.
"Your little brother"
I stared at the photo with longing. They both look happy lost in their joyful world.
"I could make that happen, the yearning in your eyes, the desire to have a real family," He said in a soothing voice but creeps me.
Am I an open book? displaying my emotions on my face upfront.
I shook my head. I'm not ready for a reunion with my mother. Looks like she got a new family, I'm just the unwanted daughter she abandoned years ago. I don't want to invade her home destroying her newfound family. I'm just a ghost from her past she has buried. I'm going to keep it that way.
Even though I desire to meet my little brother.
"To hell with you Blondie, You are not luring me with this"
I made a gesture to get out of the car.
"Not so fast, the happy lovely family that you think your brother was born into. That's not his fate at the moment"
I got alerted
"What do you mean by that"
He laughs.
"I got your attention now.
He gave me a file. It was a birth record.
"Kayden Jackson?" that was the name of my little brother.
There was no record of his father.
"Kayden Jackson just like you has no father present in his life" he paused searching my intrigued face.
"Remember how the cold alley floors made your body flinched when you lay down. What about the flimsy blanket that didn't prevent the chilly coldness from hovering around you. The churned and the grumbling sound of your tummy that you starved for so long. Remember how sick you become eating leftovers foods thrown in garbage cans. How the fear of the unknown danger lurking around every night as your 16 years old self laid in total darkness with no care or the protection from anyone to keep those monsters away"
My face went pale in aghast as he took me back to the past. I suddenly hug myself feeling a chill coldness surge through me.
"That will be the fate of your little brother if you don't collide with me" I don't know if that was a threat or a truth he was preaching.
"That can't happen, he is safe with his mother, you are lying" a trepidation grip me at the mere thought of my little brother experiencing what I have been through.
He shakes his head in protest.
"The photo I showed you was taken two years ago. That's when your mother was in the picture. Just like she did to you, she abandoned him two years ago, when she met a man with a fat bank account. Your brother was a hindrance to her ambitions, so she got rid of him"
I gasped. Petrified at this revelation. Not again mother, my chest swirled up with heaviness. A reminiscing pain took hold of me.
My throat clogged. Poor child.
"Where is he"
He snapped his fingers together.
"Lost in the poor foster system like those unwanted neglected kids"
"Your brother is having it worst, how long can he endure the harsh treatment of the system until he can't take it anymore and decides to seek refuge in the streets as you did. Imagine that poor boy all alone by himself facing the horrors of the street"
I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. I closed my eyes, exhaled, and inhaled controlling myself from having a panic attack.
"Please help me find him," I said with pleading eyes and a strain in my voice
He suddenly traced a finger on my face tucking a strand of my hair away.
I winced at his touch.
"Everything has a price dear"
My eyes glistened at him in disbelief.
I chuckled. " I should have known better, you will want something in return. But hey I'm not for sale"
His expression turned cold and Stern.
"Maybe this will convince you" he took a photo lying on the headboard.
I snatched it from him.
I gasped covering my mouth, my face striking with horror.
I was staring at the picture of my little brother with burns scars all over his back. He had a sort of branded scar close to his rib cage.
He gave me another picture.
Another horrible terrible one.
Looks like my brother was beaten up, he had bruises all over his face with a black eye. I dropped the photo in aghast when I noticed a scar running down from one side of his neck
My eyes swirled up with tears. A jolt of throbbing pain pangs in my heart.
Who could do such horrible things to a child?
"His new foster family did this inhuman thing to him. They run a secret drug trade in the heart of Bronx and your little brother is being trained and groomed into becoming a drug smuggler for them. He is already deep into it, selling drugs in the street. I'm afraid your brother is going to end up in a juvenile prison"
He sucks in a breath
"So what is it going to be? Are you going to let your self-preservation prevent you from rescuing him from his plight or are you going to let me help you? With my wealth and influence I can reunite you with your brother. Rescuing him from the hell he is living"
I wanted to scream at him and call him all sorts of names that describe how callous, cold and heartless he is. For using my poor brother as a bait to get to me
But the words choked in my windpipe. All I could think of is the will-treatment my brother is facing at this tender age. Deprived of love and care, abandoned by his family.
I'm not going to neglect him leaving him to his fate, The pandemonium he is going through.
He has me now to look out for him.
"I agree to whatever your demand is, and in return, you help me rescue my little brother"
A smirk danced on his lips
"Wow, I'm marveled, Kayden is a lucky bastard he got a big sister who is willing to do anything just to be with him"
He chuckled.
I gasped my knuckles into a fist snapping my folded fingers. Felt like punching the smirk off his face.
"Let me test how obliged you are to me now. My family will be hosting our annual charity gala ball event. I want you to accompany me as my date"
What the fuck. Hell no. But my brother's predicament is flush in mind.
My throat went dry.
"Okay I'm going to be your date"
What did I just get myself into? I'm officially Chris Anderson's puppet.