Is it because of what you saw your father doing? She asked, lowering her voice. Ashton looked around, making sure no one was listening. He took his friend’s hand and pulled her to a more private corner of the courtyard.
It’s not about my father, he said, looking at the ground. It’s something else. Something that happened yesterday.
Something bizarre. Hazel’s eyes gleamed with curiosity. What? Tell me, she pleaded, almost begging.
Ashton took a deep breath and said, I saw a boy who looked just like me. Hazel frowned. Like a doppelganger? That’s normal.
My mom said everyone has several doppelgangers in the world. People who look like us. She said, trying to understand.
No, Hazel. You don’t understand. It wasn’t just similar.
It was identical. Same height. Same eyes.
Same hair. Even the voice was similar. The boy explained.
The girl’s eyes widened, intrigued. Except he was all dirty. He looked like he lived on the street.
Actually, I don’t know if he lived on the street. But his clothes were torn. He was just like me.
But it was like he was living a completely different life. Like a parallel universe, you know? Ashton finished, still stunned. His friend crossed her arms and bowed her head, thoughtful.
Are you sure? Exactly alike? She asked, trying to process it. Ashton nodded quickly. I am.
Absolutely. He was identical. And what did you do? Hazel asked, intrigued.
Ashton told how he had found the boy in front of the party hall, how they had tried to talk, and how Luke, startled when he heard Penelope’s voice, had fled before they could exchange many words. Wait a second, Hazel exclaimed, putting the pieces together. So you’re telling me that you might have a twin brother living on the streets? Ashton scratched his head, confused.
I don’t know. My mom always said I’m an only child. But it’s all very strange.
I swear he was identical to me, Hazel. He admitted. The girl, filled with determination, crossed her arms.
You need to find this boy again, Ashton. Find out who he is. She said firmly.
Ashton sighed, defeated. But how? I don’t even know where he lives. I only know his name.
Luke. Hazel smiled, her mind already working at full speed. Why don’t you go back to the place where you found him? Maybe he’ll be around there again.
If he’s homeless, he might be sheltering near there. And even if he’s just a boy who got dirty, he must live nearby. She suggested, excited.
Ashton thought for a moment. That’s a good idea. But how am I going to get back there? My parents would never let me go out alone, especially to look for a stranger, even if he’s a child.
He said, worried. He also confessed that he had thought about telling his mother about Luke, but had given up for fear of not being taken seriously. Hazel smiled even wider.
Leave it to me. Do this. Ask your mom to let you spend the afternoon at my house.
Then we’ll make up an excuse and my driver will take us there. Theodore does everything I ask. She laughed, in a mischievous way.
Ashton felt hope reborn within him. He extended his hand to his friend and smiled. Deal.
Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Luke’s reality was quite different. The boy, his stomach rumbling with hunger, rummaged through trash cans in search of something he could eat. He turned one over, then another, and another.
All empty, or with remains that cannot be used. With a sorrowful sigh, Luke sat on the sidewalk, hugging his knees to protect himself from the cold that morning. His mind went back to the day before.
He thought about the trash cans in the party room, which must have been full of good food that had been thrown away. He also thought about the boy who was just like him. Ashton.
I should have taken some food yesterday, he muttered to himself, regretful. He distinctly remembered the female voice that had sent him scurrying away. Ever since he was little, he had learned to fear adults.
He knew that, for children like him, being taken to a shelter was worse than living on the streets. In a shelter, he would lose his freedom and could be mistreated, as he had been before. Luke paused for a moment, ruminating on the unusual encounter.
Then an idea sprang into his tired mind. What if I go back there? Maybe there’s still food in the bins, and maybe I’ll see that boy again, he said to himself, with a spark of hope. Hauling himself up from the ground, Luke clenched his fists and decided that he would return to the street where the banquet hall was.
Something inside him told him that the encounter hadn’t been just a coincidence. Something was about to happen. Back at Ashton’s school, the young millionaire was anxiously watching the clock affixed to the classroom wall.
Each second felt like an eternity. He mentally counted down the time until noon, the moment he would leave the room and embark on the mission he had planned with Hazel. The hand finally reached the number twelve, and as soon as the bell rang, Ashton glanced at his friend, exchanging a complicit smile with her.
They both quickly got up and walked together towards the door. Before leaving, the boy ran up to the teacher. I promise I’ll be more attentive tomorrow, Professor, he said with an awkward smile.
The teacher smiled and nodded understandingly. At the school gate, Hazel quickly spotted Theodore’s black car, her personal driver, and ran towards it. Wait a little, Theodore.
Ashton is coming to my house today. He just needs to let his mother know, she said excitedly. The driver, already accustomed to the girl’s unusual requests, smiled and nodded.
Hazel ran back to Ashton, who was waiting for his mother to arrive. However, it was Afonso, the boy’s father, who appeared, accompanied by Michelle, his sister. Upon seeing them, Ashton’s expression automatically darkened.
Something inside him stirred every time he saw Afonso, and even more so when Michelle was around. With a fake smile, Michelle bent down, hugging Ashton tightly. Lovely nephew, I’ve missed you so much.
I came to pick you up from school today. Are you happy? she said in a saccharine voice. Ashton remained rigid in the hug, not returning it.
Afonso, on the other hand, was direct and curt. Get in the car, Ashton. I’m in a hurry, he ordered, his voice firm.
The boy took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. I’m not going, he said, facing his father with courage. Afonso’s expression tightened even further.
He crossed his arms and raised his voice. What do you mean you’re not going? Your mother is in an important meeting, and I came to pick you up. Let’s go now.
Move. Get in the car. Realizing that the situation could get out of control and put the plan at risk, Hazel intervened quickly.
It’s not like that, Mr. Afonso, she said, smiling politely. Ashton just meant to say that he’s having lunch at my house today. We have a school project to work on together.
The boy quickly agreed. That’s right, dad. Afonso looked at the girl with disdain, clearly suspicious.
He turned his gaze back to his son and said, I don’t know. Your mother asked me to take you straight home. He paused and crossed his arms.
And another thing, I don’t like this friendship you have with that girl. You should make friends with boys, play football, do boy things. You’re always at that girl’s house.
Ashton lowered his eyes, embarrassed. Before any response could be given, Michelle placed her hand on Afonso’s shoulder and spoke with a forced smile. Stop being so rough, Afonso.
Let the boy go. What’s the harm? Besides, they’re going to work on a school project. It’s better to let him go.
Penelope values Ashton’s studies more than anything. Afonso huffed, defeated. All right, he said reluctantly.
What time should I pick you up? Hazel, ever quick, replied before Ashton could open his mouth. No need to worry. As soon as we finish the work, Theodore will take Ashton home.
Afonso nodded slowly, still displeased. He bent down to hug his son, but Ashton only gave him a quick, unenthusiastic hug. Then he ran towards Theodore’s car, where Hazel was already waiting for him.
From afar, Afonso watched the two get into the car, his face filled with disapproval. I don’t like that friendship, Michelle. When I was his age, all I cared about was playing soccer with the boys, he commented, shaking his head.
Michelle laughed loudly and said, Oh, Afonso, please. Worried about what the child is doing? I bet those two will end up dating one day. And look on the bright side.
The girl is the daughter of millionaires, too. You should be grateful. It would be bad if he were hanging around with some slum brat.
She winked at him mischievously. Now forget about it. Let’s worry about what really matters.
Penelope. I’m going to talk to her and get this twin children’s story out of her head once and for all. After all, am I a good sister-in-law or not? She said, laughing.
Afonso approached and said, the best. They got into the car and before leaving, Afonso commented with a sly smile. Since I’m not taking Ashton home, we could take advantage of it to enjoy ourselves a little.
Michelle leaned towards him and with a seductive look replied. Of course, my love. They kissed, making it clear that their bond of brotherhood was nothing more than a facade.
Meanwhile, in Theodore’s car, Hazel and Ashton exchanged excited glances. The driver followed the usual route until Hazel leaned forward and said, Theodore, could you change the route? Please take us to the Peach District’s party hall. The driver looked in the rearview mirror, confused.
Your parents told me to take you home, Hazel, and you have a friend with you. The girl smiled with her persuasive manner. Please, Theodore, I just want to stop by the hall to inquire about the date for my 13th birthday party.
My parents are so busy lately and I’d really like it to be there. You have no idea how popular that place is. Ashton looked at her in admiration, impressed by his friend’s cleverness.
Theodore sighed, defeated by the girl’s charm. All right, but no funny business. If I lose my job, it’ll be your fault, he said, pretending to be angry.
Hazel laughed and replied. You’re the best driver in the world, Theodore. Ashton smiled, relieved.
But before we continue and find out if Ashton will reunite with Luke and what their true relationship is, help our channel by clicking like. And tell me, would you like to have a twin? And if you did, would you switch places with him or her to play a prank on someone? Also, tell me what city you’re watching this video from so I can leave a heart on your comment. Now back to our story.
Penelope was in her office, immersed in a stack of papers and documents. Her focus was entirely on scheduling all the week’s activities, organizing meetings, evaluating proposals, and planning the launch of new products for her cosmetics network. As she flipped through some folders, she heard light knocks on the door.