Whe Athena's eyes opened again and she found herself back in the mansion, sleeping on same Ariana's bed. This time she couldn't help but get anxious.

Throwing the blanket away from her body, she glance down at her pjs. Someone has changed her out of school uniform too.

She quickly gets up from the bed and rushes downstairs, completely forgetting to slip her shoes on. As she carelessly run down the grand staircase, her body bumps into someone at the end of stairs.

Arm wraps around her shoulders, preventing her body to fall back with the impact. She looks up and finds Romeo staring at her.

"Are you ok?" He asks her. Athena feels her eyes burn with tears. She quickly pushes him away.

"Why?" She asks him in an accusing tone.

"You know truth so why?" A trembling sob escapes her lips. She fall down on her knees and covers her face with her hands. Loud cries tears its way out of her lips making Romeo feel something strange in his chest.

Upon hearing her cries, many servants and guards rushes in the scene but however seeing Romeo standing in front of her, they walk back inside but still there is concern in their eyes.

Vittorio came downstairs and he gave a look of confusion to his twin.

"Why is she crying?"

"L-let me g-go. You k-know t-truth."

"We will let you go this evening." Alexander's voice rings in their ears. Athena looks up with her teary pain filled eyes.

"L-lies."

"It's truth. Our sister will be back today evening." He tells her while crouching down to her eye level.

Something snap inside Athena's chest but she doesn't say anything. She just nods her head feeling a last tear slipping down her face. She walks past him again upstairs still feeling their eyes burning her back.

Three maids enters inside Ariana's room. They look worried seeing Athena who is sitting on floor and staring up at the ceiling.

"Mam! What are you doing on the floor?" Rachael asks her concerned. Athena just shakes her head a little and smiled lightly in their direction.

"We need to get you ready for today's party." Emily says with a wide smile and extends her hand. Athena looks at it.

"B-but I am no Ariana!" She tells them the truth.

"But we like you more better than her." Vanessa giggles as Emily tugs her up. Few of the close guards and maids are aware of the truth now.

The evening comes sooner than Athena can even imagine. She looks in her reflection and a smile unconsciously forms on her lips.

"T-thank you." She smiles at her now three friends.

"The party is already started. You should head to the ballroom." Vanessa tells her.

Athena nods her head and breathes out a small yes. She makes her way out of the room. Still there is a little hesitation in her moves and a bad sinking feeling is growing in her heart. She ignores it and smiles knowing that she will be free today. Free from these lies and troubles.

Upon reaching in the ballroom, a guard pushes the door open for her with a small nod. Athena nervously smiles at him and enters inside. But however her steps faltered at the entrance. There are just so many people. This only increases her anxiety.

She flinches when a arm wraps around her shoulder. Looking up, she finds Luciano staring down at her. He offers her a smile and gently pushes her in the center of the room.

"What do you want to drink, Athena?" Athena again flinches when he calls her by her real name.

"Water." She whispers as he tugs her in the direction of bar. Athena feels several eyes boring on the back of her head but she refuses to look at anyone.

"Relax. You don't have to be look so worked up. I am here for you." He kisses her forehead and hands her the glass. Athena frowns at her shaky hands and at his actions but doesn't say anything. She takes several sips of the water to calm her anxiety down.

She places the glass back cautiously glancing at Luciano who is drinking wine. Few minutes later, Luciano calls her name.

"Let's go! It's time." Luciano grabs her hand and tugs her in the direction of stage. Athena feels her heart beating loudly in her chest. She is nervous of whatever the reality is going to throw at her. She can only hope that she gets out of here tonight. Living a life of someone is much harder than it looks.

Her eyes quickly meets Alexander and twins. They are staring at Vincenzo who is standing on the stage and holding a microphone. Her eyes also makes contact with Sarah and Max. Sarah frantically waves at her.

"Where were you, Ariana? I was searching for you like crazy." Sarah scolds her. Athena faintly smiles at her. Athena suddenly feels her mood turning sad. She doesn't know if Sarah and Max would forgive her for lying to them.

Lost in thought, Athena almost misses out the speech Vincenzo made but her attention transfixed on a particular point when everyone started to clap but it abruptly stopped as the limelight falls back at the entrance.

"What- what the hell?" Sarah whispers from beside Athena.

Athena with a loud beating heart stares at the girl who enters inside confidently. A smirk is playing at the end of her lips. Athena's eyes widens as she stares at Ariana. With same eyes, same height, same appearance, she exactly looks like her. Athena feels like she is looking directly at her own reflection.

It felt like both Ariana and Athena caught in some trance as their eyes made contact with each other.

❤