Chapter 5

I was running through the woods, panting so hard I felt my heart would give out at any time, I didn’t know what was chasing me but it didn’t make me feel safe. I ran as fast as I could with my tired legs, praying for a miracle to happen.

I was scared out of my mind, the heavy footsteps behind me an indication that I wasn’t safe, I needed to run like my life depended on it, which it did.

My eyes were darting everywhere, searching for an escape. That one hesitation made me stumble and I went rolling down the hills. I stopped when my body hit something. I looked up and I saw huge black boots fit for a giant. I couldn’t look, it hurts to look. One boot of the leg raised hoping to kick my face in, but it ended up tapping me.

“Dermot, wake up” the voice whispered in my ear.

“No please!” I whimpered, staring at the black boot about to crush my face.

“Dermot, wake up” the voice said firmly,

When I didn’t respond, the boot descended heavily on my face making me shoot up quickly from the bed. Henry was staring at me in concern.

“Are you alright?” he asks,

“Yes, just a nightmare” I assured him, wiping the sweat off my forehead,

I excused myself to the bathroom, staring my face into the mirror, I wondered if murderers have a different look than the one they usually have on before. I wasn’t sure if I looked different or it was my mind playing tricks on me. I couldn’t let this ruin my life. The best thing to do is move on, it’s not a murder until it is proven otherwise. I didn’t know what the dream meant, but if I kept this up. Henry would start being suspicious about everything.

I splashed some water on my face, sighing at how intense that dream was. It felt like it was almost real.

I went back into the bedroom, not surprised that henry was asleep, it’s like he didn’t care about me anymore. I rolled my eyes at him, I got to my side of the bed, wrapping myself in the blankets and wishing that everything would be okay again, I drifted off to sleep.

Luckily, I didn’t have any reoccurring nightmare, I slept so peacefully and sound that I didn’t want to wake up for work. Henry had to drag me out of bed to get dressed, I worked at an art shop where I sell and guide people to feel their passion for art, it is a boring job but it was the only one I was able to get on short notice.

I wasn’t even on good terms with so many employees here, and I hated getting out of the comfort of my blanket to come see their faces each there, but I needed the money and I didn’t want to depend on henry.

We have breakfast together as usual, and I went through his phone when he wasn’t looking. He still called her this morning, when I was in the bathroom reeling from my nightmare. That son of a bitch!

I was busy healing from a traumatizing nightmare and he was checking up on his mistress? That asshole!

He is a tool and I hope he knows that he won’t get away with this, not if I can help it. He kissed me goodbye, and it took everything I had not to choke him to death.

When he drove off, I locked up the house but not before checking her phone. It was in my jacket pocket, I could feel it wearing a hole in there. I felt so jittery with me holding that and going to work with it, what if the police stop me on their way and ask me a bunch of questions that I cannot answer.

I went to work, eager to leave there and get back to the comfort of my home. I attended to customers all day, helping them get their art tools and drawing sets. It was something I enjoyed doing because I too liked to dabble in paint. I was too tired to be happy and approachable to customers.

A customer approached me, all smiles.

“How may I help you?” I asked her, she smiled at me.

"I would like some paintbrushes that go well with oil paints," she said,

"Okay, what color of paint?" I asked her, typing into the computer in front of me. I was in the middle of entering her purchase,

"Bloody red," she said,

I froze almost immediately, suddenly I wasn't seeing her. My reflection was staring right back at me.

"Devlin?" I asked in shock, what was she doing here?

"Excuse me, I said a red paint would be preferable," she said, frowning at my expression, she asked. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, going to the back to get her the brush.

"Here, thank you for shopping with us," I said in appreciation.

I rubbed my temple, what was going on with me. It was like everything was falling apart and I had no way to stop it. I was seeing her everywhere, she was haunting me.

Okay, take a deep breath Dermot.

You are strong,

You are capable,

You can do this, be strong.

I chanted this mantra in my head, willing her images out of my head.

"Are you okay, Dermot? Do you need to go home?" My manager asked,

I was sweating profusely, my hands were trembling. I wasn't feeling like myself.

"No, I am not okay. I think I am going to be sick" I told her weakly,

She nodded, "you can take today off, come back when you are well enough," she said in concern.

"Thank you," I told her.

Quickly heading back to the back to change into my clothes, I took the bus home. I didn't want to text Henry telling him that I was sick, he would come back home immediately. The last thing I needed was him hovering over me.

I drank water, settling down on the couch to catch my breath, it feels like I just finished a marathon. Is this how people feel when they will someone?

No wonder people don't want to be murdered, it messes up their senses.

I lay on the couch, scrolling through my phone. Looking for something that would give me the sense of calm I was looking for. I checked my Instagram, looking for a funny video that would make me laugh, but I didn't see any.

What I did see, was a video of devlin modeling for Calvin Klein. She looked good. My peace returned as I stared at her.

My guilt returned almost immediately, I decided to switch on her phone. She got a message immediately from carter, asking if she wants dinner.

That's strange.

He didn't ask for her whereabouts, just if she wanted dinner. She hasn't been home for one night and he didn't care?

I decided to go see him, maybe it would be good if I come clean to him. I couldn't take the guilt anymore. I went through her photos, trying to look for a dress that I can pull off. A simple black dress, I styled my hair like hers, applying a bit of makeup. The way she did in her picture.

I looked into the mirror and every trace of Dermot had disappeared, standing in her trace was devlin. I took a shaky breath, praying that her husband would forgive me.

I took a cab to an address that looked familiar on her phone, it was an estate. A grand one, she sure lives mighty. I rang the doorbell, waiting nervously on the porch. I heard footsteps, heavy ones and my heart started pounding. The fear freezing my limbs in every way. I could feel the guilt written all over my face.

The door swung open and there stood the most handsome man alive, he put all men to shame. His eyes were the prettiest shade of grey I have ever seen. His lips were full and curved into a smile, he stared at me, and I was lost in his eyes.

"Um...hi" I greeted weakly,

He stared at me in confusion, but the next thing he did leave me both shocked and turned on.

"You are late," he said simply, grabbing me and kissing me as his life depended on it. His lips covered mine, the touch sending shocks to my knees. I held onto him for dear life. His sturdy arms gripped my waist.

He broke off the kiss, looking into my eyes. "Sorry I am late, I got held up," I told him in a weak sense of apology.

"Come on, I need to show you something," he said, leading me to the house.

I looked around in awe, the house was very beautiful and modern. The guilt I had been feeling earlier completely disappeared, it was like I loved being devlin. Who wouldn't? Her life was more glamorous than mine.

And she had this, yet she came after my boyfriend? If I had this man, I wouldn't look at any other.

I looked down at our clasped hands, it felt so good to be true. I was so lost in our hands holding that I doesn't watch where I was going, I stubbed my toe and almost fell.

"Are you okay?" He asks in his husky voice, staring at me with concern in his eyes. I nodded still not able to utter a word.

The guilt I had been feeling earlier disappeared, it was like I was transformed. Maybe this wasn't so bad after all. Being devlin was so easy.

I let him lead me to the kitchen, the place was so clean and smelt nice. He smells clean too. Looking at him made me rethink my decision to be with Henry. This man was from another planet, there was no way someone could be as beautiful as him.

"Can I get you anything?" He asks gently,

"No, I am fine. I just need to rest. It's been a stressful day" I tell him, he stares at me for a couple of minutes. Probably thinking why I was acting so strange.

Devlin was usually more confident in her answers, I needed to practice that if I was going to be able to pull this off.

"Okay, go to the bedroom and change. Dinner would be read in five." He said, leaving me in the middle of the hallway.

I didn't know which way to go, it was like I was lost in the huge house. I had to search like five different bedrooms before I figured out the one that could be ours, or mine from the look of it.

There was nothing of his in here that was strange. They didn't share the same bedroom? Hmm.

I took a shower, so I could use some of her products on me. It would be nice if I can smell like her, I used her strawberry-scented scrub and her cinnamon shampoo to wash my hair and body. They were really good together. I used everything. I took loungewear that was hers. Looking through her wardrobe, I could see she had the luxury. Dresses, shoes, jeans, shirts, jackets. Whatever it is you need was in her closer, even scarves, and hats. Who wears those?

I felt each fabric with my finger, expensive. They even smell expensive. She has been living the life, playing house with her rich husband, and working in the same company. Yet she still had the nerve to go after my boyfriend.

I am glad she is dead.

I went back down to eat dinner, I didn't know what to tell Henry. He knew that I had no friends and I would have been back from work by now but he still hasn't texted me. Or maybe because he has been waiting for his mistress.

I went back to meet Carter, he looked so yummy standing behind the stove with his apron on. It didn't make him look less like a CEO.

"You smell nice" he compliments me.

I blush so hard, I am sure I turned red.

"Thank you," I said softly.

I wanted to hurry up, look for the perfect excuse to get me out of here, and go back home. I better be home before henry comes back or he would be suspicious. I needed to find a way to keep him outside. He could stay outside till midnight waiting for her, I know he has done it before and claimed he had a meeting that ran late. The prick!

I rook out Devlin's phone, having left mine in my bag upstairs. I texted him,

Want to have dinner with me?

He replied almost immediately,

Sure, I have been waiting for you.

I gritted my teeth out of anger, he has not bothered to check on me but he is worried about devlin. Asshole!

I clutched the phone tighter, squeezing it like I was going to break it. She has me no choice but to remove her from every equation, even after she is gone. People will still like her more than they like me. Which is why I have to become her.