The Twin

by Smokey Moment

  Noah’s long pause caused everyone to look over towards Bella. She became embarrassed at the attention and looked away. He wondered how long she had been standing there. If she heard the things the man who stood next to him was saying. But it was apparent something had her upset. He continued to shake. He knew Bella didn’t recognize him. He didn’t believe she saw him on the plane. He sat in first class and had only recently came out to the coach section to seek her out. Bella was too excited to notice when she first arrived. And so, she hadn’t paid him any attention. She was unaware he was the gentleman who stood behind her and asked if she needed his assistance. She looked at him. His long gaze caused her to turn her head and look around. She wondered if he was looking at someone behind her. But only men and two elderly women stood near her. He was looking at her. Ok. He’s staring at me, she thought.

  Noah blew one last time. He rolled. Instead of looking at the dice, he watched Bella. She blushed. His attention on her was a bit overwhelming. Niles stood flirting unaware that Bella was at the dice table. He glanced back but was unable to see his brother due to the large crowd that had gathered. “Craps,” the man said. Noah stepped back from the table. He hadn’t rolled a seven in over six minutes. Dave picked up the dice as Noah slowly made his way to Bella. She could see he was interested in her. She turned around and walked away, hoping that the crowd would cover her exit until she could get away. Niles saw Noah walking and abruptly ended his conversation and followed his brother towards the lobby. He saw him walking with purpose. He looked ahead of him. That must be her, he thought, as he tried to catch up to him. He looked back. He could see Noah’s friends back at the table. He continued following his brother who gaining on Bella.

  Bella walked quickly to the exit. She was in no mood to talk. Dani was gone. She had simply taken her luggage and left, leaving her in Vegas. Alone. And to make matters worse, she had just three hundred dollars to her name. Courtesy of autopay. Something that crushed her, since it was something she had been meaning to undo.

  She wasn’t sure what had happened with Dani. She left no note. Sent no text. Bella was now waiting on her mother to get another four hundred dollars so she could catch a flight home. The only saving grace was Dani had prepaid for the room and it was paid up through Monday. Four days away. Bella walked outside of the Bellagio. She was confident her mother would get the money. Connie didn’t have that kind of money laying around. Bella hated placing a burden on her parents. She hadn’t needed them in years. And she loved that she was in position to help them. But the timing of everything couldn’t have been worse. And Connie needed to get it from several sources with a verbal promise to pay them back. Being of limited means would make that promise difficult. But Bella wasn’t worried. She would make good on any money anyone gave her mother.

  Bella looked down at her phone. It was Dani. She sat on a bench. She held the phone. Anger and disappointment kept her from answering. But it killed her not to know what would cause her friend to leave. She had been gone from the room only a few hours. It didn’t make sense. “Hello,” she answered. “Bella,” Dani said, with worry in her voice. She closed her eyes and sighed. If Dani didn’t have a good reason for abandoning her on a trip that wasn’t her idea in the first place, their friendship would be over.

  “Yeah,” she said, her voice filled with pain. “Oh Belle I’m so sorry. Ralph showed up. Threw a fit. And because you weren’t in the room, he called me a liar. Said I was having an affair. We fought. Security came. He took my phone and threw it. Then forced me to go back home. That’s why I couldn’t call you. I just got home and I just got myself a new phone. Please forgive me. Are you ok?” she asked. Bella held the phone. It wasn’t a good enough reason. She could have left a note. Or maybe told the clerk at the front desk to give her a message. It made no sense. Friends didn’t do this to one another.

  Bella laid the phone on her lap. She could hear Dani calling her name over and over. The sound of someone approaching caused Bella to break out of her trance. “Hi. Sorry to disturb you. My name is Noah. I just wanted to say hi,” he said. His smile was refreshing. But Bella was too emotionally distraught to appreciate a handsome man making an introduction. “Hi. I’m Bella. Nice to meet you,” she replied dryly. He looked around. Bella turned her head, as if to end their conversation on that note. But he was going home at some point. He didn’t have much time. She was beautiful. Breathtaking. He would never see her again. And he wanted to, while he still could. He hadn’t thought of anything else sense the trip began. It started and ended in the plane. This was his chance.

  “Can I sit,” he said. Bella let out a loud sigh. She hoped he heard it. She wanted to be alone. This wasn’t a good time for her. She was stressed. She was panicked. She was in a new city with three hundred dollars which was not enough to catch a last-minute flight home. “Sure,” she reluctantly said. Noah was nervous. Bella was striking. And even though he was handsome and had seen his share of beautiful women, there was an intensity about her. She looked like a beauty who burned hot as a flame when she loved a man. She had qualities of innocence, mixed with an exotic sexual gaze, that had him reeling. In all his travels he had never wanted a woman from first glance. She had that special something and he wanted to see what it was.

  Niles watched from afar. He saw why Noah called him in the middle of the night about her. She was exactly what he imagined. It was hard to keep the Langston brother’s attention. And when Noah made a fuss, Niles knew she would be stunning. “Damn,” he said, as he stared at her. “Hey where’s Noah,” Steve said, as he approached. “Huh. Oh. He’s talking to a woman he met,” Niles said, as he pointed. Soon the other men approached. “Should we hit another casino?” Jason asked. “Yeah. Why not. Let’s wait for Noah then maybe we can go to Excalibur,” Niles replied, as he turned his attention back to his brother and Bella. He hoped Noah still wanted his help. He found himself attracted to her. An instant attraction. Just as it had been for Noah. A rare occurrence since they had a slight difference in the type of women they were attracted to.

  Noah couldn’t relax. Bella had him more nervous than he’d ever been around a woman. He looked back at the front doors. He could see his brother and friends waiting for him. But they would have to wait. He had no time. He would rather see them back at home, than mess up his one opportunity.

  “You ok? You look upset,” he asked. “I’m fine,” she quickly replied in an agitated voice. And as soon as the words left her lips, she regretted it. Bella wasn’t the type to lash out. He had done nothing to her. She was taking out her anger on him. Bella softened a bit. She didn’t want to hurt his feelings. Noah looked at his hands. He leaned forward. Something was wrong. And then it dawned on him. Her friend was nowhere around. “Where’s your friend? The young lady that was on the plane with you?” he asked. Bella turned her head swiftly. “You saw us on the plane?” she asked. “Yeah. I asked if I could help you,” he replied. Bella remembered the voice. And she also recalled that Dani had told her he was attractive. He was. This was a weird coincidence. “Yeah I remember you,” she said, pausing then looking away.

  Noah waited. He didn’t want to seem pushy. He wished Niles was sitting there instead. He feared messing up and turning her off. And he feared Gemma approaching and flying off the handle. Noah looked around at the crowds coming and going. He looked back at Bella. She seemed determined to push him away. He watched her side profile. Her attention somewhere else. Bella looked back at him and smiled. He was gentle. He showed concern. He had an unassuming quality that she admired.

  He was like her father. The father she adored. The man she could go to and talk about anything with. Bella wasn’t sure why she trusted the moment. She didn’t know him. She didn’t need anything from him. And so, she spoke. She was open. She was expressive. She couldn’t help it. She talked when she was comfortable. She was the daughter of Lewis Bradley. A self-proclaimed seeker of truth. A believer in expression and freedom with words.

  “My friend left. Didn’t say
anything to me. Up and left me here. Her husband came. And she just left. No note. No message. Nothing. And my plane ticket is gone. She’s never done anything like that before. I trusted her. But I guess she was cornered. I’m trying not to be mad. But I can’t help it,” her voice trembling, as she wiped a tear. She tried not to cry. This was a man who did not know her. She felt guilty airing her emotions on him. She didn’t want him to feel sorry for her and she was not looking for any handouts. Her parents would be calling soon. She was simply buying time. But it hurt. Deeply.

  “Can you get back? I can get your ticket for you,” he said. Bella looked at him surprised. “Wow. You would do that for a stranger?” she asked. “No. I would do that for you.” Bella looked away. His generosity and kind words soothed her broken heart. Noah couldn’t see her face. He almost brought her to tears. But Bella pulled herself together. Her problems were not his. She was surprised he offered. Even though she was sure he was financially capable. His winning rolls at the dice table hadn’t gone unnoticed.

  “No. My mother and father are going to wire money to me. I just need to find a Western Union,” she replied. Bella refused to look at Noah. She wasn’t ready for a stranger to see her weak. Looking helpless and stupid. She wasn’t ready to be judged for going on a trip and not having enough money to get home.

  “I’m sorry. I am not trying to put my problems on you. I have to go. It was nice talking to you,” she said, as she got up and walked back into the Bellagio. Niles stood out of view as Bella passed the men. “Helloooo beautiful,” Pete said. Soon the other men spoke. Bella gave a quick glance and hello, and kept walking. She didn’t notice Noah had a twin and he was standing right behind the men. Noah walked in behind her. He watched her walk towards the elevator. He felt bad. He wanted to ensure she was alright. Abandoned by her friend with no money, had to make her feel vulnerable. But she was not open to gifts.

  She reminded him of himself. He hated gifts. He hated feeling indebted to anyone. His father used money that way. And Noah despised the use of money for personal gain. He believed that people who wanted to give you something were looking to get something. He couldn’t help but wonder if she felt that way.

  Niles and Noah walked a few feet away to talk one on one. “What happened?” Niles asked. “She’s upset. Her friend left her here,” he replied. “What?” Niles said. “Yeah. Her name is Bella. She’ll only be here a few more days at the most. Now that she’s alone. I offered to give her the money for a flight out of here. But she wouldn’t take it,” he said. Niles was shocked that someone would leave their friend behind.

  “Well. You still want me to keep her company?” Niles asked, hoping the answer was yes. Bella looked intriguing. They were so close in physical characteristics that it was difficult to tell them apart. Same size. Same facial hair and features. Same voice. Only differences were mannerisms and manner of dress. Which they would mimic to pass as the other. But things were different. They were older. Bella was attractive enough to want. Really want. He wasn’t sure it was a good idea.

  Noah hesitated then shook his head yes. “Wait! Are you sure? You don’t seem on board with it. It’s cool. I’ll go to my condo. Stay a while. This is like a second home for me, so I’m good,” he said. “No. I’m sure. Stay here at the Bellagio so you’ll bump into her. She’s upset right now. But yeah, if you can, talk to her. Get her to open up,” he replied. Noah gave Niles a look. His gaze, one of serious intent. A message he needed to make clear. “Don’t sleep with her Niles,” he warned. “What! Of course not. I’ll just befriend her. It’s cool. Don’t worry. I can handle this.” Niles said.

  He wondered if he would be able to get close to her with such a traumatic event occurring. Being left behind seemed stressful. He wasn’t sure it was a good time. “It doesn’t matter because she’s probably not open to meeting anyone. That’s pretty traumatic. Being left like that,” Niles said. Noah agreed.

  “She’s probably in no mood to hang. And Gemma on her way. I can’t shake her. After this trip, I’m ending this once and for all. I can’t do this with her,” Noah said.

  Niles’ mind raced. He wanted to meet her. “She’s waiting on her mother to wire her money? Did her friend take her plane ticket? Damn!” Niles replied. “Yeah. It’s fucked up. I feel bad for her. Like I said, she wouldn’t let me give her money.” Niles squinted his eyes in surprise. “She didn’t take the money? An offer to help?” he said curiously. “Nope. Not a dime.”

  The brothers walked back into the Bellagio. Noah glanced over at the dice table. Dave and Pete had returned. They were in heavy conversation with the women from the night before. Noah held his finger up, signaling Steve and Jason to wait as he and Niles went to the front desk. He flashed his American Express Black Card and quickly paid for his own suite at the Bellagio. It was where he would be staying for the remainder of the trip.

  B

  ella woke up and stared out at the city line. Vegas was beautiful. She wished she had been able to enjoy it completely. Her father promised to wire her the money in two days. He asked if she had enough to eat with. Bella assured him she had enough to be comfortable for a few days. She held the sheet against her naked body. She loved to sleep with nothing on. The bed was plush. The sheets cooled her skin. She needed to stay cool. Stress had her hot and uncomfortable.

  A menu on the bedside table was enticing. She had to be careful not to buy expensive food items and go through her money, which was easy to do in Vegas. Bella opened the menu and then picked up the phone. “Hi. I would like to order the breakfast special. Ham and eggs. And an Orange Juice,” she said. “Sure Mrs. Langston. I will send it right up and charge it to your room,” the woman said. “Wait. My name is Bradley. Bella Bradley,” she said. The woman held the phone. “Yes. I know. But the gentleman paying your bill didn’t have a last name and so he said to call you Mrs. Langston.”

  Bella hung up the phone slowly. She was in a fog. She played the conversation back in her mind. Did she say gentleman? Paying my bill? Wait! What! What gentleman? she thought, as she got out of bed. She instantly thought of the man who sat with her. It had to be him. There was no one else. Bella walked naked into the dining area and noticed an envelope near the door. Her eyes lowered. She wondered what it was. Something had been slid under the door. She walked over to it and saw it was a sealed envelope with the words For You, written on the front. Bella could tell it was money. A lot of money.

  She opened the envelope. It was as she guessed. She gasped. The envelope was filled with hundred dollar bills. Enough to charter a plane if she wanted. “What! Oh my,” she said. She could see a small note in between the bills. She removed it slowly as she teared from the generosity of the stranger. It was overwhelming. She didn’t know what to say. And she didn’t think she should keep it. Bella hoped the letter contained information on how to get to him. She would need to return the money to him. It was way more than she needed and she felt strange accepting it. The note read;

  I can’t rest knowing you may get stranded here. Take this money and get what you need until your plane leaves. You owe me nothing. This is the money I’ve won since I’ve been here. I don’t gamble. And I’d rather give the money to someone who really needs it. Don’t try to give it back. I know you probably don’t like accepting help. Neither do I, that’s how I know. Please get your ticket. Keep anything left. If you refuse to enjoy it. That’s ok. But please, at least get your ticket. I’m in suite 909. If you want to talk you can call my room. If you want to eat, meet me tonight at Prime. I have reservations for eight o’clock.

  Bella grinned. His generosity was overwhelming. She couldn’t help but think he wanted something from her. There was a lot of money in the envelope. She was afraid to count it. She guessed it to be around ten thousand dollars. “Wow. I’m speechless,” she said to herself. She decided she would spend what she needed and give him the rest. She had no desire to shop. No desire to purchase expensive tokens. She wanted peace of mind. To know she had a way home. And the hands
ome stranger from the plane just eased her worries.

  She was calm. Her fears now subsided. It was something she would have done if she were financially capable. She smiled as she walked to the bathroom. She needed a warm shower. Then she needed to get her flight scheduled. But Bella wasn’t going anywhere until she had dinner with her savior. This was what chivalrous, good hearted men did. She wanted to know him. Men that looked like him didn’t do such things. And now her apprehension had turned into curiosity. She was intrigued.

  Chapter three

  An Unexpected Love

  “Hi. Um. Reservations were made for eight o’clock. My name is…” Bella said before the hostess interrupted her. “Right this way Mrs. Langston,” he said, as he turned and walked towards the back of the restaurant. The restaurant was breathtaking with a spectacular view of the amazing water fountains. Bella looked beautiful in her multi colored pink paisley dress and hot pink heels. She turned heads as she walked towards the end near the fountains. She could see Noah in the distance.

  He was gorgeous. He was dressed in tailored dress slacks and a dark blue button up shirt with cufflinks. He looked like money. He looked different. Not that he needed much help. He was a woman’s dream. His almond shaped eyes and thick eyebrows were tantalizing. His body was perfectly chiseled in all the right places. She wondered how she missed his sex appeal. She was upset but she didn’t think she was that upset. He was hard to miss. Bella was enamored.

  “Hi. Its Noah right,” she said, as he pulled out the chair for her. He cleared his throat. “Yes. How are you this evening?” he asked. “Great. Thanks for dinner,” she said, as she pulled her chair closer to the table. Bella looked around. She loved the décor. Their view was spectacular. He was nervous but tried to contain himself. “This place is beautiful,” she blushed. “Yes. I love the atmosphere here,” he replied, as he put his napkin in his lap. Bella followed suit. She was not educated on the proper ways of fine dining. She watched him closely. He seemed to know a thing or two about it.