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ELLA’S POV

At the door, I took off my shoes and hurried inside the residence.

"Mom... Dad," I called, but got no answer.

The unusual silence in the house made me wonder where my family could have gone. It was rare to find this full house quiet or empty.

I realized the lights were off as I made my way deeper inside the house. Within me, my heart pounded. I was getting a little uncomfortable and was getting scared.

I pressed my hands up against the wall, searching for the light switch. My fingers located it, but not before another finger was positioned there.

"Ahhhh," I let out a scream, jerked back, and the lights turned on simultaneously.

Shouts of "Happy birthday, ELLA!!" rang out throughout the room.

I turned to see my entire family, who I had been trying to find. They had cake, flowers, and candies in their hands.

"You scared me," I scowled at them.

Now, there was no stopping the laughter waves. My expression made everyone laugh, and eventually I joined in.

With a kiss on my cheek, my mother wished me a happy birthday.

"Mom, thank you," I answered.

Happy birthday, the others said, and then moved forward to kiss me, leaving me to look for my sister.

"Where is ELENA right now?" I frowned as I asked.

Just when I needed it, my twin sister appeared from the kitchen carrying a bigger cake and singing a happy birthday to me. She dropped the cake shortly after, and we rushed into each other's arms.

"It is also your birthday," I said, and she chuckled.

"The cake had to be made by me," she declared.

Elena was the home's chef. She adores everything related to the kitchen, including baking and cooking. In contrast, I detested it, but I cherished everything my twin created, and she was always delighted to make it for me.

She made all of our birthday cakes since we were seven years old, swearing she would never stop even when we got older.

"Happy birthday, Elena!" I gave her a firm embrace.

For real, she was the world's best friend.

"Happy birthday, Ella," she gave me a hug in return.

Just before mom interrupted, we eventually released the hug and continued to smile at one another.

"Alright, my lovely ladies. Let us head to the table for our dinner, which Chef Elena has prepared. Once we are seated, we can exchange gifts," our mother said, nudging us over.

We settled into our seats. With mom to the right of him and dad at the head. Ella sat at dad's side, and Nicholas was to his left. Although I was meant to stay by my mother's side, I preferred to be by my twin's side.

Ever since our birth, Elena and I have been inseparable. We have always supported one another through thick and thin, and I love her just as much as she loves me.

When we were younger, it was never easy for strangers to tell the difference between the two of us. Every aspect of us was the same.

Some of our relatives said that as we grew older, it would get easier to tell us apart, but the reality was completely different.

Everything about us, including our ginger hair, eyes, height, weight, and gait, was the same.

The only people who could tell us apart were Mom, Dad, and Nichole, but even they struggled at times.

Elena was the exact opposite of me—she was the most intelligent, calm, obedient, and responsible person—while I was always the mischievous one who got into trouble and destroyed things. Mother claims it is because she is the more experienced (older).

I swiftly retrieved the tiny bag which Elena dropped on the table.

"Your gift, Ella," she said with a gentle grin, which made me grab her face and plant numerous kisses on it.

I know she loves my kisses, even though she ended up pushing me away. I opened the bag without thinking twice, and to my surprise, inside was a box of earrings, which made me squeal.

I picked out this pair of earrings the last time we went to the jewelry store, but I was unable to purchase them because of my limited funds. I pouted for the rest of the day after finding out that someone else had already purchased it when I went back to get it.

However, I was the happiest girl on earth knowing that Elena had gotten it for me and saved it for our birthday.

"I am so grateful," I gave her another hug.

"Anything at all for you, Ella?" she uttered. This explained why I cherished her so greatly.

I reached into the bag again and felt two pieces of paper.

"Is there more?" I inquired inquisitively.

"Observe," she commanded.

"It is airline tickets," I exclaimed, amazed.

A flight to the capital, all expenses paid. She even purchased two tickets.

"For you and FREDO," she uttered.

"Oh my. Elena, thank you very much. This is the best gift ever," I exclaimed, already in tears.

"Oh do not cry," mom cooed, and I laughed.

I pulled papers out of my bag and gave them to her, saying,

"I do not think my gift will be this amazing."

Her expression went from bewildered to ecstatic as I watched.

"Do not tell me…" she tried to speak, but I quickly nodded.

She encircled me with her hands tightly. I returned the hug.

"This is unbelievable," Elena exclaimed.

"Explain to us what is there," mom commanded.

"She compelled NAOMI to sell it," Elena answered.

"Unbelievable," mother exclaimed.

"How on earth did you accomplish that?" Nichole questioned in shock.

"I have a talent for persuasion," I winked.

Beside Elena's Pasteur shop, Naomi had a flower shop. Elena was determined to grow, but Naomi would not sell.

I made the decision to get it for her because she has been concerned about it. With only a hint of blackmail and threat, Naomi immediately accepted my offer to purchase it. However, since my approach was unethical, I was not going to tell my family about it.

I had moments of regret, but it was all worthwhile when I saw Elena's happy expression.

"You are the best Ella," Elena complimented me.

"I am aware. Nobody even comes close". I gave Elena a wink, and she giggled.

I believe that at this point, she was starting to become overly excited and started acting inappropriately.

"A lot needs to be done. Tomorrow, I have to leave early to pick up additional supplies. Oh my goodness, I have a lot of work to do tomorrow," she continued.

"Elena, calm down. We will all be available to assist you in All you require," I reassured her.

"Aren’t you supposed to spend the day with Fredo?" she asked.

"He will comprehend. I am going to be with you tomorrow, okay? And, yes, there would be deliveries of new equipment, which I had arranged for",

"Oh. You did not need to bother Ella. I am aware of how busy you are with the impending wedding. Do not spend your money on me," she stated.

"If you continue to talk like that, I will become very angry. You mean everything to me," I squeezed her arms.

I guess we were getting too dramatic, because Nichole felt compelled to intervene.

"Enough with that. "You two are acting like a married couple," Nichole said, rolling his eyes at us.

"You are just envious, I know you wish you had a twin," I retorted, making faces at him, causing him to frown.

"Enough of that, everyone," father said with a light smile, and the table fell silent.

I started to suspect something was off when I saw the expression mother and father exchanged.

"Tomorrow is a non-work day," father declared.

"Why?" I questioned.

It was obvious that we needed to visit the shop because we were already organizing the delivery for tomorrow.

"Tomorrow is the selection," father stated.

Glancing over at Elena, I froze. She appeared uneasy as well, so I gave her a weak smile and squeezed her hands.

"We all have to go, as usual," mom said.

The unspoken question persisted once more.

"What would happen if our family was selected?"

Simply put, nobody was brave enough to ask.