Mirror Crown
The plane's descent felt endless, and Xavier's stomach twisted into knots. New York. It was surreal. The bright city lights below, the looming skyscrapers, all felt so far removed from the small life he had known. Here, in this vast sea of people, he was expected to step into Christian's shoes. But Christian's shoes were so much bigger than anything Xavier could fill.
As the wheels of the jet hit the tarmac, Xavier's heart skipped a beat. He could feel the eyes on him already, even though he hadn't even stepped off the plane. The anticipation of what lay ahead, of the life he was about to inherit, made him feel like a deer in headlights. The uncertainty gnawed at him.
The plane came to a stop, and the cabin door opened with a hiss. The staff moved quickly, ushering Xavier into a black SUV that was waiting for him. No one spoke a word; the silence was suffocating. As the car sped through the streets of New York, Xavier could see the city's pulse, its rapid pace. It was like nothing he had ever experienced. He was just a small-town guy who'd never seen anything this fast, this busy.
He couldn't help but feel completely out of place.
The driver navigated through the chaotic streets with ease, taking him to what Xavier assumed was Christian's home. As they pulled up, he noticed the sleek, modern building towering over the others, a symbol of wealth and power. The car stopped in front of a large glass door, and Xavier hesitated for a moment. This was it—the place where he was expected to become someone else.
He stepped out of the car, his knees slightly weak. The door opened, and a few well-dressed people greeted him, but Xavier barely registered their faces. He was still trying to wrap his head around the fact that he was here, that he was playing a part that he had no business being in. He was Christian Classic, the heir to one of the wealthiest families in the world. But who was Christian really? What was his life like? What was expected of him now? He had no idea.
And that was the worst part.
One thing was certain—he had no clue who any of these people were. They looked at him with such familiarity, as if they knew him inside and out. But Xavier knew none of them. Their faces were a blur. Their names were strangers to him.
Who was Christian's closest friend? Who did he trust? Who could he turn to when things went wrong?
Xavier had no answers.
The staff led him into the house, a cold, modern space that screamed wealth. Glass walls, minimalist furniture, and expensive art on the walls. Everything was pristine, perfect, and it felt like a world he would never belong to. He couldn't even remember the last time he'd had a meal this lavish, let alone lived in a place like this.
"Mr. Classic," a voice interrupted his thoughts. Xavier turned to find a woman standing by the door, her eyes fixed on him with an intensity that made him feel even more out of place. She was tall, with striking features, and wore a tailored dress that exuded power.
Xavier froze, unsure of how to respond. Who was this?
She seemed to study him for a moment before she spoke again. "It's good to have you home." Her smile was polite, but there was something in her eyes—something that made him uncomfortable. "I trust your trip went smoothly?"
Xavier nodded, but his mind was still racing. Who is this woman? The questions continued to swirl in his mind, but he had no answers. How could he? He wasn't Christian. He had no idea what was going on, who anyone was, or even what Christian's life had been like.
The woman didn't seem to notice his hesitation. She simply gestured for him to follow her into a large living room, where a group of people was gathered. They looked up as he entered, and Xavier felt their eyes on him. Some of them smiled warmly, but none of their faces triggered any recognition in his mind.
And then, as if out of nowhere, she appeared.
A woman stood at the back of the room, her gaze fixed on him. She was striking—her dark hair pulled into a tight bun, wearing a simple yet elegant dress that screamed wealth and poise. But it was the way she looked at him, with a mixture of surprise and something else, that made Xavier's heart drop.
This must be Christian's sister.
Her eyes flickered as she stepped forward, her heels clicking sharply on the polished floor. "Christian," she said softly, but with a look in her eyes that held a strange mixture of affection and expectation. "It's good to see you back. You've been gone too long."
Xavier felt the weight of her words, and for a second, he was paralyzed. He wanted to say something, to explain himself, but the words stuck in his throat. What could he possibly say?
His mind screamed at him to act, to do something, but he had no idea how to respond. This woman—the one standing in front of him—was someone important to Christian. But Xavier didn't know how to play this role, how to act like Christian, how to be a brother to someone he didn't even know.
"I'm sorry, I… I didn't realize it had been so long," Xavier managed to say, his voice sounding foreign even to him.
The woman's smile faltered for a second, and Xavier caught the fleeting glimpse of doubt in her eyes. But just as quickly, it was replaced with a knowing look, one that made him wonder if she had any idea that he wasn't Christian.
She stepped closer, her expression softening. "It's okay. I know things have been difficult lately, but we're family. We'll get through this."
Family. How am I supposed to be your family when I don't even know who you are?
Xavier's heart raced. He had to figure this out—fast. He couldn't let anyone suspect the truth. Not his "sister," not any of these people. But how could he possibly keep up this lie when he didn't even know the basics of Christian's life?
For a moment, he just stood there, trying to steady his breathing,praying no one would see through the cracks in his act.