Bride To Be Not Me (Janice and Simon)

The instructor let out a weary sigh. "No, this isn't going to work. We need skilled seamstresses, not complete beginners. You're simply not at the level we require."

Heidi froze, her stomach sinking. "Wait-no! I have talent! I've crocheted before, but I injured my arm and need time to recover. That's why I'm a little out of practice. I just need to go slower, that's all."

The instructor shook her head and moved on. Still, she decided to give Heidi a three-day probation. If she couldn't keep up, she was out.

Heidi bowed her head, forcing her trembling hands to steady as she crocheted, each stab a silent vengeance against Janice and Shirley.

Janice had always been her greatest rival while Shirley was nothing but a curse in human form. Ever since those two entered her life, everything had unraveled. She was hit with one misfortune after another. And more than anything, Heidi wanted to drive the hook into them instead.

Evening fell swiftly.

"Celine Harper, head of the International Crochet Union, is meeting Shirley in the country today. You're going to follow them," Louis instructed Simon as they sat in the car.

Simon had changed out of his suit, opting for plain, inconspicuous clothing. He gave a firm nod. "Don't worry. I'll find out who Shirley really is."

"The restaurant Celine booked is extremely exclusive, and regular people can't get in. I'll lend you my membership card. Keep it with you, but make sure no one sees your face," Louis warned.

"Got it."

...

At 5:30 pm, Celine arrived in Cruznia. As she stepped out of the airport, she spotted a woman standing beside a man holding a pickup sign.

Celine approached them. "Ms. Smith?"

Fearful of being recognized, Janice had concealed her face with a mask. Still, Celine instantly recognized her eyes.

Janice smiled. "Hurry, get in the car."

Celine was completely stunned. She hesitated, unwilling to get into the car. "I... I think someone else was supposed to meet me."

Wasn't Shirley the one who was supposed to pick her up?

Before she could pull away, Janice firmly took her hand and led her inside. Once the car door was shut, Janice lowered her mask. "It's me."

Celine's mind reeled. She quickly pulled out her phone, scrolled through her chat history with Shirley, and pointed at the screen. "That's you?"

Janice signaled the driver to start the car. "Mm-hmm," she replied with a nod.

Celine's deep-set eyes widened in pure disbelief. For the next few minutes, the only sounds in the car were her stunned exclamations.

"It's you? You and Shirley are the same person? You're Shirley? But... you're also Janice?"

Janice gently patted her hand. "Relax. You already noticed how similar my crochet techniques were to Shirley's, didn't you?"

"Yes, but I never imagined you were the same person!" Celine covered her mouth. "Oh my god!"

She remained in a state of shock for the rest of the ride, unable to fully process the revelation. It wasn't until they arrived at the grand hotel that she finally managed to compose herself.

Since no one in the country knew her, it was unnecessary for Celine to disguise herself.

Inside the private room, the two took their seats while bodyguards stationed themselves both inside and out.

On one of the hotel's upper floors, Simon's phone buzzed with a message from Louis.

"Celine and Shirley have arrived."

Tucking his phone away, Simon adjusted the waiter's uniform he had changed into. To pull off this disguise, he had paid a real waiter two thousand dollars to disappear for an hour.

Now, wearing a mask like the rest of the hotel staff, he stood by the kitchen and waited for the dishes prepared for Celine's table.

Twenty minutes later, the order was ready. Simon picked up the tray of food and made his way toward the private room.

The door was just ahead. His palms were damp with sweat.

Just as he reached for the doorbell, a bodyguard suddenly stepped in front of him, blocking his path.

Simon's chest tightened, but he forced himself to stay composed. He had always prided himself on being honest, and carrying out something this deceptive was entirely unfamiliar to him.

The bodyguard took the tray from his hands. "We'll handle it from here." Simon instinctively wanted to object, but the fear of blowing his cover kept him quiet. He had no choice but to let go.

The bodyguard knocked on the door and then stepped inside. As the door opened, Simon instinctively turned his head for a quick glance. But in that split second, his mind went blank, and shock crashed over him like a tidal wave.

Inside, Janice sat comfortably, laughing and chatting as if everything were perfectly normal. He would recognize her face anywhere.

Without hesitation, Simon tore his gaze away and strode out of the hotel. Stepping into the biting cold, he fumbled for his phone and quickly dialed Louis' number.

The call connected after a few rings. Simon swallowed hard, his voice wavering. "Are you absolutely sure Celine is meeting Shirley? Could there be any mistakes?"

"No," Louis answered firmly. "Why? Did you see her?"

Simon's grip loosened. His phone slipped from his hand, hitting the ground with a dull thud. His pupils widened, his breathing turning ragged Inside his mind, the past unraveled-memories collided with

each other, shattering intonoveldrama

fragments.

So Janice... was Shirley?

1.n

She had been impossibly skilled all along, yet she had kept it hidden from him for

years.