One Man Band System

On Saturday evening as night approached, Eric and Emma stood on the front porch of Emma’s house. Eric glanced down the driveway, spotting a Porsche sports car parked there that clearly didn’t belong to Emma’s family, plus, he recognized it from back when they went hiking. Eric turned to look at Emma.

"Are you sure everything’s going to be fine?" Eric asked, starting to feel anxious.

"It’s fine... if he gets annoying, we’ll just leave," Emma answered.

"Alright... I’m with you on whatever you want," Eric replied in resignation.

Emma reached out her hand to knock on the door, making Eric even more nervous. He grabbed Emma’s hand.

"Why are you knocking? Shouldn’t you just walk right in?" Eric asked.

"Did you forget? I’m still at odds with Mom," Emma replied curtly.

"Ah... right, but still, this is your house too," Eric replied.

"Drop it... I don’t live here anymore, I live with you, so don’t overthink it, just follow me," Emma said.

Before long, footsteps sounded from behind the door, and then the door swung open. Miranda looked at Emma with a confused expression.

"Why are you knocking? That’s so weird, usually you just burst right in and shout," Miranda said.

"Whatever, I’m still mad at you," Emma countered.

"Goodness gracious, this child. Come on in, what are you two doing just standing out front like this? What if the neighbors see you? It’s embarrassing, hurry up and get inside," Miranda said.

"Why is your first thought about what the neighbors think? You’re unbelievable, Mom," Emma replied in frustration.

They finally stepped inside, and Miranda shut the door behind them. As she walked past Eric, Miranda patted Eric on the back, giving him a serious look paired with a firm nod. Naturally, Eric’s heart pounded even faster, and he slowly returned Miranda’s nod.

When they entered the living room, Eric’s heart nearly stopped at the sight of Wesley sitting casually on the sofa with his legs kicked up, reading a magazine, while Miranda headed straight to the kitchen. Eric simply followed Emma, who took a seat right across from Wesley. Catching sight of Emma, Wesley closed his magazine and smiled, but the moment his gaze shifted to Eric, his expression turned sour, especially as he noticed Emma holding Eric’s hand.

"How are you doing, Emma?" Wesley greeted Emma.

"What do you mean ’how are you doing’? We barely know each other, don’t act so friendly," Emma snapped.

"Hey... Emma... don’t be like that," Eric whispered nervously.

"It’s fine, it makes sense for her to act like that. She and I really did just meet, so don’t you go meddling in this," Wesley said sharply to Eric.

"Hey... don’t you dare talk to my fiance like you’re some arrogant snob just because you’re famous," Emma fired back.

Hearing Emma’s words, Wesley’s face shifted. He stared at Eric, then dropped his gaze down to Eric’s hand, then to Emma’s hand, both of them were wearing matching rings. Wesley immediately wiped his hand over his face, running his fingers up into his hair.

"Do Mom and Kevin know you’ve already been proposed to?" Wesley asked.

"Hold on... you know Kevin?" Emma asked in confusion.

"Of course I know him, he’s my twin brother and I talk to him all the time. He tells me about you every chance he gets," Wesley answered.

"Great... so I really am the only one who didn’t know you were Kevin’s twin... absolutely fantastic, the whole family kept it a secret from me... seriously... I want to go home, I’m done being here. Let’s go, Eric," Emma said, standing up.

Eric stood up too, but Wesley quickly rose and stepped into Emma’s path, blocking her way.

"Get out of my way," Emma said curtly.

"Don’t be like that. Mom and Dad had their reasons for keeping you in the dark about me. I only met them two years ago myself, after just finding out I was their kid, so the timing just wasn’t right to tell you yet," Wesley explained.

"Then why did Kevin already know?" Emma asked.

"Because Kevin was the one who brought me to meet Mom in the first place. He’s the one who filled me in on everything, and he suggested holding off on telling you until the time was right," Wesley answered.

"Hmph... ’the right time.’ And when exactly was that supposed to be?" Emma asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"The right time was whenever you were ready to move out, or when you turned eighteen. You still had a year to go, but oh well, you already moved out anyway."

Emma and Eric turned to see Miranda coming out from the kitchen carrying drinks. She placed them on the coffee table, then walked over to stand beside Wesley, cutting off Emma’s path.

"Why couldn’t you guys just be honest with me? I’m not a little kid," Emma said.

"I know, honey, and that’s why I’m apologizing. Now come sit down, don’t act like a child who can only throw tantrums," Miranda said as she set the drinks down.

Left speechless, Emma simply turned around, pulled Eric along, and sat back down on the sofa. Wesley reclaimed his spot across from them, with Miranda sitting right beside him. The air grew thick and awkward. Wesley casually took a sip of his drink, while Emma and Eric sat stiffly on the opposite side. Miranda then caught sight of the matching rings on Emma and Eric’s fingers.

"So... when were you planning on telling your mother that you two are officially engaged? We haven’t even thrown an engagement party, yet you’re already wearing rings," Miranda said.

"Uh... it was supposed to be this Saturday, but well, you get it, Mom... I’m exhausted just trying to explain it. Look, let’s not talk about my engagement right now. Tell me the whole truth first, unless you don’t even consider me your daughter anymore," Emma replied in frustration.

"You go ahead and tell her, Wesley," Miranda said.

"Alright," Wesley replied.

Wesley then began recounting his story. When his adoptive father passed away three years ago and he was clearing out his father’s study, he stumbled upon adoption papers. That was the moment he realized he had been adopted by his foster parents, who, according to medical records he also found, were a couple that was sterile and unable to conceive. He immediately confronted his adoptive mother about it, and she tearfully laid out the entire truth.

From that day on, Wesley searched relentlessly for his birth family. About two years ago, he accidentally crossed paths with Kevin on a film set when the crew mistook Kevin for him, ordering Kevin to get ready for shooting despite Kevin’s protests.

When Wesley walked over, the crew was naturally baffled to see two identical Wesleys standing right there, while Kevin froze in utter shock seeing someone who looked exactly like him. The two ended up hitting it off and talking, and only after reaching out to Miranda to confirm did they learn they were actually twins.

That was when Kevin brought Wesley to meet Miranda, keeping Emma out of the loop, and from then on, they began sharing their stories. A year later, Wesley managed to track down his father’s whereabouts. At the time, Arthur was going by Ethan’s face and refused to recognize him as his son.

But once Wesley made it clear that he wasn’t looking for Arthur to reclaim a spot as his child or demand financial support, he simply wanted to understand his roots, Arthur softened up and agreed to talk.

"And after that... everything went smoothly enough. I still live with my adoptive mom since she’s the one who raised me from day one... and at first, I only planned on keeping in touch over the phone with an occasional drop-in... until I saw you and him on that set," Wesley said, casting a sharp glare at Eric’s face.

"Huh," Eric winced in surprise under Wesley’s sharp gaze.

"Hey... why are you glaring at Eric like that?" Emma asked, annoyed.

"You’re engaged to your own brother, you know that? He’s Dad’s kid, his face looks just like Dad’s, and he’s just like Dad, surrounded by women. He’s playing you, and I have to step in and set you straight before you end up heartbroken down the road!" Wesley yelled, pointing directly at Eric.

The room suddenly fell into dead silence after Wesley blurted out those words. He stared at Emma across from him, who looked completely bewildered. Emma then turned to look at Eric, whose face mirrored her own confusion. After that, she glanced over at Miranda and froze, Miranda had turned her head away, her body trembling slightly as faint, tiny snickers escaped her. She was clearly trying with all her might to hold back her laughter.

"Hold on a second... you said his face looks like Dad’s?" Emma asked, pointing at Eric’s face while staring at Wesley.

"Yeah... it’s glaringly obvious he’s Dad’s kid. That’s why I’m completely against this. He’s my younger brother and your older brother, do you get it now?" Wesley answered.

"Good grief... are you completely clueless? Dad stole the face of Mom’s ex-fiancé, his father. Now he’s my fiancé. Do you get it now? If you don’t know a damn thing, don’t pretend like you’re standing up for me," Emma replied curtly.

Hearing Emma’s words, Wesley looked like he’d just been hit by a freight train. He had been so utterly convinced that he was right and standing up for his family. He turned to look at Miranda, who was sweating and teary-eyed, wearing a massive grin as she struggled to contain her laughter.

"Is that actually true, Mom?" Wesley asked.

"It’s true. Your dad’s real face looks like... hold on, let me pull it up," Miranda said.

She pulled out her smartphone, opened her gallery, and showed a photo of Arthur’s original face, which was noticeably more stylish than Ethan’s, despite both being handsome. The color drained completely from Wesley’s face before turning bright red; he was clearly mortified once the truth set in. But right after, he threw on a tough front, looking like someone throwing a silent tantrum.

"Well, I didn’t know! My only goal was to protect my own sister, so don’t go blaming me," Wesley said.

"You complete idiot... next time, ask questions before firing off. So do I have your blessing now or what?" Emma said loudly.

Wesley didn’t answer. He kept his head turned away, crossing his arms over his chest, but he gave a single nod as his answer. Watching it all unfold, Eric felt a small wave of relief wash over him.

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