Audition

"Hello, everyone! My sister and I will do an impression today." Sophie’s bright, melodic voice rang out across the cavernous Stryker audition hall, cutting through the stale, tense air of the room.

She stood center stage, hand firmly linked with her brother’s. Mason and Sophie had spent the previous evening dissecting their favorite classic mobster movies, meticulously studying the actors' cadence and micro-expressions.

Mason took a step forward, his soft features instantly hardening into the icy, calculating glare of a seasoned mafia boss. He shoved his small hands into his pockets, letting a heavy, intimidating silence stretch across the room before delivering a flawless, chilling monologue about loyalty. Sophie countered him brilliantly, transforming into the frantic, fast-talking informant pleading for her life. Her eyes widened with manufactured terror, and she stuttered with the exact rhythm of the original actor.

The panel of judges sat frozen behind their long table. They forgot to scribble on their evaluation sheets.

Orson Carmichael, the casting director, leaned forward and rested his elbows on the desk. He abandoned the standard script requirements altogether. He tossed them a rapid-fire improvisation scenario, demanding they act out a high-stakes corporate negotiation gone wrong. Mason and Sophie adapted without missing a single beat. They fired back witty, sharp dialogue, bouncing off each other’s energy with a natural rhythm that adults spent decades trying to master.

The judges clapped in genuine awe as the twins took a synchronized bow and slipped out the side door, disappearing into the crowded hallway.

A heavy silence lingered at the judges' table before a female staff worker spoke up, her voice trembling with realization. "Director Carmichael, don't you think they look familiar? How will they get back home without being accompanied by their parents?"

A male judge beside her frantically tapped on his smartphone screen and shoved it toward the center of the table. "Director, look at this. It’s them! They are the exact same kids who went viral in that airport video two days ago. They are even cuter in person than on camera."

Another judge in the corner leaned in, lowering his voice to a hushed, tentative whisper. "Why do I feel that they look a little like Mr. Crawford?"

Orson did not hear the last comment. He had already shoved his chair back, his mind racing with the realization that a massive golden opportunity had just walked out of his room. He shoved past the table and sprinted out of the audition hall, desperate to catch up with the clever duo and ensure their safety on the chaotic city streets.

The afternoon sun beat down on the busy transit center. The screech of air brakes and the thick smell of diesel exhaust filled the air. Mason and Sophie stood near the curb, waiting for the heavy folding doors of the city bus to open.

Orson pushed his way through a throng of commuters, gasping for breath. "Mason, Sophie, wait a minute!"

He came to a halt in front of them, wiping sweat from his forehead. "How about I send you home? The streets are too busy for you two to be out here alone."

Sophie flashed him a bright, sweet grin, politely shaking her head. "No, thanks. We know how to get home by ourselves."

The burly bus driver, a massive man with a thick beard and tattooed forearms, stepped down from the bus. He crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes narrowing into a fierce, protective glare as he positioned himself between the children and the frantic director. "Who are you? What is your relationship with these kids?"

Orson scrambled to grab the plastic lanyard hanging around his neck. He held up his identification badge for the driver to inspect. "I'm Orson Carmichael. I am a casting director for Stryker."

The driver scoffed, waving a dismissive hand at the laminated card. "Nowadays, even government ID cards can be forged, let alone some cheap plastic corporate badge. Back away from the kids, pal."

A crowd of passengers waiting in line began to murmur. An elderly woman clutching a grocery bag glared at Orson, raising her voice over the rumble of the engine. "We should call the police right now! You can't just follow little kids around a bus station!"

A few men in the crowd nodded in stern agreement, stepping closer to form a physical barrier around Mason and Sophie. The situation was escalating into a dangerous misunderstanding.

Mason let out a quiet sigh. He stepped in front of the defensive bus driver and raised his small hands, projecting his voice with the calm, authoritative tone of a seasoned diplomat. "Thank you all for looking out for us. You are very kind. However, he is really a director from Stryker. My sister and I just finished an audition in his studio down the street."

Sophie immediately chimed in, her soft voice adding a layer of innocent validation. "It's true! He was just worried because we don't have our mommy with us today. He was only trying to be nice."

The heavy tension in the crowd evaporated. The passengers exchanged sheepish glances, their fierce suspicion melting into relieved chuckles.

Mason turned his attention back to the flustered director, delivering a firm, professional nod. "Don't worry, Mr. Carmichael. The driver will take us home safely. We appreciate your concern."

The bus driver relaxed his broad shoulders. He looked down at the two incredibly polite children and offered a reassuring smile. "You heard the boy. I will make sure they get to their stop without a scratch. Have a good day, Mr. Carmichael."

Orson stood on the curb, watching the twins climb the steps and disappear into the bus. He remained undeterred by the rejection. He pulled a pen from his shirt pocket and meticulously jotted down the bus's license plate number on his palm. He had to sign this talented duo, no matter what it took.

Miles away, the sprawling residential neighborhood was bathed in the warm, golden light of the late afternoon. Cora dragged her feet as she unlocked the front door of her villa. Her shoulders ached from the lingering stress of her chaotic negotiations with the Crawford Group. She kicked off her designer heels, craving the quiet sanctuary of her home.

She walked into the living room and found a scene of perfect, undisturbed domestic tranquility.

Sophie was sprawled out on the plush area rug, her chin resting in her hands as she watched a vibrant Milan fashion show on the massive television screen. Down the hall, Mason’s bedroom door was wide open. He sat at his small desk, his brow furrowed in deep concentration as he swiped through complex financial news charts on his tablet. The children behaved flawlessly, giving off the pristine illusion that they had spent the entire afternoon indoors.

Sophie abandoned her fashion show the second she heard the heavy click of the front door. She scrambled to her feet, grabbed a pair of soft pink slippers from the rack, and ran across the hardwood floor.

She held the slippers out, her big eyes shining with adoration. "Mommy, I missed you so much!"

That soft, milky voice acted as an instant cure for Cora's exhaustion. The heavy corporate burdens of the day vanished from her mind. She crouched down, wrapping her arms around Sophie's small frame, and pressed a loud, affectionate kiss to her daughter's plump cheek.

Before Cora could ask about their day, her cell phone buzzed loudly in her purse. She pulled it out, saw Maya's name flashing on the screen, and tapped the speaker button.

Maya's boisterous voice echoed through the quiet living room. "Cory, are you free right now? Let's go try some of that famous local street food in Oakhaven together!"

Cora smiled, leaning against the entryway console table. "We're free, Maya. When will you pick us up?"

Sophie gasped. She bounced on her toes, her mouth practically watering at the mention of food. During their time abroad, Maya had constantly bragged about the legendary, mouth-watering culinary scene in Oakhaven. Sophie had been dreaming of this exact moment.

The phone crackled with Maya's enthusiastic reply. "I am already in the neighborhood. I will be there soon!"

Cora laughed. "Okay, we'll wait for you."

Sophie spun around and sprinted down the hallway toward Mason's room, her pigtails bouncing wildly. "Mason! Maya is taking us out to eat! Hurry up and get ready!"

Fifteen minutes later, a flashy yellow Maserati roared down the quiet suburban street and pulled up to the curb. Cora and the twins climbed into the luxurious leather seats, letting Maya navigate them toward the bustling heart of the city.

The most famous local restaurant in Oakhaven sat at the very end of a sprawling, chaotic food-stall street. Neon signs bathed the pavement in vibrant colors. The air was thick with the intoxicating, savory aromas of sizzling meat, roasted spices, and sweet caramelized sugar.

Because it was Sophie's first time visiting the famous street, her eyes darted in every direction. She tugged relentlessly on Maya's designer jacket, pointing at every glowing food cart they passed.

"I want to eat this, Maya!"

They moved ten feet down the pavement.

"What's that, Maya? Is it delicious? Buy me one!"

She dragged them toward a stall selling steaming skewers.

"Maya, look!"

Mason let out a heavy, exasperated sigh. He pinched the bridge of his nose, looking more like a stressed, middle-aged accountant than a four-year-old boy. "Sophie, do you still want to eat the actual local food at the restaurant, or are you just going to eat garbage from the street?"

Sophie patted her visibly round belly with a proud, unabashed grin. "Of course I am going to eat dinner. Don't worry, Mason. These snacks haven't filled my stomach yet."

Mason stared at his sister's bulging stomach, utterly at a loss for words. He shook his head and fell into a grim, defeated silence, refusing to argue with her bottomless appetite.

They finally reached the massive double doors of the local restaurant. Cora stared in shock at the massive crowd of customers spilling out onto the sidewalk, waiting for a table. Fortunately, Maya had used her connections to secure a reservation in advance. A hostess guided them past the noisy main dining hall and ushered them straight into a lavish, private room tucked away in the back.

A parade of waiters soon arrived, covering the large circular table with an array of steaming, aromatic dishes.

Sophie wasted no time. She grabbed a pair of chopsticks and dug in, humming with pure delight as she stuffed her cheeks.

Maya cracked open a massive lobster shell and extracted a thick chunk of meat. "Cory, have you signed the contract with Aura yet?"

Cora took a slow sip of hot tea, letting the floral flavor wash over her tongue. "Yes, I did. Victor actually apologized to me on behalf of Vanessa."

She spent the next few minutes detailing the intense, unexpected events that had unfolded over the past two days.

Maya dropped her lobster cracker onto her porcelain plate. Her jaw went slack, and her eyes widened in profound shock. The high society circles of Oakhaven knew Victor Crawford as a ruthless, stone-faced tyrant who never backed down and never apologized to anyone. The fact that he humbled himself for Vanessa's sake made Maya's stomach twist. It meant he was deeply invested in his girlfriend, which would make Cora's mission to reclaim her family's company infinitely harder.

Cora offered a wry, confident smile, reading the concern written all over her friend's face. "He doubled my annual salary and even let me share the dividends, so I couldn't refuse. Besides, since he condescended to apologize to me, I had to sign the contract. Okay, I admit that I was heavily tempted by the money."

Maya picked up her napkin and wiped her fingers, nodding vigorously. "That's right! Why should we be against money? But I have to admit, he is generous to Vanessa."

Cora raised a teasing eyebrow. "You mean I'm not worth the salary he offered?"

Maya waved her hands frantically, her tone shifting to fierce loyalty. "No, you deserve every penny! I just feel sorry for Victor for being stuck with a woman like her."

Cora set her teacup down. Her playful demeanor vanished, replaced by a cold, sharp determination. "Maya, I found out something huge when I signed the contract today. Victor is the biggest shareholder of Aura."

Maya gasped, the missing puzzle pieces snapping into place inside her mind. "No wonder he agreed to apologize. It turns out that he is the big boss behind the scenes. But that makes no sense. Why didn't he stop Vanessa from selling inferior products? It's his own company."

Cora narrowed her eyes, tracing the rim of her cup. "I don't know yet. But I'm now the vice president, second only to Vanessa. I am going to figure out exactly what is happening in the shadows, and I will make sure that such a disgrace never happens to my mother's legacy again."

Maya lifted her crystal glass of wine, her eyes shining with unwavering support. "Cory, I believe you!"

The two women clinked their glasses together. Maya knew fighting a business titan like Victor Crawford was a dangerous game, but she had infinite faith in Cora's brilliance.

Maya took a sip of her wine and let the heavy corporate talk fade away. "By the way, Cory, Tasha called me today to tell me that she would come to Oakhaven soon. Let's get together sometime."

Cora's eyes lit up at the mention of their old friend. "Sure. We were known as the 'three beauties' at Oakhaven University. It will be great to reunite."

Maya slumped back in her chair, letting out a loud, dramatic groan as she stared down at her waistline. "Cory, I want to lose weight! I need to get back in shape!"

Cora picked up her chopsticks and laughed. "Then you should eat less, Maya. The secret to losing weight is controlling your diet and working out."

Sophie stood up on her chair. She grabbed the edge of a heavy ceramic plate piled high with spicy noodles and began dragging it away from Maya's side of the table. "Maya, you're lazy for a Cancer. You spend most of the day laying in your bed. If you want to lose weight, you must eat less first."

Maya scowled, recognizing Sophie's obsession with astrology. She reached across the table and deliberately dragged a massive platter of garlic-buttered lobsters closer to her own chest. "Protein is good for weight loss, Sophie," she teased, sticking her tongue out at the little girl.

Mason paused with his fork halfway to his mouth. He shot Maya a look of pure, icy disdain. "That's immature."

Maya threw her hands up in the air. She could not believe she was being ruthlessly roasted by a four-year-old child again.

She glared at the little boy. "Mason, can you stop being so cold? You're not cute at all like this!"

Mason ignored her, calmly returning to his meal.

Maya let out a frustrated huff. Then, she turned to Cora, her expression turning mysterious. "Cory, have you noticed that Mason looks like someone?"