Episode 4

The tide was coming in. The waves rolling across the sea, causing its glassy surface to undulate periodically. They came in fast, crashing onto the sandy beaches with a loud roar that usually startled city dwellers who came to the coast to laze off their troubles. Matthias was one of those city dwellers that day. He was on holiday for the first time in his life. The fruits of his labour were truly sweet.

And yet, all he could think about was the two women in his life.Most men would love to be in his place, two beautiful women literally offering themselves to him on a silver platter. But for Matthias, it was driving him nuts. Tanya was constantly attentive, fantastic in bed and her usual entrancing self; so much so that he was beginning to remember how good the old times were.

As all this went on in his head, he watched as Kim swam and played in the ocean. From his vantage point on the seawall of the hotel, he was awed by Kim's beauty. He couldn't understand why after being with her for two and a half months, her beauty still cast an overpowering spell on him. Maybe the phrase 'drop-dead gorgeous' had been made especially for her.

Matthias continued to think about other choice phrases to describe Kim.Just then, she got out of the ocean and walked up the beach to the seawall. " What're you laughing at all by your winking lonesome?" Kim inquired as she grabbed the towel Matthias had been holding for her.

"Nothing much. Just trying to put words to your ravishing looks in my head," he replied, at her. Kim shook her hair, sending drops of saltwater his way." Hey, don't drown me! The ocean has dibs on that opportunity!" Matthias joked as he moved away quickly. Kim snatched up two handfuls of wet sand and threw them at him. He dodged them and threw back a handful.They chased each other all over the beachfront with handfuls of sand, ignoring disgruntled tourists and old ladies sunbathing. It felt ridiculously like a scene from a cheesy romance flick, but he didn't care. He was with Kim, and that was all that mattered.

Wait a minute, he thought, rudely pulled out of his blissful reverie. Was he seeing double? He was trying to wrap his head around the fact that...that...there were TWO Kims on the beach. And the other one was making her way towards them. He was frozen in puzzlement. The only difference between them was Kim, his Kim, had silver green eyes, while the...impersonator's, as she came closer, he noticed, were a deep, beautiful shade of lilac-grey. Beautiful, but sinister.

Kim number two covered Kim's eyes. Matthias resisted his alpha male protective instincts to tackle her to the ground. "Guess who?" she purred silkily as Kim froze.
" Um...gimme a clue at least..." Kim said as she felt the fingers on her eyes.
" England, Ireland..." Kim number two started to sing a nursery rhyme.
" Scotland, Wales! Kayla!" squealed Kim as she tore off Kim number two's - Kayla's - hands. They embraced excitedly.
Kayla?...
" Oh my goodness! You've grown so big so fast! How've you been? And who is the hunk of man?" asked Kayla as she gave Matthias an appreciative once-over with her eyes.
" This is my hunk of man. His name is Matthias. Babe, meet my long lost sister Kayla," Kim said as she stepped over to Matthias and wrapped her arms around him.
" Mmhmm, girl, your taste so got better with time!" They both laughed. " So what're y'all doing here?"
" We're on holiday. Matthias planned a romantic getaway just for us." Kim replied as she looked into Matthias' eyes, the love evident in her voice.

Matthias in the meantime was still dumbstruck. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. He couldn't even raise his hands to rub his eyes. There were suddenly a whole lot of questions that needed answering. The conversation continued to pass over him.
" So sis, where are you staying?"
" At the Sai Rock. You?"
" We're in the same hotel! What a coincidence!" said Kim excitedly. Yeah right, thought Matthias.
" Shall we head there and have a drink?" Kayla suggested as she turned in the direction of the hotel.
" Great! Let's just get our stuff." They walked up the beach, ladies chatting and Matthias in tow.
" Does your man have a voice of his own or is he a silent surprise?" joked Kayla as they sat down at the bar.
" Tongue-tied by our beauty, I guess." They laughed, The exact same laugh. "I need to go to the ladies'. Be right back-get acquainted, you two." Kim got up, winked at Matthias and left.

Kayla contemplated him silently, sipping her apple martini. He stared at his sandaled feet. " You know," she finally said, " you're a terrible actor."
" You're a terrible surprise."
" Ah, the tomb speaks. We all have secrets."
" You more than some?"
" Touchy, aren't we."
" I just want answers."
" Which you will get if you can at least keep your cool. I thoufht in our line of work you would have learnt how by now.You and I know about that night. You want to protect my precious little sister? Then get a grip, you moron. Ah, Kim." She was back. " We were just talking about you." Kayla smiled.