Triplicate: A Devil in Disguise

Notes:

The Story belongs to the same universe as the following:

1. Dragonfly: The Devil’s Deception

2. Ladybug: A Mother’s Redemption

3. Scorpio: A Quest Against Deception

If you haven’t read them yet, just go and read them. It will be beer for your understanding. (Just click on the names to read.)

TRIPLICATE: A Devil in Disguise

The story features Max who looks similar to George and Akash [The two main protagonists of “Dragonfly: The Devil’s Deception”], (aka, Max is George and Akash’s triplicate).

This is a long story. So, I've decided to write it in two parts.

Part I

Chapter 1:

Year 2006,

Max, a young decent guy studies in school. He lives with his parents and brother (Luke) in Sacramento, California, USA. Several students used to bully him at school. However, he overcame everything and made it to the final school years. Just a few months before his final exam, he was talking with his best friends Mark, Riya, and Joe in the canteen. However, a few groups of bullying students (almost 7) came and started bullying them. This time, Max quite loses his mind. He stands up and asks them to face him.

However, the bullying students kept making fun of him. Max took a stainless bowl and hit one’s face. The rest got surprised and tried to hit him back, but failed. Max overpowers them and tells them that throughout the years he faced bullying, but didn’t do anything. However, now it’s his time to bully them back. He beat all the 7 students who were bullying his friends, till they got injured. Max is on his way to receive suspension but is saved by Mark, Riya, and Joe. They told the principal that it wasn’t Max’s fault.

After the indecent, the students who used to bully him felt scared to stand in front of him. It looks like they’ve met a devil that day.

6 years later,

Max has now completed his master’s degree and passed out from the University. Meanwhile, his brother Luke who was a few years younger than him was studying at college. After completing his master's, Max decided to apply for a PhD. However, Luke became drug addicted and his family isn’t aware of that. One night, Luke got ill, and Max and his parents called the ambulance. They rushed towards the hospital but it was too late. Luke dies due to a seizure, which happens because of a drug overdose. Max and his family feel devastated when they discover drugs in Luke’s room.

Later, police came and confiscated the drugs from Luke’s room. They assured Max and his parents that they would investigate the situation. After losing his brother, Max suffers trauma and mental health issues. The police forces with the help of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) arrested Luke’s friends who forced him into drugs.

Max was admitted to the University of California, Berkeley to study Ph.D. At the campus, he meets a girl named, Catherine. She also took admission for PhD but in different departments. Max started dating Catherine, although he hasn’t completely recovered from his brother’s death. They became close friends and fell in love.

One day at a campus, Max reveals that he is still in trauma, as he couldn’t accept his brother’s death yet. Even his parents convinced him to forget about the situation. Catherine compassionates him and tells him that she also faced a similar situation when her elder sister died. The kind nature of Catherine helps Max recover from his brother’s death.

A year later,

They completed their PhD and got married. Max and Catherine decide to move and get settled in New York.

Chapter 2:

Present Day,

George wakes up from bed in New York and notices it's 9:30 am on the clock.

George: Oh shit. It’s too late. Maybe it’s because I slept late last night.

Bella: So, you woke up.

George: Yeah, I’m so sorry; I had no idea that it was past 9 am.

Bella: No, it’s alright. Actually, I didn’t wake you up as you went to sleep at 2 am last night.

George: It’s alright. Where are they?

Bella: On their way to school.

George and Bella now have two children, Brian (son) and Daisy (daughter). George gets ready and Bella makes breakfast for him. Bella asks George if she can take their children to school today, as he looks tired. George said that he was completely fine and it was his day to take Brian Daisy to school. So, George took his car and transported his kids to school.

After dropping his kids at school, George receives a text message from Jacob [One of the main supporting essences from “Ladybug: A Mother’s Redemption” and ”Scorpio: A Quest against Deception”.]. He was asking him if they could meet over a glass of beer or cup of coffee. George meets Jacob and they greet each other. After a long and warm conversation, Jacob informs George that Daniel the brother of Liam [The main antagonist of “Dragonfly: The Devil’s Deception”] is alive and might looking for revenge.

George: Well, I see. I hope he comes to us and we’ll handle it. Of course, we might need the help of your authorities as well.

Jacob: Yeah, there’s no need to worry about that.

George: Then?

Jacob: Daniel learned that George and Akash are two different people.

George (sighs and nods his head): I got it.

Jacob: So, by the way, where’s Akash?

In another area in New York,

Akash is praising his employees at his restaurant. Currently, he is a successful businessman and owns a famous global restaurant chain. At present, he has over five restaurants in five different corners of the world (New York, Florida, London, Birmingham, and Sydney). Yet, he announced that he is going to open his sixth restaurant in Tokyo soon. At the restaurant, Akash was giving medals to his employees as the branch made it to the “Top 10 Restaurants in New York” list of an international magazine.

After Akash finishes his speech, everyone in the restaurant claps. Yet, his eye only went to a specific table where his ladylove, wife Agatha was clapping for him. He goes there and Agatha praises him that she doesn’t know that her husband is also good at giving speeches.

Agatha: Wow, that’s impressive.

Akash: Thanks.

Agatha: I didn’t know that you’re also good at this.

Akash: Actually, I also once worked in a restaurant. I can understand how much a little praise can do. I mean they deserve it.

Both smile and celebrate the moment with their glass full of wine.

Akash: Cheers!

Agatha: Cheers!

Akash and Agatha return to their New York apartment at night. George and Bella call them via video chat. Akash asks Bella and George about their kids Brian and Daisy. Bella playfully teases Akash and Agatha about when they’re planning to have children. George asked them to visit his home.

Akash and Agatha visit George and Bella’s house the next day. The two couples spend quality time together. Bella suggests George and Akash play an ‘Identical Twin’ game where Brian and Daisy have to guess who their father (George) is. Agatha also agrees. They played the game. Brian and Daisy successfully guessed their real father.

Later, Bella and Agatha were catching up together on the couch. George is also having a conversation with Akash where he reveals Daniel’s plan. He also told him that Daniel uncovered their identities. George soon will visit Abu Dhabi to meet his friend who can give him more information about Daniel. However, Akash assures him that whatever happens, they will fight together like they did before. Then they both cheered with their beer bottles.

After a few days, George and Bella undertook a vacation with Daisy and Brian to New Jersey. George and Bella spent fun and quality time with their children. On the other side, Akash and Agatha were helping each other in their respective professional fields.

Chapter 3:

Max and Catherine successfully moved to New York a couple of years ago, and now become local citizens. Currently, they are professors at the New York University. Max teaches Economics and Catherine teaches Art History. As they became permanent citizen of New York, Max and Catherine finally bought their new home in Brooklyn. They are also living a happy life.

After a joyful family vacation, George travels to Abu Dhabi to meet his old friend and a trusted ally, John. Currently, he is serving the Signals Intelligence Agencies of UAE (SIA). They meet and greet each other at a racing event where John reveals Daniel’s intention. John told George that Daniel had his gangster organization known as ‘The Red Ants’ which he evolved into something big. Currently, the organization has one leader and five sub-leaders.

George: Subleaders?

John: Yes.

George: Who are they?

John gives him a file and tells him that Daniel is the main leader of the group. Meanwhile, the sub-leaders are Andrew, Zhang, Pablo, Faizal, and Logan. They were Daniel’s trusted allies and that’s why he makes them his team’s sub-leaders.

George returns to New York and tells everything to Akash. They were having their brunch at a cafe. Suddenly, George receives a call from Jacob saying it’s urgent. He sent an email. After finding the mail, George and Akash are taken aback. The mail shows that the authorities have noticed a person who has a similar face as them is observed at the New York University (NYU), teaching students. It’s Max.

George and Akash visit the FBI office and meet Jacob. They were discussing it. Akash asks George if it's a part of Daniel’s plan to revenge or not. However, Eliza (a cybersecurity specialist) comes and assures him that it’s not. She tells them that the name of the person is Max Stallone, who teaches Economics at NYU along with his wife Catherine who teaches Art History.

Akash wonders what if Daniel’s men reach them, without knowing they are innocents. George agrees with Akash and looks at the computer screen that is displaying Max’s details.

Chapter 4:

Daniel reaches New York and greets his sub-leaders and team members. They were talking about their business and were also planning to kill George and Akash as well. One of his men handed him over a file that he noticed George (which is actually Max) at NYU teaching students. Eliza informs Jacob that Daniel and his men are observed in New York, through hacking the CCTV of that place.

On a Saturday night, Max decides to go on an outing with Catherine the next day. Both agreed to and planned an outing at Central Park Zoo. Instead of taking their car, they board the subway. They were having a quality time and planning about their future. Daniel’s men inform that they have seen the couple at the zoo.

Eliza also finds that Daniel and his men are heading towards them with her intelligence. So, she informed Jacob and Brendan. Jacob astounds and informs Akash about it.

After spending quality time together, Max and Catherine got off the train at the subway to return home. Daniel with a few of his men (excluding the subleaders) welcomed them. The couple are surprised.

Daniel: Hi mate, how are you?

Max: I’m sorry, but who are you? Let us go.

Daniel: Not so easily George.

Max: Who is George? I think you have some misunderstanding.

Max starts arguing with Daniel. After a few minutes, Daniel orders his men to kill him. Suddenly, Akash appears with Marco, Rebecca, Jasper, and Stuart (Jacob’s team member). Max and Catherine are shocked after seeing Akash’s appearance (He is also Max’s lookalike). They asked Daniel and his men to drop the gun but they refused. So, a gunfight started. After a heavy fight, Akash and his team manage to kill Daniel’s men. However, Daniel survived, pretending to be fainted. He took his gun, aimed it toward Catherine, and threatened to kill her. Max and Akash ask him to stop. Then, Daniel aimed it toward Max and commanded Akash and his team to drop the gun.

Daniel: Okay, at first I’ll kill you (Max, who he thinks is Geroge), then your ladylove and the rest.

Akash: Leave them, bro, they’re innocent.

Daniel: Now, you’ll say that he isn’t George, but your triplicate.

Akash: Unfortunately, yes.

Daniel: Oh, nice try. But you guys might have fooled my big brother but not me. I am the leader of the ‘Red Ants’ gang. You guys can’t fool me. I’ll also kill you Mr. Akash Das, but at first I’ll kill George.

Akash: He isn’t George.

Jasper: Yes, he isn't.

Rebecca: You took the wrong person.

Daniel: Shut up you all!

As soon, as Daniel going to push the trigger, Max tricks him. He takes the gun from Daniel and punches him hard. Daniel stumbles and Max starts punching him aggressively till the blood comes out. Catherine tried to stop him but he didn’t listen. Max takes Daniel’s gun and shoots him 5-6 times. Daniel dies on the spot.

Akash and his team are shocked by what they have just witnessed. Agatha with her forces enters the subway station. She hugged and asked Akash if he and his team were fine or not. Suddenly, her eyes went toward Daniel’s body where Max (his face covered with little blood) and Catherine were standing. She is also astounded after seeing Daniel’s dead body.

Chapter 5:

At FBI headquarters in New York,

Marco serves water to Max in the interrogation room and politely tells him to stay for a while till the seniors visit. Catherine was waiting outside and Eliza served her water. She assures her that her husband will be fine. Agatha brings George. Catherine is surprised again to see another guy who is Max’s lookalike. George asks Akash about the incident and he tells him everything.

Akash and George enter the interrogation room and greet Max. He is astonished and asks them if he just enters a parallel universe or not. As he is observing his two lookalikes. However, both assure him that this is reality and tell him to answer their question freely. They also ensure that they are not pressuring him and are good people.

Outside of the interrogation room, Agatha was accompanying Catherine. She assured her that her husband would be set free after a few rounds of interrogation. Lexi (one of Jacob’s team members who works in the FBI) serves them coffee.

Catherine: Would you mind if I ask you something?

Agatha: Yeah, sure.

Catherine: Don’t you ever get confused between your husband and his lookalike?

Agatha (smiles): No, I never. It’s an easy one for me.

Lexie: We‘ve been dealing with them for a long time.

Agatha: Shut up.

Lexie: I was kidding.

Catherine: When we met your husband at the subway station we both were shocked. However, I came here and found another person who looks the same.

Agatha: I can understand, but it’s a simple thing for me. One is like my big brother and the other is the love of my life.

Catherine: I understood.

George asks him why he killed Daniel. In response, Max said he did it out of fear. He feared that Daniel might injure Catherine. Max also told them that he was in trauma after his brother’s death and Catherine assisted him in getting out of it, and they love each other. Thus, if anything happened to her, he might not forgive himself. In addition, he asked about their actions if they had been in his place.

Akash: You have a point.

George: Look, Max. I can understand what you’ve been through, but Akash was there. He was doing the talking. So, you should’ve waited for his action. He has good negotiation skills and I guess he was communicating with Daniel.

Max: I apologize.

Akash: It’s okay. Now please forget about everything and resume your regular life.

George: I know Max, it’s not gonna be easy but I will tell you to forget about it. If you need any mental health assistance, you can reach out to us anytime.

Jacob also enters the interrogation room and greets Max. George and Akash told him everything and he provided a solution.

Jacob (to Max): I know I can understand what you’ve done is an act of self-defense. So, you will be free from charge, but I also don’t want you to suffer any legal harassment. As, if they find out it’s you who killed their leader, they will come to you. Don’t worry about that we will provide you with enough protection. But, the main question is who is gonna take the blame? So we can declare it as an official encounter.

Akash: I’m ready sir. I’m gonna take the blame.

George: No, I’m gonna take the blame.

Jacob: Are you sure?

George: Yes for 100%. Akash was there as himself but Daniel thought Max was me before he died. So, it’s up to me.

Brendan visits the room and Jacob tells him to create an interrogation paper separately for Max after asking a few more details. Jacobs instructs the authorities to declare Daniel’s death as an official encounter in another separate statement. George, Akash, and Agatha leave the FBI headquarters. Max reconciles with his wife, Catherine.

Later, at night, in Akash and Agatha’s New York apartment,

After getting fresh, Akash sits in front of their bedroom mirror and starts tracing his face with his fingers. Agatha sitting on the bed and reading a magazine asks him what he’s doing. Akash replies that it was hard for him to believe when he met George for the first time and now he has met another person who looks like him. Agatha tells him that she was also shocked when she got to know about Max. After that, Akash gets into the bed next to Agatha.

Akash (with a smile): What was your reaction when you first got to know me? You were associated with George’s team before you met me. So, what was your first impression when you saw my pic?

Agatha: I had a similar reaction, but now the person has become an important part of my life.

(Both smiles)

Akash: I Love You

Agatha: I Love You too.

Then, both share a romantic kiss.

.

.

(To be Continued)