The New me

Before she was escorted by her parents back home, she glared like I was the personification of hell.

Her eyes burning and piercing but she can't say anything back after being severely reprimanded by her parents. But haven't we both suffered the same? The authorities might have destroyed the pictures and videos filmed that night and ordered nondisclosure of things but it does not mean it won't resurface. The circle of the wealthy is only small and there are predators constantly eyeing their prey. One's downfall is one's fortune.

It was bad for her to detest me so much when she was the one who continuously did those underhanded tricks. This body was born blessed with an affluent background, met good friends that love her and praised with creativity yet she also had flaws and it's something she knew, something she's trying to live with. If she did not have such an evil heart then would I prepare that gift?

But tonight, even I honestly did not know that things would end this way.

Okay, I played with her during the auction. It was intentional that I lost those items to her while making sure that she paid a huge amount then knowingly said those words so that she'll get upset that night but it was only a petty trick. The footage I had paid someone search and stole was like a defense mechanism, it would not show up if she had been more compassionate for her best friend nevertheless she was already consumed by her jealousy so I had to adapt and perform with her.

What I had in mind was to keep acting like a pitiful soul lost in a tragic event and blame the evils of this world. To evoke pity from the crowd, I even drop a tear. It would be the first time I will use my appearance to gain attention yet she figured me out. I haven't said much when Luke jumped in the drama. Then he had the audacity to call authorities on us leaving me caught in surprise. Even I did not think of calling the authorities that time as I was preparing myself to fight her performance.

I was genuinely tongue-tied.

I mean, that was supposed to be my moment where I unearth her white lotus roots and claim back my innocence. I may not have the memories of this body but there were a ton of things I needed and wanted to reveal. I was done playing the best friend role and was ready to lay it all out. That I was blind to have trusted her so much but that dark horse of the story just went ahead and finished it the way he wanted.

Sure I wanted our family to cease cooperation but at least let me clear first the things in the past. That was the perfect time to tell them all that this body had always been pure but d*mn that guy! I want to erase his existence.

My parents had been consoling me nonstop on the way home, feeling sorry that I was met with such events. They told me that I can skip a few days of work and to forget the bad things and they'll handle the rest. I saw both of them went to the study room after telling me to sleep.

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The morning after we got home, I did not go to work. I just kept sleeping as I dreamed of a girl. She was running through a forest as she anxiously keeps hiding behind the big trees. The forest was a little dark so I can't see much but the girl continued to run despite all that. Something's dripping from her as her hand holds on to an item then something rang as she turned around.

My alarm sounded.

I woke up full of sweats and my heart was rapidly beating; it was like I've run the entire time. I sat on my bed caught in a daze as I tried to recall the dream. It was vague; all I remembered was the girl. I can't make out her face but her silhouette tells me it was a female.

I checked the clock and it was already the morning of the next day. A thought suddenly came to my mind as I recognized the time so I jumped up in fright. I immediately looked at my surroundings and to my dismay, it was the same. That sea urchin look-alike suspended light still hangs in the middle of the room. I went in front of the mirror and confirmed that I am still the wealthy Iris Lin.

I sat down on the floor as I pinched myself. It hurts.

I sighed.

That exact hour, minute and seconds were engraved in my mind. It was exactly the same when I woke up in this place so I had thought that maybe I went back when I saw the exact same time. But alas, the heavens did not give me my wish.

Maybe dealing with Lily wasn't enough?

There was a knock on my door and a maid cautiously entered. It was the same maid during my first day as she informs me of breakfast but was forced to make faint sound as I can't hide my annoyance.

"Miss?" She said as half of her was behind the door.

"I heard it." I simply said. Realizing that I wasn't in my very best mood, she kept her mouth shut as she slowly closed the door.

I can't help it. I was stressed from what happened last night. I wasn't satisfied with how things ended and I had a strange dream.

I lay down on the floor not minding the cold that was sipping through my body. I stared at the ceiling for an hour then sat up as I resolved to find clues how to get back.

I need to say goodbye to this kind of life.

I rummaged through the entire room checking if something might turn up but nothing came out so I unwillingly succumb to my hunger and went down to eat.

I observed that the maids have been discreet in serving me today presumably because of my attitude early in the morning. I wanted to reach out and comfort them and say that I was just a little unhappy before but then I realize that it's a bit better this way. They were giving me an utmost respect.

After my brunch, I asked them to clean up my room and have the driver be prepared to leave.