[Evelyne Vane's POV]
"I beg your pardon... what?" I just looked at her, shocked, while she glared at me as if I'd just stolen her first kiss.
"Don't you dare pretend you've forgotten! You're the sole reason I'm in this bloody mess!" she yelled, gettin' closer to me and pointin' her finger to emphasize every damn word. I backed up, confused as hell, until I hit the wall of the restroom.
Honestly, I had zero clue what was goin' on. First off, I'm supposed to be dead. I know I leaped off that rooftop, and now I've suddenly woken up in a high-end body that ain't mine. And now this chick is deadass accusin' me of kissin' her? Like, for real? This is gettin' way too complicated, even for a bad script.
I screamed at her, pushed her away, and hauled ass for the door, leavin' her behind. I sprinted down the hallway, havin' no idea where I was even goin'. The only goal in my head was findin' an exit and gettin' the hell outta this buildin'.
While I was frantically runnin', I bumped into someone, which made me fall backwards. "Ahh!" I yelled. I braced myself to hit the floor, but the impact never came. Instead, I felt firm, strong arms wrap around my back, catchin' me mid-air. I looked up at the person those arms belonged to.
I stared with my eyes buggin' out. The guy looked like a straight-up angel. Those emerald eyes. Sharp, almond-shaped eyes. A pointy nose and rosy lips. Flawless white skin and a jawline that could cut glass. He deadass looked like a K-pop Idol! I caught a whiff of his perfume—hints of wood and earth tones. It was your typical masculine scent, but not overbearin'. Honestly? He smelled mad good.
"Am I... in Heaven?" I suddenly blurted out while lookin' at him, totally dazed.
He chuckled and helped me stand up straight, which broke my trance. I fixed my clothes and coughed 'cause I was embarrassed as hell. Simone, get your act together! Pull it together!
"Are you quite alright?" he asked in a deep, velvety voice with a British accent while restin' his hands on my shoulders, lookin' concerned.
"Ye-yes!" I said with hesitation. Am I really okay? He didn't look convinced, but he just shrugged it off. "I'm terribly sorry, I don't believe I caught your name?" I asked. Since he seemed to know the real Maya, I figured I should ask; you don't usually touch a stranger's shoulders unless you're close.
He looked at me, confused. "Er. Are you truly alright, Maya?" he asked, inspectin' my head like he was worried I'd banged it or somethin'. I got the 'ick' the second he called me Maya. It was gonna take a long-ass time to get used to my "new" name.
"Yes! As I said, I'm perfectly fine!" I assured him. He still looked worried.
Shit. I didn't think he wouldn't introduce himself. Obviously, him and Maya were tight. How do I get him to drop his name? Ahh! I got it. I clutched my head and acted like I'd just woken up with a legendary hangover.
"I've simply a spot of temporary amnesia," I said, still sellin' the act. He just looked at me, suspicious and confused as hell, but he eventually gave in.
"Right... Look, I haven't got time for this nonsense. Let's go before the press catches you in this state. We can't afford another scandal," he demanded. He grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the exit.
I protested. "Where on earth are we going?!" I yelled, but he was so strong I couldn't break his grasp. "Help! Security! This man is snatching me!" I yelled hysterically, lookin' around distressed.
He suddenly stopped and looked at me with his eyes wide. "Have you gone completely crackers?!" he whispered, but loud enough for me to hear. Suddenly, two security officers ran towards us.
"Is there a problem, Ma'am?" one officer asked while the other looked at him intimidatin'-like.
"Yes!—"
The man cut me off. "I am her manager, actually!" He abruptly reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a business card. He was about to give it to the officers when I grabbed it first. I had to check if this was legit.
Alastair Lyon. Card's the real deal... and also, what the hell?! This guy is way too hot to be a manager! He should be the one in the spotlight! Do him and Maya have some kinda thing goin' on? I was squintin', tryna analyze him, hopin' some memories would pop up, but my brain was straight-up empty.
He coughed to get my attention. "Do you mind?" he whispered impatiently. I smiled sheepishly and gave the card back. He handed it to them.
"Apologies. She's merely rehearsing her lines. She's so convincing it appears she's in trouble, but I assure you, she is not," he assured them, makin' excuses. I just stood there, smilin' like a dork.
The two security officers looked at the card, then back at us. They were still suspicious, but they eventually bought the story. "Right then, you're clear to go," the officer said, and they headed back to their station. We both smiled at 'em until they were out of sight.
"So much for avoiding a spot of bother..." he muttered, leavin' in a hurry. I apologized again while followin' him. Well, I guess I'm in good hands. For now, at least...
We arrived at his car, and he opened the passenger door. My eyes nearly popped out at the beautiful, expensive-lookin' matte black SUV.
"Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG?!" I whispered, touchin' the exterior in total awe. I totally spaced on the fact that Mr. Lyon was standin' right there.
He coughed, tryin' to get my attention. "My arm is beginning to throb, you know," he said sarcastically, pointin' out he was still holdin' the door. I smiled sheepishly and hopped in. Look, don't blame me for geekin' out over the ride—it's literally my dream car! I never even touched a luxury whip back in the city, let alone sat in one!
Once I was inside, he closed the door and got into the driver's side.
8:01 PM. I looked at the time on the dash and sighed. We'd been drivin' for a while. I guess traffic is a garbage-fire in every universe. I looked at the rearview mirror toward Mr. Lyon. He was surprisingly quiet, just focusin' on the road. He suddenly caught me lookin' at him in the mirror. I widened my eyes and immediately looked out the window.
"So, a bout of temporary amnesia, is it?" he said. He was lookin' straight at the road now, waitin' for the light to turn green.
I suddenly choked and coughed. "Y-yes! You know what I'm like—when I'm properly plastered, I get this amnesia. Don't fret, my memory will be back by tea-time tomorrow," I assured him, even though I had no idea what I was even sayin'. "Hopefully..." I muttered under my breath, lookin' out the window.
"Mmm... fascinating. This is the first I've heard of this particular 'affliction' of yours," he said with suspicion, stealin' a glance at me in the mirror.
"Hah... I suppose there's still a fair bit you don't know about me then," I said awkwardly, avoidin' his gaze.
"I highly doubt that. You're usually an open book. And yet, I can't help but notice you're acting rather strange... Maya." He looked me straight in the eye through the mirror. I gulped, my heart racin'. I'd never felt this nervous, not even when I was sittin' next to that hack Director Louvre.
"What truly happened between you and Ms. Windsor last night?" he asked bluntly.
Ms. Windsor? Was she the ginger who confronted me in the restroom? I subconsciously touched my lips and looked at him in surprise. Does he deadass know that Maya kissed her?
The traffic lights finally turned green. Mr. Lyon hit the gas and focused on the road. Maybe if I played along with his questions, I might actually learn somethin'. "Oh, come off it. I've already told you," I said, actin' like I'd already explained it.
He rolled his eyes. "You only mentioned she came to your flat because she had something 'vital' to discuss. You neglected to mention the kiss! I had to read about it on the rubbish tabloids," he said, frustrated.
Somethin' important to tell Maya? What could that be? I looked out the window, tryna wrap my head around it.
A few minutes later, we arrived at The Windsor Residences.
Mr. Lyon stopped the car, and we got out. He gave the keys to the valet, and we went inside. I looked around; you could really tell this place was for the elite only. I gawked at how glamorous it was. The floor was gold with sparkles of diamonds in it? The walls were pristine white marble. This place looked like a straight-up palace!
I'm gonna be livin' here now? Okay, I can get down with this. This isn't bad at all. Before I could wander off, Mr. Lyon grabbed my arm and dragged me away. We got into the elevator. Even the elevator was fancy as hell and huge. Mr. Lyon hit the "PH" button. And of course, Maya lives in the penthouse. Typical lead actress energy.
"Holy shit!" I exclaimed when we got there. I looked around in awe, admirin' the interior, the fancy furniture, and the high ceilings. It was massive. I'm the only one livin' here? Sweet! Mr. Lyon just shook his head; I guess he was just playin' along with my "amnesia" garbage.
I was about to enter a room with a white oak door and 'SW' engraved with diamonds at the center when Mr. Lyon stopped me. "I wouldn't do that if I were you, darling," he said, grabbin' my hand.
What? I mean, this is my place. Why wouldn't I go into my own room? I looked at him confused while he just gave me a deadpan look. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Mr. Lyon walked to the intercom.
"Bloody hell," he muttered, lookin' annoyed. He opened the door, and the man I recognized from earlier let himself inside. The man who sat next to me at the press conference, callin' me sweetheart! The guy who looked exactly like Mr. Monroe...
I was just standin' there, lookin' like a total dummie.
"Evelyne..." he suddenly embraced me tightly, catchin' me by surprise. He must've been worried sick.
"A pleasure to see you too, Mr. Monroe," Mr. Lyon muttered sarcastically with a deep sigh.
Mr. Monroe? Does that mean this is really the Mr. Monroe that I know?! "Well, I shall leave you two lovebirds to it. It's getting quite late," Mr. Lyon said and left.
Lovebirds? Does he mean Evelyne and Finnegan Monroe are together? Then why the hell did she kiss Serena last night?! Okay, this drama is gettin' way too messy. I abruptly pulled away from his hug and headed to the kitchen to grab some water.
"Are you quite alright, love?" he asked, followin' me. I downed the full glass and put it down. Mr. Monroe looked at me with his eyes wide; I guess it was unusual for Maya to chug water like that.
"I'm perfectly fine, Finn," I said.
"Finn?" he asked, confused. My eyes widened as I realized what I'd just said. I mentally slapped myself across the face and looked at him with a fake smile.
"Apologies! I mean..." I looked around for any sign of his name and luckily found a bouquet of flowers with a small card. "Lucian," I continued. Well, I guess this isn't the Finnegan Monroe I used to know.
He gave me a confused look. "Have I done something to offend you?" he asked as he reached for my hands. I was confused, and then it clicked—he was datin' Evelyne, which was now me! And now he thought he'd messed up because I used his full name. Smooth move, Daisy. Real smooth.
"No! Er... sweetheart. I'm just exhausted, that's all," I assured him. Honestly, I cringed callin' him sweetheart. I'm not really the type to use pet names. I smiled at him, hopin' he'd take the hint that I wanted some "me" time.
"Quite. Of course. Well, I'll leave you to your rest. I'll see you tomorrow, darling," he said, smilin'. He kissed my forehead and walked out. Finally!
I wandered around the penthouse, openin' rooms until I found what I assumed was Evelyne's bedroom. It was huge. It had a king-sized bed, a walk-in closet, a vanity room... basically, stuff I never had back home. I jumped on the bed and felt the soft linen under me. I sighed, totally satisfied.
"Now, this is heaven," I muttered, closin' my eyes.
"Non... zis is not 'eaven."
I abruptly sat up, lookin' for where the hell that voice came from. "Who goes there?!" I yelled. This place isn't haunted... right? Suddenly, I heard a rustlin' sound from the walk-in closet. My heart was racin'. I mustered my courage and walked toward the closet.
I flipped on the lights. Suddenly, somethin' leaped out at me, knockin' me to the floor.
"Get off me! Away with you!" I screamed, wavin' my hands like a maniac.
"You look... ridiculous, non?" I heard the voice again. I opened my eyes and saw a black cat with emerald eyes wearin' a red bowtie. He was casually sittin' on my stomach, lickin' his paws.
"A-a cat?!" I yelled. Did Evelyne own a cat?
"Non. She did not 'ave one," the voice answered.
It was comin' from... the cat?! I screamed and scrambled up, makin' the cat leap outta the way. Did the cat just talk?! Am I seein' things? Is this the booze or am I actually losin' it?
"Oui. Indeed, I can talk. And non, you are not 'allucinating. I am very much real, I assure you," the cat said. I noticed he had a French accent. And he can read my mind?! I was breathin' like I was havin' a full-blown panic attack.
"Oh dear... mon Dieu," the cat said. Suddenly, a bright white light hit me, blindin' me. Then, a silhouette of a man was standin' in front of me. He transformed?!
"My apologies. I really ought to have transformed first," he said nonchalantly, as if this was normal.
My eyes widened when I realized who it was. "M-mr. Lyon?!" I yelled.
"Mmm. You may call me that if you must, but my actual name is Corbin," he said. I was still breathin' like a crazy person. "I realize this is rather alarming. At least for you—"
I cut him off. "Who the bloody hell are you?!" I grabbed the nearest thing I could use as a weapon. I saw a small spear restin' on top of a cabinet. I grabbed it and pointed it right at him.
His eyes widened, and he looked like he was about to burst out laughin'. "That... well... that won't exactly help you do me any harm. In fact, it's more likely you're going to 'pleasure' me with that object," he said sarcastically, tryin' to keep a straight face.
I looked at what I'd grabbed... it was a butt plug.
I dropped it like it was hot. Are you for real right now? Evelyne actually keeps one of these around? Mad weird. "Yes... you should probably wash your hands after touching that, you know," he said, smirkin'.
I took a deep-ass breath and looked him in the eye. "I said, who... the bloody hell... are you?"
He coughed dramatically. "I'm Corbin—or Mr. Alastair Lyon, if that's your preference. And I know..." He walked closer to me. I stood my ground. He leaned in and whispered, "I know you're not Evelyne Vane."
I felt goosebumps all over my skin. He leaned back to face me again. "Am I right, Ms. Daisy Miller?" he asked with a teasin' smirk.