The next morning, I was up early again to work out, but not before sending a group text to all my six suitors. From what I gathered from her memory, although Lisa had a good relationship with all of them, she had avoided interacting with them as much as she could. They had scheduled a meet-up once a month, and the rest of the time, she was content to simply coordinate over the phone. I did not have the protection Lisa's dad offered her. If I didn't establish my position and take charge, it was only a matter of time before cracks began forming in the organization, and once those start a sinking ship would offer more safety. The first order of business was getting my house in order, and I was going to suggest things I was not sure would go well with them.
After a quick shower, I threw on a floor-length, backless black dress that I could never have attempted in my former life, given how scarred I was. I took my time putting on makeup, and unlike my former face, the products sat smoothly on my glass-like skin. We had identical features, but our different lives had us looking nothing alike. I put on some perfume and finally gave a satisfied twirl in front of the mirror before heading down. I had lived a long, hard life, and not even once did the possibility of getting into a romantic entanglement occur to me. For the first time in my existence, I was spoiled for choice, and I intended to take full advantage of it.
As I walked down the stairs, trying desperately to remember how to be graceful, I threw a silent thanks to the heavens as I took in their awe-struck faces. Although Lisa had an endless supply of gorgeous dresses, as she grew older, she started favoring comfortable suits and business causal attires rather than fancy dresses. I, on the other hand, had never known comfort and, given the nature of my upbringing, had never been given the chance to truly be feminine. I was determined to have everything I was denied in my previous life: legitimacy, wealth, beauty, and love.
Marcus got up and pulled a chair out for me at the head of the table. I gave him a wide smile before sliding into the seat. The tantalizing aroma of the feast laid out in front of us had my stomach growling, especially given the workout I had done. I reached out to grab some sausages, but two hands beat me to it. Within seconds, my plate had a pile of different things from all over the table. The only one who did not pile food on my plate was Kevin; he instead filled my cup. I couldn't help the smile that covered my face as I dug into the heap of food after mumbling a quick thanks. I was still in awe of how much better life was with money in your bank account and a lifetime of luxury. Breakfast, just like every other meal I had eaten since becoming Lisa, was scrumptious and clearly the work of a professional.
I shoved food into my mouth until the demanding ache in my stomach subsided, now fully satisfied. I finally got up from the table, prompting my partners to all get to their feet, a reflexive sign of respect. Although they had barely eaten half the food on their plates, they did not look particularly interested in the meal, having had fine meals all their lives. I felt a twinge of jealousy, which quickly faded under the glare of reality; everything they had belonged to me now.
"Let's go to the office," I said, gesturing to the rather expansive home office that faced directly opposite the dining room.
They all followed silently, but I could feel their eyes burrow into me, their faces identical questioning masks as if they were deciding how best to handle a problem. I took a seat in front of the desk, and my partners sat on the sofa facing the desk. I turned on Lisa's computer and struggled for a few seconds trying to recall her password before it came to me. I navigated her device using her memory and pulled up the file I was looking for. The deal that had been signed by her and her six husbands. Their connection to the president had allowed them to each get a marriage certificate even though it was illegal to be married to more than one partner, regardless of gender. The document highlighted their roles and contributions to the union, and it had been signed by all parties present. I printed out copies for them even though they had already read it. I needed to establish my position in my own way.
"Before we start, I want us all to move to our family villa," I said. My voice was muted by the printer, but it still carried, judging from their shocked faces. "With my father gone," I continued, "the villa is empty. It is the largest piece of property I own, and it has eight wings, which means each of you will have your own space."
" You have never suggested we stay together before," Brian said, his voice carried an edge.
"That was then; things are different now."
"You have also never called your father, Father, even in a sentence," Mathew added his suspicion, becoming clearer on his face.
"You are also allergic to strawberries," Henry added in a small voice, but the implication solidified with his statement. Out of all the men, he was the one I found the most attractive; there was something about his meek nature that made me want to mother him even though he was two years older than me, but the youngest among my husbands.
"Very clever, Henry," I praised him, and he blushed in response even though he had blown my secret.
I had eaten strawberries at breakfast, and although Henry had tried to pull them out of reach, I had gone for them. I could continue to deny and claim I was still l Lisa, but I had no intention of continuing to live as she had, and as such, it was only a matter of time before my secret would be out. I was hoping to get a better sense of things and at least be indebted to them before revealing my secret, but I had grossly underestimated their intelligence, or at least their knowledge of their wife.
"Lisa would also have never killed Joseph and his men the way you did," Brian added another nail to the coffin of my lie.
"Fine, you are right, I am not Lisa. My name is Alice. I was killed, but somehow ended up here." I confessed the truth, knowing how incredible it sounded, but the six men listened intently, their brows only furrowing in concern, almost as if they believed me.
"Wait, you are just going to accept what I said as the truth?" I questioned when no one immediately burst out laughing.
"You would not be the first," Ben, my second favorite pretty boy, answered. "My mother is not from this world; she died in an accident and woke up here." I looked at the rest of my husbands, and they nodded solemnly. They had made their peace with the unknown and unexplainable.
"Okay, I have a million more questions, but I'll save them for your mother. Lisa couldn't handle the pain of losing her father, so she died from grief, and here I am. Is that going to be a problem, because you cannot physically prove that I am not her? I answered
"No problem," Marcus answered.
"I prefer this version of Lisa if I am honest."
"The name is Alice, and I called you today because I intend to make changes around here. In my past life, I made it to the top even though everything was stacked against me. Everything in this country will have my mark on it by the time I am done. I can't do this alone, so I will need your help. The only way to have true power is to ensure that no one can outleverage you.
"What did you have in mind?" Mathew asked, taking his own device out, and the rest followed. I did not dwell on how fast they were willing to accept Lisa's death. I understood it must have been confusing since I was standing there wearing her face, but I couldn't help feeling guilty for the life I had stolen. The feeling was fleeting before I shoved it down. Considering the life I had lived, this was my due.