[Evelyne's POV]
"A-are you alright?" I finally asked, breaking the silence as I looked down at her. I was still on top of her. I just noticed her face was getting redder and redder.
"D-don't move…" she groaned, her voice barely above a whisper, but loud enough for me to hear.
She suddenly looked away, avoiding my gaze like she was embarrassed.
What the hell did she mean by "don't move"?
I shifted my body, which made her squirm and gasp.
Why did she look like she was aroused or something?!
What the fuck was going on right now?
I just stared at her, completely confused.
"Y-your knee…" she said quietly, still avoiding eye contact.
My knee?
I immediately looked down, and that's when I realised it was positioned directly against Serena's groin.
Oh.
That was why every time I shifted, she reacted to the friction.
I could feel the heat radiating from her, along with a faint dampness.
Was she actually getting turned on by this?
My face grew even hotter as a flood of embarrassing thoughts rushed into my head.
Jesus, Daisy. Snap out of it!
I quickly scrambled off her and apologised before practically bolting to my room.
I collapsed onto my bed face-first and screamed into my pillow to muffle the sound.
Maybe screaming would help erase the humiliating moment that had just happened.
Yeah, right.
Even after that, the scene kept replaying in my head.
I rolled onto my back and let out a long, exhausted sigh, closing my eyes and trying to fall asleep—or at least convince myself I could.
Maybe this was all just a dream.
…Yeah.
It wasn't.
It was morning now, and I was standing in the kitchen, wide-eyed as I stared at Serena casually eating cereal and occasionally sipping her coffee.
She noticed me.
"Oh! You're awake. And bloody hell, you look awful," she said sarcastically before returning her attention to her cereal as if nothing had happened the night before.
I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the small antique gold mirror hanging in the hallway.
She wasn't wrong.
I looked like shit.
Dark circles surrounded my eyes, and my hair was completely dishevelled. I barely slept. I spent the entire night tossing and turning because every time I closed my eyes, Serena's flushed, aroused face kept popping into my head.
I stole another glance at her.
Her red hair was tied up in a bun, her face bare except for the natural flush in her cheeks, and her lips were naturally pink. She wore a black faux-fur cardigan with a V-neckline and denim shorts.
She looked… domestic.
And, annoyingly, gorgeous.
How the hell did she look so good while I looked like I'd just lost a fight with a cat?
So she wasn't even bothered by what the fuck happened last night?
Brilliant.
I scoffed and gave her an irritated look.
And why the hell was I disappointed that she didn't care?!
Daisy. Get your shit together.
I shook my head and took a deep breath.
Let's just focus on the mission.
I had to convince her to join me at the press conference.
I cleared my throat and dragged myself over to where she was sitting. She stopped mid-bite and looked up at me, raising an eyebrow.
I struggled to make direct eye contact while subconsciously fixing my hair and shifting awkwardly in my seat.
"What?" she asked bluntly.
"Um…"
She cut me off.
"Is this about last night?"
She was direct as ever, staring at me coldly.
I finally turned my full attention toward her, raising my eyebrows.
And here I thought she wasn't bothered by it.
Turns out she was just pretending it never happened.
"Actually—"
She cut me off again.
"Why are you acting shy all of a sudden? It's not like it's our first time finding ourselves in that position."
She said it dismissively before returning her attention to her cereal and taking another bite.
My eyes widened.
Wait.
So she and Evelyne had been hooking up?!
I swallowed hard, my heart suddenly racing.
I really hoped my face wasn't bright red.
"Or perhaps you've decided to forget whatever happened that night," she added bluntly, finishing her cereal before turning her attention back to me.
That night?
Did she mean the night she visited Evelyne to tell her something important about Lucian?
So they really had hooked up?
But Evelyne…
Did she actually love Lucian?
Or was I right about her being in love with Serena instead?
As I contemplated it, I unknowingly stared into Serena's eyes, almost as though I was searching them for an answer.
"Anyway, it was only a one-time thing. So don't get any funny ideas," she added coldly, giving me a death glare before standing up and carrying her dishes to the dishwasher.
I rolled my eyes and scoffed.
"Don't worry. I won't. And, as you've mentioned yourself, you're in love with Lucian, who also happens to be my boyfriend."
I said it sarcastically as I found myself walking toward her.
"It's funny, isn't it? It's always the best friend who steals the boyfriend."
I stopped directly in front of her, smirking as I crossed my arms.
I could see her tense up.
She quickly composed herself and looked me directly in the eyes.
"Wow. You really do seem in love with him, don't you?" she said. "Which is rather funny, because that's not what you seemed like that night. I mean, you practically begged me to love you, and you were planning to leave Lucian so we could be together."
Her tone was sarcastic and brutally blunt.
Her words were sharp, but they didn't match what her eyes were saying.
I saw a flicker of sadness in them.
"You reciprocated my advances! What the hell is that supposed to mean?" I yelled, pretty sure that was exactly what Evelyne would have said.
She leaned closer, making sure I heard every single word.
"It means nothing to me," she said coldly. "Let's just say it was a stupid mistake."
I had no idea she could be this cold.
She was so different from before.
Something had happened between them involving Lucian—something bad enough to make her treat Evelyne like they were strangers all over again.
"So stop pushing yourself onto me. Honestly, it makes me uncomfortable."
She turned and walked away, bumping hard into my shoulder as she passed.
She disappeared into the room with 'SW' engraved on the door.
I guess she and Evelyne were housemates.
Fuck.
This just got awkward.
And that wasn't even what I intended to talk to her about.
Now how the hell was I supposed to bring up the press conference?
After my confrontation with Serena, I told Corbin to meet me at The Gilded Cage.
We were sitting at the bar. Madame Raven had just brought me another glass of beer, watching me with a worried expression while Corbin simply shook his head.
I grabbed the glass and downed it in one go before abruptly setting it back on the bar.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Corbin yelled. "You're drinking in the middle of the day. And bloody hell, it's barely morning!"
He sounded like a father scolding his daughter.
I ignored him and asked Madame Raven for another glass, giving her a sheepish smile.
The alcohol was definitely catching up with me.
I was already feeling tipsy.
Corbin shook his head at Madame Raven, silently signalling her not to listen to me.
"Madame Raven, please. Just one more!" I shouted, raising my glass with a smile.
"Well, I found Evelyne's diaries," I began, stumbling slightly over my words. "And I found out that she and Serena go way back. Their friendship ended because of Lucian since Serena liked him. And now Serena hates my guts—or should I say, Evelyne's guts?"
Corbin sighed with a deadpan expression, like he was already exhausted by the whole cliché.
"Then why the bloody hell are you drowning yourself in alcohol?" he yelled as he immediately grabbed the bottle Madame Raven was about to hand me.
I chuckled and rested my cheek against my fist.
"I honestly don't know…" I mumbled, exhausted.
I told him about my encounter with Serena earlier.
He rolled his eyes and sighed.
"Are you serious right now?! You had the perfect opportunity to tell her about the press conference! But instead, you got yourself tangled up in their drama! Fucking brilliant."
He sounded annoyed and disappointed.
I gave him a guilty look before looking away.
"Sorry," I mumbled.
He stared at me angrily, but the second he saw my puppy-dog eyes, his expression softened.
He sighed.
"Alright. That's it. We're leaving."
He abruptly stood and grabbed my arms, forcing me to stand as well.
He apologised to Madame Raven for the disturbance while I looked longingly at the alcohol.
Then he dragged me away from the bar.
As soon as we arrived at the penthouse, he threw me onto my bed.
He kept talking to me, trying to sober me up, but I was far too wasted to pay attention.
"Mmm…" I sighed in relief as I sank into the soft mattress.
I curled into a fetal position, clutching a pillow.
I didn't even see Corbin leave or hear whatever he was saying.
A blinding white flash suddenly jolted me awake.
I found myself on the rooftop again.
The same hooded man was choking me, pushing me toward the ledge before I fell.
But this time, something was different.
I could smell something faint and floral, with an earthy undertone.
I woke up for real this time, drenched in sweat and gasping for air.
This nightmare kept happening.
That couldn't be a coincidence anymore.
What if it had actually happened to me?
What if "me" was trying to give me a sign that there had been foul play—and that I needed to find out who my killer was?
What if that was the reason I reincarnated?
Maybe my mission was to investigate my own death.
Maybe that was the only way I could finally move on.
But…
I still didn't understand why I had reincarnated as Evelyne Vane.
I needed to tell Corbin.
I quickly jumped out of bed, only to clutch my head and groan from the pounding pain.
Fuck.
Hangover.
I grudgingly dragged myself into the kitchen to get a glass of water.
"You look like you don't remember a single thing that happened last night."
I startled and nearly choked on my water when I noticed Serena standing in front of me, frowning.
When the hell did she get here?
And also…
Last night?
She sighed and walked past me, grabbing a glass of water.
"Figures. You wouldn't have the guts to face me right now if you remembered," she continued, sipping her water as she stared at me.
My heart started pounding.
I just stared at her, completely confused.
Fuck.
Daisy, you'd better remember what happened.
"What-what are you talking about?" I asked sheepishly, giving her an awkward smile.
She slammed the glass onto the counter, making me flinch.
She walked toward me slowly, watching me like prey as I backed away until my back hit the kitchen counter.
She leaned closer and whispered in my ear.
"If you remember, you'd better hide. Because when I find you, you're dead meat."
She pulled away and looked at me with a wicked smile before walking off, leaving me gasping for air.
Then, out of nowhere, a memory from last night flashed through my mind.
Last Night
"Bloody hell. You're bloody heavy!" Corbin exclaimed, struggling to carry me into my room.
He had me piggybacked.
"Go faster, horse!" I said excitedly, grinning as I patted his back like I was riding a saddle.
"Stop fucking moving!" he yelled, struggling to open the door to my room.
"Mr. Lyon?"
I heard Serena's voice and looked over at her, smiling like I was genuinely excited to see her.
She gave us both a confused look, which quickly turned into a frown.
"Oh! I didn't know you were here, Ms Windsor. Sorry about the commotion, but would you mind opening the door for me?" Corbin asked.
Serena opened the door, though she still looked annoyed.
We must've disturbed her sleep.
Corbin threw me onto the bed while Serena looked away.
I groaned softly and sighed in relief.
The bed practically invited me to sleep.
"Fucking hell," I heard Corbin mutter as he clutched his back. "She's completely wasted…"
"Hm…" Serena sighed, sounding irritated as she looked at me.
Then I heard a phone ringing.
I assumed it was Corbin's.
I heard him sigh before telling Serena to take care of me for him.
He needed to go somewhere, so he hurriedly left.
Serena sighed again.
She bluntly pulled the blanket over my face before standing up.
I groaned in annoyance and yanked it back off.
"Oh! Serena! My best friend! You're still here!" I shouted.
She startled and looked back at me.
"You're not my friend," she snapped. "Well… not anymore."
She was about to leave when I quickly grabbed her hand.
She startled again and looked back at me, her eyes widening.
"Did you know Evelyne likes you?" I muttered, fumbling over my words. "I mean, it's sooo obvious in her journals. She talks about you so fondly."
She stared at me in confusion.
"But I don't understand what happened between you two that night," I continued, genuinely curious.
Then, I think a light bulb went off in my head.
I pulled her on top of me, bringing our faces dangerously close.
"You know what?" I said casually. "Maybe kissing you will give me Evelyne's memories."
Before she could react, I held her by the neck and kissed her.
The moment our lips touched, a vision appeared in my mind.
I saw my reflection—the real "me," I guess.
It was as though I had suddenly stepped outside of Evelyne's body.
I didn't recognise my surroundings, but it looked like I was on a rooftop.
Then I saw two people.
I moved closer to see who they were.
It was Evelyne and Serena.
But I couldn't hear what they were saying.
They appeared to be arguing.
Evelyne was crying as she held Serena's hand.
But Serena pulled away as though she were upset or angry about something before walking away.
Serena passed me.
She was crying.
She looked hurt.
I think she didn't want Evelyne to see her cry.
Then my vision began to blur.
The next thing I knew, I felt a sharp pain against my cheek.
Serena had slapped me.
I saw the fury on her face before everything went black.
Present
I absentmindedly touched my lips.
Fuck.
I'm so dead.
You are so fucking stupid, Daisy.
Not only did you suddenly kiss her, but you also talked about Evelyne in the third person!
And why the fuck did you tell her all of that?!
I banged my forehead against the wall, utterly mortified.
Then I stopped.
Wait.
I realised something.
Well…
At least I learned something new about the two of them.
I had no idea kissing her would actually work.
So, I guess spending more time around her would give me more information.
And the press conference would be the perfect place to start.
Feeling newly motivated, I ran after her and grabbed her arm, stopping her from leaving.
She immediately turned around and hit me with a death glare.
"You really are asking for it, aren't you?" she said.
"Look, I'm sorry about what happened yesterday. I promise it won't happen again. Let's just move on, alright?" I said sincerely.
She rolled her eyes, sighed, and pulled her hand free from my grip.
"Let's just focus on resolving our scandal. Why don't we hold a press conference?" I suggested warmly.
Please let her agree.
Please.
She gave me a suspicious glare and scoffed.
"A press conference? And how, exactly, is that supposed to resolve anything?" she asked with a chuckle, as though my idea were ridiculous.
"Just trust me. I mean, you wouldn't want your career jeopardised, would you?" I said, trying to convince her.
She seemed to consider it, though she continued eyeing me suspiciously.
"Strange…" she muttered.
Is this about last night?!
Fuck.
I knew she'd get suspicious.
"W-what's strange?" I asked, swallowing nervously as I avoided eye contact.
She coughed and looked away.
"Nothing… Fine. Let's do it. But on one condition."
"What condition?" I asked curiously.
Of course she wouldn't agree without asking for something in return.
"Break up with Lucian," she said coldly, looking straight into my eyes.
My eyes widened.
I don't know why, but a sudden surge of anger rushed through me.
I scoffed.
"What?" I asked, unable to believe what I'd just heard.
"Don't look so bitter," she said emotionlessly. "I'm simply taking back what's mine."
I stepped closer until our faces were only inches apart.
"Are you really this oblivious?" I asked, frustrated and almost on the verge of tears.
I caught a glimpse of sadness in her eyes before it quickly hardened into coldness.
"Darling, I brought you some flowers!" Lucian happily shouted.
That instantly shattered the tension.
We both turned toward him, quickly fixing our expressions.
He closed the door and stopped dead when he saw Serena.
His gaze shifted between her and me, confusion—and a hint of concern—written across his face.
Fuck me.
Just how complicated could Evelyne's life get?