Chapter 24

“You must not let anyone know about you soul transmigration,” the timekeeper’s words echoed in my ears as the strange looking old man inched closer to me.

How I didn’t remember my face was exposed before I came out made me realize what a fool I was.

I caught sight of Bryan down the stairs, shaking all over with his hands above his head.

The old man missed a step and lost his balance on the staircase, making him stop for a while to examine his injured foot.

The maid which saw me earlier ran to help him. The way she addressed him made me conclude that he was someone she knew, perhaps someone I was familiar with.

Realizing I had sometime to myself, I closed my eyes and wished for the timekeeper to appear to me immediately and he did, in less than a second.

“You called for me,” he whispered, without opening his mouth.

I was surprised by this action and tried to communicate to him in the same manner.

“Thank goodness you are here, can you help me distract this old man, I came out with Jenna’s face and everything is almost ruined,” I pleaded, overjoyed that I could speak to him also without opening my mouth else it would attract unwanted attention.

Since he was a spirit and I was the only one that could see him, it was safe.

“I’m sorry,” he apologized. “I can’t help you with that request.”

“What do you mean you can’t help me with this request? What would it benefit you if this mission gets jeopardized?” I demanded furiously.

He stood still for a few seconds and turned to leave, “if you do not have any other request, I would like to take my leave.”

Realizing I might be in trouble if he leaves— not just with my family, but also with Bryan, I resolved to plead with him as that was the only solution I could come up with.

I was fed up with the timekeeper’s drama, if only I could make him suffer for a bit.

“You know I can hear you right,” he spoke suddenly, jolting me from my thoughts, his head still turned away from me.

“Please, wait!” I screamed in my mind, making him turn his head backwards, towards my direction.

“Speak fast, I don’t have all day,” he announced, getting impatient.

“I know you are more of a spiritual guide and you are not allowed to do anything or aid me in this mission but you need to help me, just this once-,” I pleaded, my eyes filled to the brim with tears.

He stared into my eyes for a little while then sighed. “If only it were possible, I would change you without batting an eyelid,” he grumbled, walking slowly towards me.

By now, the man had stood up and was limping towards me. He was such a stubborn man who was determined to get what he wanted. If not, the pain from hitting the stairs should have sent him hurrying home.

“I can only help you access Jenna’s memories for a little while, probably Bryan had told her about this man. Perhaps he is among your father’s relatives,” he suggested. “That the most I can do for you.”

“Fine fine,” I agreed speedily. It wasnt like I had a choice.

He touched my head and I could see all of Jenna’s memories, playing like a movie. As soon as it began, it ended but I remembered most of the things I saw there.

“He never mentioned her,” I replied him dissapointed. “Not even a trace of who he might be.”

“Well, I guess my work her is done,” he announced again, disappearing this time.

My heart began to beat irregularly as the man closed in. There was nothing I could do that would save me from what would happen.

Even Bryan had crashed to his knees, fear visible on his face.

I put my hands together and whispered a prayer to god or anything that could save me and had almost given up when suddenly, the old man’s phone rang and he stopped to pick the call.

Whoever called him or whatever news he heard, I wasn’t sure. But he turned around and ran down the stairs, out of the house and sped away in his car without saying a word.

Realizing I was safe now, I ran into the room and shut the door behind me. The shock of what just happened and what could have suddenly hit me and my knees became weak.

If I had been caught, there’s no telling what would have become of Jenna since it was her body I was in. If there’s one thing I was sure of, it was the fact that I came from a family of powerful people.

What if they assumed Jenna was my killer and she decided to act as an imposter?

I stood up, my legs wriggling like noodles under me. Standing up had always been easy but now, it was more difficult than climbing a mountain nested in the clouds.

I heard a sound and put my ears on the door to listen. All I heard was Bryan’s voice, screaming orders at someone.

Who was it? I wasn’t sure. So I opened the door gently and peeped through the little space. What I saw made my heart twist in pain.

Standing down the stairs was Bryan with two hefty bodyguards and the maid who saw my face earlier.

I should have known, he wouldn’t take it easy with her. He wouldn’t spare her because she might talk— she might ruin his plans. But it wasn’t her fault, was it?

If only he had not peeled the mask off my face, if only he had remembered to give it back, if only I had been more careful and noticed my face was bare and exposed, all this wouldn’t have happened.

If only… I didn’t die?

Her screams of “I’m sorry, please help me,” echoed around the huge mansion.

The body guards lifted her up like a piece of paper and proceeded to throw her out of the house. The other maids had gathered and watched in silence, confused.

A third bodyguard had gone into the private quarters for the maids and had brough her belongings, a tiny plastic bag— containing a cloth or two.

I wanted to speak, to help her. But when I saw the look on Bryan’s face, all I saw was a desperate man.

There is really no action without a reason, so what was his reason for being this way? What was his last like?

All these thoughts and more swirled around my head, nonstop. I just stood, fixed to a spot watching and wishing everything was all a bad dream that would fade away.

A mice suddenly ran over my feet and I screamed, diverting everyone’s attention from the already kicked out maid to me. Bryan’s eyes shot daggers at me and for a moment, my brain shut down.

Only when I noticed him coming closer did it start back with a word, “run!”