Chapter 9

NIGHT…


The grand wedding at the reception ended a few hours ago and Bryan alongside Jenna left in a limousine provided by Alessia's father's relatives. Ellen, Alessia's mother never showed up as she had said and the thought of that couldn't stop bothering Jenna. “Wow” Jenna gasped, stepping into the mansion with Bryan. Alessia's spirit walked in too, looking around the house in admiration. She sighed, feeling quite tired. It wasn't easy standing up all through at the reception because she couldn't get a seat. Hundreds and maybe thousands were present at the wedding. “This is exactly my taste” she smiled, she bent over, proceeding to touch a sculpture on the dining but she couldn't, she sighed sadly. “I wish I could touch that too?” she asked Jenna who are attention was fixed on another sculpture she was rubbing fondly.

“This was Alessia's birthday gift – a mansion for her honeymoon. She was a lover of the white colour” Bryan said, looking around the house. “My birthday gift?” Alessia raised a brow, fixing her gaze on Bryan. She was aware of the Impersonation already so she wasn't too confused. The house was exquisitely and beautifully adorned and every single thing in the house screamed wealth. Jenna sighed, walking over to Bryan, raising the wedding gown up a bit.

“It’s fine, stop brooding” she sympathised, patting his shoulders as her eyes caught his teary-eyes. “You don't have to console me, I eliminated her life, I deserve pains” he said but of course, not aloud. The words remained in his mind, floating amongst thoughts. “Her father's relatives will be spending the night here, their flight got delayed till tomorrow morning” Bryan said. “Can you tell me why you seem to know much about me? Was I your supposed fiancée?” Alessia asked Bryan but of course, she wasn't heard. “We have to make some intimate moves now” Bryan said, and immediately, car honks echoed loudly in their ears. “What? No, that wasn't part of the contract” Jenna said, shaking her head sideways and proceeded towards the stairs. Bryan immediately grabbed her arm, piercing his fingers deeply into her skin and she yelped. “That's mean!” Alessia gasped, watching the duo.

“Alessia is my supposed fiancée, she died and you impersonated her, by implications, you have to do everything I'll have done with her to convince her father's relatives” Bryan said, glaring at her and Jenna rolled her eyes. Reality hit Alessia like a ton of bricks and she gasped with widened eyes, confirming her suspicions. Everything became clear to her now, she had died a few days to her wedding. Got impersonated. But certainly, her mind always developed series of questions. “How did you have my exact face?” “Why is my death being kept a secret then, Why is no one aware but you?” she batted her lashes. The pain of attending her own wedding as a spirit gripped her and her tears fell.. No wonder she kept feeling drawn to him and loved everything about the wedding. With struggles, Jenna managed to release herself from his grip and she frowned, before she could say a word, the opening sound of the door filled their ears and without hesitation, Bryan grabbed her and pulled her to himself, smashing his lips on hers. Of course, Jenna didn't push him away, she could hear the approaching footsteps of people from the door.

“I know it's your honeymoon's residence but you both should go upstairs” Grandpa Harold Dion said, clearing his throat. He was Alessia's late father's father. Three other people came in – Grandma Dion and Alessia's father junior siblings. Bryan broke the intimacy immediately and Jenna buried her face into his chest, trying to behave shy. “I must have lived a good life, filled with luxury and happiness, I must return to life” Alessia muttered, pouring out more of her tears.

Almost immediately, Bryan swept Jenna in his arms and she giggled, wrapping her hands around him, while he headed upstairs. For a while, Alessia was confused. Whether to follow them or remain in the parlour. Of course, she couldn't stand the pain of watching her supposed fiance being intimate with some one else. She remained on the spot for a few minutes and when she finally got hold of herself, she ascended the stairs in a rush but before she could get into the room, Bryan closed the door. Alessia heaved a deep sigh and suddenly turned to see the Timekeeper, she looked away sadly.

“Your task starts in a few minutes” he said, looking at his wristwatch. “Didn't you say I can't be in her body at midnight” she rolled her eyes and turned to leave but he appeared infront of her, restraining her from making another move. “Your first day is an exception” his voice echoed. “I got to realise that Bryan is my supposed fiance and i was impersonated” she sniffed and he smirked. “More secrets to unravel, don't be overwhelmed yet” he said


~~~~~

DISTANT TOWN..


The room was far from the sterile technological bustle of modern houses, it had a thatched roof and earthen walls. It was quite dark, with only a lantern showing forth the reflection of his dim lights on the grey curtains and walls.

On the flat mattress was Alessia's motionless body with only a soft rustle sound of her shallow breathing coming from her. “She's indeed pretty” a kid said, he was seated on the floor watching the body with his father. “Did you say she suddenly fell into the water when you were fishing?” an aged woman said, cooling Alessia's forehead with the damp cloth in her hand. “Yes, it was surprising. It looked like she jumped in from the bridge or was probably thrown into the water” the man said. Judging from their looks, the old woman was obviously his mother due to her wrinkled face and aged features. “She has a scar on her head, she was probably killed and disposed” the yellowed-teeth kid said and his father turned to him, nodding gently. “My perspective too” he muttered. “But she's not dead yet, she's still breathing even though it's an irregular and very shallow one that is difficult to detect in a single glance” the old woman said, squeezing out water from the cloth she was holding.. she had been doing this for countless hours.

“We need to find her parents, judging from her wears, she's from a comfortable family. We can't have her body in here without a proper medical care” the fisherman said. “And how are we supposed to do that? We don't even know anything about her” The woman replied but the kid's gaze remained fixed on the body. Suddenly, Her finger moved and the kid gasped, noticing the move.

“Dad! Her fingers, they moved now!” he exclaimed and the woman raised a brow, diverting her gaze back to the body, alongside her son. “I’m sure I saw them move” the boy squeaked. They remained silent, studying the body for a while but it made no other move. “Why do I feel like her spirit still lingers somewhere?”