I opened my eyes to a sight I've never seen before. It looked like some sort of back office with few doors. I blinked confused. Just a moment ago I was sitting on my bed, reading some manhwa, and now? Where the hell am I? What is that shit? Did I just transmigrated into some novel? No way... Haha... This kind of things aren't real... Maybe I have some kind of memory loss? Yeah. That's the most reasonable outcome...
My eyes roamed around for a while before I pinched the bridge of my nose frustrated. But something was weird. Were my hands always that petite? I looked at them and froze. Those are not my hands... I stared at them for at least couple of seconds, turning them, then began to check all of my body panicked. Tattoos gone, moles gone, skin tone darker. Noo... There's no way... Right?... Haha... I chuckled desperate inside my head. Was I going insane? Maybe that was the answer. Or maybe it was just a dream? But I pinched my nose earlier... I definitely felt it... I was lost on what happened, I should have been worried but.... Why was I smiling? What was that weird feeling in my chest? Almost as... Excitement? I scanned the place once again, my head moving around the corner of the wall I was leaning on. There was someone, some dangerous looking man. Tall, at least 194cm, short hair, in suit, standing back to me with a gun in his hand. Where the fuck did I ended up in? He was giving off a deadly aura. My heartbeat increased as a red light switched on in my head. I looked around and saw a doors to my right. I have to hide. It was a fast decision. I just went in. However after doing this I realized I shouldn't have. The room was small, dimmed with a single light bulb hanging from the ceiling, three men sitting by the table in the middle, counting money. Shit. Why is my luck like that?! I turned around ready to leave, yet now the same dangerous man I tried to hide from was standing in front of me. I'm fucked, aren't I? The question was to my ancestors glancing down on me, probably with some popcorn, enjoying watching my miserable life. My heart calm, despite the situation. So was my face. The man has been quietly smoking a cigarette, looking me up and down with suspicion. His face aloof, almost emotionless. My attempt to sneak away has fallen into ruins. Fuck! I cursed inside my mind. You better not be laughing at me up there! I turned to my ancestors once again.
"Well, what do we have here? A cute little mouse that's fallen into the den of lions?"
The men sitting by the table chuckled darkly. The man's voice in front of me was low, threating. Like a predator looking from above at its prey. He stepped into the light with a slow, deliberate swagger, arms loose at his sides like he had all the time in the world. His eyes gleamed with amusement, but there was no warmth in them—only the cold thrill of the hunt. I knew I had to do something to escape.
"W-wait!"
My hands shot up defensively and I locked my gaze on the button of his jacket. There was a slight edge of panic in my voice.
"I'm blind!"
Please buy this shit. I'm begging you...
One brow lifted, a smirk tugging at his lips—clearly, he found my claim entertaining. My lips twitched.
"Blind? Really? You know, if you're gonna lie, you should at least make it believable."
The man folded his arms across his chest in a relaxed, almost casual manner. His lips curled into a faint, mocking smile. Yep... I knew this wont work...
"Okay, I'm not blind but... I can't see too well."
Calm words left me, betraying none of the chaos inside, unlike the last time. Was I making it worse? Shit. I was just trying to hide the fact I saw something I shouldn't have...
"That's a bit more believable. But still not quite convincing, sweetheart."
The man's gaze didn't leave me, unblinking and cold in comparison of his lips showing a smile.
"You see, I have a bit of experience when it comes to spotting lies. You're going to have to try harder if you want to convince me."
He straightened up, his posture becoming more imposing as he stepped closer, his movements deliberate and slow, each step calculated. I noticed he didn't need to move quickly to dominate the space. I felt a chill running down my spine, it was my first time encountering someone of this caliber. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!
"I was just looking for a toilet."
I blurred out. I was desperately trying to grab a hold of anything that could pull me out of this madness.
Please, just please buy this basic lie.
He let out a small snort, clearly not fully buying my excuse. Of course he won't buy something so fucking stupid... I started to think I actually was an idiot. The man looked at his men and gestured them to leave and so they did. Without even one word. Closing the doors behind them. So breaking into a run isn't an option anymore...
"Toilet, huh? And you just happened to stumble into the most inconvenient place? A bit too coincidental, don't you think?"
He leaned back slightly, confidence radiating from him. The words slid out smoothly, his voice steady, almost amused, as if he were toying with me. Every syllable was deliberate, leaving no room for doubt that he was in control of the situation. It was at this exact moment when my nervousness started commencing into irritation. Because he was indeed looking down at me.
"Try again, sweetheart."
What the hell should I say to you asshole? Even I don't know what the hell I'm doing here. I was just sitting on my bed, chilling, reading manhwa and suddenly I'm in some shady place? What kind of excuse can I even give you?!
"Alright, I got lost."
The words came out flat, as if they had no meaning nor emotion. My unbothered gaze followed to his eyes revealing nothing but coolness. One of my defense mechanisms activated itself responding with apathy. Turning off every drop of feelings I had, like a still ocean without any life in it. Nonetheless that worked only on the outside as I was trying not to cuss him out. The inside of me was a wild symphony of crashing waves and howling winds that tore through the ocean. How's that asshole? Ha? Feeling like you could believe me now? No, I still knew he wouldn't.
"Lost?"
A slight chuckle escaped him, a flicker of curiosity dancing behind his eyes. His gaze never leaving me, as if my ability to remain unshaken, was somehow more engaging to him than any outburst he saw.
"So, you got lost. Care to tell me what you're doing in a place like this then, sweetheart? You're not exactly dressed for the occasion."
That's what I want to know! Even I don't know where I am... Should I just tell him another lie? Nah it won't work on him. I sighed with exhaustion.
"I don't know..."
I mumbled under my breath not knowing how I should response. He raised an eyebrow at my uncertainty, his smirk still present on his face. Now he was intrigued. I was able to see it in his eyes.
"You don't know? That's not very helpful, sweetheart."
The tension in the room was palpable as he continued to stare at me, studying my every move. What? What do you want now, huh?
"Not many people can just waltz into a place like this without knowing where they are. You're either very brave or very stupid."
He lowered his voice, a bit more pressure to put on me.
"I think it's the latter..."
I muttered under my breath to myself, annoyed at the body owner. I'm sure this woman knew who he is but still decided to stalk him? What the hell girl? Are you stupid? I mean, yeah, he's handsome but don't you have something called self-preservation? What did that woman even wanted from him?! Was it really a stalking case? And why am I in her body?!
He let out a small snort, amused by my self-deprecating comment. What are at you laughing at? That's not even my body here...
"At least you're honest, I'll give you that. And a bit of self-awareness can go a long way. But then again, being clueless can be quite entertaining."
Tell me about it... His gaze narrowing as he studied my face once again.
"So let me ask you this, sweetheart. Are you always this clueless, or is it just a special talent you reserve for me?"
How can I even answer that? I'm not clueless! I got thrown into a body that was already here... Ugh, I'm gonna go insane...
"Most likely the latter."
The need to roll my eyes was almost irresistible. I had to do my best to stay alive and find out what was going on with me... He couldn't help but let out a small laugh at my response. That surprised me, even if the laughter was ridiculing me.
"You're definitely something else, sweetheart. I've never met someone quite like you before. Most people would be terrified right now, trying to make up every excuse in the book."
Well, I did give you few excuses... He let his gaze roam up and down my body once more, taking in my appearance as if thinking of something inappropriate. Similar to a defenseless rabbit and a lethal lion looking at its catch. I shuddered, it was disgusting.
"But you, well, you're just taking it all in stride. It's almost admirable."
Should I be appreciating your comment? The control over my body slipped, making my brow raise itself up annoyed.
"I'll... Take that as a compliment?"
My voice defiant. Honestly, I have no idea what the fuck is happening here.... Also, stop staring at me like that. That's gross. A quiet chuckle escaped him, smooth and intimidating.
"It was intended as one, sweetheart. You're handling this whole situation quite well, considering the circumstances. It's... refreshing."
Can you at least tell me what situation I'm in? A gaze wandered over my form once more, his eyes lingering on my face. The tension in the air began to ease a little as he observed me intently. I was well aware that man still didn't let his guard down even a bit. Who the hell even are you? What situation am I exactly in? Ahh I can't take this shit. If I die would I come back to my body? It's not impossible... But also... I don't want to die for real... Ugh! This is driving me insane!
"Um... Do you perhaps.... Know me?"
Did he actually knew the owner of this body? If she stalked him then maybe... However, it sounded bad... It sounded really terrible...
The man raised an eyebrow at my question. For a moment, he seemed to be contemplating something, silently sizing me up.
"Know you? Now that's an interesting question."
He took a step back and looked at me with a mixture of curiosity and wariness.
"And why would you ask that, sweetheart? Do you think we've met before?"