REBIRTH

FIVE

PENELOPE

One moment I was plummeting straight into the horrid darkness below.

The next moment I was being pulled up by an invisible force towards a bright light.

I gasped as I came to life, sitting afore my makeup table in a pearly white robe.

My heart was beating loudly with force as if it wanted to escape from my chest.

I pressed my hand down on it to keep it steady and in place as my brain lagged.

Quite a while passed as I stayed still trying to understand what happened to me.

My breathing was ragged as I stared at my own horrified face in the mirror.

No bullet wounds on my forehead where the gun had delivered it from before.

Shock widened my eyes.

My hand reached up to grasp at the spot more in disbelief than concern.

How on earth was I here, back at my home from the warehouse, afore the mirror?

What was this? Astral travels?

What happened to the gun shot to my head? I had clearly felt it then.

The bullet had shaken my entire body and my eyes had closed in finality.

Had I been day dreaming?

"No, no," I shook my head.

I couldn't be.

I remembered everything.

That horrific experience could not have been a dream that fades away.

I recalled the phone on the table and the messages and tape from Tally Bear.

The warehouse.

The rope on my wrists.

The call with Duke.

Thalia's laughter.

I couldn't make sense of anything as my eyes darted around the room.

I was alive.

I was back.

What was this scenario?

The saxophones were playing loudly in my head as I tried to piece it all together.

My eyes glanced back to the mirror in an attempt to properly investigate.

One thing was for sure, I looked pretty.

Half of my hair was pinned up in a ninja bun with white pearls sewn into the ensemble.

My make up was also nicely done as if I was getting ready for some sort of event.

Was this what the after life was all about? A chance to slay like an icon after death?

I lifted myself to my feet on shaky legs as my eyes scanned the entire room.

Everything I beheld was exactly how I knew it to be—the bed, the rug, the decor.

My brows lifted.

Did I teleport after the shot?

What was this?

Or was this some kind of place people came

Then I saw it, the dress which hung on the open wardrobe door behind me.

My eyes grew wide.

It was the one I had chosen for that evening when Duke had proposed to me.

Instantly, I knew exactly where I was and what day it was.

The realization that I had gone back in time washed over me like cascading water.

Some higher power must have heard my plea for a second chance and sent me back.

My legs became jelly underneath my body and I had to sink back into the chair.

Everything was a mess in my head.

My death.

My rebirth.

What was I supposed to do now? I thought as I buried my head in my palms.

Correct everything, Petra whispered in my ears, yawning awake inside of me.

"Petra," I cooed as I raised my head.

"This time, choose yourself," she advised.

I nodded.

"Now get your sorry ass up and get into a really stunning dress. You have a rejection to deliver to that stupid bastard."

Her voice was firm, and bitter.

A soft laugh left my lips.

"Yes my lady," I answered as I stood to my feet and headed for the wardrobe .

I took the original dress off the hanger and put it back in the wardrobe.

And I chose something else.

It was a glittering black dress with an off the shoulder style that screamed luxury.

The bodice was decorated with pearls and sequence that made me look like a goddess that had somewhere important to be.

Put with the makeup, I clearly gave off the 'I have no patience for anyone who is going to just waste my time' vibes.

When I was finished, I looked at myself in the mirror for a long moment.

The entire ensemble was perfect.

"You see, you're too beautiful to settle for that trash bag scum," Petra sneered.

I giggled.

"Call Hanna" —my secretary— "and ask her to stop the pack merger instantly."

I had forgotten about that.

Picking my phone, I did as Petra had instructed and told Hanna.

She promised it would be done in the next forty minutes, the time I would need to get to the destination of the proposal.

"Thank you Hanna."

After I kept the call, I then reached for the custom made clutch I recently acquired.

The drive was quick and the restaurant was already full when I stepped in.

Duke was standing near the centre of the room in a familiar navy blue suit.

It was exactly like the past.

Something hot rushed up into my veins as I recalled his words when I was taken.

"Kill her and get her off my hands."

That was when he saw me.

His face twisted into that perfect smile I had spent years thinking was only for me.

The pretender.

He was doing all of this for the merger.

I saw Thalia from my peripheral vision.

She was standing near the far wall in a full green dress, holding a glass of wine.

I looked at her and I felt nothing.

That part surprised me.

My phone buzzed and I checked the messages which were from Hanna.

Everything has been wrapped up.

A smirk curved my lips.

Duke began to cross the room.

I waited as he came up to take my hand and he leaned in to kiss my cheek.

Disgust crawled up my skin.

I swallowed.

But, I didn't move, frozen in place because I had to stay in character for the act I chose.

The cameras that lined the edges of the room were already watching.

The paparazzi he has called.

This had always been a performance and I completely understood that now.

He went down on one knee.

The room went quiet.

He held the ring up.

It was about to happen.

Just like before.

"Penelope, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?" he asked.

A soft mock excited squeal left my lips as I acted as if I had been waiting for this day.

The fool grinned.

Probably thought he had caught me in the net he had perfectly thrown.

Not any more.

I blinked shyly at him as I looked down and studied his satisfied face for a moment.

Then I spoke.

One word.

"No."