I DIED RICH AND WOKE UP PREGNANT

LilaThe first thing I was aware of was a male voice in the distance. Each word was pulling me to wake up but my chest felt heavy and God did my body hurt.I knew that voice. It belonged to the morning news anchor on Channel 8. Derrick Green. He had interviewed me three months ago and I found myself watching him everyday since then.He had a lovely voice and an even lovelier face, something Orion had always been jealous about.“…tragic news reaching our desk this morning. Lila Sterling, heiress and CEO elect of Sterling Global, is in critical condition after a fall from a balcony last night during her engagement to her long time boyfriend Orion Vale. Doctors say she may not make it, reporting minimal brain activity…”My heart stopped. They were talking about me.Derrick continued, “Her fiancé, Orion Vale, released a statement early this morning saying Lila had been battling depression and alcohol addiction for years. He said, quote, ‘I tried to help her through her struggles but I di

Lila The hospital let me go a few days later and Eve helped me settle the bills. I didn’t ask why she was being so kind. I just welcomed it because God knew how much I needed someone to hold my hand.I had learned, after much confusion, that Eve was my best friend. At least, she was the best friend of the woman whose body I occupied.Eve talked the whole ride, talking about how she was happy to have me out of the hospital and how my mom was happy to hear the news.We stopped in a part of town that I did not know even existed. The building was old, the paint on the outside was peeling. It did not look fit for living.“Home sweet home!” Eve said, leading me up a flight of stairs that smelled like mold and dust.She opened a door, and I walked into Sera’s life.The apartment was small. So small that I did not think it qualified to be called an apartment. I could see everything from the door. The couch had a blanket thrown over a worn out spot. The tile colors were mismatched and stained

LilaThe morning I was supposed to report to work, Eve showed up at my apartment door at 6 a.m, holding a bag of groceries. She did not even wait for me to invite her in.“You can’t face the lion on an empty stomach,” she said, as she got busy in my tiny kitchen.I watched as she scrambled eggs and made toast. No one had ever done anything like this for me, not even Orion. In my old life, a chef prepared my meals. This, this was different. It felt nice to have someone do something nice, not out of obligation.“Thank you, Eve,” I said, my voice softer than I intended. “For everything.” I owed her half my paycheck as it stood.“Don’t thank me yet. Just promise you won’t let those snakes on the executive floor eat you alive.” She then looked at me waving the spatula.“And for God’s sake, try to speak up today. Look Mr. Stavros in the eye. I know you’re shy, Sera, but you can’t let him or the other secretaries smell fear. They will take advantage of you.I almost laughed. Shy. If only she

Lila Theo’s words hang in the air between us.My mouth opened. And then, without thinking, I said, “No.”Theo’s eyebrows lifted, just enough to ask Did you seriously just say that? To me? The man didn’t need actual words to communicate disappointment, shock, or judgment. His face did all the heavy lifting.A few seconds passed. He did not say anything, which was somehow worse than if he had snapped or scolded me.Instead, he pulled a sleek black card from his jacket and placed it on my desk. “Buy a dress and get yourself ready.”I stared at the card and back at him, challenging, but he did not seem bothered, "And be back here by seven,” he added, before he stood already moving away, his decision final.I picked up the card, annoyed at how my hands shook even a little. I wasn’t sure if it was irritation or nerves but I needed to do something to calm myself.Me: Theo just told me I’m going to the Lila Sterling Gala with him tonight.Also he handed me a card and basically ordered me

LilaI woke up to the sound of banging and I knew it could only be one person, Eve. She was hitting the door like she planned to break it down. Normally, I was thankful for her presence, but this morning I did not have the energy.My head throbbed before I even sat up. I could also feel my eyes stinging and my face sticky with the dried traces of tears. I dragged myself out of bed and opened the door slightly. Eve didn’t wait but stormed in.“What happened between you and Theo?” she asked excitedly, not looking at me to see how awful I looked. “Give me all the juicy details?”I blinked slowly, my brain still feeling slow. “We didn’t do anything,” I replied, my voice flat.“Don’t lie to me.” She continued as her eyes finally swept over me and that is when she registered something was wrong.“Did he yell at you? What happened?” she asked, her voice rising with each word.I walked past her to the kitchen just so I didn’t have to look at her. “Nothing happened.” I replied.“Sera.” Her