Chapter 6

Molly’s core

Voices hover from the outside, and garish light pierces through my eyes from a deep sleep. This feels weird because this time, my body feels lighter, and my skin feels fresher.

I try jolting out of bed, but the softness of the bed keeps pulling me back, making it more relaxing. I can feel a pleasant yet overwhelming perfume in the air, “ I recognise that scent”.

I'm finally able to gather the strength to reach out for the mirror standing firmly on the wall, I stand opposite the mirror barefoot. The cold from the air conditioner which is mounted across the mirror freezes my body, but it feels good, because the last time I can remember, the air conditioner from the mansion felt like fire to my skin.

Here I’m expecting to see the “weak, tired, naive, and frustrated looking Molly, who is tired of the torture her husband and mother-in-law dished to her and her innocent child” but I see the “ brave, strong and resentless woman, who’s filled with revenge, anger, and yes, she’s ready to make everything right this time.

“It’s five years earlier”

“How merciful and favourable karma is to me” I said to myself. While I pick up a brush to maintain my hair, there, and then, I hear a knock on the door.

“Molly, you’re awake?”

That sounds like my mom.

She opens the door even before I can respond. That’s fair.

“You have to get ready, you know Jason, is coming to get you soon. We shouldn’t keep someone in his class waiting.” She said boldly which almost sounds like a command.

“Go get ready now, it’s 11 a.m. Please go ahead”. She orders again, rolling her eyes around my room like it was new to her.

I drop the brush immediately and reach for my towel, while I head to the bathroom.

Jason is officially asking me to be his girlfriend today,

“And yeah, my plans start today!!”

I came out of the bathroom, aiming for my lotion, when I heard a big bang on the door, this time, the knock was tense. It’s my mom again.

“ Mom, what do you want?”

“Jason is here to pick you up, you'd better meet him early”.

I find myself smiling, though I’m full of anger, but this seems like an interesting movie “Yeah, this time around, it’s my time!!”

I walk down the stairs with my heels being dramatic, and making all the noise they can gather. Of course, it’s gathering attention.

“Oh goddess, how worthy you are of every beautiful thing the heavens and the earth can offer”

Jason adores me as soon as he’s able to catch a glance of my presence.

It isn’t new, he did this and more a few years into our marriage.

“Thank you, Jason, how are you?” I respond softly while he holds my hands firmly to assist me down the stairs.

“Your presence is enough to brighten up my day, my lady.”

For some reason, I flinch.

“You bastard”

My parents' eyes are full of joy and laughter.

The joy that comes with having a son-in-law from the cross family I guess.

“My lady, we have to be on our way, my family can’t wait to meet you. Richard my best friend is throwing a party for us, you’re gonna love it”

I remember this party vividly from my previous life. This is an advantage for me.

“You love birds, you have to be on your way already.. Go go go ahead” My dad says jokingly wearing a broad smile on his face.

Jason and I leave for the party his best friend is hosting for us. Our proposal.

“So Jason tell me about Richard. He seems to be really cool” I ask softly, almost like I’m whispering.

“ Richard and I grew up together under the same roof. We’ve grown to become fond of ourselves over the years, and we even run our business together”

“That’s all?” At this point, I realise something is off with Jason and Richard.

I remain quiet throughout the drive, because I'm no longer the woman who will always try to impress Jason Cross, this time around, I allow him to chase me.

The party

We arrive at the venue and I recognise every single face I lay my eyes on. I remember this party vividly.

“Hi bro, everything is set, we’ve all been waiting for you. You look really superb” Richard says with so much excitement while adjusting Jason’s Cooler and trying to ignore that I’m standing there.

I stare deeply at Richard because though his heart is pure as the clouds, today marks the day of his first disloyalty.

“Jason, you look exactly like the king that you are. You speak royalty” a wealthy-looking woman wearing heavy dramatic make-up emerges towards us from the crowd as she walks directly to Jason to offer a hug.

“Madalien Cross, Jason’s mom”.

“There can only be one Jason Cross, every other, is fake”

She refers to Richard.

While mother and son continue having their moment. I keep catching a stare with Richard. Though he's finding it hard to let go of the stare, it keeps occurring.

Which is weird, because in my previous life, I didn't get to see Richard on more than two occasions.

Richard and I keep walking after Jason and his mom Madeline, I watch her as she carries herself with so much pride and ego.

We finally got to the seats prepared for us to sit, and Jason turned around to reach for me. I realise his mom stares in my eyes with hate and anger if she prefers to be there with her son.

It's time for the engagement, as we become the centre of attention.

“Spending forever without you is empty. My existence changed the day I met you. I didn't just find my lover, I beheld a treasure. You've seen me at my worst yet you choose to remain by my side. Be my woman, Molly, I promise to be the best man ever.”

“Bastard liar… in less than 15 days his real self will begin to surface.”

Before I can respond, I find Richard giving me a sweet stare. I've never seen him stare like that before.