Chapter 4

Harper

I got into my car parked a few meter away from the Mansion and slammed the door shut, my hands trembled slightly as I tried to steady my breathing, my hands flung to my chest and I squeezed on it tightly to get my outraging heart into place, but it wasn’t working, I was super scared.

I just made an attempt to snatch my life from my Mother’s grip and I don’t even have a solid plan yet, what if this impulsive act is bad for me?! Ofcourse Mother won’t sit still and watch me behave the way I just did and get away with it, my heart pounded in my chest as I considered these thoughts, tears threatened to spill from my eyes, but I clenched my jaw, refusing to let them fall.

I slowly looked up and turned to look at our house building, I need to come up with a plan as soon as possible, with what I’ve done today, if I don’t come up with one as soon as possible, my life would definitely become more miserable than in the past, I raised my hands to my face and wiped the line of tears in my eyes, I definitely need to control this feeble tear gland of mine!

First I need to get out of here, I pulled down the rear mirror and looked at my face in it, my reflection stared back at me, a mess of mascara streaked tears and smudge eyeliner, with shaky hands I reached out to the dashboard, pulled out wipes and began to wipe the make up off my face.

As I tried to get myself together, a movement caught my eyes, I stopped what I was doing and looked up, someone stepped out from the shadow onto the road , I stretched my hands to the light of the car and turned it off immediately, just as he got to the middle of the road, he paused and turned towards the direction of my car, I ducked down instinctively, from where I sat, I heard his phone beep and he took it out from his pocket.

The light from his phone reflected on his face, my eyes went wide immediately as I raised my hands to my mouth,

My heart skipped a beat, I recognized him right away, my breath caught in my throat as I stared at him, it was him! the guy from the night of my death, the guy whose belongings are somehow magically seating in my apartment right now! I wanted to get out of my car and run towards him, but for reasons I have no idea about I stayed glued on the seat.

But wait, our mansion is the only building around here, he definitely must have been coming from there, but why?! Is he stalking me?! Does he know who I am?!

Before I could process what was happening, he got into his car parked just a few meters from mine and zoomed off, my mouth hung open, who is this guy!

10:00pm ….

I stood in front of my full length mirror with my hands folded across my chest, I stared quietly at my reflection in it, all these are new to me and I have a lot of questions, what is this life I’m living?! Is this a figment of my imagination?! Will I be able to change my future?! Will I live or die once my one year is up?! Is it possible to completely change my future and prevent my death from happening?! I guess there’s only one way to find out!

*”Do what you might doctor, our company is going through a lot right now, we cannot afford the bill for a surgery!”*

*“I have done a lot to get here, to finally get rid of you! Even if you survive this, you won’t survive what’s next!”* my mother’s words from the night of my death rang in my head, I gently took a step closer to the mirror, I unfolded my hands and pointed at my reflection in the mirror,

“Your mother hates your gut!” I began my voice coming out calm and almost in a whisper.

“You have absolutely no one in this life! You’re utterly alone!”

“Oh, you think your sister loves you?! Well you’re wrong!” I continued my voice pitch increasing as my breath became ragged.

“You think you can endure marriage with Novan?!, well you did and it ended in your death!”

“Yes! You heard that right! Your mother wants you dead at all costs and her reason you don’t even know!” I was screaming now with tears streaming down my face, my hair which I took pain to style earlier now in utter mess but I didn’t even care at all.

“What did you do?! You didn’t even do anything wrong! But guess what ?! Life is fucking unfair!”

“You loved everyone! You looked after everyone, you were sincere but what did you get in return?! Nothing!”

“Well you did get something! Death!” My face was a crying mess now as I screamed at myself through the mirror,

“You think you can change the world through your kind heart?! Well you’re wrong!”

“Your first life was a wreck! It was ruined and destroyed! So what are you going to do about it!”

“Get up Harper! Stop feeling fucking sorry for yourself! Get up and get back at the people who ruined your life!”

“Do whatever you have to do to get what you want! Being a good girl has never really payed you anyway” I screamed at myself at the top of my voice, I slumped to the ground, my whole body shook as I wailed in pains, my hands squeezing tightly on my chest.

*“Tomorrow is a new day, Don't let the darkness of today overshadow the brightness of tomorrow”*

This is the most anticipated Tomorrow and definitely the dawn of a new Harper Emily Walter.

Next Day,

Monday, 9:00am

I walked through the company glass doors, every head in the room turned my way. I was putting on a figure-hugging black leather dress that highlighted my curves and stopped just above my knee.

I made sure my lipstick was bold and red just to look more striking. My makeup was immaculate, I applied blush on my checks giving me a perfectly sculpted cheekbones, YouTube videos are helping a whole lot these days.

I paired it with a matching black luxurious leather hand bag with gold accents and a pair of sleek, black stilettos that clicked sharply against the marble floor as I walked.

As I approached the elevator, everyone’s gaze stayed glued on me, the entrance lobby was filled with whispers and murmurs of awe at my transformation, it wasn’t my intention to get people talking, but it’s necessary.

Just as I was about to reach the elevator, the doors slid open, and mother stepped out, with her crew behind her. The look of surprise on her face was unmistakable as she took in my appearance, from head to toe, the other staff all bowed in greeting at her presence.

"What the hell are you doing?!” She snorted, her glare on me almost boring a hole in my face, I slowly raised my bag to the crook of my elbow, I gently took a step closer to her, I could feel everyone hold their breath in fear for me, which staff dare look into her eyes like that,

My features slowly broke out into a soft confident smile,

“We should talk, right?!” I replied my voice coming out warm and cool, how about I get more tongues wagging,

"Mom?!" I added and my smile widened, she looked taken as she locked gazes with me,

Through the corner of my eyes I saw the other staff exchange puzzled look, they broke out in small whispers and murmurs,

*”she’s owners daughter?!”*

*”Why did she hide her identity though”*

*” I thought Miss Michelle was the only child”*

*” How come we never heard anything about her, She must be really humble,”*

Mother and I just stood face off at the entrance of the elevator staring deep into each other’s eyes, I beat her to announcing this to the public much to my advantage.

Using my first life as a cheat, I definitely would manipulate this one to my advantage!