The Collusion

Looking down at the business card Eddy had given her, Lila's anger flared. 

"How could he hand out his contact information so carelessly, wanting Cindy to work for him?" She scowled even though, she is Lila and not Cindy, her lips pursed as she re-entered the party.

Her original goal had been to find a way to enter the ward where her body lay, also to confirm Eddy's intention towards her, as she had no choice but to attend the party, now that she has Cindy's body.

As she surveyed the party once more, Lila realized that she had achieved her primary objective, and decided to leave. Her true mission now was to conclusively determine Eddy's feelings for her, and then seek revenge on Rosy for the wrongs she had done to Lila and her parents and get back to her own body.

Clutching her purse, Lila strode purposefully towards the exit, but suddenly collided with someone. Her focus solely on her belongings, she hadn't been watching where she was going. The impact was severe enough to send her tumbling to the ground.

"Who the hell...!" Lila almost snapped, ready to direct her anger at the person who had bumped into her, before realizing it was Rosy.

"Aunt Rosy!" Lila inwardly panicked and tried to hide her face, forgetting that she was no longer Lila but Cindy's.

Rosy looked irritated, scowling at the stranger in front of her.

"Who are you?" she demanded, puzzled as to why she couldn't remember the face before her.

"Uh...I-I'm sorry," Lila stuttered, attempting to keep her face concealed.

"Hm. You," Rosy murmured as her eyes flicked up and down Lila's body, trying to place her.

It suddenly occurred to Lila that Rosy might recognize Cindy's face, as the two women had previously crossed paths at the hospital.

"I apologize, ma'am," Lila said, eager to slip away unnoticed. Unfortunately, Rosy was quick to catch on and grabbed her by the arm.

"Where do you think you're going?" Rosy snapped, determined to find out the truth. Lila closed her eyes and braced herself. 

"I don't recall giving you an invitation to this gathering," Rosy snapped. 

Lila has been so wrapped up in her own concerns, she had overlooked that very crucial detail.

"Tell me! Who are you?" Rosy questioned Lila with an inquisitive tone. Everyone at the party now have their attention on Rosy and Lila.

Rosy held on to Lila, Lila was convinced that Rosy was trying to create a commotion with her question.

"Could Aunt Rosy have recognized Cindy's face?" Lila thought that maybe Rosy already recognize Cindy and wanted to humiliate her.

"I..i" Lila stuttered, unable to find the words to express herself. 

She couldn't explain her purpose for being at the party and who she really was.

"Everyone!" Rosy exclaimed, drawing the attention of all the guests. They all turned to face Rosy and Lila.

"Does anyone know this lady?" Rosy asked, looking around at the crowd.

Rosy indeed already recognized Cindy's face and purposely wanted to embarrass her. She hadn't invited Cindy to the party, so she believed Cindy must have found a way to attend through devious means.

Rosy couldn't fathom why Cindy would come to her party, she didn't care to know either. She only wanted to teach Cindy a lesson that she'll never forget, and that is not to trespass on other people's property, especially after Rosy had already warned Cindy's family.

Everyone in the room shook their heads in unison, indicating they didn't know who Lila was or how she got into the party. Lila scowled, wondering why Rosy would humiliate her in that way. It was not possible for her to prove to everyone that she was Lila, and not Cindy. And how she could tell everyone about Rosy's misdeeds towards her and her parents? When no one would believe her due to her soul ending up in Cindy's body.

"I believe nobody knows you or how you got here," Rosy spoke out loud.

"You must be a thief, who sneaks into parties to loot," Rosy added, looking livid.

"I will give you a lesson you will never forget in your lifetime!" Rosy snatched Lila's purse to examine its contents.

Lila panicked and felt embarrassed. Rosy had just called her a thief, and she didn't know how to defend herself as long as everyone believed her to be Cindy. 

However, she resolved not to let Rosy find the business card Eddy had given her. Even if Rosy humiliated her, she had to hold the purse tightly so that nobody could see what was inside.

Rosy observed that Lila held the purse tightly, so she slapped Lila's face hard. Lila was surprised and hurt that Rosy would resort to violence so quickly. She held her face and glared at Rosy, but she couldn't do anything as the purse fell to the ground, spilling its contents.

Lila was anxious that Rosy would discover the business card, so she frantically tried to retrieve it, but Rosy snatched it away.

"You must have come to steal this" Rosy sneered while holding up the business card, accusing Lila of theft. 

The murmurs of the partygoers reinforced Rosy's claim. 

"I don't!" Lila snapped back, but it was no use contending with Rosy. Inquiring about how Lila had obtained the card, Rosy was eager to further disgrace her. 

"Eddy- Mr. Eddy gave me," responded Lila with a mutter. Rosy appeared shocked and accused Lila of lying. Lila felt pained and powerless. 

Rosy believed that Lila and Eddy had not previously met and that Eddy had not given her the card. Rosy had seized control and was using it against Lila, who found herself in a difficult position. 

Eddy, who has been watching from the side after leaving his hotel room came in,

"Follow me!" Rosy wants to drag Lila out of the party.

"I gave her the card," Eddy exclaimed, shocking everyone and proving Rosy wrong. With a gentle smile, Eddy introduced Lila to everyone.

"She is my guest, I've invited her," he stated while hugging Rosy by the side to ease any tension present.

"You do!" Rosy let out surprised.

"Yes, Aunt Rosy" Eddy said smiling, Rosy also force a smile.

Though Rosy managed to force a smile, it was clear she wasn't pleased with the outcome.

Lila couldn't believe her ears, how did she suddenly become Eddy's guest? Nevertheless, she was grateful to Eddy for saving her from Rosy.

"You should have informed me beforehand that you were bringing a guest," Rosy said in an attempt to sound indifferent.

"I'm sorry, Aunt Rosy," Eddy replied smoothly before stylishly leading Lila away from the place. 

Rosy watched the two suspiciously but couldn't say anything since everyone now knew Lila was Eddy's guest. After exiting the venue, Eddy let go of Lila's hand, who stared at him in awe.

"So, you sneak into the party?" Eddy smirked, looking at Lila's expression.

Lila let out a deep sigh at Eddy's question, feeling disappointed. 

"If you were after a favor, you could have done it with dignity instead of tarnishing my name by dragging me into your foolishness," Eddy berated Lila furiously for telling Rosy he had given her his business card.

Lila stared at Eddy in disbelief. After being dealt with by Rosy, now it was Eddy's turn to speak nonsense about her too.

"I saved you because I didn't want my reputation to be tarnished, you understand?" Eddy spat at her before storming into the building before Lila could even reply.

"What is wrong with everyone?" Lila burst out angrily. 

"Because I look different, everyone can talk nonsense about me." She looked furious.

"Eddy, we will meet again," Lila threatened before leaving the party.