NEW LIFE

I could feel the beat of my heart as it started to beating again, according to its duties. I blew the air that entering through my nose then enjoying the second air after air. The first inhalation was making me feel alive.

I remembered the last time I breathed my last then darkness engulfed me. I thought I was dead, but I was still breathing. That means I got second chance to life. 

I could barely hear a man calling someone's name. It sounded far away, but a second later it was getting closer.

His voice was filled with hope as if he was waiting for the name he was calling to answer him. 

I moved my fingers slowly, making the man's voice ringing in my ears again. Like amazed and half aware that his call was directed at me. 

I groaned feeling the pain on my wrist. "Shushh, calm down, Jazzlin." The man's voice was literally right next to my right ear. Jolted, I realized he was talking to me. 

I forced my eyelids to open. They were opening halfway when the light entered and they spontaneously closed again. I really wanted to open my eyes and knowing where I was.

"I'll close the curtains." I heard his footsteps away until the light that had been piercing my eyes, instantly disappeared.

I tried to open my eyes again until I saw a figure sitting next to me, staring at me with those beautiful eyes. 

I blinked at his hazel eyes that were staring full of compassionate. I was noticing the black circles around it like he hadn't slept in days. I looked up to his messy hair then his lips started to grin, fascinated me with those beautiful smile. I had to admit that he looked so dazzling.

His gaze flashed something on my mind, I felt like I had seen his gaze before.

Barra Ainsley... the only heir of the Ainsley family. He was a young billionaire who was famous for his charisma, achievements, and also his kindness to all circles.

Wait a minute? I had never known him before, why did I know all the information about him?

"Has my beloved daughter opened her eyes?" My eyes turned to a middle aged woman who had just entered the room. She was standing right beside the man, Barra who was sitting next to me. "Thanks God." She mumbled. 

My memory flashed again about this woman, Rose Ozza. She was the ex-wife of a businessman named Jeremy Ozza.

"How do you feel dear?" She asked when Barra was getting up from his seat, "I'll get her a drink." Then he disappeared behind the door, leaving Rose Ozza sitting next to me.

I swallowed hard, not knowing what had happened ... but a memory came back to my mind.

No way ... I lifted my arm to see the bandage part of my wrist. "I attempted suicide?" I spoke in a hoarse whisper.

I remembered the accident that had happened to me. My name is Janielle Mckeen. A nineteen year old girl who had been living in an orphanage since I was a baby. I didn't know who my father or mother was. Since I was little, I was taken care by my nannies and spent my daily life with friends who had the same fate as me. We had never known our real identity, who our family were, especially the figures of 'parents'.

I had my childhood friend named Haytham Zachary there, one year older than me. He had been adopted by a successful businessman named Ethan Sanders since he was seventeen years old, but he was still visiting me and Alia, a five year old girl. She was like our little sister. We took care and always accompanied her at all times until the accident happened to me that afternoon.

Before the accident, Haytham visited us. Usually, he was visiting in the morning but that day he said he got additional lessons about business from his adoptive father. Even so, Alia and I were happy when he came. Alia forced us to comply her wish to play in the park even though our nanny, Clarissa, had forbidden us because it was getting darker outside. But, Alia kept insisting, until we were given permission to go.

"See what I bring for you?" As usual Haytham had been buying Alia chocolate cookies whenever he visited.

"Thank you." Alia smiled happily making my heart melt.

"Alia, come hold my hand." Alia held my hand as we walked towards the park which was quite close from the orphanage.

"It's going to rain anytime soon." Haytham commented as he looked up, looking at the overcast clouds.

"Hey Alia, how about we go home? I promise I'll buy you more chocolate plus your favorite barbie." Haytham crouched down in front of Alia.

The little girl shook her head at once, "I don't want to. I want to see Jennie." For your information, Jennie was a cat near the park. When Alia first saw it, she fell in love and gave it name without knowing the sex of it as male or female.

"It's going to rain, Jennie must be hiding." I helped Haytham to convince her.

"No-no, I'm going there to see Jennie's condition." She insisted.

Haytham and I looked at each other before finally obliging. When we got there, Alia was running, looking for Jennie. The cat never appeared anywhere.

"Jennie? Are you there?" She sounded brittle as she was looking at the bushes, backed by a slide, near the swing, but there was never any trace of the cat presence.

Haytham and I were already looking around, but the cat didn't come. "Alia, I promise tomorrow we'll come again to check on Jennie. But for now we have to come back." I said as I felt rain water starting to drip.

"But, what if Jennie is caught in the rain and cold? What if she dies because of that?" I shook my head at her such innocent and loyal thoughts.

"Trust me, she can take care of herself." Haytham stroked her head as he grinned. Alia finally agreed after being distracted by the rain. "Wohoo, rain shower." Alia ran when we were out of the park.

"Alia be careful." Haytham pulled her hand when she was running casually on the side of the road. Alia laughed at Haytham's worried expression.

"It's raining, yuhuuuu." It so happened that our orphanage was across from where we were walking. I was prepared to cross the road together, immediately Alia let go of my grip and crossed her own.

My eyes widened when a car was heading towards her in high speed. Haytham was busy calling Alia, not yet aware that anything bad was going to happen.

I didn't know what I was possessed by, my courage increased. My intention was only to protect this little girl in front of me.

I ran to push her until she fell to the side of the road. "Janielle, what are you doing?" Haytham shouted before finally his scream turned hysterical, "Get out of the road!" He told me to step aside when the car lights were right in front of me.

I counted the seconds before I finally felt a strong urge that sent my body away from the scene.

I winced, my tears flowed silently when thick blood was flowing from my forehead to my face. My chest felt so tight, difficulty breathing. My sight faded but I could feel the pouring rain water that was now wetting me. My head was numb, didn't feel anything.

The voices of people screaming were far from my hearing sense. I was getting more and more difficult to breathe until the heaviness of my eyelids forced me to close them. Darkness enveloped me in between my pulse that I could no longer feel.

"Ah no, this is impossible. No--no-nooo." My voice was cracked and raw. I was holding my head as tears rolled down my cheeks.

"Jazzlin dear, calm down." She hugged me just as Barra came back with a glass of water in his hand. "Drink this, so you feel better." My hands were shaking violently as I took the glass, slowly sipped it. Felt the water weting my dry throat.

I messed up my hair and found it in blonde. My hair was black.

The room I had been staying in now caught my attention. "What's wrong?" She asked, I could detect curiousity in her voice.

I ignored her, still amazed by those around me. The room was three time larger than my old one.

I noticed that I had been sitting on a queen size bed. I looked up and saw a large window covered by purple curtains. I never had a room this luxurious before—wait, no— I didn't even have a room for myself. I used to sleep with my female friends in one room, together.

My eyes traveled towards three doors, I saw she came out through the right door, the left one must be the bathroom, and I guess the rest was a walk-in closet.

I blinked twice full of skepticism, "Are you alright?" She asked again.

I rubbed my temples as I answered, "Y-yeah." My voice sounded so shrill yet so deep, making me cleared my throat, "I was just— shocked." I said in a flat tone.

She looked so maternal as her eyes were tendering at my answer, "Okay, I'll make you a porridge." She smiled before finally getting up from her seat, leaving Barra and me.

After the door closed, Barra's gaze fixed on me, making my mind unable to concentrate properly. When he was walking towards me, my world around me stop.

He was tall, I didn't know exactly his height but quiet tall comparing to my currently body. He had a messy black hair that matches perfectly within his slightly tanned skin. His eyes were alluring as he stared at me beneath his curled lashes. I pressed my lips looking down to his black T-shirt and ripped jeans, looking casual yet tempting.

"Welcome back, principessa." His toned walked in between delight and credulity. I was daydreaming when those lips turned into a smirk.

His strong arm pulled the chair next to me and then sat on it, "You're so bad for worrying us for three days." I observed what he just said. I've been unconscious for three days?

My reverie was distracted by his hand that grabbed my arm. Electric shock was flowing at the same time made me flinch.

"I'm sorry." He jerked his hand away from mine, making me grab his hand back.

Awkward moment.

Obviously he was shocked to see my reaction. His mouth was slightly open with his right brow raised when his eyes fixed on my grip, as if I realized I hurriedly let go.

"I didn't mean to– I just–" Good, I could't find the right words.

It took him a moment to chuckled in spite of himself, "Hey, relax. I understand." The corners of his mouth turned up slightly in smile. His smile got me a new born feelings deep in my heart.

I knew I was reborn not as my old self, but in another woman's body. I could feel the feelings she had been feeling. Unfortunately, not all of her memories could be found.

A heavy sigh left my lips, "Did I really doing something stupid like this?"

The look on his face suddenly changed when I mentioned what had happened. "Most people make the decision to attempt suicide when they feel broken or empty." He tensed, "But, I have no idea why you did it. I wish I was there when you needed me.”

I saw an unreadable emotion swirling in his eyes. "Luckily I was given a second chance, this time I won't waste it again."

I was overwhelmed by his words that sounded sincere from the bottom of his heart. His hazel eyes couldn't express his agony, it was paralyzed with regret. They were still staring at me in a lack of emotions.

"Don't blame yourself. I was just lost my faith." As much as possible I said even though I didn't know anything.

His eyes lit up for a moment before turning his gaze away from mine.

"Now, I'm here. I can assure you that I'll never do that again." I said the truth. Since I was little, I had taught to respect life no matter what. I never had the intention of doing something like that either. "Promise." I gave my pinky at him.

Those beautiful eyes darted at me, "Pinky promise, huh?" His forehead puckered.

"Yeah." I nodded still waiting for him to tie his pinky.

He smirked, holding his gaze on mine as he locking our pinkies.