CHAPTER ONE

“Freya?” I flinched when that familiar voice called my name. I opened my eyes to see June. He looks way younger the last time I saw him.

“What happened?” he asked in a worried voice. I quickly moved away from him while catching my breath. I’m so sure that I died, then why am I here? Why am I sitting in front of this asshole?

“Freya? Are you okay? You looked pale earlier so I thought resting for a minute will be okay.” His voice sounds so gentle that it made me think that what happened was a dream.

“Hey, what date is it today?” I blurted out while still processing the events that happened. I still can’t grope the idea that this is the reality. Everything was so detailed that I can’t call that a dream. I’m so confused.

“What?” He snickered, “Did you forget it’s our first anniversary today? December 12, honey.”

“What..” I trailed off. This can’t be right. Our first anniversary? But 5 years have passed ever since then. What the hell is happening? Did time rewinded? Why am I here? Or is this my subconsciousness after I did? Is this heaven? Then why is this idiot here?

“Hey, are you okay? You look way more worst now than before.” He approached me slowly. I was too immersed in my thoughts that my head hurts even more. There are so many questions in my head. I was so sure that I died falling off the building. Then why am I here? Why am I standing next to the June I know when I was 21? What the hell is happening?

“I think you’re really sick. Let’s get you home, your sister will understand if we can’t fetch her from the airport since you look really pale right now.”

I shivered when I heard the word ‘sister’. The only sibling that I have is Navia, she was adopted when her parents died in a car crash. My dad is the boss of that family, since I’m an only child, my dad decided to take Navia in so I won’t feel a little lonely. We were 10 years old when I first saw her. We are the same age but my birthday is in April while hers is on July so technically I’m months older.

“Freya?” June called my name in a sweet and worried manner. If it was before, I would feel the sparks and butterflies on my stomach swirling around but after everything that happened and stored in my memory, I don’t think I can feel the same way anymore.

“No..” I uttered and grabbed his hands tightly. “Let’s go.” My head is still aching but that won’t stop me from confirming whether this is really the same as before or not. I need to see Navia and what would happen so I could confirm if what happened is real and this is my second life.

“H-hey! Slow down!” June complained when I started dragging him towards the side of the road which we can call a cab to come over.

I didn’t answer him and looked to the left and right of the road, trying to find an empty cab. I need to go to the airport, just like what happened before. Good thing that the pain I am feeling in my head is slowly fading away.

On our 1^st anniversary, we went to a park. It was a sunny day with lots of people around while we’re having a date. Then my sister called me and demanded to fetch her at the airport. She was planning to surprise us about her coming back to the Philippines but she told me over the phone that she doesn’t have enough money to ride for a cab.

Before, I didn’t think too much about it but right now, why the hell did she call me if she can just call dad and request one of our bodyguards to assist here? Why does it have to be me and June?

“Are you sure about this? You might faint in any moment.” June said when the cab we called started moving. I still didn’t answer him. Looking at his face makes me nauseous. I can’t stand looking at him.

I think he got the idea that I’m too tired to talk so he didn’t bother me with any questions anymore and sulked back in his chair. I was relieved that I got to experience silence between us.

I organized my thoughts and questions. I woke up after answering the call of my sister, and on the day of our anniversary, also this will be June and Navia’s first encounter with each other.

Or is it?

I can’t remember the details well of what happened before, but I clearly remembered Navia getting comfortable with June when they first met. I didn’t have doubts about them because the Navia I know was extrovert, jolly, and easy to get along with. Who would expect her to be like that?

I shook off my head. I’m still not sure if what happened in my memories is real or not, still, my guts are telling me to believe it since it was too long to be a dream. If that was true then how the hell and what’s the explanation behind this? Sorcery? Magic? I really don’t know and my head is getting dizzy again with these questions that keep bugging my mind.

After a few minutes, we finally reached the airport where Navia is waiting. Even if we’re still far from the entrance, her long wavy red hair stands out especially her height since she’s really tall. Her outfit adds more spice to her aura. She’s wearing a black coat and under it is a polo shirt with a black tie and her bottoms are black skinny jeans with 3-inch boot shoes. I remembered my past self admiring her fashion sense and confidence, not knowing what lies behind those strong independent woman aura. I guess you really can’t judge a book by its cover but I still need to confirm my suspicions.

“Long time no see!” she exclaimed when she saw us walking towards her. I smiled sweetly at her just like I used to. “Oh my Freya, why do you look so pale?” she asked after giving me a hug and taking off her shades.

“I think she’s sick but she didn’t want to get home and insisted on coming here," June answered. I observed both of them. I need to know if they already knew each other. I need to know if I missed something.

“My, are you her boyfriend? I’ve heard about you from Freya’s messages and chats when I was in Japan," she exclaimed and pinched his cheeks, “You’re very handsome just like what my sister described.” I bit my lower lip. She’s touching him freely while June lets her do whatever she wants. I was too blind to see this scene before, I only saw it as a friendly ‘touch’ and never gave meaning to it. But now that I am looking beyond the lines, I am seeing how June blushes every time she touches him and Navia’s smirk.

“Well, you’re lucky to have my sister!” She chuckled and pats him in the back. I can see June is still in awe. This is enough to confirm everything. This scene is exactly what happened before.

It was just not a dream, it was reality. These two fuckers did me dirty. While I was living in the bubble fantasy of happiness, they’re getting ready to drop me off at the standing needles below. Popping off everything I have. Money, love…life.

“I miss you sister," I squealed in and hugged her. She seems surprised but she also hugged me back, “I miss you too," she said and smiled.

“Now that I’m here, I’m excited to play a game with you.” Those are the exact same words he told me before. In my past life, I was too naïve to take this seriously. I thought she was just joking and playing with me but now I know better.

“Really? Me too," I answered back.

She seems taken aback. Of course, she won’t expect me to answer like that. If I was my old self, I’ll just laugh it off. I never answered her weird statements and questions before. Honestly, the old me was a little bit intimidated by her.

She regained her composure and patted my head, “Well I hope we’ll have fun.” I saw something flickered in her eyes. It was like she’s having wicked thoughts or maybe not? I need to confirm things slowly and secretly. Navia is as cunning and sly as a fox so I still need to be careful.

“Same thoughts sister.”

I know what ‘play’ she meant. She’s good at playing and manipulating words.

But, I really don’t know yet. Maybe I just viewed her like that because I was too naïve to see through her tricks from the past. While looking at her, questions continued to pile up in my mind.

“Let’s go,” June butted in and started walking in one of the parked cabs at the side of the road. Calling my bodyguards would be a hassle and would take us longer to leave, since this is our wedding anniversary, I asked dad to give us privacy – meaning, I won’t bring bodyguards with me so that I and June can have time for each other. I rarely do this because my dad mostly says no for my safety, I’m so glad – I mean my old self – was glad that I get to be alone with him.

That’s all in the past, from my first life.

I’ll be honest, even if I’m 21, I was still leeching off money from my parents. I never went to college because my future was set to be the next owner of or company and my dad never forces me to do anything I don’t want. Yes, I’m a spoiled child but that will change from now on. I’ll make sure no one will look down on me. I’ve learned my lesson and there’s no true gain if you don’t experience pain. So even if I hate doing smarty kids' works, I need to do it. If I want to be strategic, I need to have information filling my head first.

The sun is still shining brightly outside. So bright that I need to stop and squint my eyes because it hurts. The two people were too focused on what they’re talking about that they didn’t notice I was left out. I gulped. This is not new but why do I feel hurt and disappointed? Did I expect them to be more different than last time? Maybe I was too shocked from the transitions of the events that it still made me hope it wasn’t real but as I saw the back of Navia and June in front of me, walking together and leaving me behind there’s only one thought in my mind: Where and how did everything go wrong to the point where they decided to kill me? I never offended them in any way and I only wanted to live my life with June but even that was taken from me. I just can’t fathom things. I can’t connect the dots.

I started walking to catch up to them, while doing that, my eyes are glued on the red-haired girl walking along with my so-called perfect boyfriend. What does she really want? What did I ever do to her? What is going on inside her head?

I really need answers or else my mind would explode from all these questions that keep popping in my head. This life is another chance to know everything and prevent any casualties I’ve experienced in my last life. Whoever heard my last wish while falling, thank you. I’ll make sure to live this life smartly and use it wisely. I will forever be grateful for this chance they gave me.

“Hey, aren’t you getting in?” June nudged me and I snapped back to reality. I smiled at them. “Got lost in thought, sorry," I said and went inside.

This time, I’ll be one step ahead of you.