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CHAPTER FOUR: I died.

Penulis: Natascia .D.
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-12-31 10:11:13

PAST

Niya slammed the cash register closed and pulled off her name tag with a tired sigh. It had been a long day at the supermarket, one of three jobs she juggled to keep her life afloat. The first shift was at the local diner from six to noon, followed by the supermarket until three, and finishing with freelancing she ran between BookLore and her tiny room in her grandmother's manor.

She’d been juggling this routine for nearly six months, ever since her father passed away. His unexpected death left her drowning in medical bills and loans she hadn’t even known existed. On top of that, her stern grandmother had barely given her room to breathe, piling on expectations and criticism as if grief wasn’t already enough.

“One last dollar for the sweat,” Niya muttered under her breath as she signed out of her shift.

She turned to leave, but paused when she noticed Pony bounding toward her. Her cheeks were flushed, rosy from the cool air, as she leaned against the sign-out counter, a grin lighting up her face.

“Don’t think you’re sneaking out without me,” Pony huffs, twirling a bunch of keys in her hand. “You didn’t forget about the book signing, right?”

“Of course not. I’ve had it circled on my calendar for weeks.”

“Good, because you’re not missing this. It’s Mason Chloe!” Pony shrieks, trying to keep her voice down almost at the same time. “You’ve been obsessing over her for years, and you’ll finally get to meet her at your own book signing. Maybe she's really a fan.”

"Let’s not get carried away," Niya smirked, holding out her hand. "Can I have my car keys? How did you even get them?"

Pony's grin widened. "Yours truly has her ways.”

"Penelope.”

"Fine," Pony relented, twirling the keys one last time before tossing them into Niya's waiting palm. "Your grandma let me in when I stopped by earlier. And don't ask about my car. It’s still acting weird. Something about the engine or the battery—I don’t know, cars aren’t my thing."

"Right. And you just happened to borrow mine without asking?"

"Consider it a favor. Besides, I knew you’d be fine with it because you love me."

"More like tolerate,” Niya muttered, knowing she should be grateful Pony brought the car or she’d have had to take a cab to BookLore. But she'd rather knock herself over than admit it. “It’s on loan,” Niya shrugged. “And after your little stunt last time, absolutely not.”

Pony groaned dramatically. “You’re never going to let me live that down, are you? It wasn’t that bad!”

“You drove fifty miles over the speed limit because the music was loud. The cop who pulled us over wrote us a literal note about staying alive. So, no, you’re not driving.”

“Fine, fine,” Pony relented, holding up her hands. “But on the way back, I get the wheel. Deal?”

“I’ll think about it,” Niya said, shaking her head with a chuckle. Her friend’s excitement about this event at BookLore is infectious, though a shadow of doubt fested in her mind. She’d been living in survival mode for so long that small joys felt foreign.

Her thoughts drifted to her new reality. It had been a week since she married Alex McKenzie—a man as distant as he was enigmatic.

She glanced out the window with a heavy heart. Marrying Alex had been a whirlwind decision. His proposal hadn’t been born of love but necessity, and though he’d been clear about the arrangement, the reality of being Mrs. McKenzie felt unreal.

Alex had given her one week to wrap up her old life. One week to quit her jobs, end the late nights, and prepare to step into the role of his trophy wife. He’d said it matter-of-factly, *You’re Mrs. McKenzie now,” he’d told her the night after their quiet contractual, too formal-for-her-liking wedding. “And you need to look and act the part.”

She’d nodded, but inside, she’d felt the panic rising. For years, her identity had been tied to her almost-independence self which collapsed after she lost her parents. Now she had to live with her grit, her ability to take care of herself and the only responsibility her parents left her. 

Niya's eyes landed on the note stuck under her windshield wiper. A piece of paper, torn roughly from a notebook, fluttered slightly in the breeze. The message scrawled in black ink was jagged and hurried, as if signed by a frat-teen. 

She didn’t touch it, but the words were clear enough to read from where she stood.

Watch it, Niya.

A block of ice formed in her throat. Her stomach churned as unease prickled the back of her neck. What did it mean? Her mind began to race with possibilities. She's barely a week old as the new wife of a billionaire and she was already getting stalked?

Maybe it was a prank, she reasoned, but the logic didn’t calm her pounding heart. She’d been tired and on edge all day, and now this? All she wanted was to get through her shifts and head to BookLore.

Suddenly, a hand snatched the note from her face.

“These psychos,” Pony hissed, holding the paper up before crumpling it into a ball. She tossed it under the car with a sharp shove, then slid into the passenger seat.

Finally, she exhaled and climbed into the car, gripping the steering wheel tighter than usual. The drive was uncharacteristically quiet before Pony’s voice filtered through the haze of her heavy thoughts. 

“You’re awfully quiet.” 

“Just thinking,” Niya sniffed, drawing out a tag from her duffel bag and pinning it on the neckline of her satin top with her right hand before making a turn out of the street.

“About what? Don’t tell me it’s work. You promised to take today off mentally too.”

Niya chuckled. “I actually quit.”

Pony raised an eyebrow. “How are you…your husband made you?” The sound of ‘husband’ sounded like sandpaper grated against raw skin. She winced inwardly but tried to play it off with a shrug. “Well, it's a good thing. Lucky you, you have someone who'd turn you into a house-woman.”

Niya laughed softly but there was something bitter about it. “You have no idea.”

“Then spill. What’s it like?”

Silence.

“Okay, three words,” Pony pushed.

“You’re not making me play that game—”

“Just fucking do it, Niya,” Pony interrupted, nudging her.

“Okay! Distant, not unkind. He cares, just not in the way most people do.”

Pony’s lower lip dropped. “Okay. But that’s vague and not comforting.”

“It’s the truth,” Niya said with another shrug. “I don’t know how to explain it. My life’s a…mess?” She chuckles dryly, “but I’ll take it. For now.”

Pony reached over and squeezed her hand gently, her voice dropped. “You deserve more than just ‘for now,’ Niya.”

Niya turned to look at her, the words pulling her back to a memory she couldn’t shake, no matter how much time passed. Her father’s warm, fragile hand laid in hers as she sat by his hospital bed. She remembered the way the light outside the window dimmed into evening when she was scared to look into his dying eyes. As if begging the world to mourn with her.

The grief never left, even now, it clung to her like a fresh and raw ache as if no time had passed.

“Watch out!” Pony’s voice ripped through her like a thunderclap.

Niya barely registered the words before a deafening bang erupted, and the car lurched violently to the right. The steering wheel jerked in her hands, nearly yanking her with it. The sound of crunching metal and shattering glass filled her ears as the windshield fractured into jagged, spider-webbed lines, distorting her view of the road.

Her heart thundered in her chest as adrenaline flooded her system. She clutched the steering wheel with Pony, their hands scrambling for control, but the impact was too strong. The tires screeched against the asphalt as the car spun dangerously.

Fragments of glass danced in the air, glinting like sharp stars before slicing against her face and arms. The airbag in front of her had deployed with a deafening pop, and the sheer force of it sent her reeling. 

Then, immediately followed an eerie silence. Her ears buzzed faintly, a burning sensation spread through her head and body, leaving her gasping for air. She tried to move, but her limbs refused to obey, pinned by pain and the crumpled vehicle.

Time felt strange—stretching unbearably one moment and snapping back the next. The acrid stench of smoke and burnt rubber filled her nose, mingling with the metallic tang of blood and… fear. In that instant, she felt death’s icy gaze, waiting just out of sight.

A faint sound penetrated the silence—police sirens, distant and distorted, like thunderstorms roaring and rolling across a stormy sky. She blinked slowly, her vision swimming as she fought to focus.

Her head felt impossibly heavy as she turned it in a sluggish and labored movement. Her breath hitched when her gaze landed on her bestfriend. Upside down, seatbelt barely holding her limp body in place. Eyes were closed, and her very whitish face had turned blue. 

“Pony…” Niya’s voice was a hoarse whisper, the words clawing their way out of her throat, but no sound came. 

Suddenly, a loud thud echoed, shaking the remains of the car.Another jarring sound followed, louder this time, and she braced herself instinctively. But it was too late. 

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    It looked the same. Felt the same.She felt something crawl under her skin. A slow, prickling awareness, like stepping into a space just after someone had been talking about her.Maybe it was the way people glanced at her—not with excitement or surprise. But warier. Like they didn’t know whether to acknowledge her or pretend they hadn’t seen her at all.Or maybe it was her. The girl by the checkout.Petite. Brunette. Bright eyes that sparkled easily in the way she beamed at everyone she passed. The kind of smile that screamed ‘first day’, too sun-shiny, too eagerly, almost like she was trying to make a good impression.She laughed at something one of the cashiers said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she slid a barcode over the scanner. There was a smoothness in her conversation with them, a familiarity Niya had never had with her coworkers.Not that they were unfriendly. She’d just never been part of the casual back-and-forth that came naturally to people who'd worke

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  • TWO LIVES - Shattered Illusion    CHAPTER EIGHT: You too good to serve now?

    Niya pushed through the door too fast and nearly stumbled to a stop just outside Mr. Don’s office.She was seething. Her pulse pounded against her ribs, fingers curled into fists at her sides, and her breath uneven out. She felt a dull ache pressed against her temples, and her jaw locked tight.Cold fingers closed around Niya's wrist, suddenly yanking her back with just enough force to jolt her. A flash of heat ran through her, not just from surprise but from the immediate need to pull away.“What the hell are you doing here?” The voice slithered into her ear. Rina’s brows pulled together under widened eyes, but her grip didn’t loosen a notch. Her voice came out snippy. “Don’t go in there—” She stopped abruptly, glancing around before dragging Niya farther from the door, tucking them into the left corner.The fire on Niya’s cheeks died out. “What?” She winced, yanking her arm free. “You’re hurting me—”“You can’t just waltz in there, Niy,” Rina hissed, finally letting go. “Do you eve

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  • TWO LIVES - Shattered Illusion    CHAPTER NINE: She wore the dress for him.

    It smelt deep and woodsy like the inside of an old wardrobe, but almost like the peel of an orange right after it’s been torn open.It had a citrusy bite, a little smoky, like the way the air smelled after resin had been burned but not quite turned to ash. It curled in the air around her, slipping into her narrow nostrils. It was frustratingly recognisable and that made her chest tighten.Niya’s fingers twitched as she inhaled again, slower this time, as if that would change anything. It didn’t. If anything, it made her stomach flip, because now the image of him was there."You can pick whatever you want," a raspy, velvety voice slipped through, immediately making her already-annoyed nerves bristle. Although, she couldn't explain why.She turned.Alexander stood a few feet away, one hand in his pocket, the other loosely at his side. His stance was casual, roughly 6’3, legs slightly apart, his muscular build filling out the black suit effortlessly.The wind came from nowhere, ruffling

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  • TWO LIVES - Shattered Illusion    CHAPTER TEN: Did he kiss me?

    "The sudden change in Pacific Green’s stock is quite the tale." Alex leaned back in his chair, glazed at Dante pouring himself a cup of green tea, the same brand he’d been drinking since Alex was a teenager. He’d once mentioned that the Japanese monks who cultivated it swore by its calming effects, and it had became a ritual for him like everything else about Dante McFowler.Niya glanced between them, debating whether she should say something or stay silent. She settled for silence, since it wasn't like she had many options.“Market shifts happen all the time,” Alex stated. “I wouldn’t call it a tale.”Pacific Green Energies had been his father’s legacy, a powerhouse in renewable energy long before the market saw its full potential. When Alex took over, he’d expanded its influence, and with the upcoming gala in a few weeks, he planned to secure more international partnerships that could give the company access to more innovations. Still, the company was solid.EcoWave Technologies, o

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  • TWO LIVES - Shattered Illusion    CHAPTER ELEVEN: Out The Door And Into The Fire.

    Her eyelids fluttered against the dull light flickering from the lamp opposite her. The room was still, but the noise hadn’t disappeared. It was just further away now, dissolving into the background. The sputtering sound of a washing machine, the ticking of a slightly off-kilter fan, and slight hum of the small, secondhand refrigerator. It was muffled save for the occasional drip from the bathroom faucet, pulling her halfway between sleep and wakefulness.Niya exhaled, groggy. The ache in her temples told her she hadn’t had enough sleep or maybe too much. She forced herself to move, blindly reaching for her phone out of instinct. But her fingers brush against a stiff, smooth surface. A note.Blinking against the dim light, she jammed on the lamp switch and its flickering stopped."Ouf!" Niya blew out a breath through pouty lips, squinting at the note propped against the vanity mirror. Pony’s handwriting was uneven, scrawled like she’d written it in a rush.‘Had to go see Mom. Don’t

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  • TWO LIVES - Shattered Illusion    CHAPTER TWELVE: Marked.

    "Look what you've done now, sweetheart," he said, fake-pouting, flexing his wrist like it had hurt him. That annoying word again. He said it like Alex used to—condescending, mocking, like he owned the right to address her however he pleased. His eyes stayed on her too long, raking over every part of her like she was already bought.Niya tried to steady her hand, but failed. The man’s sleeve darkened where the whiskey spilled, and she knew she was screwed.The others chuckled low and lazy, like a pack of dogs watching their alpha corner a prey.There were only three of them. Three devils sent from hell. The blonde one she was pouring a drink for led, while the almost-bald one leaned in with a pervy grin, eyes twinkling like he enjoyed watching women squirm. And the third, darker-skinned and muscular, lounged back with a cigar between his teeth.“What do you think, boys? I like her,” he continued."Not sure she can handle it, Palix,” the almost bald one shook his head, pushing his glas

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    Present."Out," Daniel Lexi said without glancing up from the tablet he was scribbling on.Rina huffed, her nose scrunching. "The fuck, Dan—""As in, close the fucking door on your fucking way out," he cut her off. "I’m allergic to backup singers during serious talks."Niya stifled a cough, unsure if he was serious or just mean with flair."Daniel..." Rina warned."Rina," he exhaled loudly, visibly impatient, finally lifting his head, one brow arched high enough to throw off the symmetry of his tanned face. "If you breathe too close to the contract, it might revoke itself. Go bother the bartender or threaten a valet, something more in your damn department."She grinned. “You’re lucky I like you.” Then to Niya, “I’ll be right outside.”Daniel gestured to the chair in front of his desk without a word. Niya sat, quietly counting how many times he could fit the word ‘fuck’ into a conversation.“You’re fucking quieter than I expected,” he observed.“I figured it was safer to listen first.

  • TWO LIVES - Shattered Illusion    CHAPTER FIFTEEN: HE is watching.

    Up high was a huge stage bled red with metal bars and white ropes that looked like the type used to hold ships to anchors. They were moving glittering bodies with red under-toned makeup, dressed in nothing - except stars covering the nipples and W-area, chained in different cages. They were the most beautiful women Niya had ever seen in her life. They danced on poles, against the bars, unbothered by its heaviness, probably bruising on their wrists. Below them. Slam! Niya just noticed the golden masked people watching. Some leaned back lazily in the velvet seats, others relaxed forward, nestled in purposely severed glass compartments.They didn't speak but the continuous buzzing coming from their compartments and the occasional switch of glittering bodies proved to Niya that she wasn't dreaming but actually witnessing humans bidding on other humans.She stopped breathing or she couldn't, her heart still galloping when a woman in a black corset bumped into her. “Here, babe. Just take

  • TWO LIVES - Shattered Illusion    CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Red marble hell.

    A Few Hours Before.She was already late, and somehow, the fucking cab kept rocking like it was trying to sabotage her winged liner on purpose.Niya dragged the small pouch open with her teeth, compact mirror in one hand, trying not to stab herself in the eye with the brush. Pony’s highlighter sat on her lap - she swore by that thing like she wasn’t already ethereal with that porcelain doll complexion. But on Niya, it didn’t ‘glow.’ It shimmered, obnoxiously.She barely wore makeup, and when she did, Alex usually wouldn’t let her do it herself. This sloppy attempt was supposed to be a peace offering for Rina, for being late. She just hoped it said ‘I care’ and not ‘I cried and wiped my face on glitter.’Niya bit her lip as the cab swerved again, this time her brush slipped, dumping too much onto one cheek. “Holy mothe—”She heaved a deep sigh. Perfect. Now she looked like a disco ball.“You're late already, calm down,” the cab driver said without looking back.“I know I’m late,” Niya

  • TWO LIVES - Shattered Illusion    CHAPTER THIRTEEN: Vantablack Temple.

    Palix scoffed. “You her handler now?”“No,” Rina continued smiling as she started towards him. “I’m the woman who decides whether you walk out of here with your face intact. So if you’re smart, you’ll sit your entitled ass down and remember that you’re here to do business—not act like a frat boy on spring break.”“Fuck,” Baldy clapped under his breath. Rina’s gaze darted towards him, pausing for a beat longer than necessary. For a moment, she could feel the pull in his ocean blue eyes like tide crashing at shore, sending beads of moist air against her skin. Rina didn’t understand it, but the hairs on the back of her neck rose. She shrugged it off, turning to her side.“She’s not yours. That’s your problem. None of the girls here are. And if any of you think you can treat them like dirt, try another club next time. Or better yet, grow up. Now if you're all done playing Who Can Get Sued First, I’ll be taking her.”Rina didn’t even look at him again as she looped an arm around Niya.Niy

  • TWO LIVES - Shattered Illusion    CHAPTER TWELVE: Marked.

    "Look what you've done now, sweetheart," he said, fake-pouting, flexing his wrist like it had hurt him. That annoying word again. He said it like Alex used to—condescending, mocking, like he owned the right to address her however he pleased. His eyes stayed on her too long, raking over every part of her like she was already bought.Niya tried to steady her hand, but failed. The man’s sleeve darkened where the whiskey spilled, and she knew she was screwed.The others chuckled low and lazy, like a pack of dogs watching their alpha corner a prey.There were only three of them. Three devils sent from hell. The blonde one she was pouring a drink for led, while the almost-bald one leaned in with a pervy grin, eyes twinkling like he enjoyed watching women squirm. And the third, darker-skinned and muscular, lounged back with a cigar between his teeth.“What do you think, boys? I like her,” he continued."Not sure she can handle it, Palix,” the almost bald one shook his head, pushing his glas

  • TWO LIVES - Shattered Illusion    CHAPTER ELEVEN: Out The Door And Into The Fire.

    Her eyelids fluttered against the dull light flickering from the lamp opposite her. The room was still, but the noise hadn’t disappeared. It was just further away now, dissolving into the background. The sputtering sound of a washing machine, the ticking of a slightly off-kilter fan, and slight hum of the small, secondhand refrigerator. It was muffled save for the occasional drip from the bathroom faucet, pulling her halfway between sleep and wakefulness.Niya exhaled, groggy. The ache in her temples told her she hadn’t had enough sleep or maybe too much. She forced herself to move, blindly reaching for her phone out of instinct. But her fingers brush against a stiff, smooth surface. A note.Blinking against the dim light, she jammed on the lamp switch and its flickering stopped."Ouf!" Niya blew out a breath through pouty lips, squinting at the note propped against the vanity mirror. Pony’s handwriting was uneven, scrawled like she’d written it in a rush.‘Had to go see Mom. Don’t

  • TWO LIVES - Shattered Illusion    CHAPTER TEN: Did he kiss me?

    "The sudden change in Pacific Green’s stock is quite the tale." Alex leaned back in his chair, glazed at Dante pouring himself a cup of green tea, the same brand he’d been drinking since Alex was a teenager. He’d once mentioned that the Japanese monks who cultivated it swore by its calming effects, and it had became a ritual for him like everything else about Dante McFowler.Niya glanced between them, debating whether she should say something or stay silent. She settled for silence, since it wasn't like she had many options.“Market shifts happen all the time,” Alex stated. “I wouldn’t call it a tale.”Pacific Green Energies had been his father’s legacy, a powerhouse in renewable energy long before the market saw its full potential. When Alex took over, he’d expanded its influence, and with the upcoming gala in a few weeks, he planned to secure more international partnerships that could give the company access to more innovations. Still, the company was solid.EcoWave Technologies, o

  • TWO LIVES - Shattered Illusion    CHAPTER NINE: She wore the dress for him.

    It smelt deep and woodsy like the inside of an old wardrobe, but almost like the peel of an orange right after it’s been torn open.It had a citrusy bite, a little smoky, like the way the air smelled after resin had been burned but not quite turned to ash. It curled in the air around her, slipping into her narrow nostrils. It was frustratingly recognisable and that made her chest tighten.Niya’s fingers twitched as she inhaled again, slower this time, as if that would change anything. It didn’t. If anything, it made her stomach flip, because now the image of him was there."You can pick whatever you want," a raspy, velvety voice slipped through, immediately making her already-annoyed nerves bristle. Although, she couldn't explain why.She turned.Alexander stood a few feet away, one hand in his pocket, the other loosely at his side. His stance was casual, roughly 6’3, legs slightly apart, his muscular build filling out the black suit effortlessly.The wind came from nowhere, ruffling

  • TWO LIVES - Shattered Illusion    CHAPTER EIGHT: You too good to serve now?

    Niya pushed through the door too fast and nearly stumbled to a stop just outside Mr. Don’s office.She was seething. Her pulse pounded against her ribs, fingers curled into fists at her sides, and her breath uneven out. She felt a dull ache pressed against her temples, and her jaw locked tight.Cold fingers closed around Niya's wrist, suddenly yanking her back with just enough force to jolt her. A flash of heat ran through her, not just from surprise but from the immediate need to pull away.“What the hell are you doing here?” The voice slithered into her ear. Rina’s brows pulled together under widened eyes, but her grip didn’t loosen a notch. Her voice came out snippy. “Don’t go in there—” She stopped abruptly, glancing around before dragging Niya farther from the door, tucking them into the left corner.The fire on Niya’s cheeks died out. “What?” She winced, yanking her arm free. “You’re hurting me—”“You can’t just waltz in there, Niy,” Rina hissed, finally letting go. “Do you eve

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