My world shookt upon receiving a hard force on my cheek, only to realize that it was a slap.
Cupping my left cheek, that is sure to turn red, I stared at the culprit with widening eyes. Disbelief painted on my face while my other hand is supporting my weight not to fully kneel on the ground.
What?
A question pops in my mind. My orbs observating the unfamiliar surrounding and the old woman who is standing mightily in front of me.
Haven't I gone to Boracay to learn surfing? Why suddenly there's a strange woman who slapped me for no reason?
Shakingly, I tried to stand up by myself, still warily staring at the woman, scared of her suddenly attacking again. I took a step backwards, inching away from her.
She's still proudly standing, like a peacock showing its gorgeous feathers. Too bad, she's far from gorgeous. Her hand is on her waist, face intimidating. She looks like she would punch me if I act wrongly.
The kind of old woman that I would not shed tears even when her children choose to leave her in some home-for-the-agents to live, without them visiting her.
"Why did you suddenly hit me?" I asked when a minute of silence made me feel awkward.
Her right thin eyebrows shot up, then she snorted. "Why are you using that kind of tone to your elders? Have you not learn any manners?" She mockingly stated instead.
Dumbfounded, I didn't speak a word for a second before glaring at her.
"If I didn't learn manners, then what about you? Have you gone mad by old age, huh?"
"Hitting a person who didn't do anything to you, only a crazy person do that!" Still holding my cheeks, I rebuked her while giving her my most deadly stare
"Y-You– –!"
When I saw a chance, I step widely towards her and gave her the hardest slap that I can give.
I don't care about respecting the old and loving the children. If a person disrespect or anger me, I'll do my best to get a revenge on them. Be it cold, or hot.
May it be young, old, LGBTQ+, women, man, or with a special needs.
Even an alien, if they gets on my nerves, can only expect my revenge.
Being me, I'm a silent person, introverted even. I wouldn't care about anyone unless they pester me to the point that they disturbed me of my peaceful life.
"Janna!" The old meanie lady took a step back, shouting a name that I'm not familiar with. Her hands cupping her right cheek like I did earlier.
The expression that I've shown her, she now have. Laughing softly, I felt the ranging fire inside of me calm down.
"What?" I asked innocently, with my sweet voice. "I just paid back what you've done to me, with interest, of course." Smiling, I turned my back at her and strutted away the house.
I can still hear her screaming which widen my smile more. The more she feels humiliated and angry, the more I feel better.
But then, where am I? That question still left unanswered.
That old woman called me Janna, and I remembered that I died already. When my face started to feel numb, that's when memories started to surge.
I was having a work vacation in Boracay, with co-workers and friends. Then we decided to try surfing since it was one of my bucket list. A huge wave came and when I started to learn the strategy in surfing, the ground shook, and out of balance, I drowned.
Damn unlucky day it is. When I'm trying to swim, my whole leg got a cramp.
Yeah, dead by drowning. What a cute way to die. Inserting sarcastic voice for emphasis.
Rummaging through the tote bag that this person's using, I found her phone.
Unlocking it with a fingerprint pattern and opening it easily, which is just my luck it's not pattern nor typing type.
I tap the shopping icon so just I could see the information of the body I occupied and her house location.
I am really Janna. Janna Marquez. A 25 year old adult, older than me by three years.
I became older! And we have the same family name, Marquez. Is that a coincidence, or there's a connection to it that can be the reason of me being here?
When I saw her address, I search about more information about her. Her memory, I can't see. Its like there's something blocking it for me to access.
By searching her name, many articles about the Marquez Family is shown.
They're like a celebrity or something. Even having a short life story video of them in a television.
She—now I, was a former princess of the family Marquez. An elite with a billion dollars' worth of net worth. Not until a trusted business partner betray them by stealing a project and selling it to the enemy company. Not only that. The scumbag also embezzle lots of money before fleeing.
This kind of thieves really deserve a beating, so much that they'll cry and hide to their moms skirt like a wimp they are.
Stepping out of the house, I called a taxi to stop.
"To Moonshine Apartment, sir." I politely said as I sit myself comfortably.
Muddleheaded still, I can only close my eyes. Sorting out my emotions and thoughts, while I enjoyed the mellow music that's playing in the radio.
Frustrated, I can't really recall any memories of this body and that's a bad news.
Just why am I in that mean old lady's house? In a crouch position , almost kneeling? Why did she slap me? Is she my relative? Or just a weird old lady?
What if I saw someone who is familiar with this girl? They will find me weird for not recognizing them.
Will they suspect that I'm an impostor... or worst, think that I'm a bad spirit possessing this girl?
I hope they will not lit me on fire or stab me with a wooden stake like a witch...
"Miss, we're already in Moonshine Apartment. Can you pay and go down now?"
Snapping out of my thoughts, embarrassment ate my whole system after hearing the driver's impatient voice.
"A-Ah!" Panicked, I picked out the wallet in the bag. "How much is the fare, sir?" I asked politely, holding up 500 pesos.
"300 for the fare. Do you not have a hundred pesos with you? Just give me three of that."
My smile thinned as I rummaged the wallet, wishing that there's three hundreds that I can give.
"No sir, I don't have a hundred." Shaking my head, I just pass my money that he doesn't have a choice but to accept.
"Here's your change." His face is crumpled.
I immediately got out of the car and walked to the apartment, not looking back.
What an embarrassing situation.
My room is on the fourth floor, Door 103. While going in the lobby, I observe my surroundings, escaping as soon as I saw someone walking towards my direction, looking like they knew me.
Need to avoid anyone for a while. I'll figure a plan on how to naturaly change without them suspecting anything.