Trapped

Chapter 50: AFTER

Chapter Fifty:

There’s something wrong.

—

TWO WEEKS HAD passed.

Over that course of time, a lot of things had happened. Almost daily therapy sessions with Doctor Mendoza. New Year’s Eve with my family, and the actual New Year’s day. Visiting the Memorial Garden—this time with my family. Lunch date with my mother at her bakery shop. And a dinner date with Sebastian that he prepared all by himself.

— which I didn’t expect at all.

It had been the busiest two weeks of my life ever since I woke up from the coma. Although it was tiring, I honestly enjoyed my time. At first, I thought that experiencing a whole lot of things in a different body would be horrific; it wasn’t the case when it comes to my family. They have always made me feel like I’m at home… that I am home—that there’s nothing wrong with me, or I’m not living inside Maxwell’s vessel.

The downside? I felt bad that I got to experience all these new things, yet Maxwell couldn’t. Just thinking about the fact that I’m having a lot of fun, and she’s nowhere near me to experience the same things; made me feel really pathetic.

During those two weeks of being busy, I even forgot that I should be doing something in order to find out who was behind the car accident. I completely neglected the responsibility that Angel Kaleigh bestowed upon me.

And now, I only have less than four months before I get stuck in Maxwell’s body—for good.

“Is there anything that you need, cupcake?” My mom asked, placing a mug of hot choco on the table, then sat across from me.

Reaching for the mug, it immediately warmed my cold hands. I held it closely to me, then took a sip of the hot choco. I would definitely prefer coffee over this, but mom knew this is Maxwell’s favorite so I had to pretend that it was mine as well.

It had been a habit of mine to visit her bakery shop, Sweets by Alice, after my therapy sessions with Doc Patty Mendoza. I didn’t really have a lot of things to do back at Sebastian’s house, so I thought that it would be a great leisure to help my mother with her work.

“There’s a lot of food in the fridge, or you can order a different meal. It’s on the house,” she added with a smile.

Her words were enough to make me scoff. “Mom, I don’t need anything. I’m here to help you serve customers, remember?” I say as I place the mug down.

Looking around the shop, it wasn’t packed as usual. Maybe because it was still early for customers to be barging inside. There were five customers that were dining in. On the farthest corner from where my mom and I sat, was a man who had a cup of brewed coffee in his hands, seemingly like he was staring back at me. He wore a black hat, and a wayfarer’s so I wasn't really sure if he was looking in my direction.

Sweets by Alice was a well-known pastry shop in the city. Just like my granddad, my mother built her own empire at a young age as well. This shop had been going on even before Maxwell and I was born—this was my mother’s first baby.

The bricked wall was definitely the interior design that captivated me ever since I grew aware of this place. With all of the computer technology and artificial intelligence taking over the world, the bricked wall design and antique furniture certainly gave a vintage vibes that we rarely see nowadays. Moreover, classical music was playing over the mounted soundbars. Low hanging lights were attached on the ceiling, casting a cozy and relaxing vibes to whoever would visit the shop.

“And I told you that I have enough servers here, Maxwell.” This time, there was a hint of seriousness in her voice that I easily noticed, especially when she called Maxwell by her name instead of the nickname she usually called her—which was cupcake. “You shouldn’t be stressing yourself out with these kinds of things.”

“Mom,” I reached out for her hand on the table, trying to calm her down. “There’s barely a thing that I can do at the house anyway. Doc Mendoza mentioned that I’d do something that would help me always be on my feet. When I’m at the house, all I do is lay on the bed—that isn’t healthy for me.” I reasoned out, making her realize that this kind of activity helps not just with my physical health, but also my mental being.

She released a dejected sigh, then wrapped her hands around mine. “Figures why you also wanted to resume working again. I know how hard-working you are when it comes to your job, cupcake. Even though I’m still against the idea of it, I respect your decision,” My mom knew better than anyone else. “Maybe we should look for another psychiatrist, don’t you think?” she joked with a teasing smile. “I specifically told her not to make you do strenuous activities since it hasn’t been a month since…” she trailed, unable to continue with her words. Her smile turned into a frown.

I clenched my jaw as my breath hitched. It still hasn’t been that long ever since the car accident… ever since my sister died—ever since I died. If there’s someone who would never move on from all of this—it would definitely be my mother. She loved both of her daughters with all of her heart. I knew that even if months, or years would pass; she’ll still have the same reaction when the topic is about the incident.

My mom lost one of her children, just half a year before our granny died.

Having two deaths in just a year wasn’t something that anyone of us would’ve expected.

I know she hasn't even healed from my grandmother’s death, yet she was faced with another—her own flesh and blood. I remembered how devastated she was when granny died, it seemed as though she died with her mother as well. We couldn’t talk to her for days, and she’s always zoning out whenever there’s a family occasion.

My granny had always been supportive of my mom which is why she had been depressed when granny passed. My mom was a mother’s girl. She gathered a lot of her strength from her own mother. They deeply cared for one another—they considered each other as best friends.

All of this is hard for her, that I’m aware of.

“Why don’t you rest for the day, mom? I’ll take over here,” I suggested, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. “I think Anna can handle the supervision as well,” I added, pertaining to the bakery’s manager.

She shook her head sadly. “Well, cupcake… just like you I also need to be up on my feet, or else I’ll spend the entire day c-crying.” She tried her best for her voice not to break, but she was unsuccessful. My mom cleared her throat, then offered a sad smile at me. “I guess we both needed this.”

The situation we’re currently in sounded ridiculous, but I didn’t have the heart to laugh.

Just two women broken in many ways, hoping to be fixed at some point in life.

My mother has been the strongest person I have ever known, and I have looked up to her ever since I was young—my granddad would probably get jealous by hearing this statement, but it was the truth. She was the true heir of the Luciano Corporation since she’s the only daughter of Viktor and Josefa Luciano. She should be the one taking over the company, but her passion is baking. A whole different thing from what my grandfather would have imagined. But she didn’t find any joy in regards to technology and all things alike.

She’d rather get covered with flour, than delve into the aspect of artificial intelligence.

With baking, it made her feel delighted and at ease. A kind of happiness that Luciano Corporation could never offer to her. It was the reason why she turned down her father’s request to take over the position. Which is why until now, my granddad is still the owner and CEO of our family business.

Even though there were times that my granddad forced my mother to accept his request, my mother refused countless times. Moreover, my mother had granny to support her with her decision, which was a disadvantage for my grandfather.

Two important women in her life were against his wishes, what more he could do?

Hence why me and Maxwell were titled as ‘potential heirs’ of the Luciano Corporation. Aside from our work is inclined with the company’s, we are of direct lineage unlike Gregory Luciano, his wife and his son. Apart from that, none of them deserve to replace my grandfather’s hard-earned position.

“I’m glad that you’re here, cupcake,” mom’s soothing voice brought me back to reality as she stared at me lovingly.

“Mom…” I trailed, tears pooling my eyes because I knew what she meant by that. Not that I was physically here, but because at least she didn’t lose two of her daughters in a car crash. “I’m happy to be here as well.”

Clearing my throat, I muttered. “I need to go to the restroom and freshen up a bit.” I informed her, afraid that my mascara would get all smudged.

She laughed. “Of course, cupcake. Take your time.”

While I was patting a powder on my face, my thoughts immediately drifted to what’s about to come for tomorrow.

During the New Year’s Eve, I blatantly announced to everyone that I planned on going back to work which caused different reactions. My mother was totally against it, as well as Sebastian. Grandad had mixed emotions about it, but he respected my decision on the get go. Above all, my father was the one who looked ecstatic.

It was about time anyway. I figure out that if I can leave the house whenever I want to, I can slowly investigate my own death. Certainly, it would give me the time and means to learn my possible suspect’s alibis.

Surely, I can make up the two weeks worth that I wasted without doing anything that’s related to my transmigration. I shouldn’t be wasting anymore time. Four months is just barely around the corner, if my time runs out—there’s no chance knowing if Maxwell’s soul would return to her rightful vessel.

Hopefully, there’s a way.

I was pulled out of my trance when I heard loud voices coming from outside. My brow creased at the inaudible murmurs. It’s an odd occurrence for someone to be noisy whenever they’d dine in the shop since the place is a perfect place to study or read a book without distractions. The second I heard a scream, I blasted the door open and rushed outside.

There was already a commotion despite the few minutes I spent in the restroom.

Scanning the place, I noticed that the man who wore a black hat and wayfarers was being held back by the servers and the guard. He was wriggling out of their hold, trying to go closer to my mom. My heart began beating abnormally at the sight.

I quickly strode towards where my mom stood, then shielded her body with mine, holding her hand. “What is this all about?” I questioned, voice laced with venom. As much as I wanted to try to stay calm, I couldn’t. I won’t let anyone harass my mother.

“Max…” my mom said in a shaky voice, she gripped a hand onto my arm, trying to pull me away from the scene. With her mother's instinct, I know that she wanted to be the one to protect me. But that’s not something I agree with.

One of the servers replied, “This man is a reporter, and wanted to interview Miss Alice about the… incident.”

I grew outraged by the response, enough to cast daggers at the man that they were holding. Taking a step forward, my mom’s hold on me loosened. I took that time to walk closer to the man. The second I did, I harshly took off his hat and his sunglasses, meeting his black orbs.

Trying my best not to resort to violence and slap the hell out of him, I stared at him with a look that could kill. “It’s best if you’d leave.” I say, stern and clipped through gritted teeth.

“Just one interview, Alice,” he pleaded. “Then I’ll leave—”

“As if you have any right to negotiate with us—with me?” I instantly butted in. “If you don’t leave, I’ll call the cops and we’ll file a restraining order from you. Better yet, you might lose your job. I have a lot of connections, mister.” I challenged him, not backing down. “As early as now, I’m giving you a choice.”

Knowing my mother, she wouldn’t like to make a big deal out of this. With everything that’s happening, we all needed to lie-low from the media so it wouldn’t overlap with the ongoing investigation.

But the man didn’t seem to consider my words when he uttered, “What were you doing at the Everdeen Medical Center almost every single day?” His question was enough to render me speechless. “On the day your daughters were in an accident, where were you exactly?”

I staggered backwards. Looking back at my mother, she avoided my haze.

What is he talking about? I wanted to ask my mother, but the second she casted her eyes on the wooden laminated floor, I figured that she was hiding something. What could it possibly be?

My mind was on a haywire, I couldn’t seem to register his questions. But before my emotions could take hold of me, I straightened my back, then looked at the man dead in the eyes.

“Joey,” I called for the guard’s attention. “I’m calling the cops. We’ll take him to the nearest precinct, file a restraining order, and I’ll make sure that you’re terminated before the sun sets today.”

The man’s eyes widened as he looked back at me with full terror. “No, wait. I’m just doing my job.”

I scoffed at him. “I gave you a choice… and I’m just doing my responsibility as a daughter.”