Leslie was bored staying inside the bedroom without anything to do. Even though she really wanted to explore the manor, she had to hold herself back.
"Don't wander outside this room. I'll show you around the place later."
Those were Calix's words before he walked out of the room.
Like her who needed time to think about how to voice out that important request, he also required moments to accept her strange presence.
Right now, Leslie was floating above Charlene's body. She intently took in the little details of the latter's appearance, the one reflecting her new physical traits.
"She's a beauty," Leslie whispered softly. She still remembered her short meeting with Charlene before, "But... why did she look so hopeless back then?"
A desperate Leslie was easily persuaded by Charlene when the latter kept telling her to transmigrate into her body.
"Take my body, use it to find your child and live a new life with her."
"I want to be free. You need to get into a body if you want to find your daughter. Why don't you just transmigrate into my body and live my life? Of course, I won't take it back from you."
When Charlene was coaxing Leslie, she showed no signs of regrets. Her intention was clear. She no longer wanted to be bound to her own life.
Frowning, Leslie shifted her eyes to Mimo. The fox toy was sitting on a couch facing the bed.
"Hey, Mimo... Her soul is still in there, right? She's still breathing. But, what happens after I enter her body? When will she go?"
Mimo lifted its head. Its eyes, which were simply round black beads met Leslie's.
|It's up to her. She might wander between worlds or, settle in another with a new identity.|
"You don't know or can't tell me?" asked Leslie again. This time, she brought up the points she needed to know.
Mimo paused momentarily before replying, |Both. There are certain things I can't tell you. And, I don't know everything either.|
Its answer was vague. Even though it was not helping, Leslie didn't want to force anything out of the fox toy. Perhaps, Mimo was bound with some rules unknown to her.
"It's okay, Mimo. I'm just wondering about it."
What happened today had mentally and physically drained Leslie. A wave of exhaustion started hitting her.
"It's night already."
Leslie glided in the air, heading to the closed French doors. Once she passed through the curtain and solid glass panels, the soft ray of moonlight basked upon her.
Lifting both of her hands, Leslie spread out her palms. A smile was carved on her lips.
This was so nice. Even though she was without a physical body, she could still feel the coolness of the night spring breeze. Her luscious dark locks tousled behind her.
Hovering near the railing, an idea struck Leslie's mind. She quickly sat on the top of the white balcony railing. The passing wind gently brushed against her feet.
'Poppy, Mama misses you.'
Not a day had gone by, but Leslie longed for her precious daughter. Calliope was her only light when darkness loomed over her life after losing her lover.
No matter what, Leslie wanted to be reunited with Calliope. She didn't mind if Calix told her to live in hiding after successfully finding her daughter. She just needed her dearest Calliope.
To Leslie, her life kind of mirrored Charlene's. Even though the latter came from a wealthy background, her life was not easy.
Because CEO Xu and Charlene Li were supporting characters in the book, the information related to them was not much. The side plot of them getting married also happened much later.
'Mimo, will I get all of her memories? How about the information of her life?'
In the next second, Mimo's voice echoed in Leslie's mind, answering her telepathically.
|Unless the original host suppresses the memories, they will be triggered once you come across anyone or anything important.|
Leslie let out a helpless chuckle. Shrugging, she murmured, "Seems like it won't be easy ah. I still need to find something for her."
Being given this second chance was already miraculous enough.
Leslie told herself that not everything would be served in a platter. She needed to use her wits if she wanted to find Calliope and survive here.
Also...
To fulfill Charlene's wishes.
With her gaze thrown around the spacious yard of the mansion, Leslie took her sweet time enjoying the aesthetically pleasing scenery. Even though this whole compound was huge, the area was well taken care of.
The petals of the blooming flowers danced in the air, fluttering along the passing of the breeze. Colors pink, red, yellow and white formed various floral clusters on the garden of greenery.
Uncle Raymond was the only gardener here but, it didn't mean the entire place was tended by him. A group of specialist gardeners would come twice a month.
"I think the novel mentioned there's a small lake here."
This was Leslie's first time being in a grand mansion like Graceville Manor. The feeling was real enough until she forgot this was a world crafted by an author inside a book.
The scent of the flowers was carried by the breeze, helping to expel some of her distress. In the tranquility of the night, she tried to remember some details from the book.
Graceville Manor was located in one of the wealthiest residential neighborhoods in City S, Mapleview Hills. Calix's private residence rarely made appearances in the story, unlike the male lead's.
"His mansion is this grand. I can't imagine Xander's place. Sigh, being the male lead's rich supporting friend is good enough already."
Leslie propped both hands on the railing, arching her body forward. It was hard not to be envious of these characters' wealthy lives when hers was full of struggle.
Well, perhaps she could ask Calix to give her a job recommendation later. She still needed money to raise Calliope.
With CEO Xu's influence, Leslie was positive that she could get a good one. Bitterness flashed in a second as she remembered her previous life.
Despite struggling to take care of Calliope alone, Leslie was able to graduate with flying colors. Her soft skills also were exemplary.
Yet, more often than not, the positions she was aiming for went to people who came through the backdoors. Fortunately, she was able to secure a teaching position at an elementary school.
"Hurm... I think even this world has..."
A loud scream cut off Leslie's words.
"ARGH! What are you doing there? It's dangerous!"
"...?! Ack!"
"Ow!"
In the momentary confusion, Leslie felt sturdy arms pull her by the waist. Before she could register what was happening, she already fell against a hard surface.
Just...
The solid thing was not the marble floor. It was a certain young CEO's six packs.
Caught in a daze, Leslie slowly understood what had just occurred. Seemed like Calix was shocked seeing her sitting on the balcony railing. In a reflex, he dragged her down.
Fortunately, they didn't fall to the floor. If not, the young CEO would be the one who suffered more.
Calix anxiously looked at Leslie. Both of his arms were still around her waist.
"What did you think? What if you fell down? Do you have a death wish?"
Leslie blinked.
"...do you forget what am I?"
"..."
Clamping his mouth shut, Calix swiftly released Leslie from his unintentional embrace.