Olivia's pov
On my way out of the hospital several things flooded my mind like ''How did this happen?"
and "What am I going to do now?" The clack of Lucinda's high heels on the linoleum floor was a constant reminder that I was no longer in my own body. I tried to walk with as much grace as Lucinda presumably did, but each step felt like an awkward dance. My balance was all off, and I was sure I must have looked like a puppet with tangled strings.
The hospital lobby was bustling with activity. I could see families waiting anxiously, doctors and nurses hustling by, and the occasional patient trying to navigate the maze of corridors. It was overwhelming, and the cacophony of voices made it difficult to focus. I pulled out my phone, which was fortunately still in my pocket, and checked Lucinda's contacts. To my relief, I saw that the number labeled "Mom" was not only recognizable but also someone I knew I could call for help.
I tapped the screen to dial, and as I waited for the call to connect, I tried to think of the best way to explain this bizarre situation. When the call was answered, I was greeted by a familiar but slightly strained voice.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Mrs. Walker, this is Olivia... I mean, this is Lucinda." My voice trembled, and I hoped I sounded convincing enough.
"Lucinda! Oh, sweetheart, thank goodness. We were so worried! How are you feeling?"
I swallowed hard, trying to sound as if I were indeed Lucinda, and not a panicked stranger. "I'm okay, but I think we need to talk. Can you come pick me up?"
"Of course, dear. Where are you?"
I quickly gave her my location, and she promised to be there shortly. As I hung up, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief mingled with anxiety. I had to figure out what had happened and find a way to reverse it. But first, I needed to navigate Lucinda's life and pretend to be her—at least until I could get some answers.
The drive from the hospital to Lucinda's home was a blur of nerves and frantic thinking. Mrs. Walker's presence was calming, though I was keenly aware of how strange this all must be for her. She chattered about the hospital and how glad she was that Lucinda was okay, though she was still on the edge of worry.
When we arrived at the Walker family's elegant home, I was struck by its sheer opulence. The house was large and tastefully decorated, with large windows letting in streams of sunlight. I could only imagine the kind of life Lucinda led. As we walked inside, Mrs. Walker ushered me to a sitting room filled with plush furniture and family photos.
"Why don't you sit down? I'll make us some tea," Mrs. Walker offered.
"Sure, that sounds great," I replied, hoping my imitation of Lucinda's voice was convincing.
As I sank into the comfortable couch, my mind raced. I needed to come up with a plan. It was clear that the accident had somehow swapped our bodies, but how? And more importantly, how could I switch back? I decided to start by understanding Lucinda's life and connections better.
Mrs. Walker soon returned with tea and settled into a chair opposite me. "So, how are you feeling, dear?"
"I'm... I'm a bit shaken up, to be honest," I said. "But I think I'm okay."
Mrs. Walker looked relieved. "I'm so glad to hear that. Your father and I were so worried. But you should take it easy. The doctor said you might need some rest."
"Right, of course." I sipped the tea, trying to appear relaxed while my mind was anything but.
After a few minutes of small talk, Mrs. Walker's attention shifted. "Oh, I almost forgot! We have that important event tonight—the charity gala. You were looking forward to it, weren't you?"
My heart sank. I had no idea what a charity gala involved, and attending one as Lucinda was the last thing I felt prepared for. But I knew that if I wanted to maintain this façade, I needed to be convincing. "Yes, I was," I said with as much enthusiasm as I could muster. "I wouldn't miss it."
"Wonderful! I'll help you get ready. It'll be good for you to have a little distraction. Come on, dear."
Mrs. Walker led me upstairs to what I assumed was Lucinda's room. The space was luxurious and organized, filled with designer clothes and accessories. My reflection in the mirror was overwhelming—Lucinda's strikingly perfect face, carefully styled hair, and fashionable wardrobe were all foreign to me.
Mrs. Walker chose a glamorous dress for me to wear, complete with matching shoes and jewelry. The process of getting dressed was a challenge. Not only was I unfamiliar with Lucinda's wardrobe, but the high heels made walking an ordeal. With Mrs. Walker's patient assistance, I managed to get ready, though I felt like a marionette in a designer's dream.
When I finally emerged from the room, Mrs. Walker looked pleased. "You look fantastic, dear. I'm sure everyone will be thrilled to see you."
I managed a nervous smile and hoped I could navigate this event without embarrassing myself—or worse, drawing suspicion.
The charity gala was held in a grand ballroom with sparkling chandeliers and elegantly dressed guests. As I walked in, I felt eyes on me, and I tried my best to appear confident. The event was buzzing with chatter, clinking glasses, and lively music.
I was greeted by a few people who seemed to know Lucinda well, though their friendly faces and pleasant conversations did little to ease my anxiety. I kept up the pretense of being Lucinda, nodding and smiling as if I belonged in this glamorous world.
Among the guests was a striking woman who, I soon learned, was named Sofia. She was an old friend of Lucinda's and seemed genuinely delighted to see me. "Lucinda! It's so good to see you. How have you been?"
I struggled to remember what Lucinda's relationship with Sofia was like. "I've been well, Sofia. It's great to see you, too."
Sofia chattered on about recent events, and I did my best to keep up. I could tell that she was closely observing me, and I hoped that my impersonation was good enough.
As the night wore on, I started to feel more comfortable, or at least better at pretending. I danced, mingled, and made polite conversation, all while my mind remained preoccupied with the bigger mystery of how to switch back to my own body.
Then, just as I was beginning to think I might actually make it through the night, I saw someone approach—a man who looked both familiar and intimidating. As he drew closer, I realized with a jolt that he was the man I'd seen arguing with Lucinda at the scene of the accident. The memory of his angry face was clear in my mind.
He stopped in front of me, a mix of concern and something else in his eyes. "Lucinda," he said, his tone serious. "Can we talk?"
I hesitated, my heart racing. "Sure," I said, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.
He led me to a quieter corner of the ballroom, away from the din of the party. "I need to know—are you really Lucinda?"
I froze, realizing that this man might have some answers. "What do you mean?" I asked, though I had a sinking feeling I knew exactly what he was getting at.
"I mean," he said, his gaze piercing, "that I saw the accident, and something doesn't add up. There's something strange going on, and I need to know what's really happening."
My pulse quickened. "I'm not sure what you're talking about," I said, though the anxiety in my voice was hard to mask.
He studied me for a moment before speaking again. "Listen, I don't know how to explain this, but I think we might be in a similar situation. I've been trying to figure out what happened, and if you're really Lucinda, you might be able to help."
I took a deep breath, feeling a surge of hope mixed with apprehension. "Okay. Let's talk."
As we moved to a quieter spot, I couldn't help but wonder if this man was the key to unraveling the mystery of the body swap. The evening had taken a turn I hadn't anticipated, and as I prepared to delve into the conversation, I knew that discovering the truth about this bizarre predicament was more crucial than ever.