My name is Valentina and I was born in a rich family. My hobby is reading a book and of course, I have a whole library for myself. You could say that I was really blessed. Until one day...
I was celebrating my birthday with my family. It was my nineteenth birthday and I will be attending a college soon after a few days. It was fine at first. We held my birthday party at my family's cruise ship. It was grand with many high-class people attending.
My dad gave me Lamborghini as a birthday present. It was displayed on the stage for all to see. I went to the car backseat and as I expected, it's there. A big suitcase was placed neatly on the seat. I couldn't hold my smile as I grabbed it.
I quickly walked to the shooting room before someone could stopped me. I can't wait to try this other present that my dad gave me. I took off my dress and changed into training suit. My maid will absolutely cry if she knew this, but I couldn't be bothered. I just let my hair as it is since they styled it in a braid.
Just before I could open the suitcase, I sensed a presence was approaching. I let them get close first before turned around with a gun on my hand. Then I let it down after seeing the person.
"You're still as sharp as ever, Young Miss," A man with a scar on his left eye said softly. He's my dad's trusted subordinate, Parlo.
"What do you want? Shouldn't you greet the important guests right now?" I turned around again to continue my unfinished business.
"I was given a mission by my boss," the soft voice earlier was suddenly replaced by a cold one. Then I could felt something was pointed to my head.
"My dad won't ask you to do this. So, which boss are you talking about?"
"No words. Goodbye." He pulled the trigger and the bullet was pierced to my head. My mind went blank. I thought I could buy some times by asking him questions, but he's more cautious than I thought. But why he wants me dead?
As a blood was flowing out of my head, I kept asking the question. Is he a traitor? Did he worked with our family's enemy? This is just like in a drama. Something cliche that has happened in countless stories. Now that I think of it, I couldn't finish reading that story.
My consciousness was fading away, but I didn't stop thinking. If I'm not wrong, something similar like this happened to the villainess in that story. She got poisoned by her childhood friend, whom she loves so much. Unfortunately, her childhood friend has fallen in love with the heroine. It was such a letdown for me, since I rooted for the villainess.
[Looks like we share the same fate.]
Huh? I got confused as I heard a voice. My surroundings have become white. I couldn't see anything ahead. Is this heaven?
[This is not heaven. Just a place between death and afterlife.]
I turned to my left and a woman with a silver hair caught my eyes. She has a pair of ember eyes that seems to contain all the rage in the world. While her long eyelashes act like swords pointing to the sky. Even though I was confident with my look, but she's really beautiful.
"Who are you?"
[You already know my name. We have the same name after all.]
She has a mischievous smile on her face. My eyes widen as I realised. "Don't tell me, you're that Valentina?"
[Correct.]
My mouth opened as I couldn't believe it. The villainess in the novel that I read, the Valentina Romano, was in front of me? I mumbled absentmindedly, "Am I dreaming?"
[Of course not. We are in a hurry, so I will explain to you shortly.]
I quickly nodded myself and listen.
[You're about to die right now. So you have two choices. First, accept your fate to die and go to the afterlife. Second, made a deal with me and live a new life.]
"...That was too short. What deal are you talking about?"
[We will posess each other's dead body. That way, we both will survive. Since the world won't allow our soul to return to our body once dead. But it's possible if we switched.]
"So that's why you said 'live a new life'. Then, what's the condition?"
[You're smart. We just need to make an oath based on the condition the other person set. For example, you need to swear that you will get revenge on those bastards in my stead. If you don't fulfill this oath, your soul will leave your body little by little.]
"That's sounds harsh... but I guess it's a given. I agree with your condition. As for me... Please promise to take of my library we'll."
[...Is that all? You won't ask for revenge or anything? Just like me, you were also being killed, you know?!]
"How can I ask you to get revenge when you don't even know how to use gun? You just got a new life but you want me to ask you to die again? Just stay low is fine. My dad will handle everything."
[You're lucky... to have such a family.]
She looked sorrowful as she said that. I could never imagine such a prideful villainess will show such a side to me. But I also understood where she's coming from. Her abusive family was the reason for all the things she did.
"They are going to be your family too, you know?" I said and she looked up to me. "And I'm going to set one more condition. You cannot mistreated innocent people ever again unless it concerns your life and death. I don't give a shit where you're coming from but bullying is wrong, don't you think?"
[I know.]
Her eyes looked dead as she admitted. I became a bit angry as I asked. "So why do you let them bullied you?"
[...]
"Why don't you stand up and fight them? Why are you clinging to hopeless love? Why can't you put those people in their place for once?!" I vent out all the frustration I have when I read the book. All the things that I want her to know as I read about her.
[You think it's that easy? I also regret it now that I died! But what do you know?! All you do is reading that stupid book! You don't know anything!]
She also ended up venting her frustration. But she's right, the thing I know about her is only from the book. All the things about her that didn't show in the book was laid in front of me. Her eyes that filled with regret and could burst with tears at anytime is something that I won't ever dream about. However...
"But I at least know what you've been through. I cried for you, cheered for you and wished for your happy ending, even though you're not the heroine. You're the reason why I kept reading that book. That's why I hope you could live a simple life this time."
I really wished for it.
[...]
[Thank you. I- Let's quickly do the oath. We only have three minutes left.]
I noticed my hand has somewhat became transparent. So I quickly did as she said. We finished our oath smoothly. To conclude things, I said. "Shall we introduce ourselves now that we became a new person? My name is Valentina Romano. Nice to meet you."
[Are you sure a greeting is appropriate when we're about to say farewell? Never mind. My name is Valentina Ambrose. And... I wish for your happy ending.]