"Um... Do you perhaps.... Know me?"
Did he actually knew the owner of this body? If she stalked him then maybe... However, it sounded bad... It sounded really terrible...
The man raised an eyebrow at my question. For a moment, he seemed to be contemplating something, silently sizing me up.
"Know you? Now that's an interesting question."
He took a step back and looked at me with a mixture of curiosity and wariness.
"And why would you ask that, sweetheart? Do you think we've met before?"
I should have thought this through... I should have thought this through! Why would I ask a random man if he knows the owner of this body?! My brow twitched, I wasn't planning that far. I just assumed he would know her. My gaze turned towards the floor, deliberating my options seemed to take a while.
"I'm not sure."
Words left my mouth before I even thought it through. Once again, doing something that pissed me off the most about myself, mumbling things out. He chuckled as his eyes narrowed, it gave the impression the man enjoyed messing with people. He was studying my face thoroughly, a hint of skepticism in his expression just like noticing something.
"You're not sure? That's not a very confident answer."
The man's chuckle changed to snicker, showing me his attitude to uninvited guest I was.
"Let me ask you something else then. What is your name?"
Yeah... Asking if he knew me was a terrible idea. Now I'm sure of it... Wait, I have my bag with me! My hands moved towards the small handbag. Why haven't I thought about it before? I'm starting to think I really am stupid... Who would forget about something that obvious? First thing to do is checking the identity of the person I possessed... I definitely had the bag with me since the beginning. God bless the girl who owns this body! I opened it and searched through looking for a wallet with ID. When I found it I smiled happily, finally knowing my name. So it was Jessica Starfish? Ugh... My smile turned to an annoyed frown . What kind of last name is that? Starfish? Starfish?! That's her last name?! I widened my eyes a bit, staring at the ID, confused to why would someone choose not to change that weird last name. Jessica Starfish... It couldn't be worse... Right?... He continued to watch closely as I fumbled through my bag, a hint of confusion on his face. When I pulled out my ID smiling then frowning he raised an eyebrow. Was it confusion? I looked back at the man. He observed my less-than-enthusiastic response and couldn't help but chuckle again. You think it's funny? Seriously? What kind of sense of humor do you have? A frown on my face deepened. He stole a glance on the ID I held between my fingers.
"Jessica Starfish? Ah, not so thrilled about your name? I have to admit, it's... Unique. But I'm sure there's more to you than just your name."
The man stared into my eyes, I felt uncomfortably because of his mocking even more. Normally I would be mad over all of this, however her body, name and looks weren't mine to begin with. I simply sighed, giving a haft-hearted answer.
"Sure."
He chuckled softly at my response.
"No, no, it's true."
His tone was ridiculing me. Is making people annoyed your job?
"Tomayto tomatho or you wouldn't be yourself if you were someone else, kind of bullshit."
I blurred out quietly to myself forgetting where I am. The man raised an eyebrow, a look of confusion and surprise crossing his face as he heard my mumbled words. He couldn't help but snicker, finding it quite amusing and, to be honest, a bit astonishing.
"What was that, sweetheart? I think I caught the word 'tomato' in there somewhere."
He leaned in closer, his eyes meeting mine intently, curious about my odd statement.
"Ah... I-I'm craving a tomato... Haha..."
I laughed awkwardly, my gaze switched towards the wall on my right. Shit. I fucked up again... He smirked at my attempt to divert the situation, that clearly failed, leaning back slightly, yet still maintaining his closeness.
"Tomato? Oddly specific. Are you sure you're not just trying to change the subject?"
There was a hint of teasing in his voice, as if he was playing a game with me, enjoying my flustered behavior.
"Did you know tomatoes are actually fruits and not vegetables? 'Cause they have seeds... Sir."
I'm so bad at this... Just send me home already. Where the hell am I?! What is this?! He raised an eyebrow at the sudden tomato fact, clearly caught off guard by my random knowledge, now intrigued by the girl's standing in front of him bizarre behavior and addition of 'sir' to address him.
"I have to ask... Are you always this quick with the random facts or is it just a defense mechanism?"
A nervous smile appeared on my face.
"Both sir."
Why did I start add sir? Ahh fuck it...
"Well then, Jessica, that explains quite a bit. Though, I have to admit, you're a rather intriguing person. You're just spouting out tomato facts out of nowhere while being in this situation."
"Oh... Um, excuse me sir... But what situation am I in exactly?"
I asked nervously, I was brave only on the inside. I literally have no idea who the fuck are you. Also take your stupid face off my sight... He smirked at that question, clearly enjoying the way I was saying 'sir'. It was like an exciting hunt for him, seeing the whole world in monochrome before finding his prey shining colorfully.
"You seriously don't know where you are? Or who I am? I have to admit, that's quite impressive and a bit ridiculous at the same time."
He paused for a moment, narrowing eyes, investigating me.
"But I'll give you a hint, sweetheart."
Something's amiss. That sounds dangerous. My fingers started to fidget.
"Yes?"
"You're in my territory and I'm the one in charge around here. Does that give you any ideas who I might be?"
He smirked, his eyes glimmering with mischief and a hint of darkness. In this moment I gulped, the situation was getting unsafe for me.
"Owner of a building?"
I blurred out confused. How can I know who the fuck you are if I don't even know where I am... The man threw his head back and laughed, clearly amused by my blunt response. His laughter echoed through the room as he composed himself. Grimace showed up on my face.
"That's quite a literal answer, sweetheart. You're not entirely wrong. I do own this building, and a lot more."
I frowned at his words. Are you showing off now? Maybe when he saw my face he decided to menace me by saying the next words.
"But I'm more than just a building owner. You want to know who I am? I'm the head of a powerful organization. A crime syndicate of sorts."
And I'm a balerina... I scowled inside my head before realizing something. Wait, which country am I in? I looked at my ID once again to check the nationality of the girl I was possessing. USA?! My eyes widened, that's why he carried a gun like it was nothing and that stupid accent. So? Is he from mafia? No, mafia is in Italy... My gaze moved back at him, head tilting with confusion.
"Um... Gang of some sort?"
"Gang? That's a simplistic way to put it."
He paused for a moment, his gaze roaming over my face, studying the reaction carefully.
"But I run no ordinary gang, sweetheart. This is a well-established, powerful organization. And I'm the one calling the shots. You might say I'm the kingpin of this underworld empire."
I looked at him not understanding why he was so proud of himself.
"Oh..."
Yeah, it started to hit me now that I'm fucked way more than I thought...W-What to do? Should I say something? But what? Does he want some kind of praise for being the boss? Think like a man, come on. You can do it.
"Umm... Cool, man?"
I made a peace sign acting being chill.
He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by lackluster response.
"Cool? That's it? I tell you that I run a powerful criminal empire, and your only response is 'cool man'?"
He sneered softly, a hint of mockery in his voice. I dropped my hand annoyed. Anger issues? Yes, I had them. That bastard is an attention whore as fuck.
"I've been called many things, but 'cool' is usually not one of them. Try again. Be a bit more enthusiastic."
So he does want some praises.
"Good job? No, amazing job!"
I clapped my hands, smiling, trying to be perceived as respectful. Even when I really wasn't as he saw right through me. The attempt to humor him seemed to be successful. It was clear that he enjoyed my flattery, although it was forced.
"Better. Much better. You're learning, sweetheart. I appreciate the enthusiasm."
Studying my every move, trying to discern my true intentions, it was showed on his face.
"Now that you know who I am, there's something else I want to ask you."
"Umm, yes?... Sir."
Yeah, I should just stay with sir for now.
"That's better, sweetheart. You're learning how to address me. Good girl."
Did he just called me 'good girl'? My brow twitched, I couldn't hold my irritation much longer. I'm gonna snap at this motherfucker soon. The man paused for a moment, his gaze roaming over my face as he formulated his question.
"I'm curious. How did you end up here, sweetheart? And don't give me that 'I was just looking for a toilet' nonsense again. I want the truth this time."
I gulped. What to do? I don't know why I'm here! Should I just say I got lost again? There's no way he will believe that. Oh, I have an idea. A small smirk found its place on my mouth.
"I saw handsome man and followed him."
Now that's a good excuse.
"Sir."
Shit, I almost forgot to add it. He raised an eyebrow at my response, clearly surprised by my boldness. The man smirked at the attempt to add 'sir,' finding sudden compliance quite adorable.
"Let me get this straight. You followed me because you thought I was attractive? And somehow ended up here? Unlikely, sweetheart. Try again."
No, but I don't have any other ideas! Just suck it up and believe it!
"Why?"
I want to just beat him up at this point...
"Sir."
A fake smile decorating my body. Arrogance started to come out.
"You really are a defiant one, aren't you? Here I am, trying to get a straight answer out of you, and you refuse to cooperate."
Is it hard for you to be naïve like me?
"I'll give you one more chance to tell me the truth. Why are you here? And remember, I don't take lies kindly."
"I followed a handsome man."
Why is it so hard to believe? You're fucking handsome asshole!
"Ah, so now you're doubling down on that? You followed me because I'm handsome?"
Are you deaf? Annoying bitch...
"I must admit, sweetheart, you're not wrong. I am handsome. But somehow I doubt that's the only reason you're here."
Ah.... Well fuck it. He won't believe me anyway so who cares? Should I just tell him the truth? Ah screw it, he will kill me one way or another... Resignation I felt was becoming larger with every word he spewed. I waved my hand as I was done with him.
"Fine. I'll tell you."
He raised an eyebrow, intrigued by sudden change in attitude.
"Oh? Finally willing to cooperate, are we? Go ahead. I'm listening."
His expression a mix of curiosity and caution.
"It might sound crazy but I'm actually sane. Mostly. Well, I can function in society. Wait, that's not the point here. I was just sitting in my bed, reading manhwa and fangirling over two man kissing each other. I didn't have to add this... Anyway so I was in my bed and then blink. I'm in this body! In some shady place with some shady people, I have no idea what the owner of this body wanted to do, also I don't really care. Coming back to the story, I look around to see a dangerous looking man talking over the phone, yes you, so I decided to hide and those were the only open doors. The end. That's the story."
I almost said it in one breath, my adhd only spicing it up. He listened intently to the story, expression growing more and more confused as I went on. He raised an eyebrow, clearly trying to process the wild tale. He couldn't help but chuckle softly at the absurdity of it all.
"You're right, sweetheart. It does sound crazy. Borderline insane, actually."
It was the moment I snapped. The whole 'waking up in someone's else body', meeting a gangster, me being confused and scared at the same time, it all gathered and blew up.
"Hey, no! I'm not crazy! It's not my body for fuck's sake!"
I stomped my leg like a child throwing a tantrum. It may have looked like I was a crazy person to him but I didn't care anymore.
"And who the fuck is Jessica Starfish?! What the hell am I doing in this body anyway?! Why was she here?! Is she an idiot?! Stalking some dangerous man! I don't want to be stuck in this body! Ugh... Why is it happening to me God dammit?"
I started to yell all the questions I had on me until now and tossed my bag to the floor. Of course he wouldn't believe in something supernatural so he just assumed I'm mentally ill. I rolled my eyes.
He watched me threw my bag to the ground, clearly amused at the outburst. He smirked, arms crossed, as if enjoying the show.
"Ah, the woes of being stuck in a body that's not your own. Truly a tragedy, sweetheart."
He let out a soft scoff, his voice filled with sarcasm.
"God must hate you. That's the only logical explanation."
I shot him a glare of anger.
"I'm serious! I'm not crazy! If I would be crazy, that would be just awesome!"
He snickered at my glare, finding defiant attitude rather adorable.
"Oh, you're serious, sweetheart? You're not crazy, you say? Well, that's a relief."
He smirked, clearly enjoying the opportunity to mock me.
"No, I'm not. Which city am I in anyway?"
I looked around the room trying to calm down then crouched to pick up the things that ended up jumping out of the bag after I thrown it on the floor. My hand reached the flip phone. He watched me, his expression growing a bit more serious.
"Trying to figure out where you are? Smart move, but I wouldn't be able to tell you so easily. It's better that you don't know."
"Tsk."
I clicked my tongue. Fuck it, I'm as good as dead now. My eyes landed on the phone screen and froze.
"What the hell?"
The date. It was 10 years earlier. 2015. The phone looked old too. Why didn't I noticed it earlier? Everything in here looks outdated... I looked up at him panicked.
"W-What year is it?"