New Norm

[Chapter 6]

"Hmm... So bright..." I mumbled into the fluffy pillow as I pulled the blanket over me to cover the sunlight from burning my eyes.

'Ah, this is so nice. So comfortable. I need my precious sleep...' I was about to get cosy when suddenly the blanket got yanked forcibly.

"Wha-" I was about to say something because someone disturb my beauty sleep when I heard a voice next to my bed. I rolled over to the right and saw the familiar face of Anastasia. She looked furious but somehow also caring towards her younger brother, which is me.

"Wake up, sleepyhead! How long are you going to spend your days in the bed? Mom and dad keep pestering me everyday, asking about you and when are you going to come back to work? It's so frustrating that I can't hate you cause you're my cute baby brother, you know?" I groaned at her long everyday speeches.

It has been almost a week now since I got discharged from the hospital. I was amazed when this body owner actually has an amazing spacious luxury apartment on the rooftop on one of the currently famous building which mostly has celebrities, influencers living in.

During my last discovery upon knowing this body owner might know my family ten years ago, unfortunately I did not find another clue. Except for the messages from my dad ten years ago about my funeral. I also found out this man's name was similar to mine except that he was a man and he was two years older than me. His full name is Alexander Julian. His sister's nickname for him was Alex, and Lex. In one of the messages history, I saw some people called him Julian or Juli from time to time.

Aside from being a cat lover, he seemed to be into games, mostly casual games. It also seemed the flip phone was his first ever mobile phone he has received from his parents. When I was rummaging some drawers inside his bedroom, I found two other phones. It looked expensive, very high tech and it took me almost three whole days to figure out how to use it. The two phones were used as his work phone and another one he bought about a year ago. There was nothing useful inside both of those phones.

What I was curious about was the fact this man might be there before I died because I swore I heard his voice. But as hard as I want to recall that memory, my mind went blank. As if a piece of my memory has been blocked somehow or probably because that time has traumatized me.

Inside his other phone's albums, I saw a few pictures about his profile. He was a good looking man with a neat profile. He got the most alluring faces I have ever seen in my entire life before. He has a triangle face, well-proportioned body with surprisingly six abs, grey eyes, and I think a mix of blonde and brown hair? It looked like a darker blonde colour or maybe he dyed his hair with a bit of brown.

Upon seeing me still in a dazed, Anastasia pulled my arm to get me out of the bed. I was still half asleep and stumbled over my step as I took a seat at the end of the bed and glanced at her direction. She forced a smile that made her grinned instead but I could feel her feeling irritated over me with both her arms crossed.

"Now, dear brother. Get ready. I have somewhere to show you. It might jog your memory too."

I tilted my head a bit to the left feeling muddled. I was confused at first but I was suddenly reminded of something important upon looking up at Anastasia.

(Flashback started. A week ago...)

When I first arrived at the apartment, the whole family was there. His father, mother, and older sister gathered to welcome me back. His parents' faces may looked strict to others because their eyes would look like they were glaring at people but I could see a hint of kindness in their eyes. Although it would probably be awkward to smile, they did their best to show their love for their only son. I could see a small tear at the corner of their eyes.

His older sister's was actually the woman that I met when I woke up on the first day at the hospital bed. She is chief operating officer (COO) while he was supposed to be under her teaching to become the next COO. Our father is currently the chief executive officer (CEO) but soon my sister will inherit the title after they retired in about a year from now. It was all confusing to me at first because I do not have any knowledge of business world, or managing a company whatsoever and I do not know if I will remember the body owner's memories or not.

Anastasia break the ice when all of us are in the living room after we were all sitting down but no one speak up first. She kind of reminds me of my older sister, Aurora. Although Anastasia and her brother were seven years apart, she was close to him.

'How do I know this?'

During my times at the hospital, she would always dropped by after work to visit me. No matter how late it was, she would bring me some of her brother's favorite food and hang out with me even if I do not remember anything. She would tell me their fond memories together when they were children. She insisted I called her Ana because of the length and mouthful her name sounds. She said her brother also would called her Ana sometimes.

I felt bad because of my current disposition. Inside her brother's body was me, a fifteen year old girl who died ten years ago. There was only two questions that still lingers on my mind.

'How did I come to enter this man's body? Is there any connection between us?' My attention was brought back when I heard Ana's voice.

Ana already informed our parents that I had amnesia. The doctor said there were no problems with all the tests the doctor conducted on me. Everything was fine on chart. I could move my body with some help and regular exercises. They could not possibly know that my soul got into her brother's body. It would be scientifically impossible to prove.

"So, since Alex couldn't remember anything yet, I think it's best to just let him rest for a while. The doctor also said it might be best for his current condition given his previous health record..." Anastasia suggested.

"I see... If you think it's the best course of action, then so be it. I hope this doesn't affect our company since he did a great job for the last three months with the proposals and the contracts..." Father expressed his feelings sternly.

"Now, now, dear. Don't talk about the company when it's family time. Also, Alex is sitting right in front of us. We should make him feel at ease. He must be overwhelmed after getting discharged." Mother tried her best to distract father's attention from talking about work.

I listened quietly to their conversation. Not knowing what to do, I looked around the apartment in awe. 'Oh, wow! They must be rich to be able to afford such a place. The living room itself is even bigger than my previous room. I wonder how big the bedroom must be.'

"-ex, -lex, Alex, are you listening?" My attention was brought back as I heard Anastasia kept calling out my name.

"Yes? Sorry, I was just looking around..." I rubbed my head awkwardly. Ana just shook her head in my response.

"Anyway, we'll be going now. Get comfortable. This is your place. We'll have family dinner tomorrow at the main house. The driver will pick you up at five thirty since it's a bit far from here. You're free to do whatever you want before that. We'll see you tomorrow. Rest well, okay, brother?"

Anastasia gave me a hug before heading out the door. It seemed the three of them were talking about me but I pay no attention to it because I was busy admiring this apartment. Their father did not said anything to me. He just glanced at me and patted me in the back a little. While their mother smiled and rubbed my head making my hair messy before they both heading out of the door.

I bid farewell to them at the door and as soon as the elevator's door closed shut, I closed the door, locked it and leaned over it as a sigh escaped my mouth.

"Phew~ that was exhausting. So many medical exams at the hospital and medicines digested. I almost feel sick and nauseous just now. Now I have to deal with the whole family."

"What should I do now? Based on the book I read, I remember that I need to calm down first and accessed the surrounding for any useful clue or facts about this guy."

And with that, I started turning the whole place upside down in order to find something that could help me become this guy in front of his family despite claiming I have an amnesia.

(Flashback ended)

Well, that was a week ago. After the family dinner, there was no progress at all. I do not ever recalled having any memories of this so called Alex. I was bored out of my mind at first because I have nothing to entertain me when I was stressing over what to do. And that was when I remembered this thing called internet around the third day I come to this apartment.

It seemed that with internet, you can do anything you want. You can search anything you do not know. You can download any games you want to play, although some were paid. You can listen to the music without having to buy CD's. You can connect with anyone's online across the world. There were many astonishing things you could do with the internet but I had only but one goal in mind.

'And that is to read more 'BL' ! Even if I'm stuck in this body, I still need my daily dose of happiness! ' I screamed happily in my mind.