Midnight – Hotel Room
The city outside buzzed with nightlife, but inside the hotel suite, silence stretched like an invisible wall. Rico Jeckson was fast asleep on the sofa, one hand behind his head, his chest gently rising and falling. In the king-sized bed lay Jenna—real Ameya—wide awake, her heart louder than the ticking clock on the wall.
She turned on her side, eyes glimmering with thoughts and confusion. Rico's confession from earlier looped through her mind like an unfinished song.
> "I like you, Jenna... No, I think I've fallen for you."
Her fingers gripped the blanket tighter. Why did my heart race every time i thought of him? Why did my cheeks burn when i remembered the way his eyes looked at me?
Was this... love?
Or was it just the warmth of someone finally choosing her for her—not the idol, not the performer, not the girl trapped in someone else's body.
---
Next Morning
Sunlight filtered through sheer curtains. Rico had gone out for a morning walk, leaving the room in calm stillness. Jenna sat up slowly, her gaze shifting toward the drawer where Rico had stuffed away her phone the night before.
A pulse of curiosity sparked.
She opened the drawer cautiously and retrieved the phone Rico had taken from her. Unlocking it with trembling hands, she scrolled through the article that had caused him to act so strangely.
There it was.
"Idol Rico Jeckson Seen Protecting Female Trainee from Paparazzi Crowd"
The grainy photos showed Rico shielding a girl near a crowded street—the exact spot near her dorm from weeks ago.
Jenna gasped.
> "That... that was me…!"
A memory slammed into her—bright flashes, yelling voices, people shoving—and strong arms pulling her behind them.
She dropped the phone, breathing hard.
> "Everyone's been hiding this from me..."
---
Ten minutes later, the door creaked open. Rico stepped in, a slight smile on his face.
"Hey, Jenna... I found this amazing breakfast place down the street. Wanna go?"
Jenna sat on the corner of the bed, face pale, phone clutched in hand. She turned her head slowly toward him, eyes clouded with emotion.
"Why did you hide this from me, Rico?"
His smile faded.
"What...?"
She stood, voice cracking.
"You...you..."
Rico's brows furrowed. He stepped forward, concerned.
"Why is your face red...?"
He gently reached out, his palm brushing her cheek. Jenna flinched and held out the phone for him to see. "This article."
His jaw tightened when he read the article again.
"Jenna... don't get me wrong," he said softly. "I didn't mean to lie. I just—was afraid you'd be overwhelmed. I thought our agency would handle it quietly. I didn't want to pressure you when you were already carrying so much…"
Jenna stepped back.
"I don't want excuses."
"Please—"
"I want to be alone, Rico."
His shoulders sank. "Jenna…"
"Please."
Rico silently nodded and exited the room, the door closing with a soft click behind him.
Jenna sank to the bed, tears breaking free. She hugged her knees, sobbing louder than she ever had in this world. Her heart ached—not just from confusion, but from the burden of secrets.
> "Why does this always happen to me…?"
She wiped her tears quickly, the salty drop falling onto her ring—the golden one with a mysterious green stone.
As the teardrop touched it, the stone glowed faintly.
Jenna didn't notice. Exhaustion overtook her, and she slowly drifted into sleep.
---
One Hour Later
Rico returned with a tray of warm food. He tiptoed inside and placed it gently on the table before sitting beside her sleeping form. His eyes lingered on her tear-stained cheeks, guilt tightening in his chest.
He hesitated, then brushed a soft lock of hair away from her face.
Jenna stirred.
Her eyes fluttered open—and the first thing she saw was Rico's face, right in front of hers.
She gasped, blinking.
"You... You..."
Her vision suddenly blurred and refocused—not on Rico, but on the mirror across the room.
She froze.
The reflection staring back at her.....
It was Real...Me.
I come back to my real body....
Jenna jumped to her feet and ran to the mirror, her trembling fingers touching her face.
Her real lips.
Her real eyes.
"I... I'm back?" she whispered.
Rico stood frozen, shocked.
But in the moment, neither of them noticed something flickering faintly in the mirror's corner—a shimmer...like another presence watching them.
And far away, in another dorm room... the real Ameya...opened her eyes.
---