Jiana was a teacher at Westwood School of Fine Art, responsible for toddlers in grades one through three. She handled three classes each day throughout the week.
Feeling drained, she left work right after sending off the last child. Once home, she took a shower and headed straight to bed without even checking her phone.
After what felt like an eternity of sleep, she woke up groggy and disoriented. Rubbing her eyes, she glanced around the unfamiliar room. A flicker of confusion crossed her face before quickly fading.
She lay still, listening calmly to the muffled conversation outside her door as she slowly pieced together her thoughts.
"Tack, tack! Miss Jia, are you awake?" came the familiar voice of Aunt Lynda, the family's long-time nanny.
"Hm," she responded softly, knowing that would be enough for Aunt Lynda to leave her be.
It had been two years since the original owner of this body had graduated from art university—and she hadn't worked a day since.
Pampered since birth and the only daughter in the family, she was used to getting her way. So when she learned last night that her parents had arranged a marriage for her, she had quietly accepted it at the dinner table—but then gone upstairs and cried her heart out.
She had found it unacceptable. The stress had kept her tossing and turning, and at some point, she'd overdosed on sleeping pills by accident.
Now, Jiana was here.
She got out of bed and went to freshen up. After a quick shower, she pulled on a simple pair of shorts and a T-shirt and made her way downstairs for breakfast.
"Good morning," she said casually, taking a seat at the table and beginning to eat, ignoring her parents' expectant gazes.
"Jia, are you okay? Are you upset?" her mother, Janisse, asked with concern lacing her voice.
"No. Just a bit anxious," she replied calmly, glancing up. "When will I be meeting him?"
"You'll meet for lunch today," Janisse said, clearly still uneasy. "Your father thought it would be better for you two to speak in person first."
"Fine. Just send me his contact," Jia said with a short nod, then returned to her meal.
After finishing, she rose quietly and returned to her room.
Entering the walk-in closet, Jia paused. Her expression shifted, distant and thoughtful, as she stared at the rows of neatly arranged clothes, shoes, and accessories.
Without much fuss, she selected a yellow midi dress, fairytale-pink heels, and a matching purse.
Setting the outfit aside, she took another quick shower, applied light makeup, and styled her hair into a neat, slick bun.
As the time drew near, she got dressed, picked up her bag, and headed out.
Outside, the family's driver, Andy, was already waiting patiently. He opened the door for her, offering a respectful nod.
After she slid in, he got behind the wheel.
"Where to?" Andy asked.
"Crescent Lounge," she replied softly, her voice even as she turned her attention to the screen in front of her, reviewing the details of her date—or rather, her husband-to-be.
Silas Pu'ran. Second son of the Pu'ran family. A well-known actor, twenty-eight years old.
He had a newborn, just three months old. The child's mother had died during childbirth.
According to the file, the mother came from an average family—one that clearly valued sons over daughters. After the baby girl was born, they branded her unlucky and left her with the father. Strangely, it seemed they hadn't even known who the father was at the time.
As for how Silas got involved with her? That was no mystery. He'd been caught up in a scandal not too long ago.
Now, in an attempt to clean up his image, his family was trying to arrange a marriage—and the original owner, with her low profile and spotless public record, had been the perfect choice.
As for me? I don't really mind. In my last life, I never got to have a family of my own. So… why not start now?
That is, if he meets my standards. Tall and handsome can only take him so far.
His personality? Still a mystery. Actor or not, I want the truth.
"We're here," Andy announced, snapping her out of her thoughts.
She looked up through the window at the Crescent Lounge, exhaling softly as she waited for Andy to circle around and open the door.
"Thank you… go enjoy yourself for a bit," she said with a small smile, stepping out gracefully—just like the original owner would have.
Here goes nothing, she thought, lifting her chin as she walked toward the entrance.