Although this was Lisa's body, elements of my past self were still present, like pieces from different puzzles fitting together. My stamina, martial arts, immunity to poison, and my calculating mind remained the same. It seemed only my body had been swapped, and I couldn't have asked for a better outcome. On Friday morning, a day after I met with all my husbands, I was up early once again, excitement bubbling inside me for the first time since arriving in this new world. I had asked Ben to arrange a meeting with his mother, who had insisted on coming to the villa where her son had just moved in. I understood her reservation, given that Ben was her only son; this was an inspection rather than a visit, which was fine by me because I needed to discuss the matter of transmigration with her.
I walked to the gym and found all my husbands already sweating on various machines. I waved in greeting, and they gave me nods and half waves, focusing on their workout. I walked to the tread master, the only machine in my well-stocked home gym that was currently open. My eyes kept darting back to the sweating, well-sculpted bodies of my husbands, and my body chose that moment to remind me that not only was I alive, I also had no terrifying scars to hide. By the end of the two hours, I was feeling hot, and it was not from the workout. I scheduled a run in my mental planner as I walked out of the gym feeling a lot more bothered than relaxed.
I spent an hour in the shower letting cold water cascade over my body while images of six-pack abs and happy trails filled my vision, warming me up. After an hour, I got my body and mind under control. Although it hadn't been one of the decisive factors, all my husbands were devastatingly handsome, and after the drought that was my former love life, I couldn't help but salivate at the idea of owning them in every way. I selected a black see-through chiffon dress with a cashmere lining that reached two inches above my knees. It was a loose-fitting dress, but it hung beautifully on my frame and complemented my makeup.
By the time I made it downstairs, everyone had gathered, and a woman whom I recalled from Lisa's memory as Ruth, Ben's mom, had also joined my little gathering. Her eyes were sharp, a contrast to her soft, feminine features. She had aged well, looking no older than thirty, and was currently clad in a white two-piece dress that I was definitely going to get for myself. She looked my way as I came down, and while my husbands stood up in respect, she remained seated, eyes trained on me. She had claimed my position at the head of the table, but I did not mind.
"My name is Alice." I introduced myself, stretching out my hand, which she took after a moment of hesitation.
"My name used to be Rebecca, you can just call me Ruth, it is easier that way."
I would have answered, but as soon as I held her hand, a projector popped up in front of me. I took a step back instinctively as a voice filled my head as if somebody was talking to me in my thoughts.
"Hello, Host 14567, I am the system, and I am here to help you in this wild adventure."
"System?" I thought to myself, and it answered my unvoiced question.
"Yes, I am the system in charge of all transmigrator and you are the number 14,567. You are currently in the body of the second female lead, whose role was to push the story of the main characters forward. Due to some unforeseen circumstance, the original host left her body, but the story has to go on."
"Story?" I queried again, unable to form more than one-word thoughts
"This is an investigative romantic novel where the main characters, who are your childhood friend and crush, go on to become officers and take your family down after the many crimes you have committed. Although you fell in love with the male lead and dated when you were younger, he left you for the main female lead. Even though you already had six husbands, you only had eyes for the main lead. With your father dead, you become even more obsessive, and you finally kidnap your former best friend, and it all ends in a bloody confrontation."
"Sounds like a breeze compared to the life I lived. Any rules?" I asked the system to tell me the boundaries I needed to break through.
" Be mean to the female lead and create opportunities where she needs saving by the male lead. The plot will guide you. Here is a starter pack to help you adapt in this world," the system said, and another display popped up showing a diverse collection of cards. "The first card is the morning star card, which gives you the power to determine what people's hidden desires are. The second card is the witch card, which gives you the ability to control the four elements for only three hours at a time. The third card is the seer card, and with it, you can accurately calculate the outcome of any scenario you find yourself in. The fourth card is the lovers card, which allows you to hear the thoughts of the people you make love to. That is all for now, the system said before disappearing."
My mind drifted back to reality, and I met Ruth's knowing gaze while my husbands had long since gotten from their chairs and were calling out my name, trying to snap me back to reality. Mathew was holding my face in the palm of his hand, calling softly, while Brian yelled at the back.
"System?" Ruth asked as soon as my eyes focused. I nodded, confirming it.
"We need to talk," I said, getting up from the table, no longer hungry.