In My Next Life

HER TRAGIC DEATH

"Amy? Frank? "Hilda's eyes widen as she watched her husband, and her dearest step-sister scramble to get their bathrobes to cover their naked body as their eyes fell on her. "Please, just tell me that the brain tumor is making me see things...."her lips trembled as she watched the two most important people in her life hurriedly tie their robes.

She wanted to believe that it was her head that's seeing all this, she wanted to make it all happen that it was all a hallucination, but no matter how hard she closes, and open her eyes, the look on the two-dearest people in her life just dawned the truth on her.

Amy's fingers hurriedly smothered her hair, and Frank who has the look of 'I don't care' on just took his seat at the edge of the bed. "Hil.... Hilda..."she called, as her teeth pressed hard on one corner of her lower lips, "I'm sorry! ""she blurted with tears filled eyes.

Hilda lashes blinked rapidly as if she heard wrong, "So... sorry? "she stuttered inquiringly, and Amy licked her lower lip slightly, "Hilda, please..."she pleaded, her voice broken as she did. Hilda shook her head as her eyes traveled to Frank who sat like he did nothing wrong.

She made to say something but her head banged, and she winced in pain, her hand sharply holding her head. "Fucking say something!! "the tears she tried to hold back stream down her puffy cheeks helplessly with her eyes on Frank, her husband.

She was supposed to be in the operation room at the moment, but couldn't be. Why? Because she felt incomplete without her husband by her side, she wanted to see him before going into surgery, but he didn't visit her.

She ran here just to see him, and hear a little bit of comforting words from him, but what? He was here with her step-sister? She needed someone to tell her something, even if it's just a pretense, she needed to hear something at the least, but... she sniffled in her snot as her sight blurred out with her tears.

Amy stepped forward, wiping her tears, and with a corner of her lips curled up, she started, "Since you've decided to see this before going in for surgery..."she seethed out a breath amidst her teeth, "I'll tell you what you don't want to hear... which is the truth! "she grinned widely, and everything just felt like a dream to Hilda.

"Amy.... That'll only cause more harm to her head! "Frank muffled, finally straightening to his feet. "Well, fuck that! She's going to die anyway! "she shrugged nonchalantly. "Amy..."Hilda called, not believing her ears.

"What have I ever done to deserve this? "she inquired when she felt many world collapsing inside her head. "Nothing! I just hate the fact that I have to lose to you whatever I want, and since I couldn't get the heiress title, I had to go for him to get it, and now...."she trailed, and brought out the signed documents.

"I've got it! "she grinned wider, flaunting it in front of Hilda. Hilda was lost, in both thoughts, and speech. She had signed this documents three days ago, and asked for the finalization the day before in order to make things faster. She didn't know she had willed all her property to a glutton who had always wanted it anyways.

"I trusted you! I... what's going on? There must be something wrong somewhere... No, Amy, this is not you.... We were both..."Hilda bawled, snots drawling out of her nose. Amy chuckled out a scoff as she watched her. She crossed her arms over her chest, and took slow strides towards Hilda.

"Wake up sis, what you see right here... between I, and Frank is the real deal while yours? Hmm..."she tapped her chin continuously, then, snapped her fingers with brighten eyes, "Yeah! It's called a façade! "her lips curled up broadly with the happiness obvious like nothing ever.

Hilda felt weak on the inside. If she had known she should just have returned to the hospital when she didn't see Frank at home, but she even went as far as coming to his office where she's currently witnessing this whole unbelievable thriller. She wiped her tears, and sniffled in her snots trying to calm the atmosphere.

"Frank! Please, say something, will you? Tell me this is a prank, and that you love me, tell me your love for me wasn't an act, and that it was sincere.... Please, just..."she couldn't continue as the tears that came out after blocked her air-way in her throat. She choked, and coughed loudly.

"I don't want to hurt you, but you were too adamant... I was expecting you to will your property to me after marriage, but it took you so long.... If you had done that earlier, we would have gone our separate ways, and this wouldn't have happened! So, just accept it, and rest in peace! "

Frank stated in a casual tone in accordance with a slight shrug. Hilda glanced around the room, and staggered backwards as she felt heavy in her head. Her heart rate beating faster than usual, she tried to hold on to something but there was nothing as everything had already turned into threes, and fours.

All the years of her life came rushing in her head, how she, and her sister were inseparable, how she met Frank, and how it felt like there was no one as good as he is. The tears couldn't help but to fall, all her surroundings started blurring, and she shook her head vigorously like she would usually do to clear her vision.

"If this is it, then, it's okay! Watch how I survive this surgery, and make your lives miserable! "she sneered through gritted teeth, and made to turn to leave, but was grabbed back by both her husband, and her sister.

"Well, we're sorry to say, but we'll prefer you to die instead of surviving! "with that being said, they both lifted her up like she's nothing, and as it all happened in slow-mo.

Hilda couldn't get her head wrapped around the whole situation as her head banged continuously in fright, with widen eyes, she found herself thrown out of the floor to ceiling window, and the sharp wind grazed through the holes of her body as her body fell downward.

With no strength to call for help, or hope to survive, and as darkness slowly enveloped her, she saw the obvious grin on both latter face. No, there's no way her life will end like this! Tears slipped out of her eyes, and as her body dropped harshly to the ground, she heard the unfamiliar voice, but familiar face scream her name in terror,

"Ryan Reynolds?! "she managed to call before her eyes went shut. If Rebirth really exist, that moment, Hilda wished for it.

BUT ON ONE CONDITION

"Hilda! Hilda!! "Hilda let out a sharp, shaky breath as her vision suddenly cleared. 'What? What's going on? 'she inquired inwardly as she blinked her lashes. She noticed the pairs of eyes that stared down at her. And she tilted her head slightly with the thought that she must be seeing wrong.

The pairs of eyes furrowed their brows with the same question in their minds as the stared down at the girl that laid down on the bed. "Where am I? "she managed to ask, and Frank quickly replied, "In your room, yo---"

"Ahhh!!!!!! "Hilda screamed in a terrified tone as she scrambled up in her ready-made Italian limited-edition dress. She wasn't in her right state of mind earlier, but on hearing Frank's voice, all vision cleared, and her thoughts wearied off.

"What is wrong with you?! "Frank, and Amy asked in unison with widen eyes. She startled them with the way she screamed all of a sudden. Her gaze travelled between Frank, and Amy, before her eyes surveyed the room. Where was she? what was she doing here? Did she have to face these two before going to heaven.

She found a sharp object behind her, and quickly took it. She pointed it at them, and with heavy breath, she sneered, "Don't you dare come towards me! I'll kill you if you do! "with beads of sweats forming on her forehead, her sharp gaze never left the two latter. She can't allow them to win her in the afterlife too... but how come they were there with her?

Then, her mind suddenly travelled to Ryan Reynolds. Did he kill them after he saw what they did to her. The door to the room she's in flung open, and her father rushed in, "My princess! "her father rushed to hug her, not minding the sharp object she possessed.

Hilda blinked rapidly with her pouty lips as she felt her father arms wrapped around her, "You're okay now, my girl! "he coaxed, patting her hair slightly. Her eyes travelled to the door as her gaze landed on her step-mother. That witch! Then, the realization suddenly hit her!

She's alive! Her wish to be reborn had been granted! but this wasn't a reborn. 'Woah! I have to be going to church regularly now to give offerings! 'she thought inwardly. She couldn't be happier at the moment. So, God really answer prayers? Then, she must not disappoint him.

"What year is this? "she had to ask since it's the most important thing at that moment, "It's the year 2020! Are you sure you're okay? "her father asked, and she nod her head slowly, before suddenly nodding it quickly.

"Do you remember what today's occasion is? "Frank asked gently, and as Hilda glanced down at her outfits, the memories came rushing in. it was her engagement day with the sucker who she thought was the best she could ever have.

"If it's like that, then, it's okay! "she nodded as she grazed her teeth on her lower lip slightly. She stepped down from the bed, smothering her hair with her fingers. "Since you're okay, let's get it done with! The Reynolds even sent their most successful children here! "she heard her step-mother nag with a glare.

She was about to move, but on hearing the Reynolds, she dashed to her step-mother, "By their most successful children, is Ryan Reynolds included? "the family turned to her on hearing her question. Her step-mother glanced around before slowly nodding, and her lips curled up in a bright smile.

This is her chance! Her chance to make Amy pay first, and deal with Frank later. "Why do you..."her step-mother couldn't complete her question before she dash out of the room. "Is she going to be okay? "Amy asked worriedly, and they all shrugged.

----

Hilda ran till she got to the hall-way where she halt, and took her time to balance her breathing. She looked around, and gulped with her lips toning flat. She sniffled as she blinked her lashes, and right there where she stood, tears stream down her cheeks.

She thought it'll just take a moment, but she found herself bawling hard, uncontrollably. She doesn't know why the tears kept coming, but she knew she had to let them out. Who wouldn't let them? Anyone in her position would do the same of course!

Minutes ago, she was dead, and all of a sudden, she found herself alive, among the living being! She couldn't believe this kind of miracle existed. She sobbed quietly, wiping her tears off her puffy cute cheeks. Then, her mind went to Ryan Reynolds. What was he doing there at that time?

Why was there so much sadness in his eyes when he called her name? is there something she missed in her past life? If there really is, she must find it out in this her present life. She turned around to continue her search for Ryan Reynolds when he saw him already leaving.

Then, she hurriedly ran near him as she called, "Mr. Reynolds! "the troops of men in black following the tall, muscular, gorgeously, sculptured being all halt as they turned back in sync.

Their brows knotted, as they furrowed it with a brow raised, "Miss? "one of them called inquiringly, and the deep, luxurious voice chirped in, "Ms. Moore! "his voice was cold, but a little different. For some reason, it sounded so yearning-like to Hilda's hearing, but she just waved it off.

"Let's get engaged, Mr. Reynolds!" Hilda Moore blurted out, and the recklessly handsome, demi-god raised his brow. Isn't she so interesting than what the media claimed? Ryan turned fully to her as he heard that.

"You can't think of it, there's no time to think about it!" She quickly added, and the man's lips curled up. Hearing this come from Hilda Moore herself sounds interesting, in fact! He's interested, "Why should I get engage to you when you have someone to do that with? "he inquired, his deep voice doing something to Hilda Moore.

How was she so blinded in her past life when there's this recklessly, hot being alive? His full pink lips alone is enough for her to jump on him, not to talk of his rich golden-brown eyeballs. Father lord! He's damn hot!!!

Hilda cleared her throat, and said whatever came to her mind, "Yeah, there's a man, but why don't you see it from the point of view that I want you to be my acquaintance? "Ryan Reynolds shot a brow up, and a dry chuckle escaped his throat as his gaze relented.

He took long slow strides towards her, "What will be my benefit for being your acquaintance?" He asked, tucking his hand into his blazer suit pant pockets as he lean down to her level, their face almost an inch apart. That kind of did something to Hilda as she gulped down emptiness.

Then, she managed to say, "My Wealth! I know you don't need it, but having me as your partner in the business world is alone to remain top one forever!" She proposed boldly.

In the whole of New Zealand, Hilda Moore happened to be the youngest, and wealthiest heiress that no other heiress is as wealthier as she is, and it's not only because of her father's wealth, but also that of her late mother's.

Hearing this, Ryan Reynolds couldn't help but chuckle slightly as his gaze surveyed the interestingly beautiful latter in front of him. He straighten upward, and proceeded,

"Okay then...." He replied, nodding casually with a stoic, blank expression, but with that of a faster rate heartbeat. On hearing that, Hilda Moore couldn't be less happy, but her smile wearied off on hearing him add,

"But on one condition...."

RYAN REYNOLDS

"On one condition? "Hilda Moore questioned, with her head tilted slightly. "Yeah... let's get engage right now! "Hilda glanced around, and gulped down emptiness. What? That wasn't her plan, but... she doesn't have any choice than to do that anyway.

"Okay then, do you want to inform your family? Or... just do whatever, I'll go talk to my dad! "she uttered hurriedly, and dashed off. Ryan Reynolds chuckled slightly, and his older sister appeared, "I already informed the family, they'll be here soon, you should go get changed in the meantime! "Thelma Reynolds stated with a broad smile.

"Since when have you been expecting this? "Ryan Reynolds asked his sister as they entered the exquisite dressing room. "Since forever! If anything concerns your happiness, I'll be the first to be involved! "she grinned widely, and Ryan's lips curl up slightly.

"I wasn't really expecting this day to come, and... seeing this, I'll never let go of this opportunity! "his husky, deep voice declared, and Thelma nodded with a broad smile.

----

"Are you... sure you want this engagement to continue? "Mr. Moore asked his daughter for the umpteenth time. She had run in earlier to declare the continuation of the engagement, and the happiness on Frank's face couldn't help but be more obvious.

She nodded as her maids helped her with her new dress, and some helping with her ankle strap shoes. "My princess, you know all that matter is your happiness, right? "Mr. Moore asked again, and Hilda nodded as she pressed her lips together as instructed by the make-up artist.

"Why do you even love Frank Cooper, there are many better man out there, and there's really nothing special about the Cooper, they are way below us, sweetheart! "she remember her father said this same day in her past life, and how she flared up on hearing it creeped her out.

Thinking about it, what did she see in him back then? There was nothing special about him, but she still went ahead, and risked her life to get involved with him. She must have been crazy, right?

She turned to her father, and whirled her swivel chair to him. "Dad! "she called as she held his fingers into hers, "There's nothing special about the Cooper, and I'm sorry about all my indiscipline behaviors, I'm really sorry! "she pleaded with her pouted lips, and Mr. Moore heaved out a sigh.

He raised his hand up to her hair, and caressed it gently, "You're my princess, my sweetheart, and anything you do is always right to me! I love you just the way that you are, huh? And I don't want you to get into the wrong hands, that's why I'm really worried! "Hilda sniffled in on hearing her father's soothing words.

She had been a wayward child in her past life, and her father wouldn't even get mad at her for it. Being blinded by that stupid love of hers for Frank Bastard, she had been indifferent, and cold towards her father. So, now that she's back, she'll make sure to make her father happy.

"What do you think about the Reynolds? "she asked, and her father furrowed his brows, "What do you mean? "he raised a brow higher as he asked. "Don't you wanna be in laws with them? "she asked, smothering her curling hair. "Yeah, of course! Your sister insisted she must get Ryan Reynolds! "

On hearing that, a smirk appeared on Hilda's lips, and she heaved out a sharp breath before she straightened up to her feet. "Let's get this over with, dada! "she huffed out as she walked out of the room, hand in hand with her father.

-----

The hall is now filled with guests from various homes, most of them acquainted with the Reynolds. They are dazzling among the other guest, and the broadcasters who were invited couldn't be less happy about what they are seeing.

The Reynolds at a party like this? "Mom! wouldn't today be the best day to discuss about my marriage? "Amy asked her mother, and Gina, her mother smile broadly because of the media.

"Yeah... I know, right? But we have to be composed... you can't show it that you're eager to have their son, and who knew they'll be here today? "she giggled, and Amy couldn't help but blush.

"Aren't you one lucky boy? "Frank Cooper smiled broadly as he watched his mother praise him. His engagement will surely be the talk of the town. He wouldn't have imagined the Reynolds in any of his occasion, but here they are! This is really a huge jackpot that he hit.

"Good evening everyone!!!! "the M. C's voice boomed across the huge hall. "Tonight, we're here for the engagement party of the wealthiest, youngest heiress in the whole of New Zealand!!! "he proclaimed, and the audience all applaud in unison.

"Due to some inconvenience, the engagement was delayed, we're really sorry about that! "the M. C apologized, and he stepped aside as the staffs of the Moore appeared on stage with a different banner.

They took down the one with Hilda Moore, and Frank Cooper, and the audience all exchange glances as they watched them ruffle it up, and threw it aside, "What's going on? "Pamela Cooper, Frank's mother asked, as she watched another banner unfold.

"We're really sorry, there was a change in the program, so, we're amending the mistakes made! "immediately the staffs unraveled the banner, the audience all gasp in shock. Their eyes widened as they all glance back at the Reynolds.

"No! what the fuck is going on?! "Amy asked with a rough voice, the brittleness in her tone wasn't oblivion. Hilda Moore appeared, and Gina rushed towards her, "What do you think you're doing? "she blared with a glare. Hilda raised a brow inquiringly, and Gina chuckled out a scoff.

"Do you want to say you don't know what I'm talking about? "she inquired, her voice hoarse, and unpleasant. "No, I know what you're talking about, I'm just wondering what your problem is with it! "Hilda implored nonchalantly with a sigh, and the audience all exchanged glances.

Is this the same boring, dumb, and naïve heiress? "Wh-what?! "Gina chortled in a scoff, and Hilda walked up to the podium on stage. "To everyone wondering what's going on here, this is my engagement party, and I, Hilda Moore have the right to call it off, or change my fiancé! "she proclaimed, as she glanced around the shocked audience.

Her gaze surveyed the room, and it went on, on before it stopped between Amy, and the Cooper's family. "The Cooper family should be rewarded for being a special guest, and the Reynolds should please exchange seats with the Cooper family! "she declared, and the staffs got to work.

"The highlight of tonight isn't the Cooper, but the Reynolds! So, the broadcasters should reset your camera angle! "she added, and flipped her dark, silky, soft, curled hair. She returned the microphone to the M. C, and the M. C continued, "Let's start the engagement party of our dearest Hilda Moore, and....

The audience's gaze all remained on the M. C's lips, all gaze filled with curiosity. There are three sons of the Reynolds, and among the three is engaging the Moore's heiress. Who could it be? If the latter's name was written on the banner, it'd have been better, but only the surname was written.

It was like time slopped at that moment as the M. C's lips rolled out, and opened, the air that followed out were really loud to the audience hearings, and after many suspense, the M. C called out the name, "Ryan Reynolds! "