The Cold-Hearted CEO's Reborn Lover

"Why am I tied up? Why can't I see anything?" Cleopatra's voice trembled, raw and ragged. "How do I get this blindfold off? Where... where the hell am I?"

Her hands struggled uselessly against the bindings as Darkness pressed in from every side. Gradually panic clawed its way up her throat, and her heart raced as if trying to escape her chest.

Tap! Tap! Tap! Tap!

Footsteps scraped closer to the car. Cleopatra froze, every muscle tensing the moment the doors swung open. Two figures slid inside, one claiming the driver's seat, the other perching beside him with a taut.

"What the hell are you talking about? Guinevere's voice echoed sharply through the space. "This wasn't our agreement!"

"Since when do you give orders?" Anthony said calmly, "Without me, you wouldn't have accomplished anything."

His gaze slowly hardened.

"Stop being ungrateful and remember your place."

Guinevere gritted her teeth before speaking.

"Still, if I hadn't tricked her into meeting me, you wouldn't have this opportunity."

She rolled her eyes.

"Now tell me, what exactly do you plan to do with her?"

In the back seat, Cleopatra remained limp, feigning unconsciousness.

'Guinevere,' she muttered inwardly. 'I told you I genuinely cared for Katie.'

Without warning, Anthony twisted in his seat and shot a sharp glare toward the back.

"She's still knocked out," a sinister smile slowly spread across his face. "Why are you in such a hurry, Guinevere?"

"What kind of question is that?" Guinevere hissed. "You know how much of a threat she is to me."

Anthony's eyes narrowed, a sharp, assessing glint cutting through his gaze as it swept over Guinevere's face, as though he were trying to peel back every mask she wore.

"Don't tell me you're still afraid of her. She never even made it into modeling; we made sure of that, and she never will."

"Then what do we do with her?" Guinevere snapped. "Let's just kill her already!"

She spread her palms.

"We're wasting time; she could wake up any second!"

Anthony's smile vanished quickly.

"What the hell?!"

"Oh, please, you... you still have feelings for her, don't you?"

Suddenly Guinevere burst into laughter, sharp and unrestrained.

HAHAHAHA.

"My cousin has been completely bewitched. Damn it!"

She bit down on her lips as rage and disbelief twisted her features.

"Thump!"

She slammed her palm against the dashboard, the impact echoing like a gunshot.

His gaze never wavered.

"That's not it."

"What do you mean, 'not it'? She demanded, "Have you slept with her?"

He blinked repeatedly

"No," frustration seeping from every word, "not yet."

"Then that explains everything," she sneered, her lips curling with bitter amusement. "No wonder you're parading around like some ridiculous knight in shining armor."

Her hands shot out, seizing his hand with urgency as her eyes lit up.

"Why don't you just sleep with her already?"

She continued with a smile on her lips, her voice dripping with mock generosity.

"I'll even give you space."

Her eyes instantly gleamed coldly as she leaned closer.

"When you're done, call me back."

A cruel smile stretched across her face.

"And then we'll kill her. We'll end this once and for all."

Anthony's eyes widened in shock, yanking his hand from her grip.

"Hell no!"

"For God's sake, Anthony, we're running out of time!"

"Shut up, Guinevere!" he roared. "I'm not killing her; I have something far better. She's not dying; she'll be mine to control."

Guinevere's face contorted slightly, reclining slightly in her chair.

"Then what do you plan to do?"

A satisfied smirk curling his lips.

"I'm taking her to my mansion on Dawnspire Mountain, in Eban. She will spend the rest of her life there pleasing me."

"What if she escapes?"

"No one escapes that place. It's completely isolated and surrounded by water miles from the nearest town."

Cleopatra's heart thudded sharply against her chest, and cold sweats clung to her palms.

Anthony slid open the glove compartment, pulled out a pack of cigarettes, and tossed one to Guinevere with a casual flick of his wrist.

"Let's smoke outside," Guinevere muttered, sticking the cigarette between her lips, "I'm still not okay with your plan."

"Too bad," he murmured, shrugging lightly. "My decision is final."

They both stepped out of the car, and the doors slammed shut as cold silence settled in.

Cleopatra froze, her heart hammering in her chest, sensing the danger they carried.

"I need to get out now," she muttered to herself. "Thank goodness my hands were tied in front."

She bent forward, sinking her teeth into the duct tape until it finally gave way, then tore the blindfold from her eyes. With a swift tug, she slipped off an earring and used it to Saw through the tape binding her legs.

The tape gave way.

A surge of adrenaline shot through her as she broke free, every nerve screaming with relief and urgency. Instantly she pressed the unlock button and slipped out of the car in silence, their voices clashing in a heated argument up front, completely unaware of her presence.

She dropped onto all fours on the slick, rain-soaked asphalt. Pain shot through her knees and hands as she forced herself forward, every movement fresh agony as she crossed over to the other lane.

Anthony turned back, looking at the car.

Guinevere followed his gaze.

"What is it?"

He ignored her and walked towards the car; reaching there, his gaze landed squarely at the backseat.

His brows furrowed deeply as he blinked repeatedly.

"How did she escape with her hands and feet tied?"

He turned around, scanning opposite axes, and then his jaw clenched.

"Damn it! he bellowed, turning to Guinevere. "Get in the car, now!"

His voice reverberated through the cold street.

Cleopatra turned back; her heart pounded in her chest. Instantly she clawed faster. While Anthony and Guinevere got into the car, he pressed the ignition button, and the car roared to life.

"This is all your fault," Guinevere barked. "I told you let's kill her instead!"

Anthony didn't spare her a glance; he stepped onto the accelerator.

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!

Suddenly the car screeched to a halt just meters away, the roar of the engine vibrating through the road. Red taillights glared like angry eyes; he reversed back.

Cleopatra's gaze landed on a narrow weep hole just beyond the debris. Dark and scary, she glanced back and then crawled towards it.

"This is my only chance; Anthony will drag me to hell if he catches me."

Anthony and Guinevere hurried out of the car.

Tap! Tap! Tap!

Their footsteps thundered relentlessly against the gravel road, scanning the whole area.

"CLEOPATRA!"

Anthony's roar thundered through the air.

Cleopatra froze at the weep hole entrance; her breath grew heavier.

"No, no, I can't let them catch me."

Steeling herself, she immediately crawled into the dark.

"I know you're still here! You'd better come out while I'm still being merciful!"

Guinevere dug her fingers into her hair, stomping her feet against the floor.

"If she escapes, it's over!"

Anthony shot her a glare.

"Just shut up and find her! She can't be far."

Anthony and Guinevere scanned the area as Anthony slowly approached the debris.

Meanwhile Cleopatra crept forward in silence, her eyes lit up as she reached the opening until her palm pressed against a jagged shard of glass, sharp pain shooting up her arm.

"Ah-ah!!"

Guinevere and Anthony paused

"Did you hear that?" Guinevere whispered.

"Yeah, a scream. She's close." Anthony's eyes darted around. "You go that way; I'll take this side."

Cleopatra instantly clamped her hands over her mouth as hot tears fell. She pushed through the opening with one arm; finally out, she straightened. Instantly rain poured down from the heavens, the cold drops cascading over her battered body. She tightened her grip on the broken bottle, wrenched it free, and pressed on.

Just then, he sprinted ahead.

At the other side, Anthony searched frantically, his gaze snapping to a narrow opening in the wreckage.

"Guinevere, come this way! There's a weep hole here!"

Guinevere closed the distance, her gaze locked onto the narrow space.

"Anthony, do we really have to crawl into this creepy hole?"

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Anthony snarled. "Crawl, or she'll get away!"

Guinevere lifted her gaze to Anthony's face.

"What if there are snakes?!"

Anthony pointed, his jaw tightening.

"Just fucking crawl!"

"Never!" she screamed, her voice breaking as raw terror clawed its way out of her chest. "I-I'm not going down there; I can't risk my life in that cramped cage!"

Her voice dropped to a hoarse whisper, horror tightening her throat.

"What if the cables snap? What if it gets stuck? What if I die down there alone, buried in the dark?"

Her hands trembled as she gestured wildly, as though already trapped.

Let's just wait until morning, please; it'll be safer."

Anthony's eyes darkened further.

"Then get out of here!"

Instantly, Guinevere scurried away.

Anthony dropped to his knees, crawling toward the narrow passage with speed by the time he got to the opening. He tried to squeeze through, but the hole was far too small.

"Fucking stupid hole."

Frustration flared in his chest, sharp and hot, and with a growl, he turned back.

By the time he reached the car, the rain had finally ceased, leaving the world slick and glistening under the dim light. He slid into the driver's seat, the engine's hum a low growl in the quiet night.

"Ahhh-blood!" Guinevere shrieked, the scream ripping from her throat.

Anthony's eyes darted across the scene, his hands trembling as he inspected every detail.

"It's not mine," he muttered. "It's hers; she must have gone through that weep hole."

He bit the inside of his jaw.

"We need to find her. Now!"

"Not through that weep hole!" she protested. "It's too dangerous."

"We'll find another way," he said, jaw clenched, eyes blazing with unwavering resolve. "I won't let her slip away. I have to get my hands on her."

He started the engine.

"That weep leads to the sea, and this route leads to the sea."

He stepped on the accelerator and surged forward.

Meanwhile, Cleopatra kept running, her feet pounding against the ground until the vast ocean stretched out before her. Her freezing clothes clung to her skin as she dashed to its edge, crouching low to dip her hand into the water.

The chill bit into her skin.

"Salt water," she hissed sharply, jerking her hand back as pain flared from her wound.

Trembling, she tore a strip of fabric from her clothes and bound the injury. She tried to move forward, but her knees refused to cooperate; her gaze dropped towards her knees.

"My unlucky day."

Instantly a stray tear escaped her eyes; she pressed her lips together.

"How deep does her hatred run?" She whispered softly. "How deep?"

Her chest tightened, and her throat burned, making it difficult to swallow the thought.

She stared at the ocean, the silence broken only by the waves. She lifted her gaze; the dark clouds loomed, hiding any sign of dawn.

"The clouds, they're as dark as the life I'm living," a laugh trembling on the edge of despair escaped her lips. "I'm useless... just discarded junk, thrown away before anyone ever tried to mend me."

Her mind lingered on his gentle devotion, his smile, his care, and his loyalty.

"Why couldn't you just think of yourself, Cal?"

A low sob escaped her lips as she brushed away every tear escaping her eyes.

"You give me everything: your love, your life, your will, everything without ever sparing a thought for yourself! How... how can someone be so damned selfless?!"

Her lips trembled.

"Calvin died because of me, because of my debt," she clutched her chest, "I am a j-jinx."

Tears continued to cascade down her face as she buried it in her trembling hands.

"I need to find evidence, Anthony; my Cal's will not be in vain."

Instantly she turned towards the cliff, dragging her weak knees.

At the same time, Anthony and Guinevere crept toward the ocean's edge. The waves crashed like distant warnings as they scanned the shoreline, their hearts pounding, desperately searching for any sign of her in the fading light.

Suddenly, they spotted a solitary figure moving in the distance.

"Hush... stay silent," Anthony said under his breath, eyes locked on the figure ahead. "There she is."

"Heaven is on our side," Guinevere smirked. "Let's catch her unaware."

As Guinevere stepped forward, she stumbled and crashed to the ground. Failing to notice the rock ahead, pain shot through her body as she let out a scream.

"Ow! My leg!"

"Just shut up for once!" Anthony thundered, his voice cutting through the roar of the ocean.

Startled by the sudden noise, Cleopatra turned back toward its source; her gaze landed on them.

Without hesitation, she bolted towards the only open path right before her, which led straight to a cliff.

Anthony chased after her, not sparing Guinevere a glance as she lay on the ground.

Cleopatra ran until she reached the edge; her movement stopped, and her eyes widened in fear.

"Dead end."

Trapped, she searched frantically for an escape as Anthony caught up.

She turned at the edge of the cliff, uncertainty written across her face.

"Stay the hell away from me, you monster!"

"Come here," Anthony said, eyes locked on her like a predator's. "I said come here, you little shit!"

And with a reluctant step, she drew back, carefully avoiding Anthony.

"Stay back!"

Anthony took a step.

Fury instantly blazed in her eyes.

"I said stay back!"

"Why are you just standing there?!"

Guinevere's voice echoed from behind as she staggered to stabilize herself, her chest heaving as ragged breaths tore in and out of her lungs.

"Go catch her!"

Cleopatra moved back again, but loose rocks tumbled into the sea below, forcing her to steady herself immediately.

"No, don't move!" Anthony cried, fear flooding his eyes. "Please... please come back!"

"You crazy fuck!" Guinevere screamed, grabbing his shirt. "Why are you telling her to come back? Just let her fall!"

The moment that word left Guinevere's mouth, rage flared within him. With a sharp shove, Anthony sent her tumbling to the ground.

"Shut up!" he snarled. "I can't lose her; I own her. She's mine!"

Guinevere bit her lips; tears gathered in her eyes. She searched on the rough surface, grabbing a rock.

"Damn it," she muttered under her breath, "it sticks to the ground."

She stood up, holding Anthony's gaze.

"You're terrified of losing control because domination is all you crave, not love."

She let out a humorless laugh.

"You truly are pathetic. This is not love!"

Cleopatra raised her voice, cutting through them both.

"Over my dead body will I be your plaything. You fear losing me out of selfishness. That's why I'd choose Calvin over you a hundred times."

At the mention of Calvin, jealousy flared in Anthony's veins, heat twisting through him as fists clenched instinctively.

"And you think he's better than I?" he snapped. "If he was so great, why's he six feet under? Just a fool playing hero-"

Cleopatra cut him off.

"This is where you're wrong. He wasn't just a hero. He was a leader, someone who would do anything to protect those he loved. That isn't weakness; that's real love, something you'll never understand. He was a courageous soul who fought for love itself. I'd rather plunge into the abyss than spend another moment with you!"

She spun around at once, her gaze locking onto Guinevere.

"And you... you're utterly despicable. No wonder you never excel at anything. Your heart is poisoned with hate and bitterness, and even in another lifetime, Calvin would never love you."

"Shut the hell up, you trollop!" Guinevere screamed, her voice shaking.

Cleopatra shook her head.

"Guinevere, look at yourself just once," she whispered, exhaustion and grief weighing down her words. "You're beyond saving, beyond even being called human."

She inhaled deeply, pressing her palm against her nose bridge.

"I never thought the girl I grew up with would become this... this monster."

Her voice mixed with sobs as tears spilled freely from her eyes.

"We were best friends. We shared our childhood, our laughter, our tears. What happened to those years? What happened to the bond we had as sisters?"

She paused, struggling to stabilize herself.

"As... as our mother's daughters?"

Right then, her voice broke finally

"Was it all so insignificant?"

A hollow laugh escaped her lips. "Was I just being delusional, thinking we would always be together forever?"

Her laughter faded into silence.

"I suppose... I was alone in this thing called friendship."

Cleopatra whispered weakly.

"Guin, I'm still in denial that you hated me; it hurts so much. It really does-"

"Enough!" Guinevere snapped, cutting her off sharply.

"If you had truly cared about me, why did you keep stealing the things I loved most?!"

Guinevere held her gaze, her voice unhinged, madness flashing in her eyes.

"Guinevere, you're deranged!" Cleopatra shouted, her voice shaking with fury. "I never stole anything from you!"

"Woe unto you and unto Anthony," Cleopatra said calmly. "Do you both truly lack a conscience to take a human life without a shred of pity?

Her hands clenched tightly at her side, and her voice filled with determination.

"Calvin may be dead, but he will always be the one. I love my selfless, unyielding shield."

Hahahaha.

She burst into laughter as she stepped back.

"She would rather die than let you have me."

A bittersweet smile flickered across her lips; she spread her arms.

Anthony surged forward, his stretch out.

"No!"

She fell on her back; her body tumbled down the cliff and plunged into the sea with a violent sound

SPLASH.

The deeper she sank, the quieter the world became. Time seemed to freeze as saltwater filled her lungs and darkness closed in.

Her eyes widened in fear, feeling her breath choke and fade, she muttered an earnest wish.

"If fate could be kinder, if there's a next life. Let me meet him again, I-"

Her eyes slowly narrowed as her breath finally seized.

Then everything went silent.

Cleopatra's consciousness returned slowly, shrouded in fog. Disoriented, her body felt broken, and a deep terror settled in her chest as distant music drifted in, making it seem as if she had been dragged back into a world that no longer felt real.

Her eyes snapped open.

She gasped.

"Hng!"

Coughing as though she had surfaced from deep water. Nausea twisted her stomach, and panic flooded her chest before her gaze lingered at the familiar surroundings. Her gaze drifted on a neatly folded uniform resting on the bench.

Suddenly, a young lady grabbed her by the shoulders. A familiar face loomed before her, lips moving as if to soothe her, but no words reached Cleopatra. Her mind spun wildly, desperate to make sense of what was happening.

'Wait... This is the Atelier Club...?'

Her voice shook as she forced the words past her dry lips.

"H-How...vHow am I not underwater? She stammered, "Didn't I die?"

"Die?" The young lady repeated. "Cleopatra, it's me, Ana. Why will you be dead?"

Cleopatra ignored her completely; her hand went to her skin, her fingers pinching sharply. Disbelief clung, but the sharp sting searing through her confirmed it was real.

'I'm not dead. I'm ... alive.'

In the chaos, she wrenched free from Ana's grip and lunged toward the door.

She opened it.

BAM!

Only to slam headfirst into someone the moment she stepped out.

"Ah, my head..." she groaned, clutching it.

The pain confirmed it; she was in reality.

Her head felt impossibly heavy.

"Cleo."

A familiar voice cut through the haze; soft, gentle hands steadied her, and the moment their eyes locked, her body froze, every nerve ignited by a shock so profound it stole her breath.

"K-Ka...tie?" Cleopatra whispered. "Ka...tie... is this really you?"

She struggled to steady herself.

Katie's grip around her loosened as she withdrew her hands.

Cleopatra batted her eyes, a strange wave of familiarity washing over her.

"This feels like déjà vu."

She barely had time to process it before Katie's voice cut through her thoughts.

"Are you okay?" Katie asked, a flicker of annoyance in her eyes. "Did you get hurt?"

Her gaze swept over Cleopatra, widening as she searched for any sign of injury.

Cleopatra glimpsed the brief flicker of irritation in Katie's eyes, yet it stirred no reaction within her as a smile curled on her lips.

"You're alive; I can't believe you're alive," a sob escaped her. "I'm so sorry... so sorry for not believing you and for treating you so badly."

Katie's chest constricted painfully, her words trembling yet heavy with disbelief, each one carrying the sting of years unacknowledged.

"What have you gotten over? Since when did I ever matter?"

Confusion swirled through Katie's mind as she struggled to understand why Cleopatra was being unusually kind and asking such strange questions. Her eyes remained fixed on Cleopatra's tear-streaked face.

WAAAH!

Cleopatra cried loudly, pulling Katie into a hug; her grip tightened around Katie's back. Holding Katie as if the world itself were crumbling around them as her shoulders trembled violently.

Feeling the raw ache in her friend's soul, Katie mirrored the embrace, her hands gentle against Cleopatra's back, trying to soothe the storm within her.

"Stop crying, it's okay," Katie whispered, her hand lightly resting on Cleopatra's back, soothing yet hesitant.

Cleopatra pulled away; their eyes met, calm on the surface but heavy with unspoken weight.

"Katie," she sniffed back her tears, "may I have a moment?"

Katie exhaled slowly, relief washing over her, and nodded once.

"Yes, of course."

The two women walked down the hallway, finding a quiet room. They stepped inside and walked towards the chair. Once seated, Cleopatra's hands trembled slightly under the table.

"Where is Calvin?" She asked abruptly. "Is he safe?"

Katie blinked.

"Did I hear that correctly?

Katie let out a low laugh.

"Wow! You're asking about Calvin."

She tilted her head.

"Well, he's fine."

Cleopatra exhaled deeply as a wave of relief crossed her chest, a shy smile softening her lips.

"Good to know he's fine; that's a relief."

Katie looked at her, studying her for the briefest moment.

"So what do you want to talk about?"

Cleopatra pressed her trembling hands together, trying to steady them.

"Actually," her smile faltered, "there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about."

Katie fixed her gaze on her, giving her undivided attention.

"Alright, go on."

Instantly she poured out everything to Katie. How Guinevere had harbored jealousy since high school, how she had manipulated her into giving up her INK Model debut after her parents' death, and how, behind a façade of friendliness, Guinevere's heart had held nothing but hatred.

Katie listened in quiet composure, unsurprised; she had warned Cleopatra about Guinevere more times than she could count.

"Hello!"

Katie's voice rang with unshakable confidence, sharp and unapologetic. She lifted both hands, twisting her index and middle fingers with effortless flair.

"I noticed it long ago, and I even told you back in school. She doesn't just despise you; she's envious that Calvin chose you over her."

Cleopatra lowered her head.

"I'm sorry for not trusting you."

Katie's eyes narrowed as she shook her head with sharp disdain.

"You pushed my beloved brother aside and clung shamelessly to that damn Anthony."

Cleopatra quietly rubbed her palms against her knees.

"I was a fool; please forgive me."

"Ewrp," Katie pouted sweetly, "if you want me to forgive you, at least let me see your face."

Instinctively Cleopatra lifted her face with a smile.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome."

Cleopatra's words haunted relentlessly.

'I'm sorry, Katie. I can't tell you that I've been reborn.'

The words remained trapped in her chest.

'I'm truly disappointed in myself for pushing such a good person out of my life.'

Her gaze fell, regret tightening around her heart as the weight of everything she had lost finally settled in.

A beat passed, and then she spoke again.

"Guinevere is still INK's model, right?"

Katie nodded casually.

"Yeah. Why are you asking?" Her eyes widened by the realization. "Don't tell me-"

Cleopatra cut her off; her voice carried a cold edge.

"I'm coming back into modeling."

Katie's eyes widened in shock.

"No way!" she exclaimed, her voice alive with excitement. "Now that's the spirit, girl!"

Her voice dripped low.

"Getting into the spotlight won't be easy. Start with backstage work for now, while I comb through potential brands. Securing even a few good ones will give your debut a real edge."

Cleopatra nodded thrice.

"Okay, thanks, Katie."A few moments later, Cleopatra hugged Katie tightly before reluctantly letting go, their whispered goodbyes laden with unspoken words.

***

At 10 pm, Cleopatra retired from her work and rushed back to her apartment.

Pausing at the keypad, doubt flickered in her heart.

"Would the old password still work?"

She entered the code.

The door unlocked.

Stepping inside, she froze. Nothing had changed. Nostalgia hit her all at once, followed by a sudden, chilling realization.

'If I've truly been reborn... then I have the upper hand,' she mused, her eyes widening with realization. 'My life has been reset. If I can foresee every pattern, I can defy the fate that once shattered me.'

She closed the door behind her.

"Holy moly!" she gasped, her breath catching. "I can rebuild my career and save Calvin from dying."

A spark of determination ignited in her eyes as she lunged for the calendar, scanning it frantically.

[January 3rd, 2018.]

She grabbed her bag and pulled out her phone. The glowing screen confirmed the date.

Her heart thundered.

'I have nearly a whole year laid ahead of me, a chance to rewrite fate and prevent Calvin's death.'

Her thoughts churned like a raging storm.

"I needed a solid plan to deal with Guinevere and Anthony."

"This time, I won't be naïve," she sneered, contempt filling her gaze. "I'll break every wall and go all out. It's my turn to drag you out from behind your masks and destroy you both."

She suddenly unlocked her phone and checked her serving schedule.

"If today's the third, that means I've already served Anthony twice," she muttered. "Before the third time, I should run into Calvin."

Her breath caught.

"Bloody hell, yes. That's why I ran into Katie today. It's like I'm reliving my past."

In a flash, she shook her head sharply.

"No. I shouldn't jump to conclusions. I'll wait and see how things unfold."

The mattress dipped under her weight.

"After work tomorrow, I will go to INK's Model Agency to see Cal. We are still enemies, and he wouldn't want to see me."

She licked her lips unconsciously.

"I need Katie's help to come up with a convincing excuse."

She shot to her feet, rushed to the table, yanked open the drawer, and pulled out a notebook. Sitting down, she flipped it open and began sketching her plans. The once-blank pages quickly filled with bold notes: debuting as INK's model, sabotaging Guinevere's gigs, and exposing Anthony's fractured personality.

Once the decision was made, there was no turning back.

Fate had already begun to shift.