17 THE FIRST MEETING

Belle got tired after answering a whole bunch of medical questions and thought that her brain cells would explode out of her head. The worse part of it was to control which items should she get wrong and which she should not so she can barely pass. Barely. She can't have high scores because Ceres was afraid that Eli would suspect them.

"Looking good," Eli commented while checking the exam paper in front of her. "So far, you haven't gotten any mistakes. I hope it will continue to the next page."

Belle rolled her eyes in silence as she rolled to the other side of her bed. She wanted to nap but Eli's presence was disturbing her. She didn't want him to watch her sleep. Alright, it was a bit thick-skinned on her part to think that way but it was how she really thought he would do.

[Rest! Rest your mind. When you wake up, I'll take over your body. I haven't been able to spend time with him these past three days.]

"Whatever."

Eli heard that faint whisper and stood up to see what was happening to her. "Belle? Did you say something?"

"Me? Oh, yeah. I was wondering if you could leave your laptop with me for one last time. I want to send someone a message."

"Is that person a relative?"

"Uhh...not really, but he's a close friend of mine."

Eli nodded his head in agreement but his expression was telling her otherwise. He was obviously doubting her. "I'll leave you to it. By the way, I heard that you'll be discharged next Monday. Did you give my offer some thoughts?"

Belle sat up on her bed and scratched the tip of her nose. If she had to be honest, she'd say no. Why would she work for him when there is a high risk of her falling deeper in love and getting herself hurt in the end? (That was absolutely insane!) Belle thought exasperatedly.

[It's not insane. It's a natural process in a relationship. You'd fall in love, get hurt, move on, and try again. You have to give yourself a chance at love!]

Belle could not understand how Ceres was able to process the situation like this. She sounded like a love expert, someone who has been through a great relationship when she actually killed the first person she loved.

[I know what you are thinking, Belle. We share the same body and we have access to both our memories and our mind. You can't hide anything from me.]

"Belle?"

"I take it," Ceres said after taking over Belle's body. She cannot afford for this woman to refuse such an offer. For her, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Why waste it?

In the end, Belle is defeated by a soul who fears nothing in life. Ceres was the complete opposite of Belle. While the latter was cautious, the former was reckless.

Belle: (I can't believe you'd say that!)

Ceres: [I also can't believe that you'd refuse him.]

Eli didn't know what was going on inside Belle's head. She looked happy one moment and was glaring the next. It was hard to guess her thoughts. He was even surprised that she would agree to his offer since she was so against it last time. [Then, I guess we'll have to spend more time?]

"Let's talk about the work arrangement once you get discharged. Have you found a place to stay? You have been searching for quite some time now."

"I have a few places in mind but I need to check them first before I can move in with my brother."

"My place is really open for you to stay while looking for a house or an apartment space. You don't have to be hasty about this matter. I think staying in my house is also a good thing. I can still monitor your review."

(Was he serious?!) "I think I'll take this offer as well," Ceres responded which was the complete opposite of what Belle wanted to do. Initially, she wanted to stay away from Eli which was the reason why she told Belle that they have to pretend to have lost her memories. Who would have thought that he'd be sending himself to her, in gift wrap and ribbon? (You will be the death of me!)

Ceres laughed mentally which caused Belle to fume in anger. She didn't want to deal with this woman anymore!

Knock! Knock! Knock!

The knocking sound of the door caught their attention and both Eli and Ceres turned their heads to the door but before any of them could say anything, the door slid open and Neon came running inside to his sister's side.

"Belle, I miss you so much." Neon hugged her tight and Belle returned the hug but her attention was on someone else. A pretty woman stood beside Eli; based on their resemblance; she could tell that the pretty woman was his family. Then, she remembered that Eli's mother would usually stay at his house whenever her husband and son go to work. (Wait! Did he leave my brother to his mom?!) Belle questioned mentally and her shock was evident on her face. (I thought Neon was just staying in his office because he didn't want to disturb me while taking the exam?! Aah! What should I do?! What should we do?!)

"Hi! I'm Eli's mom."

Ceres retreated and left Belle to face the woman in front of them. Although she could tell that Eli's mother was a good woman, she didn't tell Belle anything. She was having fun while Belle was getting flustered about this first meeting. [Belle, Jiayou!]

(Shut up!)

Note: To avoid confusion, if it is Belle using her body, I will write Belle's name during the conversation. If Ceres is using the body, I will use her name during the conversation. Some got confused in the previous chapters when I wrote it was Belle who did this or said that when it was Ceres who took over her body.

Also, [] will be used by Ceres, Eli, and all the other upcoming characters when they're having a mental monologue. () will be used by Belle alone.