Chapter 13: Trapped
Chapter 13: Trapped
Tessa’s POV (as Elena)
Zane pulled up at Elena's house after I’d changed from my uniform.
“Hey,” I said, trying to act cool as I gave a weird little grin.
“Hop in,” came Zane’s voice.
I slid into the passenger seat.
He leaned closer, and I instinctively shifted back.
“I’m sorry,” he said softly, reaching for my seat belt and clicking it in place.
I closed my eyes for a second, a bit embarrassed.
Later, seated at a classy restaurant, the air was calm while a soft romantic song played in the background.
“Elena, first… I wanted to say I’m sorry for what happened that night.”
“It’s okay, Zane.”
“I need to tell you something, Elena. I’ve held it in for so long, and I don’t think I can keep pretending anymore.”
My heart started to pound.
What now?
Oh Lord, I just want my peace back!.
“Okay,” I said slowly, not even sure how to brace myself.
“What’s that?” I asked with a careful smile.
“I’ve loved you, Elena,” he said, with a little shaky voice. “Since the very first day I saw you at school.”
He paused and lowered his eyes for a second. “I know I have been a jerk sometimes. But after the accident… I couldn’t breathe. The thought of losing you felt like someone ripped a piece of me out.”
“I know I don’t deserve you. But I promise, I’m trying. I want to be better. For you. Please, just tell me there’s a chance.”
I just sat there, staring blankly as my fingers trembled beneath the table, where my hands were tangled in my napkin.
I reminded myself again—this wasn’t my life.
I was just here… waiting to figure out how to switch our souls back.
I didn’t have feelings for Zane. But Elena did.
If she were the one sitting here… what would she do?
“Uhmm, Zane,” I began, hoping to say something.
But he cut me off softly.
“I’ll wait, Elena. I’ll wait for you—whenever you’re ready.”
“Thank you, Zane,” I replied, a bit relieved.
But deep inside, I wasn’t okay.
I needed to know the truth behind the soul switch and bring back Elena into her normal life.
I needed to find out who really pushed Gloria—the scholarship girl—into the pool in order to clear Elena's name.
And now, Zane was asking me—no, her—to be his girlfriend.
I placed a hand on my face and exhaled deeply, not knowing where to start or which direction to even look in.
Just then, my phone rang.
It was Elena’s mom.
“Hello, Mom.”
“Hey baby, you’re not home yet?”
“I came home already, but I went out with a friend. I’ll be back in about forty minutes.”
“All right. Take care of yourself,” she said before hanging up.
“Thank you, Zane,” I smiled as he opened the car door for me.
The night breeze brushed my face as I stepped out.
He was actually such a good guy. Most people wouldn’t see that though—they just judged him for how he looked, all rough on the outside.
“Hey Mom!” I rushed to hug her the moment I got home. She hugged me back, with a soft surprise in her expression.
“How was your day at school?”
“Fine, Mommy.”
For a second, I debated whether to tell her about the murder case at school… or if they already knew.
Just then, Rodrigues, the head chef, stepped in.
“Dinner is ready, ma’am.”
She turned to me. “I told them to wait so we could take dinner. together.”
“Oh, I already had dinner, Mom. But I’ll keep you company.”
I stood up, took her hand, and we both walked side by side to the dining room as she chuckled lightly.
Later, I got into Elena’s room around 8 p.m., sat on bed, and exhaled softly.
Then came a knock at the door.
“Miss, your P. A. and media team are here to see you.”
I closed the drawer quickly and changed into casual wear before heading downstairs.
“Hi, Mr. Edward,” I said, shaking his hand. “Nice to have you here. Please, sit.”
I took a seat across from them on the velvet couch, legs crossed, trying to keep my posture as graceful as Elena’s always seemed online.
I’d memorized every team member’s name and face—just so I wouldn’t slip and let them notice something was wrong.
He cleared his throat and began, “Your fans are waiting, Elena. When are you resuming?”
Did Elena ever get a break? A time to just breathe without all the pressure?
Getting into her life had made me realize why she never really smiled in her pictures or interviews.
“Elena?” the manager’s voice pulled me back.
“I’ll discuss this with my parents and get back to you,” I replied gently.
“But I’ll most likely resume by next week.” I added.
They all looked relieved.
“You never really gave us this kind of audience before, but a lot has changed after the accident. Thank you,” the manager said.
I just nodded.
“Is your mom around? I’d love to say hi.”
“Yes, but she’s resting.”
“Okay, maybe some other time then.”
“Alright. Thank you.”
Back in Elena's room, I picked up a journal and sat at the desk.
A warm light from the table lamp made the pages glow softly as I began to write.
My handwriting started off neat, but soon the ink turned shaky, smudged by tears.
Tears dropped onto the paper as I poured everything out.
All the guilt, the lies, the fear of being caught. The ache of missing a life that was never mine. The pressure of carrying a name that didn’t belong to me.
For the first time since waking up as Elena, I didn’t try to lie to myself. I just wrote the truth.
Hey Elena,
This is day 14 of being here, and it’s not easy.
Each passing day makes me wonder how you managed.
Zane asked you out today, and I didn’t know what to say.
Someone texted saying you killed Gloria.
It’s really overwhelming, and I’m scared. I’m really scared.
Please come back. I can't keep up with this for long…
I was still writing when the door creaked open.
I quickly slid the journal into the bottom drawer and stood up, wiping my cheeks quickly as my heart raced.
“Mom? What’s wrong?” I whispered, gently holding her trembling hands as we sat together on the edge of the bed.
“I had a nightmare, Elena,” she said, her face looking pale.
“You were trapped somewhere and you kept screaming for help, but no one could reach you.” she added in a shaky tone.
My heart sank. She pulled me into a warm hug as she held me tighter, I wondered if Elena heard her mother crying… from wherever she was.