My Soul Got Stuck In Another Person’s Body!!

We were all standing. It was like a meeting at my office. The only difference was that we were standing.

Mrs Tobias had something to say so we all stood and waited as she took the floor.

“A few weeks ago, I announced a vacancy at one of our company branches and a promotional offer was placed here, right?”

Our boss askedCòntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

“Bitch!” I heard Elizabeth wail in my head. “Nasty bitch! She’s going to talk about the fucking promotion now that I’m dead?”

“Shut it” I mumbled, covering my mouth slightly. I was in my office now, in the midst of people and I didn’t want them thinking I was crazy because I was going to reply Elizabeth.

“For the last time, you’re not dead!” I said “you’re just a burdensome tenant ”

“Burdensome tenant?” She scoffed

“Yes. You live in my body so you’re like a tenant who’s bringing me burdens” I said

“Great choice of words, nerdy Evelyn Thompson. You’ve successfully hurt my feelings ” she wailed dramatically

“I don’t give a damn about your feelings –” I paused my monologue abruptly as someone’s gaze darted towards me

I managed an awkward smile.

“I won’t let you drive me crazy ” I mumbled and ignored the rest of her speech as I now focused on what Mrs Tobias had to say.

“… And since Miss Elizabeth Monroe is… I’m sorry to say– is dead, I hereby offer the promotion to Miss Evelyn Thompson” Mrs Tobias said.

I was bewildered. Of course I didn’t see that one coming. The promotional offer I obsessed about for weeks was finally offered to me on a silver platter, all because of Elizabeth’s supposed death.

How ironic!

“No!” I heard her screams in my head. “That’s foul play, Mrs Tobias. I’m not dead, I’m just trapped…” Her voice waned like a deflated balloon.

“It’s no use, no one will hear me” she sighed, defeated.

“Finally, you understand that” I said, mercilessly

My colleagues clapped for me, following Mrs Tobias’s announcement. I felt like a star with my trophy being handed down to me.

“You always love to rub your victory in, right? Like a kid who’s just received a lollipop…” Elizabeth’s carking voice began in my head but I didn’t listen. I didn’t want to because Mrs Tobias was about to say something.

“Now.” Mrs Tobias began. “I want to ask something. Is there any one here who objects?”

Object? Like who would? Everyone knew I deserved this.

“Is there any one who objects on Miss Evelyn Thompson’s promotion? I just want to know”

A tension filled silence filled the office, after Mrs Tobias’s question. I was the most tense. Even Elizabeth didn’t make a sound.

“I object!” We all heard it and turned to see who it was.

Behold, it was Mason McDonald.

Him? I was shell shocked. The hot geek. That’s what he was nicknamed. He was characterized by eccentric, workaholic and anti social behaviour.

Even though he was handsome, he never got along with people. At least he didn’t get into fights and arguments like me. He was literally invisible, that’s why we hadn’t noticed one another or clashed before.

Until now.

What the hell was his deal with me? Who was he to object? And first of all, why had Mrs Tobias asked this dumb question? She obviously wanted to aggravate my shit. She straight up didn’t want to get me promoted.

“Mason the hot geek?” I heard Elizabeth’s curious voice

“Apparently ” I stated

“What’s his deal?”

“We’re about to find out ”

“Mason” Mrs Tobias said, her sly lips curling into a smile I so badly wanted to wipe off.

“Can you tell us why you object to Miss Thompson’s promotion?”

“I feel like it should be competed  for. Evelyn and Elizabeth were on the run for the promotion. Now that Elizabeth’s dead, I don’t think it’s right to get Evelyn promoted just like that” he said.

I couldn’t believe the affronting words that spew out of Mason’s mouth.

They all knew I competed fair and square for that fucking promotion! I was on the verge of cussing out loud in the office.

“Is that what you guys also think?” Mrs Tobias asked the staff, my co workers.

Inaudible murmurs broke out in the office. People murmured in groups, in twos, some to themselves. While I talked to Elizabeth. I guess you could call it, talking to myself too.

“She’s playing a game. She’s freaking deceitful” I said to Elizabeth

“Yes, right? We should have caught on. She probably has some dirty tricks up her sleeve”

She replied. At least we both agreed on one thing.

Our boss was a cunning bitch!

“Since, I’m getting no responses from you lot, I’ll just take on Mason’s suggestion. Evelyn Thompson and Mason McDonald are now going to compete for the promotion”

And with that, she went back to her office.

No, no, no! I wasn’t going down without a fight or at least a confrontation.

I followed Mrs Tobias to her office.

It was located in a different place from ours but not too far away.

“That’s unfair, Mrs Tobias. I deserve that promotion” I said to her in a firm voice.

“Mason deserves it too” her air of condescension remained put.

“I took the exam! I competed with Elizabeth!”

“You’ll retake it with Mason. Look, Eve, I believe in fairness. Your co workers don’t think it’s fair for you to get promoted without competing”

“Bullshit!” I blurted out before I could stop myself. I was so enraged.

“Watch your language, Eve” her stern gaze held mine. “Why don’t you leave now and come back when you’re ready to have a civilised conversation with me” she said cooly.

That level headedness of hers screwed with my brain. I had to leave because I was about to smash something.

“Okay then, good bye” I gritted out before I stormed off.

I was going home now. I couldn’t think straight with all the anger I felt.

As I drove home, I thought about what happened. How could Mrs Tobias do that to me? I felt helpless because I couldn’t quit that darned job.

It was established. Female bosses were the worst!

“I don’t know if I should goad you or try placate you ” Elizabeth said

“Do neither. Just shut up!”

“I hate it when you tell me to shut up. Do you always have to be so nasty?” she said

“That’s what you get for meddling with an unknown stone” I fired back

“You know, it serves you right. I feel overjoyed that you didn’t get promoted that easily. Now you’ll have to compete with another rival. It shows how much you are hated, Evelyn ” she returned icily.

We squabbled until I reached my house.

As I drove to my gate, I saw something or should I say, someone rather unusual. He was next door.

I parked my car to see who it was because I didn’t have a next door neighbor. Not for a year and half now.

I got down from the car and made my way through the open gate. A man was bringing out boxes from a truck. I guessed someone was finally moving in.

“Hello” I called

The man who offloaded boxes turned to face me.

Holy cow! I was nearly knocked off balance by the gorgeous hunk who stood in front of me.

“Hi, I’m Aaron Stone. I just moved in” he gave a smile so dashing, it made me weak in the knees.

I could hear Elizabeth’s gasp. “Oh, man, he’s…” She was at loss for words. I too was at loss for words.

“Uh–I’m — I’m Evelyn. Evelyn Thompson. I–uh live next door” I stuttered. Oh God I was so stupid!

“That’s nice” he smiled again.  “I would have gone for a handshake but my hands…” He raised up his dusty hands.

“It’s fine. I’ll get going now ” I said and I hurried to my car.

Why did a gorgeous guy pop out of nowhere to complicate my life?