Back into Your Arms: Chapter Six [ENG]

BiYA Chapter VI

Iona froze. Her heart hammered against her ribs so violently it was physically painful. Slowly, she followed the direction of Vana’s trembling finger toward the large mirror behind them. There, the reflection that should have been Stella—with her shoulder-length hair and elegant red dress—instead displayed the image of Iona. The real Iona, with her signature faint smile and the sparkle in her eyes that Vana had missed so dearly.

“I... Iona?” Vana’s voice hitched, barely audible, a mere ghost of a whisper.

Vana released her grip on the shoulders of Stella’s body—the vessel now housing Iona’s soul—and stumbled back. Her eyes darted frantically between Stella’s face and the reflection in the glass. "This is impossible... you... why are you in that mirror..."

Iona realized she could no longer hide. It was as clear as day, yet utterly impossible to explain. For reasons she couldn't fathom, her spirit’s true form was manifesting vividly in the silvered glass. Finally, Iona looked Vana straight in the eye. If there was one person in this world she could trust besides Joe, it was Vana.

“Van, listen to me,” Iona said, stepping forward, reaching out for her best friend’s hand. “I know this is insane. I know it makes no sense. And I don’t even know how to explain it because I know you think I’m dead.”

“But you are dead!” Vana cried, tears beginning to well up in her eyes. “I went to your funeral! I was the one holding the umbrella for your mother! So how on earth are you—”

“I don’t know why either, but right now, I’m in Stella’s body.”

“In Stella’s body? You mean, you’re fully alive, but... in someone else's skin?”

Iona nodded rapidly, her own tears starting to fall. “I don’t know why God gave me a second chance in this body. But Van, it’s still me. It’s still Iona. Your best friend.”

Vana sobbed, covering her mouth with both hands. The miracle unfolding before her was too massive for logic to swallow. But looking into those eyes—the specific gaze that only Iona possessed—Vana knew. It really was her.

“So... the Iona who can’t drink coffee, the one who loves green apples... she’s inside this body?”

“Yes, it’s me. The friend who knows way too much about your fashion obsession and your love for Western culture!”

Vana finally broke. She lunged forward and threw her arms around Stella—no, she was hugging Iona—squeezing her with everything she had. “You’re so mean, Na! You just left! You stopped sharing things, you disappeared, and then suddenly I get the news that you're gone! You have no idea... you nearly drove Joe crazy! And you definitely took half of my life with you!”

Over Vana’s shoulder, Iona glanced at the mirror again. Her spirit form was slowly fading, replaced once more by Stella’s polished physique. Iona breathed a sigh of relief, but a new thought immediately gripped her:

If Vana could see me in the mirror... will Joe see the same thing?

“But this is crazy!” Vana hissed, shifting back into her practical self as she began browsing the racks, picking out tops for Iona. “Of all people in the world, you ended up in the body of Stella Viviana—a cold-blooded socialite. She’s the total polar opposite of who you are!”

“Do you know much about her?” Iona asked, following closely behind.

“Not really, their privacy is airtight.” Vana glanced toward the two "Mas Bros"—the giant bodyguards standing stoically a few paces away. Their eyes were sharp, tracking every move Iona (or rather, Stella, their mistress) made. “Just look at that. Everywhere you go, you’re followed by those human tanks. It seems ever since that 'incident,' Mr. Buana has become incredibly overprotective of his golden child.”

“So, everyone heard about what happened?” Iona rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly.

“Yeah, something like that. It’s not every day Stella Viviana just collapses. Whoever planned that attack on her was definitely playing dirty,” Vana whispered, her voice dropping even lower. “Honestly, I never thought a life like this actually existed.”

Iona smiled, feeling a spark of renewed energy. At least she had one support system now—someone who knew exactly who she was.

“You... work for Manda, don’t you?”

Vana stopped in her tracks, looking at Iona who had been communicating in hushed whispers. “How did you know that?”

“I saw her out front; she greeted me and Mr. Buana. I just figured she must own this boutique,” Iona lied. Of course she knew. When she was still the "old" Iona, she had spent countless hours researching Manda, including her family's businesses. This boutique brand was new, though. Manda’s family must be making a fortune.

“Ah, that makes sense. Mr. Buana is a major investor in Oceanna Boutique,” Vana noted. Iona nodded, processing the information. “She was supposed to marry Joe, right? You probably looked into her because of that.”

Source: Gemini

Iona went silent. Just hearing Joe’s name sent a powerful jolt through her chest. Even in Stella’s body, the ache and the fluttering heart remained exactly the same.

“Don’t worry, Manda eventually turned down the arrangement and called off the wedding. After you passed away, that marriage never happened. Both Joe and Manda are still single. The rules in Jodhokerto have completely changed, too—there’s no longer that social pressure for men to marry by age 20.” Vana exhaled, laying the chosen clothes on the counter. “Sit down. I’ll ring these up and wrap them for you, 'Princess.'”

“Ah, you’re the best! Thank you, Vana!”

“Contact me if you need anything. My number is on this card,” Vana whispered as she handed the shopping bags to the bodyguards who were standing ready.

“Of course. Thank you for everything today. You’ve helped me so much.”

*＊✿❀　❀✿＊*

“Miss Iona—”

Iona let out a startled yelp as she stepped out of the car and was immediately greeted by one of the "Mas Bros." His face was far too close for comfort.

“Mas Bro! Why are you right here?!”

“Well, I was assigned to guard the main residence, Miss.”

Iona clutched her chest, trying to catch her breath as she stepped out of the black sedan.

“Besides, I am your personal bodyguard, Miss Iona... if you recall. I should have accompanied you to the boutique, but since you sent me to find out about Mr.—”

The girl quickly grabbed the man’s arm, trying to cover his mouth, though she could barely reach since he was so much taller.

“Shush! Don't say his name out loud!” Iona hissed.

“Oh, my apologies, Miss!”

“Please take all my bags to my room! Thank you,” Iona told the two guards behind her. Once they disappeared, she turned her focus back to the bearded "Mas Bro." “So? Did you get the info?”

“Yes, here is the latest on Joseph Banara,” the bearded man said. He handed over a thick stack of papers, neatly bound. Iona practically jumped with joy, snatching the folder as fast as she could.

“But you’ve read most of it, right? Where does he live? Who is he with? Where does he work?”

Mas Bro nodded, though his expression was clouded with confusion.

“Tell me everything!”

“He is the director of a stock trading firm called Irena Company. It’s been running for three years and is quite successful, competing well in the market. He lives alone in the Azure housing complex, about 40km from here—”

“Wait, Mas Bro! Only 40km?!”

Mas Bro nodded quickly, startled by her interruption. “Is he a new enemy of yours, Miss? Do I need to send a 'silent specialist' to his address?”

“EH?! Absolutely not! Don’t you dare lay a finger on him!” Iona snapped, pointing a finger right at the man’s nose. Her eyes widened in warning. “You don’t need to know who he is, but just know he’s the reason I’m recovering this fast.”

Iona looked down at the pile of papers in her arms. She flipped through the photos—taken by whatever shadow-spy Mas Bro had hired—and felt a wave of pure happiness seeing recent images of Joe. It was like medicine for the longing she carried in her soul. Even if her perception of time was warped, her heart felt the heavy ache of years spent apart from that handsome man.

“How far am I allowed to go today?”

*＊✿❀　❀✿＊*

Joe took a deep breath and leaned back into his black leather chair as his computer screen flickered off.

“Tara!”

Hearing the call, Tara walked quickly toward her boss. “Yes, sir?”

“I’m not feeling well, I'm going home. Please clear my schedule for the next three days. I need to rest. For any clients wanting to meet or sign agreements, postpone them.”

“But Sir, Mr. Pandu wants to see you tomorrow. If we don’t—”

“Even if he cancels the deal or pulls his shares, I don’t care. I don’t live for money anyway.” As if he couldn't be bothered further, Joe began packing his things. “Thank you for your help. Don’t stress yourself out with work either. If you want to take these three days off too, I don’t mind.”

Tara didn't dare argue. She watched as her boss walked out of the room. Seeing Joe’s condition worsen day by day made Tara wonder—just how beautiful was this "Iona" that her death could extinguish all hope in Joe’s life?

Source: Gemini

Joe took his private lift from the top floor to the basement parking. As he stepped out, adjusting his tie, he had no idea someone had been waiting hours to see him at a spot nearby. Just as he was driving out of the basement, a security guard flagged down his car.

Joe frowned. He rolled down the window as the guard approached the driver’s side. “What is it, Pak?” Joe asked, his tone flat.

“Someone is here to see you, Sir!” the guard said respectfully, clearly intimidated by Joe but more afraid of failing to deliver the message. “They’ve been waiting in the lobby for ages, but it seems you went straight to the basement—”

“Naturally. I want to get some rest, so my intention was to leave immediately,” Joe explained coldly.

However, curiosity flickered. Usually, people who wanted to see Joe for business had to make an appointment. Joe was exhausted, but he was curious about who would be this persistent.

“Where are they?”

“In front of the lobby, Sir. Should I call them over?”

Joe sighed, a long, weary sound. He went silent for a moment, then suddenly shook his head.

“Tell them to make an appointment before trying to see me. I am not to be disturbed for the next three days. Thank you.”

Without waiting for a response, Joe rolled up the window of his blue Mercedes-Benz E-Class and sped away, leaving the Irena Company headquarters behind. He was resolute: a total blackout from work for the next three days.

Iona, with the two "Mas Bros" trailing behind her, looked up hopefully as the guard returned. But her face fell when she saw he was alone.

Source: Gemini

“Mr. Joe cannot see anyone without an appointment. It seems he was in quite a rush—”

“But we’ve been waiting for two hours!” Iona blurted out.

“I’m sorry, Miss. There’s nothing I can do...”

Iona stormed off, her heels clicking angrily against the pavement, leaving the security guard clutching his chest as he stared at the exhaust fumes of two different luxury cars.

"My luck," he muttered, straightening his crooked cap. "Making minimum wage just to be the referee for rich-people drama. One boss who barely speaks, and one young lady who glares like she's got laser beams for eyes. I’d rather go finish my cold gorengan than stress over why wealthy people find it so hard to just talk to each other!" He trudged back to his booth, feeling like the most invisible man in the middle of a corporate emotional crisis.

BiYA Chapter VI

This work is the intellectual property of Alinea Aneyla. Please do not copy, distribute, or republish without written permission from the author.