CHAPTER TWO

Anna made her way into the bathroom to freshen up. She would be meeting the previous host's family soon and as such had to make sure she looked presentable. She needed to change everyone's opinion of her if she wanted to live a good life. She especially had to be on good terms with the Lee brothers. She shivered when she thought of the ruthless male characters that were the female lead's brothers. The novel described them as malevolent, terrifying men, each one more scary than the next. Anna had no intentions of being on the bad side of such men. Especially since they were the reason the host would die.

With a sigh, Anna pushed open the door to the bathroom and immediately gasped in admiration. From a wealthy family herself, Anna could tell just how much the Lees doted on the original host. The bathroom was huge, with a full length mirror spanning the width of one wall. Glossy black tiles decorated the floor. In the middle of the bathroom was a large bathtub. At the far end was a shower stall. Anna was full of admiration. She turned in the direction of the mirror and stood in front of it.

And screamed.

Who could tell her who this horrible looking demon was?

She pulled on a the green seaweeds on her head disguised as hair and almost died. Her attention was drawn to the false lashes hanging haphazardly on her eyes. She tugged at them, wincing in pain as they came off. Looking at the long, cat shaped lashes, she could only sigh again. No wonder her eyes had felt heavy.

Anna couldn't stand staring at herself one second longer. The face in front of her was just a mess. Hurriedly, she stripped and dived into the shower. As she scrubbed her body thoroughly she wondered just what the previous host was thinking. The Lee family was partly a scholarly one for crying out loud! How could they tolerate their daughter looking like a dragon?

She stepped out of the shower, toweling herself as she headed out of the bathroom and into her closet. Striding into the walk-in closet, Anna felt an overwhelming urge to cry. Could someone tell her why every item here was in bright shades of red or in black? And why were they all short, lacy or transparent?!!!

Ruffling through them, Anna finally settled on a black lacy top and tight red leather jeans. She couldn't do anything out her bright green hair so she just left it like that. To be honest, she was also exhausted.

"Miss..." Someone knocked on the door again. A trembling voice came, "First Master wants to see you..."

"I'll be right there." Anna opened the door. The maid flinched and stepped back hastily. Anna knew she was doing it out of fear and could only sigh. This previous host was too willful!

Walking through the corridor and down the stairs, Anna admired the ornate and elegant decorations of the Lee's mansion. As someone from a dignified family herself, she admired casual opulence like this.

"Second Miss!" Someone said hurriedly.

"Butler Zhou." From the host's previous memories Anna knew this average height, ordinary looking man was the butler of the Lee family. He had served her grandfather, her father and was still serving her brothers. Sorry fake brothers. Although he had on a friendly smile as he ushered her into the living room, Anna could tell from his eyes just how shrewd this old man was.

"Anna!" As she stepped into the living room, someone rushed up to her. The woman was delicate looking with curly black hair and gentle looking eyes. She held Anna's hands tightly as she fussed over her. "How're you? Why did you wake up so late? Are you hungry?"

Seeing the blatant love in her eyes, Anna was touched. Regardless of anything else, this Madam Lee really loved her daughter. She felt another gaze on her and looked up.

And instantly wished she hadn't. The man in front of her was tall, surely above six feet, and extremely handsome. However, Anna wasn't in the mood to appreciate his looks as she stared into eyes that displayed pure nonchalance and disregard. It felt like this man didn't consider her a living being, instead she was just a tiny speck of dust in his otherwise perfect world. Anna suddenly realized how draining her journey to change everyone's opinion of her would be.

"Anna." The man said.

"Eldest brother." Yes, this was Lucas Lee, the first son of the Lee family. Cold, calculating and manipulative, he was one of those who pushed the original owner to her death. Anna shivered when he looked at her.

"I'm not going to mince words with you." Lucas Lee said slowly. His dark eyes were fixed on Anna's face, watching her closely, aiming to capture every single emotion she might have to his news. "We found Ava. She will be returning home today."

Anna smiled at that news. Poor Ava would finally be reunited with her family! Although she was terribly afraid, Anna couldn't help but feel a spark of joy at the thought of meeting her favorite protagonist.

" As such, you will be moving out of the Lee mansion and into the house on Anderson street."

Anna was disappointed. So she wouldn't be able to see her favorite girl? But then relief quickly flooded her. Thankfully, she wouldn't be staying any longer with these gods of death. Yay!

" Okay, Eldest brother." She nodded.

Lucas couldn't help but be surprised. She agreed just like that? Looking at her, he was sure she would come up with some petty tricks later on. But he would never give her that chance.

"You have twenty minutes to pack your things. The chaffeur is waiting outside."

" Now?" Anna eyes widened.

Lucas grinned maliciously. " You have 19 minutes, 56 seconds left."

" Lucas!" Madam Lee was evidently upset.

Anna turned and ran upstairs. She burst into her room and scanned everywhere quickly. What to pack... what to pack... clothes!

She flung the closet open and dragged out the largest suitcase. She grimaced as she stared at the different lace outfits and began searching for appropriate clothes. She barely found some decent t-shirts and jeans which she folded and stuffed into the suitcase. The host's collection of shoes followed suit.

Next she entered her room and packed all of Anna's textbooks and notebooks. She grabbed some knickknacks like Anna's diary, photo album and after careful consideration, Anna's jewelry box. It wouldn't hurt to have something she could convert into money.

Dragging her suitcase, she went downstairs. She read the surprise in Lucas eyes and smiled triumphantly. 'Hmph! Don't think I don't know your plan!' It was evident Lucas wanted her to be a scampering mess when the time came.

"Anna..." Madam Lee's eyes filled with tears as she looked at her daughter. Anna knew she was genuinely sad so she hugged her. "I'll be fine,mo..." She couldn't bring herself to say the word 'mom'. Calling Lucas 'brother' was easy since she had never had brothers before, but mom was still a stretch for her.

" Just take it as me going for a vacation. And you can always come visit me." She tried to reassure her.

Seeing her daughter trying to comfort her, Madam Lee held back her tears and smiled. " I'll come see you soon."

" Alright. Goodbye mom. Goodbye Eldest brother."

Lucas ignored her greeting and waved at one of the butlers standing beside Butler Zhou. "Butler Zhang will be going with you."

" Sir!" The second butler of the Lee family was aggrieved to hear this. Lucas glared at him and the man could only swallow his grievances. He glared at Anna. He had been looking forward to serving the real miss. It was all this jinx's fault!

Anna stared back innocently at the butler. 'What?' Her face seemed to be saying, 'I didn't do anything!'

Butler Zhang could only frown and head outside. Anna followed with Madam Lee and Lucas behind her. The chaffeur came forward to take her luggage, stuffing it into the car boot. Butler Zhang settled into the front seat.

Anna smiled and said her goodbyes as she got into the car. Waving goodbye once again, she watched the two figures become smaller as the chaffeur drove away. Finally! Anna grinnned. She would no longer be around those evil brothers; she could almost see her future of dying getting further away from her. Her smile became bigger... until she remembered something.

"Wait!" She leaned forward. The driver pulled to a stop.

"Young Miss?"

"Turn around."

"Young Miss?" The chaffeur was confused.

"Turn around. Go back."

The chaffeur slowly turned around and drove back. She could see the disdain in Butler Zhang's eyes, but she couldn't be bothered. She pushed the car door open and stepped out.

"What's wrong Anna?" Madam Lee heard the sound of the car and came outside again. Seeing that it was her daughter, her eyes filled with worry and hope. Had her daughter changed her mind? If she wanted to stay, Madam Lee would do her best to persuade her husband!

Lucas followed his mother outside and smiled wryly. He knew that scourge would never willing let go. She must have come to persuade his mother. However, he was prepared to stand against his mother. This burden absolutely could not stay!

Anna smiled awkwardly and rubbed her palms together. Avoiding both gazes, Anna stretched out her hands.

"Eldest brother...can..can..." Anna was in a dilemma. She couldn't ask that now, could she?

"Can you what?" Lucas was prepared to hear her ask if she could stay back and his 'no' was ready.

Anna bit her lips and decided to go through with it. "CanIhavesomecash?" (can I have some cash) She said hurriedly. "You seized my credit cards and I don't have any money on me..." Her head drooped.

Lucas was exasperated. "What?"

Thinking of her empty closet, and the fact that she was moving to a new environment in a world she knew nearly nothing about, Anna could only straighten her shoulders. Mourning the manners her parents had instilled in her, she could only shout righteously, "Give me some money!"