AURELIA

"What day is your graduation?"

My eyes flicked upwards at my father's question as we ate dinner. My fork slowly hit the glass plate, making a clink.

Graduation?

I remembered that my graduation was just two weeks from now.

"On Friday, 12 pm," I replied.

I'd forgotten about all of these; my life had practically rewound two years, and this time, I was preparing for graduation. That meant my arts award had been a month or two back. I should have contacted Mr. Ford, who wanted to speak to me about my art, shouldn't I?

"Hopefully, after graduation, you will be smart enough to know that the arts have nothing to do with this family," my father said. I always knew he was against it; this question had also popped up in my past life. The seemingly peaceful dinner had turned into an uproar in an instant.

He didn't seem to understand that business was not my forte, and while I could handle a little bit of food nutrition-letting it go only because I would have competed against Mireya in my past life-, I was happier with food tasting and adjustments. However, now, I plan to give my all when it comes to wrenching the company out of Mireya's hands.

"Yes, while I pursue arts in my free time, I would love to work at the company full-time, until I can hold the reins."

Mireya's fork hit her plate loudly, while my mom stared at me, mouth agape.

"I thought you wanted nothing to do with the company?" Mom asked.

"I did," my lips flattened, "however, I realized I was wrong, and you were right. I should be serious and work at the company." 

Whatever made them sleep at night was what I was going to say to make them give me a chance at the company. However, that didn't mean I was happy with them. They had joined in making my past life miserable.

"That's good," my father nodded his head, a contented smile brightening his face. "I'm so happy you finally wisened up, Aurelia. Just act like your sister from now on, Mireya will teach you everything you need to know."

"Thank you sis!" I glanced at Mireya.

She forced a smile, her fingers tightening around the fork. 

"Tomorrow, Aurelia, you should come to the boutique with me. I would get some dresses perfect for your first day at work," mom said, placing a piece of beef on my plate.

I knew my parents and what made them switch easily, it was nothing more than business.

"Aure, I don't think you should work at the company. Isn't art your passion?" Mireya asked in my room after dinner. I looked up from my phone and stared at her,

"It is," I nodded. "And since it's a talent, it's easier for me than most. But I want to try something new and working at the company sounds like a nice idea."

I watched as her brows furrowed. "You never wanted to work at the company-"

"People change, Mireya. I thought you would be happy for me, we would be spending more time together for a while. Think of my period there as a sisters' hangout."

"How many days do you plan on spending?" Her ears perked up the moment she heard the word period.

"I don't know. Depends on how fast I learn and how soon mom and dad retire so I can take over," I said flatly.

"You...want to take over the company? You haven't even started working yet," she said sharply.

"Exactly. Why are you so tense?" I scoffed, grabbing my head phones from the bed as I stood up. "I'm going for a run, see ya."

I let out a breath the moment I stepped out of the house. Staying in the room with Mireya would have killed me at any moment, so how did she pretend for that long? From the moment she got into our house? Pretense was suffocating, and watching her act so nice simply made me angry. I couldn't wait to take back the things that belonged to me and watch the calm composure snap out of her.

My legs hit the floor as I ran past the gate, running at the side of the estate. A shadow fell beside me and before I could turn, the owner came. Theron Draix.

What? My legs stopped suddenly and before I could fall, his hands wrapped around me, holding me steady. 

"Are you okay?" His eyes stared at me, full with worry.

Fake.

I steadied myself, pushing him away. 

Irritation clouded my face, "What are you doing here?"

In my memories, I'd never run into Theron jogging, ever. He wasn't even home during weekdays, except for Friday evenings. This was a Wednesday.

"Jogging, you?"

"You are clearly not blind," I threw the words out of my lips venomously. He should see clearly that I wanted nothing to do with him. "Did Mireya send you here?" 

"Mireya?" His eyes narrowed. "No."

"You are a liar," I scoffed. "I see she couldn't wait to cry to you, right?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about-"

His words had barely dropped, when we heard a vibration, from his joggers. Right, joggers. Seeing Theron Draix in clothes other than suits and ties was...crazy. However, I hated him and I hoped he could see that and just leave me the heck alone. This time I was focused on the girl I called my family.

"Pick her call, lover boy, and leave me alone," I said flatly and continued my race, away from him.

"Did we have a fight?" Theron resurfaced.

"No."

"Then why are you breaking up with me?" he held my arm, halting me. 

For a second, we stared at each other in utter silence. And just for that second, something flashed in Theron's eyes. Pain?

"Are you-"

"Aurelia!" A voice cut me off from my words and I turned, just in time to see a bike stop in front of me. Its owner pulled off the helmet from his head and a smile crossed his face.

I blinked, and then, recognition set in.

"Tony?"

AURELIA

Tony pulled me into a tight suffocating hug the moment he alighted from his bike. 

"Tony, I can't breathe," I chuckled as I struggled to pull his hands away from me.

"It's been what...ten years?" Tony asked as he finally let me leave his grip.

"I think," I shrugged, staring at him. He'd gotten tanned, more handsome than I remembered, and he was, shockingly, riding a bike. Weird, Tony could mention names of the most expensive cars than anyone I knew, and here, he was biking.

"Do you want to get out of here? For an hour or something,"

I glanced at the man behind me, who hadn't said a word, and yet was throwing daggers at Tony. The fact that they knew each other and still didn't say a single word to each buzzed me a little. Yet, going with Tony would be the best way for me to avoid Theron.

"Sure, why not?" I stretched my hand to get the second helmet, when it was suddenly snatched away from behind. My gaze hardened as I turned to look at Theron.

"What on earth do you think you are doing?" I frowned.

"It's late, are you seriously going to go with him?" Theron's eyes narrowed.

"Yes," I replied flatly, grabbing the helmet with more force than necessary, but he pulled it backwards, dragging me with it.

The helmet was the only thing between us as he lowered his voice, "He could be dangerous."

"Why do you care? Don't you think you are more dangerous than him?"

"What?" He blinked.

"I hate people like you, Theron, who do whatever and believe that because it is them, they can get away with it. People like you are bullshit." 

His fingers loosened from the helmet and I pulled it towards myself. "Go home and work on files or something. A billionaire like you should not be seen walking around easily. The world is dangerous, Theron."

He seemed to get the sarcastic comment because his eyes darkened at my words. Tony helped me place the helmet properly and he zoomed off the moment I got on his bike. 

At 8pm, we sat across each other at a small restaurant reasonably far away from the Queen's Estate.

"So you and Theron..." Tony trailed off as he sipped from his coca cola drink. I had insisted on something soft, so he'd gone with coca cola and I with a glass of pure orange drink.

"Don't talk about him." I was warned.

"Are you still in love with him?"

"Are you guys still not talking?" I smirked.

Tony grinned, "Touche."

I smirked. We both don't get along with Theron now. I remember not talking to Tony for a whole week because Tony and Theron had a fight, and even now, I had no idea what caused it, each of them refused to tell. One thing was constant, Tony and Theron would never speak to each other again. it 's been like that for a year before he left and ten years now, it was the same.

"Just so you know," I traced the rim of my glass with my polished nail, "I broke up with him three days ago."

Tony's eyes narrowed, "You dated." 

It was more like an observation than a question. 

I nodded. "Something like that."

"It wasn't something like that, heiress. The fact is that you and Theron dated, period. Let's hear it, what made you break up with your longtime fantasy?"

Tony was...unhinged. I chuckled. "Long time, what?"

"That's what Theron is to you," he shrugged, sipping his drink, before he tilted his neck, "Go on."

A tattoo peeked from underneath it, the darkness contrasting with his white shirt. When had he gotten a tattoo? I was so tempted to ask.

"Even if I tell you, you wouldn't be able to understand so never mind." I sighed. Who would believe something as crazy as rebirth?

"If you aren't interested in telling me, that's fine. However, if you need someone to make him jealous, I'm right here for you," he tapped his chest.

There was no need to make Theron jealous. I wanted him to pay for his crime and not take him back.

"I'm not dating him," I said and firmed my gaze. "Period. Enough of Theron, how come you are back in LA?" 

"What happened, wherever you went?"

He clicked his tongue, "You don't even know, heiress. Is that how little you care for me? The size of your love is no more than a bee."

"It's queen bee sized, at least."

Tony laughed.

The next hour was spent, talking about everything we could share about our lives in the last ten years, and truthfully, talking with Tony made me feel better. In my past life, I hadn't met him, however in this life, he was right here.

Theron wasn't also at the pool in my past life and there was no record of him jogging, ever. He spent practically all his time working, or probably being with Mireya. That meant only one thing, certain things were changing this time. Was it because I came back?

"Heiress," Tony pulled my attention back to him, breaking my connection of thoughts.

"Huh?"

"What exactly are you thinking about?" He raised his brows, staring at me quizzically. 

"What did you ask?"

"About your sister, Mireya. How is she?"

"Mireya is-" I stopped.

Right, it's Mireya's first press conference tomorrow, where she announces the information of our newest pastries to the viewers. That move made her known to the world and people immediately assumed she was the heiress to Hales Foods. I shouldn't be here right now. 

"Tony," I called. "Take me home."

"What's going on? Is there trouble at home?"

"No, I just need to prepare for something. We'll talk better next time, but tonight I have to leave."

He nodded, pushing his chair backwards. "Let's go, Heiress."

AURELIA

I stared at myself in the mirror, running my hand on the structured emerald green crepe material. It was a fitted bodice flare dress which I thought was perfect for the situation. Staring at the dress, a smile tilted my lips. I felt excited starting this new phase and more excited about the look on Mireya's face when she saw me at the press conference.

The car stopped in front of the first floor of Hales Foods, and I walked past the doors, stepping into the building. Mireya was on the podium with a small practiced smile on her face as she spoke boldly into the camera. And then I waved,

Her eyes caught mine and for a split second, her smile faltered. The camera caught that, same as the reporters who were ready for hot news. Her face returned back to normal as she looked back at the camera. I folded my hands, watching her from behind.

"As we launch the mass market packaged bakery line, we are entering into every home, not just special occasions. With this, we are becoming part of your everyday lives. Thank you," she ended.

The reporters raised their hands as questions popped up.

"Won't this new line dilute the luxury identity your brand is known for?"

"Our goal is to make sure every home has access to our products. Hales Food's identity has always been built on quality, not exclusivity," she paused. "We are not lowering the brand. We are widening its reach."

This was how Mireya was, a smart ass girl who could answer questions without raising concerns for the people or the company. How had she turned evil after getting everything I owned? I just couldn't understand.

"Miss Hale, since this new expansion includes retail distribution and brand restructuring, can you clarify who legally owns Hales Food's intellectual property and trademark rights, your family personally, or a holding structure under separate control?" 

Mireya blinked as the reporters went silent. I could see the PR team freezing. If this question was not answered smartly, there was no running away from stepping into legal exposure.

Mireya's lips parted, "That's...managed through the company's legal framework and...and internal structure..." she trailed off. I was meeting an unprepared Mireya for the first time.

I dropped my hands, "I can clarify that." 

Attention turned to me as soon as the words left my lips. I walked past the reporters, calmly making my way towards the podium.

"Aure..." Mireya called, confusion twisting her face as she slightly took a step back from the mic. 

I smiled, turning to face the press. "Hales Food's intellectual property and trademarks are held under a family-controlled holding entity, while operational control sits with the executive board. Expansion decisions are board-led, not personally owned by any single individual."

The reporter who asked the question spoke again, "And who might you be?"

"Pardon my manners, I'm Aurelia Hale," I smiled. 

~~

The Hales Food...How Many Heirs Are There?

Unexpected Second Hale Heir Appears During Hales Food Press Conference. 

Hales Food Expansion Launch Overshadowed by Leadership Uncertainty.

Aurelia Hale...Second Hale Daughter.

A smile crossed my face as I stared at the various outlines filling my news feed. It was less than an hour after the press conference and my name had become the third most searched keyword. 

The media feed was buzzing with...who was Aurelia Hale? 

I couldn't be more grateful to the dozen cups of coffee I'd drank last night trying to read about anyone that could accompany a press conference. I knew almost nothing about business, so I needed to be well prepared. I'm only so glad that my plan went well.

"Aure," Mireya's voice came across as she walked towards me where I sat in the lounge room. 

"Big sis!" I waved, a smile on my face. My pretense was killing me.

"What exactly..." she stopped, sucking a deep breath. "Why were you at the press conference today?" 

"I wanted to watch you."

"That was not what it looked like. You hijacked my spot," she shot.

I blinked, "I was trying to help. You were at a loss of words."

She gritted her teeth. "I had it under control."

"Are you mad at me, Mireya?" I flattened my lips against each other, forcing my eyes to water. "Because I helped you out?"

"You didn't..." she sighed, trailing off. "Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be on a date with Theron?"

I smirked. "Am I?" I raised my brows. "I didn't hear of that, did you and Theron speak to each other?" 

Her eyes narrowed at me. "No...I just assumed you would be with him."

She told him to take me out on a date. Mireya was always period. In my last life, I was on a date with Theron while she held the press conference, and I'd been foolish enough to congratulate her when the press twisted a sick narrative that she was the heiress. In this life, Theron didn't even ask me on a date. He hadn't spoken to me after last night, either.

"Are you and Theron-"

"Aurelia," my father's voice cut Mireya off as she started speaking. My mother stood beside him, both of them walking up to us.

"How did you think of that beautiful answer right on the spot?" My father's eyes gleamed with pride. 

I smiled softly, "I just wanted to help Mireya out."

He turned to Mireya, a blank expression on his face. "I expected you to do better, Mireya? What happened?"

"The question took me by surprise. I'd be more prepared next time."

My father nodded as he stared at us. "Let's go out for a family dinner tonight. Sure, on Monday, I'll introduce you to the board members. They need to get familiar with you." 

A smile formed on my lips as I nodded. "I'll love to be introduced to them soon."

It wouldn't be easy getting my parents approval but slowly, I would chip off their walls and trust in Mireya.