“You’re awake.” A woman came into the room. In her hands, she carried a tray with bread and milk. 
“Who are you? Why am I here?” I asked suspiciously. 
“What do you mean, ma’am? I'm Lily, the head maid of this household. It's my responsibility to ensure you're well taken care of, as per Mr. James' instructions. I've got breakfast ready for you. Don’t forget to have breakfast along with the medicine I’ve prepared for you.” Lily placed the tray on the bedside table. 
“If there's anything you need, please ring the bell that is on the bed. I’ll come right away. I'm leaving now ma'am.” Despite her constant smile, I couldn't shake the uneasiness I felt around Lily. There was something about her aura that felt ominous, and her smile seemed to hide ulterior motives instead of being sincere. Was it just my feeling? I had a lot of questions swirling in my head, but I couldn't bring myself to speak to them out loud. As I watched her leave, I let out a sigh of relief. 
I left the bed and explored the room. A full-length mirror caught my eye, and I approached it hesitantly. My reflection stared back at me. I was speechless. My hand covered my mouth. Shocked. What the... No wonder I felt strange earlier. Somehow, my body felt light and tall. I had long, slender fingers and smooth, unblemished skin. I couldn't help but notice a calendar on the table. 
August 2002?! 
Was this a dream, a hallucination, or what? This wasn’t my body, and this wasn’t my time! It’s like I’m in someone else’s body and in a different era. 2002? Is this a joke? I slapped my cheeks several times, hoping to wake up from this nightmarish dream. All in vain. I was still here in the body of a stranger. Wait... I took off the pajamas, leaving only underwear. My eyes widened. What the hell with all the bruises on this body? There were many bruises on this body. Without delay, I quickly opened the wardrobe to find information about the body's true owner. I found a Gucci handbag containing a wallet with identification cards and other important cards. 
This body belongs to Bella Henderson, a 23-year-old. In 2000, she tied the knot with James Hatter. Seeing the many bruises on her body, it seemed like Bella had been severely abused. I bit my finger. Dangerous. Very dangerous. I'm unsure of Bella's whereabouts and the reason for being in her body, but I must leave this place. I have to get out of here. But how? 
With determination, I quickly navigated the room and spotted Bella's backpack hidden beneath the bed. I collected her money and jewelry and put them in there. I also took some clothes along with me. I’m sorry, Bella. I'll give you back your money later. I promise. Please forgive me. As I prepared to leave, I ripped down the curtains covering the windows, an idea forming in my mind. Tying them together, I fashioned a makeshift rope, silently praying it would hold. 
A sudden, loud knock on the door shattered the silence, and panic surged through me. The voice outside belonged to Lily. With no time to spare, I started my descent using the improvised rope, inching my way down. 
“Ma’am, what are you doing?!” Lily’s shocked voice reached my ears. 
But my escape wasn’t as discreet as I had hoped. As my feet touched the ground, Lily caught sight of me. Without hesitation, I sprinted towards the surrounding forest, my heart pounding. A sharp whistle pierced the air, freezing me in my tracks. Fear gripped me, but determination fueled my escape. I went deeper into the thick woods, my feet carrying me away from the house. The vast road ahead brought a momentary sigh of relief, only to be abruptly cut short. Suddenly, my mouth was covered, and my vision blurred into darkness.  
I woke up with a jolt, my eyes wide open in astonishment, as if I had just escaped a dreadful dream. I examined my body. I thought I was just dreaming about going back to the year 2002. It turned out it wasn’t a dream at all. 
“Finally, you’re awake.” I turned, and I realized I was in a car. Next to me, there was a man driving casually with black sunglasses on. 
“You... You were the one who kidnapped me earlier, right?” I accused. The earlier incident was still vivid in my memory. I almost escaped if not for my mouth suddenly being covered with something until I passed out. Could it be that this man was working with James Hatter? 
“Whatever you think, it’s not true at all,” the man suddenly spoke. 
“Then who are you? Why am I in your car, and where are we going?” I asked rapidly. 
“I found you on the street.” 
“What?” 
“Like I said. I found you on the street. Unconscious. I thought you got hurt somewhere, that’s why we are on the way to the hospital now,” he explained. I remained vigilant. One thing I’ve learned in life is not to easily trust people, especially men. 
The man stopped the car on the roadside. 
“Bella, looks like we need to talk.” The man took off his sunglasses, and I was momentarily stunned. His skin was fair. His face was perfectly oval, a sharp nose, thin lips, and what caught my attention the most, his eyes were blue like the sea. Such a beautiful man. Wait, what am I blabbering about? 
“How... How did you know my name? You said you found me on the street?” 
“Bella, you didn’t recognize me?” 
“What?” 
“I’m Dylan Lauren. We’ve met before. You don’t remember me?” 
I tried to control my panic. I couldn’t tell him I wasn’t Bella. How on earth am I supposed to respond to him? 
“You really didn’t remember me, did you?” The sadness was clear in his voice. 
I swallowed nervously. 
“I... I’m sorry. But...” Before I could finish my sentence, I was frozen as my body was pulled into his embrace. 
“It’s fine. You ran away from him, you... you did well, Bella. I’m so proud of you...” Dylan whispered. My heart raced with a blend of nervousness and an unprecedented sense of peace when he hugged me. 
“You’re safe now. I will keep you safe from him. You don’t need to feel scared anymore. You have me, and it’s more than enough.” Dylan smiled, and at that moment, I realized I could trust him. 
As the sun dipped low in the sky, Dylan took me to a secluded spot on the California beach. The golden sands stretched endlessly, meeting the rhythmic waves of the Pacific. The unmistakable smell of salt and sunscreen lingered in the air, evoking memories of carefree ocean days. 
While walking by the coast, I could feel the warmth of the sand under my feet. Seagulls soared overhead, their cries blending with the rhythmic symphony of crashing waves. The distant laughter and music of a group of teenagers added to the lively atmosphere, their beach towels and umbrellas showcasing the vibrant fashion trends of the day. 
A beach volleyball match started nearby, with players wearing tank tops and board shorts. Our sunlit afternoon was accompanied by the nostalgic tunes of early 2000s pop music playing from a portable radio. Ice cream vendors meandered through the crowd, their colorful carts attracting both children and adults. 
As the sun dipped below the horizon, seaside bonfires flickered to life, casting a warm glow on the faces of friends gathered around. The scent of burning wood mingled with the salty sea breeze, creating a comforting ambiance. Groups shared stories, laughter, and marshmallows, creating a sense of community under the starlit sky. For a moment, it’s hard for me to believe that I’m in the year 2002.  
“Why did you bring me here?” I’m asking Dylan. 
“Probably for the last time. After this, you won’t be in California anymore. Can you please wait for me here in a second? I will be back.”  
I nodded with a smile. I gazed out at the sea, my mind in turmoil. I still didn’t know what could have brought me to the year 2002. What if all of this wasn’t real? If it’s not a dream, I must be in a coma. That’s the only logical explanation so far. The only way for me to wake up from this nightmarish dream is... 
I looked at the beach. I won't have any answers until I make an attempt. It's possible that this method might actually work, you never know. This might be the solution for me to return to my original time. I took step after step into the water. Without me realizing it, the water had already risen to my chest. 
“Bella, what are you doing?!” 
I deafened my ears. Out of nowhere, sound waves emerged. Panic mixed with anxiety overwhelmed me. Unable to balance myself, I drowned. My vision darkened.