Chapter 57

...Emile in Dickinson pov…

I was shocked, Dickinson's wife was in the hospital? I had no idea. And what was this about an accident? I was feeling more and more overwhelmed by the minute.

"Thank you for telling me, Dr. Carmen," I said, trying to sound grateful. "I appreciate it."

"No problem, Dickinson," He said. "Just let me know if there's anything else I can help with." I answered, trying to sound as confident as I could.

"Hello?" I said, subconsciously hoping that I was sounding like Dickinson. But I realized I didn't have to after hearing his deep voice.

"Mr Dickinson, where have you been?" a female voice on the other end asked. "I've been trying to reach you for hours. The meeting is tomorrow and we still need to go over the details."

I felt my heart sink. This was the meeting that Emile had mentioned, and I had no idea what to say or do. I needed to buy some time, so I said, "I'll get back to you."

I hung up the phone and dropped it on the table, feeling more confused than ever. I had to find out what was going on and fast.

I grabbed Dickinson's phone again and started to swipe through his contacts, searching for my number. I finally found it and quickly hit the call button, feeling tense as I watched the phone ring.

My heart was pounding as I listened to the ring tone, waiting for someone to pick up. After what felt like an eternity, I heard a familiar voice on the other end. "Hello?"

"Dickinson?" I exclaimed. "Is that you?"

There was a pause on the other end of the line, then a confused voice replied, "Emile? What's going on?

...Dickinson POV...

I woke up feeling disoriented and confused. I rubbed my eyes and tried to make sense of my surroundings. I was lying on a soft bed in an unfamiliar room. The room was decorated in soft pinks and purples, with frilly curtains and a plush rug. I sat up and looked around, realizing with a start that I was in a female body.

I looked down at my hands and saw that they were delicate and smooth, not the rough and calloused hands that I was used to. I felt a growing sense of panic and confusion.

I got out of bed and stumbled over to the dresser, catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I gasped in shock when I saw my reflection - it was Emile, not me. I stared at my reflection for a moment, trying to make sense of what was happening. Had I fallen asleep and woken up in someone else's body? Was this some kind of strange dream?

Just as I was trying to figure things out, there was a knock at the door. I hesitated for a moment, then walked over and cautiously opened it. On the other side stood Emile's mother, a stern-looking woman with a frown on her face. "You woke up late!" she scowled. "Breakfast is ready."

I grinned weakly as I watched her leave, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and confusion. I was still trying to make sense of what was happening, but I knew that I needed to eat something to clear my head.

I made my way down to the kitchen, where Emile's mother was dishing up a plate of eggs and bacon.

As I sat down at the table, I couldn't help but notice the similarities between Emile's mother and Emile.

They had the same sharp cheekbones and piercing blue eyes, and their expressions were similarly stern.

It was clear that Emile had inherited his no-nonsense demeanor from his mother.

I ate my breakfast in silence, still feeling bewildered by the strange turn of events.

I couldn't shake the feeling that I was living someone else's life, and I was desperate to find out what was happening. After breakfast, I made my way back up to the room, determined to figure things out. The phone rang, interrupting my thoughts. I picked it up, seeing my mother's name on the screen.

"Hello, Mother," I answered, trying to sound as much like Emile as possible. "Emile, darling, I hope I'm not bothering you," she said.

"Of course not, Mother. What is it?" I asked.

"Well, the bills are still not paid, and I've only managed to pay some," she said, sounding stressed. "When are you going back to work?"

I sighed. This was not what I wanted to hear. I couldn't imagine going back to work, let alone pretending to be Emile while I was there. But I knew I had to keep up the charade.

"I'll go back to work soon, Mother," I said, trying to sound confident. "I'll make sure the bills get paid."

"I hope so, Emile," she said. "I'm counting on you."

I hung up the phone and leaned back on the sofa, letting out a sigh. How was I going to do this? I couldn't imagine myself working, let alone pretending to be someone else. And now, with Emile's long hair, I would stick out like a sore thumb.

I scratched my head, feeling the strands of hair between my fingers. I had never had long hair before, and I wasn't sure I liked it. I let out another sigh and closed my eyes, trying to think of a solution.

"Emile, darling, I'm so glad you left that club," my mother said, as we sat on the sofa in the living room. "It was just too dangerous for you to be working there."

I nodded, pretending to know what she was talking about. I was still trying to wrap my head around being in Emile's body, and now I was having a conversation with her mother about her job at a club.

"I remember when that young girl, a club waiter, was gang-raped there during late hours," my mother continued. "It was just terrible. I'm so glad you're safe now."

I felt a shiver run down my spine. This was not a conversation I was prepared for. I didn't know what to say, so I just listened.

"And the risks," she said, shaking her head. "I just couldn't bear to think about what might have happened to you if you had stayed there. It's just not worth it."

I nodded again, trying to appear empathetic. I didn't want to raise any suspicions by acting out of character.

"I understand, Mother," I said, trying to sound like Emile. "I just couldn't bear the thought of putting myself in harm's way anymore. It's just not worth it."

"That's my girl," she said, patting my hand. "You always were the smart one. I'm so proud of you."

I felt a pang of guilt in my chest. I wasn't Emile and I couldn't act it. I was Dickinson, and I was stuck in this body. I had no idea how to get back to my own body or how to make this all go away.

I began feeling sick and dizzy, and before I knew it, I was running to the bathroom sink, retching. I washed my mouth and took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. Just then, I heard a voice, it was my mother, she came to check on me.

"Emily, are you okay?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

"I don't feel well," I replied, still trying to catch my breath.

"It seems like your pregnancy symptoms have started. You need to go to the hospital today for a checkup," she informed me, her voice matter-of-fact.

I was terrified, the reality of my situation was starting to hit me hard. I was not just a woman, but a pregnant woman. How was I going to deal with this new life inside me? How was I going to cope with the changes that were bound to come?

"Emily, are you listening to me?" My mother asked, bringing me back to reality.

"Yes, I am," I replied, still in shock.

"Good, you need to start getting ready. The hospital is expecting us at 9 am," she said and left the room.

I stood there for a few minutes, still trying to process what was happening to me. When I thought about the fact that I am not just in a woman's body but a pregnant one, it was a lot to take in, and I was scared. Emile's mother handed me a glass of orange juice.

"Drink this, it will help with the nausea," she said, smiling. Then she picked her bag and pecked my cheek. "I am heading out", she said then went through the door. I sighed and took a sip, and it did help.

I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection in disbelief. This body, this female body, wasn't mine. I was always a male, and now, I had to dress and present as a female. I felt overwhelmed and clueless, not knowing where to start.