The sunlight slipping through the curtains woke Max from a restless sleep. Her head was pounding. Groaning, she sat up and rubbed her face, trying to shake off the strange heaviness clouding her thoughts.
But something felt… wrong.
Her fingers looked bigger. Her arms… more muscular. Her eyes widened.
"What the hell?"
She stumbled to the mirror and froze.
The reflection staring back at her wasn't hers.
A young man stood there instead—short messy hair, sharp features, and eyes filled with disbelief. Max touched her face, her heart thudding so loudly she could barely hear her thoughts.
Before she could react, the door creaked open.
"Max, are you up—?" Astra stepped in, still half-asleep. But as her eyes landed on Max, she jolted awake, stumbling backward in shock.
Max panicked. "Wait, Astra—it's me!"
Moments later, the dining table was full—Astra, Sebastian, Amigas… all gathered in confusion. Astra was desperately trying to explain what had happened, while Max—now he—sat with his arms crossed, clearly done with repeating himself.
"So… you're saying you're Max?" Amigas asked, raising a skeptical eyebrow.
Max sighed. "No, I'm the tooth fairy. Of course I'm Max." His voice was sharp and dry.
Astra's eyes lit up. That attitude—it was Max. "Only Max talks like that," she muttered, almost smiling.
But the mood quickly shifted. The question hung in the air: how did this happen?
As the others kept throwing questions, Max sat back in his chair, arms crossed, silent. His head was still spinning, not just from what had happened—but from their reactions. Especially Sebastian's.
Sebastian hadn't said much. Just stared at him like a stranger.
Finally, he spoke.
"This is ridiculous."
Max glanced at him. "Glad to know I'm not the only one who thinks that."
Sebastian folded his arms. "I mean this entire act. Turning up like this, claiming to be Max. You expect me to believe this nonsense?"
"It's not nonsense!" Max snapped, louder this time. "I woke up like this, I'm still me! You think I want this?"
"I don't know what to think!" Sebastian raised his voice too. "But my daughter doesn't vanish overnight and get replaced by—by this!"
Max stood up, chair screeching back. "This? Say it, Dad. Say what you really mean."
Sebastian stared at him, lips tight.
"I'm not your daughter anymore, is that it?" Max said, voice shaking. "Because I don't look like the version of me you're used to?"
"It's not about that, Max. It's about reality. This isn't real."
"It is to me!" Max's voice cracked. "I'm still the same person. I still remember everything. My thoughts, my memories—my pain! Or did you forget that part too?"
Sebastian stood up too, anger flashing in his eyes. "Watch your tone."
"Why? So I can sound more like your perfect, polite daughter again?" Max whispered bitterly.
A heavy silence filled the room.
Then Max turned away.
"You know what? I don't have time to convince people who don't even want to understand," he muttered, walking off.
And before anyone could stop him, he disappeared into his room, the door clicking shut behind him.
As soon as he sat down, his phone buzzed.
A video call.
From Mark. His friend
Max's heart skipped. He panicked, fumbling with the screen—only to accidentally answer the call.
The screen filled with familiar faces: Mark, Sol, Lucian, Tik, Tul… and Jack.
"Are you Max's twin brother or something?" Mark asked, confused.
"He's Max," Jack said calmly.
Everyone fell silent.
Flashback.
Before the chaos at the dining table, when Max had been arguing with Astra… his phone had accidentally picked up the call. Jack had heard everything.
End of flashback.
"Hi," Max said awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck.
"You're looking kinda handsome, not gonna lie," Mark teased, smirking.
Max rolled his eyes but smiled faintly. They talked for a while. Then, after the call ended, Max stood up and quietly began packing his things.
Later, he stepped out of the room, dragging his suitcase behind him. Astra and Amigas were still in the hallway.
"Where are you going?" Astra asked, confused.
"Back to Thailand," Max said simply.
Astra ran up and grabbed the handle. "You're not going anywhere."
"I am," Max said, pulling the bag toward himself.
"But you won't even get a flight right now," Amigas pointed out.
Astra smiled, thinking she'd won. But then Max dropped the bomb.
"Jack's sending his private jet. It'll be here by afternoon."
Astra's smile vanished.
She clung to the bag tighter. Max pulled back. "Let go, Astra."
"We took one week off just to spend time with you," Astra said, her voice breaking slightly.
"Then spend it with each other," Max replied, walking to the door. He turned to Amigas. "Open it."
Astra's bad luck—Amigas opened it without a word.
Max stepped outside…
And froze.
Someone was standing there, waiting. Looking straight at him.
To be continued...