"Tell me where they are. Where is the wedding? You said it was today, right? I know my release was not announced, else I would have assumed they planned this to humiliate me more. Making my release date their wedding day. Maybe it's just fate. A way to let me know that they need to be confronted." Zac asked as he paced.
Leon tried to control the emotions he was feeling because they belonged to his new body, not to him. But it was next to impossible. It seemed like he actually had no choice but to see it through. Maybe after this, he would have better control over the body he was swapped into. For now, he had to be Zachary Evans, in both body and soul.
"There's no need to go there, Zac. You'll just get hurt even more if you see them." Hannah said as she touched his arm but he shrugged her off.
"No. I need to see with my own two eyes. I need to ask them why they did this to me. What did I do to deserve this unfair treatment? A double betrayal, a criminal record, and all my money and assets stolen."
"You're angry, Zac. You may do something that may send you back to jail for an even longer sentence. Is that what you want? You just got out." Thomas said.
Zac took deep breaths and tried to smile.
"I won't, I promise. I'll just congratulate the happy couple." Zac said.
"You expect us to believe that, Zac? You won't be able to stand seeing them. There's a reason we cut off contact with them. It's annoying to witness them be so happy after their treachery. I know how much you loved Gaby, and Justin has been your best friend for years. I can't trust you to go there and not cause a scene that would get you arrested. Right now, your freedom is more important. Everything else can be rebuilt, so let's focus on you moving on." Thomas said.
"Why do you care if I ruin the damn wedding, huh? Are you part of their plan too? Are there cameras here somewhere recording me while I lose my mind so you all can watch it later and laugh at me?" Zac said with a furious expression.
"I don't care about them, Zac. I care about what happens to you. You've been through enough already. You need to move on and get your life back together. If you get into more trouble, your future will be at stake. You can rebuild your empire, Tommy and I will help you get back on your feet. Forget about Gaby and Justin." Hannah said as she hugged him.
It had been so long since he let himself be touched by someone. In prison, people were either trying to rape or kill him.
"Okay." Zac sighed.
"I won't go. " He kissed Hannah's forehead and stepped back from her.
"But, at least show me. I need to show my mind that there is no hope anymore, that I can never get my old life back, so I can stop longing for what I've lost and move on."
"Their wedding is all over social media." Thomas said as he brought out his phone.
"I'll show you some videos, and then you'll take a bath, agreed? Is your old phone still working?"
"Yeah. At least they kept it safe. Though it's close to useless right now. Who would I call except you two, and what use would I have for social media after being let down so deeply? By the way, do I really smell so bad that you want to force me to bathe?" Zac chuckled and Thomas nudged him with an elbow.
He looked like he was okay, but his heart was racing as he tapped play on the video in Thomas' phone. As it began to play, his heart pumped so hard that it felt like it was trying to move out of his chest.
Up until that moment, he had been hoping it was all a lie, a prank that his friends were trying to pull on him. He had still been hoping that Justin and Gaby would pop out from somewhere in the house, laughing at him because he believed that they had betrayed him. Gaby would have been hurt that he hadn't believed in their love, she would pout and he would kiss her and apologize over and over again. Justin would have just laughed and patted his back.
But instead, he saw videos from people outside the venue. The one he was currently watching showed Gaby walking into the venue wearing her wedding gown. Then the camera moved to show Justin waiting for her with a smile on his face. Zac's whole body shook with unbridled anger, and his vision went hazy with fury. He clenched his hand till Thomas' phone cracked.
"Whoa, man. You've gotten really strong." Thomas said and his voice was what made Zac snap out of it.
"Sorry, man. I'll get you a new one later. Oh! I forgot. I don't have a dime. I'm broke now." Zac laughed.
Hannah and Thomas chuckled nervously at his joke about himself.
"I'm really sorry that all this is happening to you, Zac. You really don't deserve it at all. And I wish there was more we could do for you, but our hands are tied." Hannah said with a sad smile.
"Its not your fault. You both have done more than enough for me. Helping me and giving me a roof to stay in even though it must be inconveniencing. If not for the both of you, I would be lost. Don't worry, I'll be fine. Just show me to my room." Zac said.
"It's right this way. I'll take you while Hannah makes something for you to eat." Thomas said as he led Zac down the hall. "After your bath, just put on a robe and come join us at the dining table. We'll launder your dirty clothes so you can wear them when we go shopping later today."
"I don't need to go with you, just get me clothes that are my size, and I'll wear them." Zac said.
"No. You're coming with us so you can pick clothes that you like. This isn't a refugee camp where you have to take what you're given whether you like it or not. You also need something to get your mind off Gaby and Justin's wedding. Going shopping is the perfect distraction. When you're done picking clothes, we'll shop for groceries. With your current size, you probably eat twice more than we usually consume." Thomas said as he nudged Zac, and they both laughed.
"I appreciate all you both are doing for me." Zac said as they got to the door of the guest bedroom.
"Stop thanking me, Zac. What are friends for? Hurry up so you can eat the food while it's hot." Thomas said and returned back to Hannah.
Almost an hour later, Zac still hadn't come out of the room, so Hannah sent Thomas to get him thinking that he probably just fell asleep in the bath tub. But when Thomas went to the guest room, Zac wasn't there. He searched the rest of the house and walked back to the kitchen when he didn't find Zachary.
"That sneaky little…" Thomas sighed.
"What's wrong?" Hannah asked.
"He snuck out. He's gone."