(Peyton's POV)

My spirit has been tied to Mason Reed for a week.Even I was beginning to find everything funny.It was as if life was making a mockery of me.Wasn't it bad enough that I died?Did I have to be sucked back to a world where I was constantly hated and berated?

Goodness gracious!!I had done absolutely nothing wrong to deserve this punishment even in the afterlife.

But today,the Reed family held a grand banquet.I was a ghost so I didn't need to play dress up.Though the rest of the family came prepared.

Their luxurious mansion shone brightly,filled with elegant guests whose taste for fashion were incredible.

I watched as Mason walked into the hall,hand in hand with Harper Reese.They made a perfect couple.If I wasn't in the picture,I'd probably envy them if I was a guest at the reunion as well.

The murmurs began circulating like wildfire,each having something to say.As the relatives looked over the star-studded couple,they couldn't help but whisper among themselves.

"Did Mason Reed finally come with his girlfriend?"One of the relatives whispered.

"I heard they're announcing their engagement as well.I wonder which heiress caught his eyes."

"I know right!!"

I was sure that Harper was pleased with the whispers with the way her grip on Mason's arm tightened.

Mrs Reed who was initially welcoming the guests with a smile,turned stern upon seeing Harper Reese clutching onto her son.She couldn't hide her disdain for her

A bright smile made its way to her face as she greeted her timidly,"Good evening,Mrs Reed.Thank you so much for inviting me."

Mason's mother responded coldly,"This is a Reed's family gathering.I do not understand why Miss Harper is here."

Harper's eyes redden,brimming with tears,and as always,Mason stepped in to save his damsel in distress."Mum,we shouldn't cause a scene here."

Mrs Reed gave her a once-over look,"This is a family affair,Mason.Strangers aren't allowed here."

Harper turned to Mason,seeking his help with a glance.I was excited that Mrs Reed was making her suffer.If I couldn't do it anymore,someone had to do it in my stead,right?

"Isn't Mason engaged to the Vaughn's daughter?"a cousin asked,curiosity clear in her tone.

"Wasn't it Peyton?Weren't they planning to register their marriage?"another cousin thought out loud.

Mason overheard everything,his expression darkening.His eyes burning with anger with unsaid words.

"What's the meaning of this,mom?"Mason asks,his voice firm."Harper Reese is my woman and she has every right to attend our family banquet."

He threw a deadly glare at his relatives,shutting them up instantly.

"Some women are totally shameless,always scheming,plotting and misleading others into thinking that they are the Reeds family's daughter-in-law.We're all adults here,so don't be fooled by these type of manipulative women!"

I sneered.I swear,if I could smack him from where I was,I would.How dare he say such lies about me?

How could they even listen to him and conclude in my absence?It seemed like disliking someone gave one the right to tell lies about them.

I didn't want to see Mason's face,but I caught Harper's subtle,but almost visible triumphant smile.She was enjoying this.

Just then,Mason's phone rings.It was my best friend,Skylar Wade.

"Mason Reed,what the hell did you do to Peyton?Where did you hide her?"Skylar's said,rambling into the phone.Her voice was urgent and berserk.

He laughed,his voice losing its warmth,"Skylar,stop with all the pretense.I know that Peyton is with you.Or are we still playing the missing card?"

He continued,"You're on speakerphone.Let that crazy woman Peyton listen up too.Aren't you ashamed of yourself to collude in this farce?I'll say it one last time:I'm done with Peyton.Tell her to stay the hell away from me!"

His words stabbed my heart like sharp knives.It hurt so badly that all I wanted to do was cry.

Skylar's voice boomed into the phone,still enraged,"Mason Reed!!Are you insane?!Peyton is missing and that's all you have to say?!You and I both know that she'd never ignore my calls for days unend!"

I suddenly remembered that Skylar invited me for shopping yesterday the day before I hadn't answered her calls…I couldn't respond to her messages.

She must be worried sick,not knowing where I was.

"You're aiding her charade!You know how Peyton behaves.She's probably hiding,and then manipulating me into marrying her!"He retorted."Like I care what happens to her."

"You're being unreasonable right now!But I tell you what;if anything happens to Peyton,I'll make sure that you regret it!Mason Reed,mark my words!"Skylar's voice trembled with rage.

I envision her red,angry face.I was sure that Skylar was going to report my disappearance to the police,and made sure that the almighty and ruthless Mason Reed regretted this moment.

___

(Peyton's POV)

"Report her to the police as a missing person?Fine,go ahead then!Let the cops decide who's being unreasonable!You're only wasting public resources."Mason sneered,his tone dripping with contempt.He really hated me.The amount of hate laced in his words were venomous and I couldn't believe it.

For Harper,Mason was ready to do anything,including belittling me in front of everyone.It broke my heart even more and the fact that I was still linked to him made everything worse.

It felt like I was reliving my torment,but I also felt terrible for Skylar.She was a mess the more she worried for my sake.

She was the only one who cared about me enough to report me as a missing person to the police department.My heart warmed at the thought.She was my best friend for a reason and I was glad that I didn't make a mistake with her.

Skylar was the definition of the sisterhood bond.

Unlike Skylar who was tough on love,I didn't have the kind of heart that she did.I once naively believed Mason Reed would one day realize his mistakes and come apologizing to me…I fantasized about it,hence I worked harder to make it a reality.

Now,it was laughable.I smacked myself on the forehead for being stupid all these years in the name of love.For putting him above myself and letting him walk all over me with his side piece,feeding me with the crumbs that fell from their table.

I couldn't believe how put down I was by him even after I was dead.This was the man I loved for so many years,the one I thought I could entrust with my life!

Skylar hung up,and I knew that she was mad with anger.If she had the chance to be in the same room as Mason,she'd probably be throwing punches.

I laughed at the thought.Mason really was a jerk for doing me dirty.

He cursed out loud,slamming his phone on the table,causing the silverwares on the table to clank against each other.

The loud impact heightened the tensed atmosphere,making it damn near impossible for someone to breathe.Everyone in the room held their breath,hopefully not to ruin Mason's mood further.

The blood drained on Mrs Reeds face,leaving it pale in complexion after she overheard snippets of the conversation.

She figured something was wrong but couldn't place her hands on it.

She moved closer to him,"Tell me the truth,Mason.Is Peyton really in trouble?Is she?"

Mason scowled."Mom,don't fall for her tricks again.Peyton's incredibly resilient,so she won't die so easily!"

His mother trembled with anger."Even if you don't love her anymore,there's no need to be so cruel!"

He cut her off."For the past two months,she's used saving me to guilt trip you into letting me marry her.She warmed her way into your heart with her cheap lies and tricks and you fell for it."

"And I obviously won't be surprised if the car accident was part of her plans all along!"He added,seething in rage as he stood before his mother.Mrs Reeds wasn't having it and came to my defense in an instant.

"Boy!!Watch your tone when speaking with me.I'm your mother and not some skank that you picked up,"she said,taking a step further."And you will shut up when I tell you to do so.Do you hear me?"

My head throbbed again.Watching mother and son exchange words with each other for my sake caused my heart to ache.

I regretted saving his conniving ass back then.I could have saved myself alone and mourned him if he has died in the accident.

Just then,his phone rang again.He smirked.

"What did I tell you,mum?Peyton herself is calling me,so tell me,how could a missing person call me,hmmm?"

Mrs Reeds rolled her eyes at him before prompting him to pick up the call.

"Pick up the phone and stop acting like some crazy dude."

That was the problem.I was already dead,so how I could I be calling him?Who was using my phone?Was this another trick of his to get everyone off his back?

The screen flashed the caller ID which was saved as"Nasty Woman"-his nickname for me.

Wow.I was at a loss for words.The man I had saved with my life kept shocking me with everything he did.The pain in my heart hurt even more.

He picked up the call,his voice taunting whoever was on the other end of the line.

"Had enough yet,Peyton?Tell me,how was your trip to wonderland,hmmm?Or have you realized your mistake and have called to beg?"

There was silence on the other end.Then,a low male voice spoke up.

"We're calling from the City's Police Department,and we'd like to ask you a few questions,"the strange man with my phone said.

This news surprised Mason but he didn't show it.He was good at masking his emotions.

"Quit playing games with me,Peyton.I am not in the mood!"He retorted,his voice sharp.

The stranger on the other side kept on bombarding Mason with questions."Sir,what's your relationship with the owner of the phone?We suspect that you're connected to a missing persons case."

His face darkened."For fucks'sake,Peyton!Quit acting like a needy child."

"Id appreciate it if you're cautious with your tone of voice as this isn't Miss Vaughn on the line,"the stranger added.

Mason was bewildered,"What?"

"Please come down to the station right away to make your statement.Thank you."

The caller hung up,leaving everyone shocked to their core.They were expecting a night of their lives,not the chaos that my existence brought them that night.

Mason and Harper were the least pleased with the call's interruption of their night.But duty demanded that Mason be at the police station immediately.

——

At the police station,he sat across from a young police officer who had my phone in his hand.

"Mr.Reed,we ask that you cooperate with us in this investigation.And we'd advice that you answer our questions truthfully as you may bring us a step closer in solving this case,are we clear?"The officer asked,staring squarely at Mason.

"If she's indeed missing,I'll cooperate.But tell you this:you're being played by her.She's not really missing.She just wants my attention,"he replied cockily.This little scoundrel!!

The officer's gaze intensified,not interested in Mason's words.

"I'll take that into consideration,"the officer said,adjusting in his seat."Let's start with your relationship with Miss Vaughn."

__

(Peyton's POV)

Mason leaned back in his chair,skeptical.The two police officers exchanged a glance.

"Mr.Reed,I do not understand what you're implying,but we've received a missing persons report and verified the owner's disappearance,"the older officer said calmly.

"What's your relationship with the owner of this phone?"

"She's my needy ex-girlfriend,"he replied impatiently."We broke up two years ago."

"I see.The last call that was made from this phone to you was from the owner before her disappearance.So,what did you both talk about?"the younger officer asked,his eyes piercing.

I recalled calling him for help during the attack,but couldn't remember what happened next.

"I didn't pick up the phone,"he said,his eyes cold."I didn't need to."

I should have known better.If only I hadn't called him that night,maybe I'd have been alive.Before the accident,Mason was my rock,and I could vouch for him that he'd never hurt me.

One time in college,when my phone fell off the balcony during our call,he rushed to my apartment in five minutes.Relieved to find me safe,he hugged me tightly.

I later found out that he bought an apartment nearby to be close to me.For over a decade,he was protective of me.

But that night,everything changed for the worse.

"Mr.Reed,please elaborate on your relationship with the missing person,"the older officer pressed further."And why are you certain that she's faking her disappearance?"

Mason took a deep breath.

"I'll say it again:Peyton and I are over.She's just resentful because I'm engaged to someone else.She's playing missing to entrap me."

The officers exchanged skeptical glances.

"How long were you both in the relationship?"the older officer asked.

"About ten years,according to others."

"How long since you broke up?"

"Two years,"he said,obviously less concerned.

"And what was the reason?"

"I no longer felt anything for her,and our personalities clashed.Simply put,we weren't compatible."

"Mr.Reeds,you said that your personalities clashed,right?"The younger officer questioned.

Mason nodded in response."Yes,that's what I said."

"Care to describe Miss Vaughn's personality?"

A sinister smile appeared on his lips,"Oh,I'll be more than happy to tell you.Peyton is obsessive,controlling,manipulative,and not to mention,a chronic liar."

The officer's questions kept rolling in successions.But Mason's answers sent shivers down my spine.Each word that came out of his mouth made me out to be the villain,while he portrayed himself as the victim.

In the middle of the questioning,he handed his business card over to the officers.

"Find her,and please,don't press charges.I wouldn't want her wasting more of public funds."

When he said that,he gave them my address as well,playing the card of the perfect law-abiding citizen.

I rolled my eyes at the charade before me.If I didn't know better,I would have found his act believable.His hypocrisy made me want to puke,but I guess spirits didn't puke.

The older officer's expression changed upon seeing the card."The Reed Corporation's successor?"

Mason smiled slightly."I'd advise you all not to waste anymore of your precious time looking for Peyton.She will surface soon when she's done playing hide and seek."

He got up,adjusted his clothes by straightening out the imaginary lines on his clothes before saying,"I have business to attend to,so I'll get going now."

And with that,he left without uttering another word.I wondered what his expression was going to be when he saw my body.Was he going to realize his stupidity all this time?

The more I thought about it,the more I realized that even I could pay a fortune just to see that.

____