Chapter 29

*Beep Beep Beep*

I groaned as I turned over to my side and lazily smacked my bedside table. I repeated this motion until the piercing beep of my alarm clock shut up. I let a loud sigh escape my mouth and lay back on my back, eyes still closed. I was exhausted. My body was just stuck in the bed like cement. I was becoming one with the bed.

Just a few more minutes.

The sound of a door handle turning brought me back to my senses. I pulled my body up letting my torso and head become supported with my hands which were bent behind me on the bed. Next, my neck engaged, and locked my head straight up. Lastly, I opened my dry eyes. They didn't open much but just enough for me to squint out and see who came in.

'Oh, you're awake.' A familiar voice was voiced. ' Not long, only just up.' My vocal cords seemed to rub against each other, making my voice croaky and dry. Like I was just back from a night out and hungover. But from what I remember, I didn't drink last night. I wouldn't have, not in front of all those people.

'Brought some water.' Clear crystal glass was placed on the vanity. 'You don't seem as energetic today Dolly, what's wrong?' I asked rubbing my eyes as everything around me was still a blur. ' Me? Nothing, just got a fright last night that's all. Don't worry.'

What happened last-

Oh yeah...

'Okay.' Was all I could muster. I wasn't going to go into detail or apologize because last night wasn't going to be the last time she was in a situation like that. In this line of work, it was bound to happen again sometime. ' Your clothes are in the closet ready when you are. I'm just going to be downstairs helping the rest of the workers clean up from last night. Call me if you need me. ' 'mmmhmm' Was the last thing I said before I heard the door open and close again.

I opened my eyes once again, this time my eyes welcome the dimmed room and its features.

What time is it?

I looked at my bedside table and then at my alarm clock. My sight was a little fuzzy but I could muster the number 15 on the left-hand side.

Damn. I slept until 3 pm. I must have been exhausted. Welp time to get up.

I, reluctantly, peeled the warm, soft, cozy quilt off of my body. The cold air hit my body and instantly made me shiver. Goosebumps appeared on my fair skin and the hairs on my arms stood up.

I'm becoming a porcupine man.

I pulled my body up and shuffled over to the bathroom.

I'm too cold for this.

The cold, tiled bathroom floor only added to my morning pain. I didn't even look at myself in the mirror. I knew I looked like shit, I smelled like it too. Not surprising considering I slept in the same clothes I wore all night last night. The dress was still on me along with my smudged make-up and hairspray stiff hair. The mixed stale smell of Chanel No.5 perfume and alcohol did not please my nose. Rather troubled it and burned.

I turned on the shower to its hottest setting and took off all my clothes before stepping in. The water tickled my skin and welcomed me in. It was a remarkably good shower.

What felt like a quick ten minutes, was really an hour. I decided not to waste any more time and resumed my journey to the closet to see what Dolly had prepared for me today. As I wandered in, I was met with a simple yet simplistic outfit. Black leggings of an unknown brand were paired up with a cream-colored Dior Knitwear sweater. Likable, easy, and most importantly, comfortable. There was no accompaniment for it. No jewelry, no hat, no bag, no perfume. Nothing. Just the outfit.

Less for me to worry about then.

I slipped the legging up over my legs and let the sweater drape over my shoulders. It was oversized which made everything instantly better. The leggings on the other hand were slightly discomfiting. I didn't have anything to shield my wound from the contact of the elastic so it slightly aggravated my skin but nothing major to worry about.

As I looked at myself in the mirror for a couple of minutes, I pondered whether or not I should call Dolly. She would usually do my make-up and hair, but I didn't want to preoccupy her from helping with the clean-up in the hall. It would mean less work for me but again, I didn't want to look like I'd been in hibernation for the six years of my life. After a while of disputing my inside voice, I decided I would do my hair by myself and go bare-faced for the day.

Let my skin breathe after last night. Good idea.

Without wasting any more time, I went to my vanity and opened one of the drawers.

Nope.

I opened another.

Not in here either.

I opened the third one, this drawer was smaller than the last two.

Nothing.

Fourth one.

Finally, found you!

I picked up a hair tie and wrapped it around my wrist. Then I grabbed the brush which I found in the second drawer. It was a plain black, oval head, detangling brush. Since I used conditioner in my hair in the shower and my hair was still wet the brush slid through my Knott-less hair. I decided to go with a simple hairstyle to match my attire. A ponytail. Everybody knows how to do them. I flipped my head over and tied the hair ties around it, resulting in a tightly tied, high ponytail. With everything done, I walked out of my room and headed down the stairs.

As I was walking, I met with some of the workers who were still cleaning up the ballroom. The noise of vacuum cleaners and chatting could be heard throughout the first floor. One of those small electronic vacuum cleaners emerged from the double doors and did a 'U-turn back into the busy ballroom.

I think it's best if I stay out of it.

I continued my trip to the dining room to see if I could fuel myself with food for the day. Down the hall, up two steps, pass the first door, the second door, and into the third door.

My arrival went mostly unnoticed until one person called me out. 'Wow, You're alive! I was almost starting to worry.' It was a female voice. A very familiar female voice at that. My eyes darted around the room until they sealed onto one person.

Sandra.