THE INVITATION

I rolled over at Ariana Grande's song, no more tears left to cry, coming from my phone on top of the drawer beside my bed for the third time. Someone was trying to reach me, no doubt, but I was too deep in my slumber to care who.

With all the family reunion and drama my parents, well my dad to be precise portrayed on my arrival yesterday, I retired to bed by 1:30 am, barely enough time for me to get a good six hours rest. Not to mention the very exhausting day I had yesterday.

"For God's Sake!" I peeled away the pillow I held over my ears, tossed it brutally to the foot of the bed, and looked at the time. It was just a few minutes past six, not even up to my waking time.

Who the hell calls someone so early in the morning? I looked around my room with sleepy eyes. The sun hasn't even risen.

Reluctantly, I leaned over and grabbed the phone just about the same time it stopped ringing. I guess whoever was calling will just have to wait.

I threw the phone on my bed and flopped back into my soft, plush pillows, closing my eyes in the hope to get more hours of sleep before the sun rises. It feels even softer now I am aching for more sleep and less disturbance.

Just as I felt myself diving into my dream world, my hope of getting more hours of sleep was short-lived cause the song started playing again.

"Arggghhh!"

I felt rage prick my veins as I dragged myself off my pillow. Normally when I'm sober, this happened to be one of my favorite songs, but now I need some good sleep, it was getting on my nerves.

Sitting straight on my bed with my feet partially on the floor, I stretched my hand to my phone on the bed.

"What?!"

"Good morning, Miss Abigail."

My anger dissipated as I heard the familiar voice call out my name and I pulled the phone off my ears to take a look at who was at the other end. Even if I could tell from the voice, I still wanted to clear my doubt about hearing falsely because of my fatigue.

"Miss Khloe-"

"I'm sorry for the disturbance so early in the morning, but I have important info to relay."

I licked my bottom lips in slight embarrassment at the thought that I just yelled at my boss, well one of them. i just hope it doesn't provoke reprisals.

"That's not a problem, Miss Khloe. I'm sorry for yelling. I didn't know you were the one who kept calling."

"No worries. It seems you'll have to sacrifice the remaining minutes or hours of your sleep for today."

For the love of God!

What is this sleep hater yapping about? Of all the things in the world for me to sacrifice why did it have to be my beauty sleep?

I restricted myself from letting out a frustrating groan.

"Mrs. Anderson would want you to have breakfast with the rest of her family members today."

"Breakfast?"

"Yes, Miss Abigail. Zeke will be there in a couple of minutes to pick you up, so you can be prepared for it. Good luck." She hung up.

Great!

I tossed my phone to the bed and ran my fingers through my hair. I can't believe I'll be having breakfast with one of the most prestigious families in LA. This felt too good to be true.

Just as the tips of my feet touched my slippers, another thought crossed my mind that intercepted my good feelings into a bad one - the thought of meeting the unbearable narcist who happened to be the only heir to the Anderson's empire.

All my encounters with him had been disastrous. In as much as his graceful features are pleasant to look at, he also has a harsh tongue that is quite irritating.

The worst part of his nasty statements is that, as long as he knows you're nothing in comparison to him, he doesn't care who he says them to. Who am I kidding? Why would he care when he considers others who are not wealthy like him to be worthless?

I stood to my feet and rubbed my flat stomach that was hidden by my bright pink cotton pajamas. I was worn out and every second I thought about Liam made me feel more fatigue throughout my body. Even when he wasn't in sight, he continues to influence my thoughts.

I moaned as I made my way to the closet to choose some clothes. Zeke will arrive in a little while, so I wouldn't need to take a bath. I'd need to wait till I get to where I'd be glammed up.

I took out the first outfit I saw inside, a white pair of pants and a v-neck handleless twilight fog shirt. It took me less than five minutes to dress up and head downstairs to bid farewell to my family members.

Last night, Miss Monica was in a good mood, so she gave me the gift of spending the night with my family. For the duration of my employment, I have no idea what thoughts my employees are having because I am unable to read their minds. I also have no idea when I will be able to see my family again, so It's preferable that I say goodbye before Zeke arrives.

When I got downstairs, my mum was already up, preparing breakfast and I hugged her from behind. This was a regular habit for her, so it wasn't surprising to see her awake this early. 

She smiled as she felt my face on her neck and I placed a warm kiss on her cheeks from behind before releasing her.

"Good morning, mum."

I took an apple from the fruit tray on the kitchen counter and she turned to face me.

"Why are you awake so early?"

I rinsed the fruit in the sink before my eyes came back to her face, "I have to even if I don't want to."

She put on a smile. "I know how difficult this is for you since you've always liked your beauty sleep-"

"Mum..." I didn't want to hear the next few words, even though I knew they were coming. She was going to insist on helping me out because it wounds her pride to see me laboring by myself to pay off our debt. "It's alright. I'll get used to it eventually. Besides, I can handle it."

She hesitantly said with a smile, "If you say so," and continued chopping the vegetables.

I looked at her for a couple more seconds, wondering what was going on in her head, before taking a bite of the apple in my hand. I was about to take the second when the doorbell rang.

My mum and I both looked at the door before our eyes met each other's. A reflex action, I suppose and I reluctantly volunteered to answer it.

As I walked to the door, I didn't hesitate to take one final look at every corner of the house cause I knew who was at the door. I didn't know when I would return, but I'm happy my family got to live here cause it was indeed very beautifully furnished. They were well taken care of as the contract stated, and that brought great joy to me.

Just as I suspected as I opened the door, Zeke stood tall in front of me in his well dressed black suit.