chapter 7

Chapter 44

I woke up with a bright light of sunshine kissing my skin. I covered my face using my hands then slowly opened my eyes. I can feel its heavy weight. It was swollen so badly. I pushed my comforter lower using my feet then pulled myself upward. 

I leaned my back on the headboard, massaging my temples. Severe headache hits me again. 

"Oh, I'm sorry for waking you up." I turned my view on the right and saw Celestine fixing my room curtain. She smiled sweetly at me before walking in my direction. 

"Good morning, Aly," she greeted, plopping herself on the space beside me. "You look horrible," she commented, amusingly. 

She reached for a mirror on the bedside table then directed it to me. I cupped my face as I was looking at my reflection. It was more horrible than I thought. 

Messy tumbleweed like hair, swollen puffy eyes, black eyeliner scattered all over my face, red nose, dry lips, everything is unbelievable. 

I dizzily ran to my bathroom to wash my face. I jolted as soon as the cold water touched my skin which brought shivers down my spine. I lifted my face and searched my whole appearance in the mirror. Still horrible but at least it looks better. 

I grabbed my towel and wiped my wet face while taking my way back on my bed. 

"I brought you breakfast. Eat first," Celestine said as soon as she recognised my presence. 

She looks calmer and happier than yesterday. I wonder what's with her bed to make her feel that way. Maybe I should also try sleeping there. 

I positioned myself before the food then placed the towel beside me. Curious, I asked her, "Seems like you woke up in the right bed. What's with you?" 

She curved her lips upward and gave me a wink. "Guess what?" she asked back. 

"What? Spill it," I ordered. 

Her eyes sparkled as she drew herself closer to me. She reached for bacon on my plate and took a bite. I arched my eyebrows at her making her giggle. 

"What's wrong with you?" I inquired, totally puzzled. 

As far as I could remember, we were both crying last night. I got these swollen eyes because of what happened but now she's acting so civil. 

"Chill," she giggled. "I already talked to Blake earlier on the phone!" she continued excitedly. 

Blake again.

I looked down then heaved a sigh of hopelessness. I was thinking all night of what to do until I fall asleep but I still can't think of a better move other than to elope with him. I don't know if he'd agree with me. 

"Aren't you happy?" She pressed my arm lightly. 

I showed her a half smile before taking a bite on my bacon. "What did you talk about?" I asked. 

"The party. The past, present and future. I explained everything to him!" she squealed. 

I raised a view on her who was smiling from ear to ear. She was glad, seriously. "Did he believe you?" She shrugged her shoulders and crossed her arms. 

"Well, I guess, he does," she replied, still unsure. 

"Why did you say so?" 

She lay down on my bed with her arms wide open. "Because he wanted to meet you," she deadpanned. My eyes grew in circles as I heard her spoken words. 

A smile made its way to my lips knowing that he is not mad anymore but suddenly faded when I remembered something. 

"Can we even escape here?" I scrunched my body, looking at her in a blank face. 

She swiftly sat properly and winked at me. 

"Marcus told me that Mom and Dad have a meeting later. We can sneak out," she said with a smile. 

"How about Marcus?" He might see us sneaking out and stop us. Another thing is the security which he could control. 

She waved her hand in the air for dismissal of the worries. "Nah. Don't worry about him. Just prepare yourself later in the afternoon, okay?" she sang, rolling her eyes. 

I hope it will work this time. I already decided to agree on his plans if ever. Whatever it takes. 

I gave Celestine a sincere smile with a warm hug. Alright, my former enemy is my best ally. I now believe the saying 'keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer.' How ironic. 

Afternoon came and my feeling is unexplainable. I want to scream all out loud to release this emotion but I don't want to appear like a dying animal. Whatever happens today, I will decide on my own and would take the consequences even if it would affect one party. 

Wish me luck. 

I brushed my hair while staring at my face in front of the mirror. It looks better than earlier today. My swollen eyes reduced its size but were replaced by dark circles. Well, I don't care anymore. Blake had seen my most horrible face and he still loves me so looks won't matter. 

Just a minute later, my room's door cracked open. I took a glance at the doorway and saw Celestine peeking there. "Hey, Aly. Come on!" she called me in a low voice. 

I immediately nodded and dust off my plain red dress. My heart was pounding so fast as I stepped my foot on the doorway. 

"Did they go already?" I asked. 

"Yeah. So all we have to do now is to convince Marcus that we are going to Lily's place," she replied, dragging me downstairs. 

I didn't say a word after that and let her move like what she had planned. I trust her and I believe we can get out here. 

Celestine cleared a throat when we reached the living room to divert my cousin's attention from his laptop to us. He looked at us with a creased forehead scanning us up and down. 

"Where are you going?" he asked. 

"Ah– Can we visit Lily? She's sick and we want to check her condition." I bit my tongue to prevent myself from saying something. I want to laugh at her excuse about Lily. If she'd know this, she would surely hit Celestine. 

"I'll go with you," he said, starting to fix his things on the table. 

Celestine waved her hand in the air to stop him. "No need Marcus. I mean, no one would be left here at home. Someone might sneak in here and steal our things. That would be a great problem. We can ask two securities to escort us instead," she convinced him.

Marcus stood up and fixed his shirt. "I will go with you," he insisted. Marcus would always be Marcus. He treats us as if we were toddlers. 

How could we make this plan work if he'd come with us? I shook my head before heaving a sigh.