Chapter 7: Chapter 7

I felt something burning against the right side of my face. I squeezed my eyes shut and automatically turned to the other side of the bed, trying to make that flash of light go away from my face. My head was almost exploding. I had the result of a whole night of drinking, which I realized was painful the next day.

I tried to open my eyes, but it felt like blades were being shoved into them every time I tried. I was feeling sick. And that same pain in my stomach remained. Had I consumed an excessive amount of alcohol and was going to die? At that moment, while I was drinking with Suzy, it didn't seem like I had already gone past the second glass, I only realized it when I had already gone past the sixth. I was definitely lost. Working with a hangover, and now what? No one could know about my wrongdoing. Not even Betty. I would have to find a way to hide and be as discreet as possible.

I sat on the bed and felt my head weigh like a bowling ball. I ran my hand through my hair and observed that room. The room that definitely wasn't mine...

“WHAT?”

I looked around scared. It wasn't my little room at the back. It was more like one of the upstairs rooms. And if by the color and the arrangement, having some suitcases on the floor, it could only be Mr. Scott's son's.

“Oh no...”

I closed my eyes as I remembered what had happened before I passed out and woke up here. I thought I would forget the conversation I had with Joshua, and that I wouldn't remember the nonsense I said to him. But I remember every word, every silly gesture. When were he and I going to stop having such... Unpredictable conversations? First, the bathroom scene, then the brief argument at the bar, and now the regrettable conversation while being drunk.

“What did I do to deserve this?”

I fall back, lying down on the bed. I needed to get out of the room before someone saw me. No matter how I was or what situation I was in, I just needed to run away from here. But the question that kept spinning in my mind was: how did I end up in his room?

“No...”

I got up abruptly from the bed, sitting back down. Had he taken advantage of me, taking advantage of my situation?

“No... It can't be.”

I checked my clothes and realized everything was normal. But I still wasn't calm. I got up from the bed and grabbed my sneakers. I walked quickly to the door of the room and opened it carefully, making sure no one was around. I left the room and walked down the hallway as if I was stepping on eggs. I went down the stairs and made my way carefully, so as not to be seen by anyone, to my room at the back of the house. Upon entering, I locked the door and sighed in relief. Things were getting a little crazy for just one day. I sensed that I would go crazy if I kept stumbling with Joshua like that.

***

After spending a few minutes under the freezing shower, trying to wake up from that hangover, I left the room ready to work. Or almost. My head still hurt a bit, but it was nothing serious. All I needed was a good cup of coffee to try to keep my eyes alive.

I entered the kitchen and came face to face with Betty, who was looking at me seriously. She seemed to be angry about something. I ignored her dreadful look and kept walking towards the coffee maker.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" she asked.

Although I was facing away from her, I was sure she had her eyebrows arched, as she always did when I ignored her.

"What?" I asked as I poured the coffee powder into the coffee maker basket.

"I heard voices during the night," she said, leaving me speechless, as I was almost certain I knew what she was talking about.

"Voices?" I asked, pretending not to know what she was talking about.

"Yes," she confirmed. "Did you not hear anything?"

"No..." I bit my lip as I heard the suspicion in her voice.

"One of the voices sounded a lot like yours."

"Like mine?"

"Yes," the tone of suspicion in her voice seemed to grow even more. "Alice," she called my name, "where were you at 3 am?"

"Huh?" I sounded confused.

"I went into your room after midnight and you weren't there. And this morning, I went in again and you weren't there either."

"You didn't see me?" I kept my back turned to her. "I was taking a shower."

"I didn't hear the sound of a shower," she said directly and briefly. "Are you hiding something from me?"

"Of course not. Why would I hide anything?" I squeezed my lower lip tightly after lying to her.

"Girl... Are you into drugs?"

She put her hand on my arm, turning me sharply to face her.

"Betty..." I grumbled her name a little uncomfortable, seeing her try to find evidence of her argument through my gaze. "Don't look at me like that... It's scary," I whispered.

"You look like you've been drinking all night," she shook her head and backed away from me. "Girl... If Mr. Scott finds out about this... My God!"

"I didn't drink that much."

"How many glasses did you drink?"

"I don't remember. Maybe... Nine?" I whispered the last words.

"What?!" she exclaimed.

"Relax! I promise not to drink anymore!"

"Who guarantees that?"

"I had a horrible reaction to alcohol right after." I twisted my lips to the side, nostalgic.

"And... And where did you sleep?"

"I..."

I was ready to give her an excuse, but I was interrupted by someone entering the kitchen. I raised my eyes and saw him again, Joshua Scott. His eyes were on me, but soon moved to Betty, after I looked at him.

"Yes?" I stuttered.

"Could you quickly tidy up my room? I'm bringing some people here today. And you know... It's a mess, since it wasn't cleaned on the day I arrived."

"No?"

Betty looked briefly at me. I frowned and turned my back, returning my attention to preparing the coffee.

"Could you do this for me?" his voice emitted a different tone, a little sweeter.

"Sure! I'll tidy it up now."

Betty said and left the kitchen, leaving us alone. I ignored his presence, focusing only on preparing the coffee.

"So...?" I heard him address me with words.

"How was your night?" he asked in an ironic tone that could be perceived from miles away.

"I don't remember what happened," I said briefly.

"I hope my apology for being rude to you worked. I had to sleep on the couch because of you," he said.

"Apology?" I turn around, incredulous. "For you, sleeping in your own room, is that it? I didn't ask you to take me there."

"It was the only solution. I wasn't going to hold you in my arms all night... on the floor."

"You know about the existence of the back rooms since it's your house. So why didn't you take me to one of them?"

Joshua stares at me, saying nothing. I furrow my brow and wait for him to speak, until he says:

"I know you wouldn't like anyone in this house to see you in that situation. And it was also a way I found to repay your concern for me." He opens a serene smile. "Next time, try to be more careful." Saying that, he heads out of the kitchen.

I release a muffled laugh at how cunning he was.

I decide not to pay attention to that situation. But I was grateful for him saving me from an embarrassing moment with his family. I don't know if it was really his intention, but I appreciate it, spared me from having