Chapter 12: EXHAUSTED

Having the hangover soup really did justice to the headache I was having. I felt better, but I need to leave. I went back to the room I found myself in this morning and started searching for my phone.

I need to call Anna; maybe she might give me a lift. The problem is that I don't even know where I am. I found my handbag on top of a small desk near the bed.

I grabbed it and quickly took out my phone. I have about twenty missed calls from Anna, five missed calls from my mum, and a missed call from Albert.

Seth didn't even call me. A wave of disappointment and anger washed all over me. And here I am, sick, worried that he might be worried about me.

I dialled Anna's number, and she picked on the first ring.

"Alda, where have you been? Why weren't you taking my calls? You had me worried all night long.” I heard the worry in her voice and felt sorry for putting her through such stress.

“I'm sorry, Anna; I didn't mean to.”

“That's okay as long as you are safe. Where are you right now?”

“I don't know.”

“What do you mean you don't know? What happened last night after I left?”

“To cut a long story short, I went to the pub and had a few glasses of beer."

“You what? Since when did you start drinking and going to the pub?”

“Since Seth decided to frustrate the living hell out of me, I just want to have a little courage to face him at home. I thought getting a little drunk would give me the confidence that I lack.

But after having the first glass, I got carried away and also drunk. Right now, I'm in a man’s house.” I said the last words with a sigh escaping my lips.

“You what? How could you let such a thing happen?”

“I don't know Anna; I was drunk, and I don't even remember a thing that happened last night.”

“Did anything happen between the both of you?”

“What? Hell no, nothing happened between him and me. I am very sure of that.”

“That’s better; give me the address, and I will come pick you up.”

“I don't even know where I am. Just give me a few minutes, and I will call you back. I need to get my things, and I will be out.”

“Okay, I will be waiting for your call.” I ended the call and grabbed the bed cover, wrapping it around my shoulder.

I need to get out of here. I picked up my heels and my handbag and ran towards the door, but stopped when it crossed my mind that I should at least thank the kind gentleman for his generosity.

I took out my notebook from my bag and left him a small note before I ran all the way downstairs towards the gate. All that time, I was praying that I didn't run into him, and as luck would have it, I successfully exited the building without getting spotted.

Once I was outside the gate, I discovered this was a very big estate with different buildings. Each having its own unique design. I thought he was a worker under Seth; how could he afford to live here?

Maybe he might be a business partner. I dialled Anna's number as I sent her the address I saw at the end of the estate. 

“Did you receive the address?”

"Yes, I just imputed it on my GPS. It's a fifteen-minute drive from the restaurant where we dined yesterday.”

“Do you think you can get here in ten minutes? I'm freezing, and so are my legs.”

“I will try. Just hold on; I will be there.” I covered myself tightly with the bed cover as I waited for Anna.

Xender's POV

I just exited the bathroom as I prepared for my meeting with the new company Charles told me about. I didn't want to meet up with them, but Charles suggested I should go hear them out. 

Maybe I should offer her a ride. She looked really messed up this morning. I heard a knock on my door as I went to answer it. I was surprised to find my housekeeper standing in front of my door with a piece of paper in her hand.

“What is it, Jane?” I asked her.

“I think you might want to read this, sir. I went to call her over for breakfast and to deliver her clothes as you instructed, but she was gone. I only found this note on the bed.”

I took the paper from her and read what was written on it.

“Thank you so much for helping me yesterday. I know it is very pathetic of me to leave this way, but something came up. I promise to pay you back if we were to meet again.”

That's it; that's all she had to say? And if she left her dress behind them, that means she left with my shirt. My brand new shirt that I got from my mum as a gift.

I angrily folded the paper and threw it away. How dare she make me look like a fool yet again?

“Sir, one more thing. I think she also left with the bed cover; I can't seem to find it.” I glared at Jane, and she suddenly took a few steps away from me.

“Does it look like I fucking care about some bed covers? Get lost; get the fuck out of here!” She quickly ran downstairs as I angrily slammed my door, dumping all my anger into it.

I knew I was going to regret helping her, but I actually ignored the signs I was getting. Now I lose my previous shirt to a woman who doesn't even deserve it.

Alda's POV

“Alda, you have been quiet for a while now; are you okay?” It has been five minutes since Anna picked me up off the cold street, but I couldn't look her straight in the eye.

"Yeah, I'm fine; I just can't believe I still don't remember a thing that happened yesterday.”

“Don't beat yourself up. You should be lucky he didn't do anything crazy to you.”

“I know, but my mind still feels uneasy.”

“It should feel like that for the moment. I mean, you just woke up in a stranger's house. And that stranger happens to be a man.”

“Tell me about it; my memories are still messed up.”

“It will come back to you gradually, so don't overstress yourself. You should be thanking your stars; you called me before I could report you missing to your parents.” 

Anna's words jolted me a little as I processed what she said.

“Did you go see my parents?”

“I went to your family house to report you missing after I called you a million times without any answers. I even dropped you a voicemail, but none was replied to.

I went to your house earlier this morning and met that jerk you call a husband. He was so unconcerned about your way about.” 

Hearing Anna talk about Seth brought back the anger I was trying to hold back all morning.

“He didn't even drop a missed call. I'm beginning to believe he was right; I really did marry a stranger. I thought he was my best friend and my partner.”

“It wasn't your fault that he turned out to be a snake in green grass.”

“Just take me home; I need to take my bath since I sink. I will be going over to my parents house for the weekend.”

“Do you want me to come stay with you until you are ready to go? I can also drop you off at your parents’s house if you want me to.”

“That will be lovely, Anna; thank you. I really owe you a lot.” I said to her and closed my eyes to have a little nap before we got to our destination.

“Alda?” 

"Yes,” I answered her with my eyes still closed.

“You know I love you and care about you, right?”

“Of course I do; that's why I will forever be indebted to you. Thank you for being my friend.” That was the last thing I remembered saying to her before I went to sleep.