Chapter 86 PALE FACE
Edeline
I was jolted awake by a relentless pounding in my head. It felt like a drumbeat, syncing with the rush of blood through my veins. The pain was intense, making it hard to keep my eyes shut as I wished for some kind of relief.
I tried to shift onto my side, hoping to escape the throbbing sensation, but the sunlight streaming through the window made things worse. It pierced through my eyelids, adding to my discomfort and making my brain feel foggy. I was on the edge of screaming from the agony.
The smell of bacon wafting in from somewhere didn’t excite me. Instead, it twisted my stomach into knots. I was nauseous, and it was only getting worse.
I stumbled out of bed and rushed to the bathroom, barely making it to the toilet before my stomach rebelled. The tequila from last night was the only thing I could remember expelling, and it left me feeling even more miserable.
Groping for the sink, I pulled myself up and grabbed a clean washcloth. Pressing it against my face, the cool fabric offered a bit of relief to my overheated skin.
I glanced at my reflection in the mirror. My pale face and the dark, puffy circles under my eyes were a grim reminder of how rough I looked. My memory of the previous night was hazy, but I recalled ending up in bed, which meant Mirabelle must have brought me home.
I took a couple of Advil, then stumbled back to my room and shut the curtains to block out the blinding light. The room was bathed in a soft blue glow, which made it feel oddly soothing—like I was in an aquarium. I turned on the box fan, hoping it would cool me down as the medication started to work. I lay back on the bed, feeling as though I had never been so physically miserable.
After a short while, as the Advil began to kick in, a soothing sensation spread through my brain, like it was being gently dipped into cool water. I let out a relieved sigh as the pain slowly began to recede. I placed the washcloth over my eyes, trying to savor the moment of relief.
My mom walked in, a smile on her face that hinted at amusement.
“Did you enjoy yourself last night?” she asked softly, trying not to overwhelm me.
I managed a weak, uncertain reply, “I suppose?” My voice was rough, and her laughter felt like it was resonating in my aching head. I quickly regretted answering, groaning as I overexerted myself.
“Here. Have a sip,” she said, approaching me with a warm mug. I took it from her, slowly sitting up and sniffing the contents. My stomach churned at the smell.
“What’s this?” I asked, looking at her with tired eyes.
“It’s herbal. A wolf’s remedy for a hangover. I used to have them every weekend,” she said, her mischievous smile barely contained.
I shot her a sly grin, glancing down at the swirling brown liquid in the mug. Taking a deep breath, I brought it to my lips with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. I dipped my tongue into the warm tea, only to be met with a strong, unpleasant flavor that made me scrunch my nose in distaste. Gritting my teeth, I forced myself to drink it quickly, trying to ignore the bitter aftertaste as I handed the empty mug back to her.
Mom watched me with a tight-lipped smile, clearly suppressing her amusement.
“Thanks, Mom,” I sighed, flopping back onto the bed.
“Of course, darling. Rest up for about thirty minutes, then get ready and join us downstairs. Mirabelle is already here and eager to treat you to breakfast at the packhouse. I made sure she’s waiting until you’re feeling better.” She placed a gentle kiss on my forehead before quietly closing the door behind her.
As I lay there with my eyes shut, the Advil and caffeine in the tea worked their magic. The herbal concoction seemed to ease the discomfort in my stomach and head, and I noticed my vision clearing up a bit. After a while, I managed to sit up and felt much better.
“Time for a shower,” I mumbled to myself, wrinkling my nose at the lingering scent of last night.
I quickly got cleaned up and dressed, feeling significantly more refreshed. I opted for black yoga capris and a neon pink tank top, pairing them with my black Nikes. I tied my damp hair into a casual bun and grabbed a pair of sunglasses from my vanity, slipping them on before heading out the door. I definitely couldn’t leave without them.
As I descended the stairs, I moved carefully to avoid any sudden movements that might aggravate my lingering headache. At the island, Mirabelle greeted me with her usual warmth and a friendly smile.
“Oh, beautiful! How are you feeling, my friend?” she asked, her cheerful tone making my head throb a little more.
I winced as her laughter pierced through my fragile state. “I’m feeling terrible. How come you’re not feeling terrible?” I frowned, my lips pouting as I tried to muster a look of exaggerated misery.
She took a sip of her hot tea and gave me a scrutinizing look. “I guess I’ve been through this kind of thing before, kiddo. I can tell when it’s time to call it quits.” She raised an eyebrow at me, her gaze steady.
I sat next to her, leaning my cheek on my hand as I watched her. Mom was busy at the stove, and I couldn’t help but feel a bit frustrated. I was full of energy, not a hint of a hangover in sight. It seemed completely unfair.
I sighed, rubbing my face with my hands and trying to shake off the lingering grogginess. My sunglasses were perched on my nose as I watched Mom prepare breakfast. “Why are you so insistent that I come to breakfast at your place?”
Mirabelle casually brushed her hair back and took another sip of her tea. Her eyes twinkled with mischief as she set her cup down. “I’m curious to see if Marc is there. The guy I danced with last night was really attractive.” She bit her lip playfully and rolled her eyes upward, a grin tugging at the corners of her mouth.