[Nicole]
Both Clara's alarm and mine went off at the same time announcing the end of the long, gloomy weekend, and the beginning of an even longer week.
Usually, I'd be up while Clara would remain on the bed, wishing everyday is a holiday but today was an exception.
Clara was up, and preparing for work while I remained on the bed, wishing everything was a nightmare, and I would be aroused soon.
I heard approaching and retreating footsteps as Clara made her way around the room, doing her business.
"Come on, Nicole. Let's get you prepared for work." Clara called out, shaking me a little. She must have thought I was still asleep but how wrong was she. I have not slept a wink since the incident with the strange man, no matter how hard I tried.
"I don't want to go. I'll call in sick." I replied once I opened my swollen eyes. Clara was all dressed up which was strange, and when I thought about the reason, I felt tears gathering up in the corner of my eyes.
"I know you want to be alone but I can't leave you here all by yourself. You can't play the sick card either, I'm sure you remember what happened the last time you did." Clara explained. She had intended the last part to be a joke, and cheer me up but it instead brought down the tears.
"No no no. I didn't mean it like that." She said instead. "I am truly sorry." She apologized.
"Can I play the sick card now?" I asked with my teary eyes, and shaky voice.
"Hell no!" She replied firmly, pulling over the bedclothes with which I was wrapped, and gently pulling me from the bed.
There was a new firmness about her, and I wasn't sure whether or not to be comfortable with it. Her attitude towards me which had been lenient, and sympathetic all weekend had suddenly changed, like she had no idea what I went through.
I winced secretly at the pain I felt in my private region once my feet hit the ground. Although the pain had reduced greatly compared to how it was after the night, it still hurt nonetheless. I had a pounding in my head too, so severe that it hurts to keep my eyes open.
"On our way from the office, we'll check into the hospital, and have you checked." She said in the same firm voice, and I heaved a sigh. What use is it to protest when she is convinced that she is doing the right thing?
She opened the restroom door, and shoved me inside, after which she shut the door.
"If I have any reason to doubt your activities in there, I'll come right in, and bathe you myself." She threatened.
I started work immediately. It was as if whatever force it was that was controlling Clara had just seized me, taking charge of my very thoughts.
Of what use will it be to wallow in self pity? I thought to myself as I leather up my bath sponge. I heard just then Clara's loud sigh just before I heard retreating footsteps from outside the bathroom door.
It must be hard for her too. I thought with a hint of sadness, and at the same wondered why I always end up being the victim.
I got out of the bathroom a little while later with a towel wrapped around my chest, and another wrapped around my wet hair. The weekend had been nothing short of a disaster, and my hair was a total mess, so I had to wash it.
Clara was nowhere in sight, and I sincerely hoped she wasn't in the kitchen, making breakfast. I walked past the bed, and headed for the closet. My entire outfits for the week had been selected and I knew I had Clara to thank for that.
I applied lotion on my skin while images from that night flooded my memory, leaving me to feel nothing but disgust. I shook my head to keep the images out, slowly at first then rapidly until I heard Clara come in.
"Still in the bathroom?" She called. Her voice was low and a little distant.
"I'm right here." I called out to her, and resumed dressing up. This time with haste.
By the time Clara stepped into the closet, I was all dressed, and putting my shoes on.
Although she said nothing, the pleased look on her face said it all. At this point she seemed like a mom while I felt taken care of.
She led the way out of the closet without a word and I followed behind her. From my position behind her, I saw them. Two steaming cups of tea were placed on separate trays on the bedside table. Beside them were some slices of bread. I immediately felt a rumbling in my stomach, one I hoped Clara did not hear.
"You see that," She said, referring to my rumbling stomach and I heaved a disappointed sigh. She heard it after all.
She took one of the trays and handed it to me after which she took the other and settled down to eat. I eyed the tray on my lap, before taking a tiny bite. The slices of bread were heavily spread with butter, just the way I like them.
Once I pushed the bread down my throat, my stomach rumbled some more. It was as if the worms in my stomach were struggling for who would get the first food I had eaten in days since all I consumed all weekend was alcohol.
"You see that." Clara said again in a distant voice, just as I took a big gulp from the steaming cup.
When we finished, I offered to take the now empty trays to the kitchen but Clara objected. Instead she suggested that I check my mails, using my personal laptop since my phone was indisposed at the moment.
I signed into my email, wondering why I didn't think of it all week, and the answer soon got clearer.
There were no mails. None from the outgoing CEO or from the incoming CEO. A realization hit me just then, I had no idea what the new CEO looked like as I did not get to see him before…
I stopped myself from thinking any further just as Clara came back into the room.
"What does the new CEO look like?" I asked out of the blues, throwing Clara off guard.
"Erm..He is a complete look-alike of Louis but way more handsome." Clara replied after a slight stutter. It wasn't the response I expected but okay. I guess I'll find out about him myself.
"Are you ready now?" Clara asked after a few minutes during which neither of us said anything. She sounded embarrassed, but I wasn't sure and I couldn't tell why.
I nodded in response, and led the way out of the room.