CHAPTER 14 - JANE (The parallel universe)
"Jane!" The familiar feminine voice shouts again, knocking off a bit of sleep lingering in my eyes. I sit up again, tossing the pillow off me.
My eyes are drowsy, and I rub them repeatedly. The heaviness in my head threatens to pull me down again. I grab the duvet, covering my body, ready to get more sleep.
"Get up!" The voice snaps, yanking the duvet from my body.
"Let me sleep some more," I say groggily, trying to rest my head on the pillow. The thumping in my head makes me groan painfully.
"No, you won't."
In the next second, cold water splashes on my face, startling me from my sleepy mood.
"June!" I yell frustratedly, gasping from how cold the water feels. "What did you do that for?"
"To help get rid of the sleep in your eyes. Now go get ready, or you'll be late for work." She says firmly and walks out of my room.
I try getting down from the bed but the pounding in my head increases.
"Ouch," I groan, rubbing at my temples. It just feels like my head is gonna explode and I'm not sure why.
Memories of last night flush into my mind and I'm reminded of how much partying and drinking I did at the nightclub, right after I got off work. I must have drank way more than normal for my head to feel like bursting into pieces. I've never had a migraine this bad.
I hear footsteps and I glance up to see June walking in again. She stops in front of me with her hands resting on her hips.
"I knew you were gonna end up like this. After drinking like a psycho last night, I just knew this would happen."
"Oh God…" I groan, grabbing my head. "Why didn't you stop me?"
"I tried, but you hit me. I've got a bruise there, See?" She pointed at her cheek. I look up to see, but there isn't much to see. Probably 'cause she was wearing a ton of makeup.
"I'm so sorry." I sigh, ruffling my hair. How do I ease the pain in my head?
"I've got you relief from your migraine." June chirps in. "It's downstairs. But you've got to take a shower first. You reek of alcohol."
My face lightens up at her words and I'm almost in tears. "Thank you, girlfriend. You're the best."
"I know right," She chuckles, checking herself out in front of my vanity mirror.
"I promise I'll never get wasted again. Not another alcohol spree for me this year or next." I say, like an oath. Blame it on the migraine. It's making me say a lot of impossible stuff.
"Not so fast, sweetie." June turns to look at me. I give her a once-over and I can't help but be awed by her outfit.
Her pink mini-skirt syncs with her pink crop top, revealing a lot of work. Her tinted pink hair is in two buns, and she's wearing her three inches heel pink cowboy boot. Her red lipstick leaves a bold statement that she was a vixen set out to slay.
June works as a barista in one of the biggest coffee shops in the area. For someone with just a simple job, you'd think she overdresses. Well, June doesn't think that way.
She's been my best friend since we met seven years ago in college. Ever since then, we've stuck together like sisters. Her biggest dream was to be a famous model and she busted her ass for it. But at the end of the day, beauty and flair don't get you far in the business. Connection does. And she didn't have that.
She had to make a U-turn and look for a job. But her love for modeling would never fade and she still tries to feel like one, regardless.
"What is it?" I ask, taking my gaze off her outfit and fixing it on her face.
"We'll be getting wasted tonight." She announces with a grin.
"What? Why?"
"Don't tell me you forgot!" She pouts her lips, stamping her foot.
I'm slightly confused and I try to think but that only increases the thumping in my head.
"Just tell me, please. I can't think. The thumping in my head won't let me." I plead.
"My birthday, silly." She rolls her eyes, turning to the mirror again.
"Oh. Fuck. I forgot. What kind of a friend am I?" I sigh, hitting my head with a pillow. "I'm so sorry, June."
I'm not apologizing 'cause I forgot. I didn't actually forget. I already have her gift. It's in the closet. I'm apologizing for my brief confusion 'cause of my migraine.
"It's fine," She waves it off.
"Happy Birthday, girlfriend," I say, blowing her kisses.
"Thank you." She twirls and strikes a pose. "How do I look?" She beams, rubbing a hand over her flat stomach.
"Ready to kill." I grin and she laughs. "But who's the victim?"
"Just a random guy who frequents the shop. He's a damn stud and I can't wait to feel his dick." She says dreamily, running a tongue over her lips.
"I thought you were banging your boss…?" I ask in shock.
"Yeah, that's so last week. I'm over him. See you later." She kisses my cheek and sashays out of the room.
I'm left in bewilderment at her words. June might be my friend but she's one hell of a skank. I can't say I'm any better though. I mean, I'm a secretary during the day and a fucking stripper at night. My life has a huge label of SKANK pinned on it. But at least, I'm not as shameless as June is.
June and I, we're so alike but yet so different. And I think that's one thing that makes our friendship even stronger.
I glance at the clock and I'm forced to get out of bed and race into the bathroom. I've got just half an hour to get ready and be at the office. It's not enough time for my female routine, but I've got no choice.
In a few minutes, I'm out of the bathroom and dressed in my black, leather pencil skirt which has a slit in the front. Styled with a white blouse and black heels. I let my curled brown hair fall to my shoulders.
I don't have enough time for makeup so I just apply a little lipstick, grab my bag and coat and skedaddle out of my room.
I get to the office five minutes late, but then, my boss is yet to be here. I settle down in my booth and I'm about to start my day when my phone rings.
I pick it up with my usual professional tone. "Hello. Good morning. J.K corporations. How may I help you?"
It's one of our clients and he asks for a meeting with my boss. I pen down the information and promise to get back to him.
Just then, my boss walks in from the elevator door with his little black-suited entourage. I stand and bow quickly.
"Good morning, Sir," I greet. He nods and walks into his office, leaving his entourage in the hallway, as usual.
Almost immediately, his wife walks into the hallway from the elevator, going into his office.
I bow to her but she doesn't even act like she noticed me. I'm not affected though. She's always been like that. A stiff, moody, cranky wife to an arrogant, aloof, and burly man. They sure make the best couple.
I'm going through the schedules for the day when she walks out of the office in tears. Her strides are quick as she heads for the elevator.
Like on cue, the entourage goes after her and the hallway is oddly quiet. Almost immediately, I got a call from my boss.
"Miss Jane. Would you come in here for a second, please?" His deep voice echoes in the hallway.
"On my way, Sir." I grab his schedule. and some files that need signing and heading into his office.
His gaze is on me the second I walk in and his lips stretch into an odd smile. Very odd, as it has to be the first time he's smiling at me.
"Close the door." He says calmly.
"It's already closed, Sir," I tell him politely, glancing at the closed door.
"Nah. I meant, lock it. It has a key."
"But – why?" I mentally chide myself for questioning my boss. "What I meant, Sir, was, what if your wife comes back and finds the door locked?"
"She won't be back here. And I don't need any form of intrusion. So lock the door and have a seat."