A sick stepmom

                          ~JESSICA~

           The rays of the sunlight entered the room and shone brightly on my face. Silently, I cussed out Grace for opening the curtains while I'm still sleeping.

I opened my eyes and closed them immediately as the sunlight rays almost blinded me. Weakly, I drew the curtains close and sat up before opening my eyes again.

It was then my hangover hit me hard and I quickly held my head in pain. My head was banging so bad. It's as if drummers were playing loud and hard drums on my head.

“Arghhh. My head hurts” I groaned out in pain, still holding my head in my palm.

I couldn't even turn my head properly without feeling pain. Grace wasn't in the room either to help out.

Yes, we share a room.

Thankfully, I saw a glass of clean water and some pills on the table beside the bed. Grace must have kept it there. She's such a sweetheart!

I painfully drew closer and closer to the table still sitting on the bed, till my hands were finally able to reach the water and pills.

I took the pills and gulped it down immediately with the water. It's then Grace came into the room.

“Oh, you're awake,” she said. “Good morning”

“My head hurts” I whined.

“What were you expecting when you're drinking so heavily?? You really embarrassed me yesterday” she frowned at me.

“Embarrassed you?? I did??” I asked, not understanding what she's talking about.

She mockingly eyed me from head to toe.

“Don't tell me you don't remember the scene you created last night” she replied.

“I created a scene?? Grace, what are you talking….” I paused as everything came replaying in my head at once.

I remember now! I remember everything!

“Oh shit!” I swore loudly. “What have I done??”

“Exactly. What have you done? You insulted a total stranger saying all manners of abusive words and even hit. Do you know you'd have been arrested last night if he wanted to?” Grace said in a scolding tone.

“I was so drunk. I didn't know what I was doing. Besides he's staring weirdly at me” I defended myself.

“That wasn't enough reason for you to insult and hit him. He didn't touch you! He's just looking at you. Everyone looks at people!” She berated me.

“Stop raising your voice at me. You're making me feel really bad” I whined like an injured puppy.

“It's so embarrassing. You didn't even ask how you got home and were properly laid to sleep on the bed. I literally dragged and carried you home myself. Oh, how my body hurts!” She rolled her eyes.

“All these wouldn't have happened if you agreed to dance with me and didn't drink too much”

“Maybe I should have just stayed at home. I wouldn't have created a mess like last night. I poured out the anger I was feeling towards Albert on a total stranger. I feel so stupid right now” I said and burst out into tears.

Within split seconds, Grace was sitting beside me and hugging me. 

“Ssh, it's okay. Don't cry. I'm sorry for raising my voice at you. I was just feeling embarrassed on behalf of the young handsome man. I'm so sorry, it wasn't your fault you lost your temper last night” she consoled me.

I sniffed and disentangled from the hug.

“I feel so bad and sorry towards him. I just hope I don't see him again. I don't even know where I'll start apologizing if I ever see him again. I feel so ashamed of myself right now” I said, still sobbing softly.

“It's fine. I doubt if you'll see him around here again. I don't think he stays around here, he looks like a really wealthy person. Besides, last night was the first time I ever saw him since I've been frequenting the club. I already apologized to him too, so it's no big deal” she said.

“I pray I don't ever come across him again” I said, praying seriously in my heart never to come across him again.

“It's fine, baby. How do you feel now? I mean your head?” Grace asked.

“It still hurts but the pain is reducing already. I'll be better in no time” I replied to her.

“Alright. I'm making breakfast. I'll let you know when I'm done. Just lay back on the bed and rest for sometime” she said and flashed me a sweet smile and then, she left the room, leaving me all to myself to ponder about last night's incident. 

I cringed as I kept replaying every part in my head. And his face wouldn't leave my mind.

I was still pondering over it when my phone rang and with shaky hands, I answered the call. It was a call from the hospital to announce to me that Sarah's test results are out.

And by the tone of the doctor's voice, I knew instantly that her condition was a serious one and I was about to be heartbroken all over again. With dread, anxiety and nervousness, I headed to the hospital, preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.