Drama Queen

The clinging sound produced as a result of metal clashing into metal filled the entire house, driving everyone crazy.

The inhabitants of the three bedroom apartment already knew what that was. Matter of fact, they were accustomed to it. They call it the wake-up bell.

As they strolled out of their rooms, down the stairs, heading to the living room, they already knew what to expect and, as expected, Zee was standing there, with her back to the TV set. She had a saucer pan and a cooking spoon in either hands, ready to give her usual morning talk show. Although, still in her nighties. 

She smiled welcoming the girls as they began to claim their seats. She could see they were still feeling sleepy because they were continually rubbing their eyes.

''Good morning ladies, so sorry for cutting short your pleasurable rests and dragging you from your islands of intriguing dreams." she apologized, a warm smile playing at the side of her lips.

''Can you please just go straight to the point already?'' Mia asked amidst sleepy and tired yawns.

''Sure! Sure!'' Zee smiled with so much enthusiasm. ''But first, happy morning to you once again ladies, hope you had a good night's rest?'' she inquired, fully knowing the answer already.

''What are we talking about today?'' The tired Mia asked.

''Well! Well! Well! Our subject for today is an entirely different one. Different from the usual, political, social, economic, fitness, health, religious, and financial discussion." An enthusiastic Zee replied.

''What then can we possibly discuss when you've excluded all of those? Why not just dismiss us and let us go back to our peaceful sleeps?'' Irene hissed. Her sleepy eyes were closing up and she was struggling to stay awake.

''Be still Lady Irene of England." Zee quietened, not letting lose her smile and Irene could only roll her eyes in frustration. She was already accustomed to this; Zee trying to fit in with the lifestyle of royalty and people of high-class society all for her joblessness.

''Mmmmm..." Mia muttered to Irene while running an assessing gaze over her. "Lady Irene of England! That suits you quite well." Mia said, nodding thoughtfully at Irene, a hint of mockery in her pure white eyes.

''Stop it." Irene warned casually.

''But it does suit you.'' Mia insisted nevertheless.

Irene grimaced. ''Thank you," 

''Attention Ladies.'' Zee called out. "Do not be distracted.'' she frowned, but then she snapped out of it immediately.

''So, someone asked what today's topic of discussion would be. Well... today, we'll be talking about something I consider to be rather personal.'' She raised a brow. "Poverty and joblessness,'' she announced then nodded a smile at each one of her listeners who gave the same reaction as a response, shock.

''Well.. she continued. ''I'll start by giving you my definition of poverty, it's so simple. "Me!!'

Irene and Mia turned to each other and then back at Zee, who slumped all of a sudden on the floor, and began to sob.

''Oh! Zee, you are Korea's poorest. Every jobless youth as of early last month now has jobs, but you're here, financially broke, economically unstable and poor in your everyday life. You're just poor in all ramifications. When was the last time you recharged her mobile yourself?'' She queried herself. 

''Years ago, she answered the question and then broke into yet another round of tears. Irene turned to Mia with questions in her gaze.

''Do you think she's acting up again?'' Irene asked. There was a vivid look of perplexity in her eyes.

''No, I don't think she's being a drama queen.'' The also confused Mia answered. Without wasting any time at all, they hurried towards Zee.

Zee woke up and looked at herself in the mirror just opposite her bed. Her shoulders dropped on seeing how bad her reflection looked. Her face looked so swollen and she could still feel a headache as a result of so much crying exercise she had carried out earlier. Recalling everything that played out a few hours ago, she sighed with disappointment. She knew Irene and Mia had already left for work at that hour, so she got out of bed and strolled out of the room, passed the other rooms and into the kitchen where she was greeted by the presence of the duo she had earlier thought about. What were they doing at home at that hour? 

''Irene? Mia? You're home?'' Zee asked, surprise written all over her face. They both turned at the mention of their names, only to meet her surprised look.

''What are you girls doing at home at this hour? ''You are both supposed to be at work.''

''And leave who to take care of you?'' Mia mocked, reminding Zee of her crazy attitude from earlier.

''About that, I'm sorry for acting so stupidly earlier, I-I didn't know what came over me,'' She apologized. 

''You said it all, that's good. At least, I wouldn't have to narrate to you how stupid you were back then.'' Mia murmured mockingly and Irene kicked her with her shoulder.

''Will you both please forgive me?'' Zee pleaded with a pity worthy expression.

''Come here.'' Irene beckoned, stretching forth her hand to Zee, who strolled forward and took it. She drew her close into her embrace and patted her back gently. 

''You'll be just fine,'' She consoled Zee and Zee smiled.

''You know what?'' Irene asked. ''I think we should go partying tonight. I hear there's an imperial ball taking place at 'DELA QUINS' tonight, and it'll probably satisfy your taste for class." Her last sentence referred to Zee.

''I think that would be just great, it's been a long time since we last hung out.'' Mia winked excitedly at Irene.

EVENING

DELA QUINS'

'Edwin Evans' tabloid's No. 7th billionaire bachelor was hosting a party at the biggest hotel in the country owned by tabloid's No. 1 finest and wealthiest bachelor, the very famous Darian Quin.' Edwin Evans had specially invited him to the ball, but the thirty-two-year-old tycoon would rather remain in his office, doing nothing than be on the great grand floor.

The ball had begun, guests were arriving in their numbers and rather quickly too. The grand floor was already getting filled up with lots and lots of people. 

Two hours after the commencement, Mia, Irene and Zee arrived at the hotel. They had required a whole lot of time to get ready so as to fit into such an elite party. Zee was wearing a pitch mermaid dress that hugged her frame very well and enhanced her curves. She didn't need to wear a lot of make-up as she was a natural beauty. And she let her long blonde hair pour down to her waist. 

Irene was in a red dress that matched the color of her eyes perfectly and displayed her natural assets while Mia had a black gown on and a pair of red shoes that enhanced her height.