The next day, I wake up with a slight fever. I groan in annoyance, well, being sick isn't going to stop me from going to work. I stand up from the bed groggily and drag my feet to the kitchen. I pull open the medicines cupboard and grab a couple of Tylenols. That should cure the fever, I thought. I trudge towards the toilet and strip off my clothes before turning on the hot water at full blast. I smile, relishing the amazing feel of the water running down my back. Who wouldn't appreciate warm water on a freezing morning?
Half an hour later, I am already on air, reporting the morning news. I work as a news anchor and correspondent for CNN. Being a news anchor includes writing and editing the news for my program, one of the parts I like in the job. As a correspondent, I had reported on major news events from around Europe and the Middle East. I really enjoy my job and is one of those people who could proudly say that they actually love their job. I modeled for two years before realising that modeling wasn't my passion. My dad made me realise where my passion lies, and for that, I am eternally grateful.
By nine, I am already driving home, in my old Ford that my parents gave me when I first received my driving license. I live in a three-room apartment with Jess, my twin sister. Our looks are completely polar-opposites. We are both around the same height and have the same build, but that's as far as our similarities go. She is blonde and is one of the kindest people I know, though that does not mean that she's a perfect angel. She too have a side that only those close to her have ever had the chance to see. I have dark, wavy hair, with a biting deposition to boot. She is really fair, while I'm those tanned sort of girls. My eyes are a deep chocolate brown, while hers are light sea blue. Blonde hair, blue eyes, you know the drill. She have the features of a model, which always have me badgering her to try out modeling. I became a model all those years ago quite by accident. I was at the airport then, waiting to board a plane. My best friend, Charlotte and I were going to go on a trip to New Zealand, our dream holiday destination. I was just listening to my iPod, with my earphones on at full blast, when a rather pretty blonde woman came up to me and said that she is from a modeling agency. Well, that's how it started, I guess.
Jess, short for Jessica, is sitting at the couch stuffing herself with ice-cream when I return. I am rather surprised, Jess isn't really a fan of ice-cream, unlike me. I walk over to the couch and plop down on the plushy seat.
Hey, Jess. What's the occasion?" I shove her shoulder lightly. She didn't reply and ignores me. I am doubly surprised. Jess is the sweetest girl I ever met and she would never ignore me like that. "Jess? What's wrong?" I hear a light sniffle. I begin to get worried, is she crying? I grab her shoulders and shake her, rather forcefully, I might add, forcing her to look up at me. I take one look at her face before immediately pulling her to my chest, muttering soothing words and stroking her hair. Soon after, I can feel the moist on my blouse. I don't know what to say, so I keep mum and just continue stroking her hair.
"It's Charlie," I hear Jess say in a soft hiccuping voice. Charlie is her boyfriend for almost a month and I had to endure her singing praises of him for the past few weeks. I wait patiently for her to continue. "He," a sob "left," a hiccup "me," Jess say in the smallest voice I ever hear her use before. She keeps silent for a while, before pulling away from me. All of a sudden, she erupts into anger, her voice steadily gaining volume. "How could he say all those loving words, then break up with me? I wouldn't have agreed to go an a date with him the very first time, if I knew what a cruel, heartless devil he is! He seemed like the perfect guy, I thought he was the one. I lived like I was in a fairy-tale during the past few weeks. He bought me flowers and little figurines he thought I would like on every one of our dates. I loved him, you know," she continues quietly, before adding, "but it's all over now. I will forget him." She ends her tirade on a firm note and pulls me into a hug.
"Oh, Jess," I whisper, my eyes filled with unshed tears. "Jess, if I ever meet Charlie, I will no doubt take revenge for what he did. He's an asshole and you can do better than loving this sorry excuse of a man." We stayed that way for a while, in each other's arms. Crying is the best way to fall asleep and soon, Jess is yawning. I pull away from her. "Jess, just sleep here on the couch. I'm not strong enough to carry you to bed, and I know that you've cried all your energy out. I'll just pop into your bedroom and grab your pillow and stuff." Jess nods, and says, "Don't forget the bolster." "Of course I won't," I shoot her a reassuring smile, before leaving.
I grab her pillow, blanket and bolster once entering her room. I go out to living room and give them to Jess, making sure she is comfortable before leaving. I, too, am already yawning, when my handphone vibrates in my pocket. I answer the call, and mutter a sleepy 'hello.' It is Charlotte on the other end of the line and noting my tiredness, she asks me why. I tell her about Jess and she is as angry as I am.
"That...that..." she pauses, trying to find the right words to describe Charlie. "Fucking idiot of a man! He deserves to be sent to hell! How could he hurt Jane like that!"/p
"I know right, that undeserving jerk!" I rant. We hurl curses about him for a full minute before calming down enough to actually talk. I ask her why she called, this late at night.
"Oh, okay... I going to a ball this Saturday. It's hosted by Darcy and DeBourgh Publications, one of the biggest publication companies, Stanley and Co. (Char works there) is invited to attend and I have to go, you know I can't back out on events like this, so will you come with me?" she had been speaking so quickly that my sleepy brain is having a difficult time catching up with what she said. I groan when her invitation finally got through me. She knows how much I hate attending balls. The dressing-up part is just too much of a bother. But I agree nonetheless, or else she would just keep badgering me continuously. "Okay, but you owe me one." I hear a loud cheer on the other end and smiled. Well, at least someone's day is not totally shitty.
