01 The Party

Becca.

Putting the last touch to my makeup, I stood upright to check my final look in front of the mirror and satisfied, I picked my purse to walk out of my small but comfortable room.

As the only child of my old parents, I considered myself lucky to have my own space. Decorated in pink and purple, the room was a statement on feminism all through and through. 

Listening to the quiet voice of my parents presently, I paused slightly at the stairs, wondering if I should go forward or not. The thing is, they really do not want me to attend this party. 

Nope, that’s not how it is. Basic fact is, my parents don’t like me going anywhere outside the house if it’s not school. But, as a twenty year old girl who is now above the legal age, there is nothing much they can do about it.

So yea, they are probably downstairs now in the hall, muttering and murmuring to each other about why I have to go to my friend’s birthday party.

Truth be told, even though I don't feel much like going, I already gave my best friend, Cindy, my word and she will never let me live in peace if I should disappoint her. Today is her birthday and she is having a party with a few friends at the downtown hotel.

Knowing full well I was merely postponing the inevitable, I grabbed my purse to my chest and with a deep breath, walked down the stairs to meet my parents with a smile that was gaily forced. 

“Hi Mum, Dad! I’m ready to leave.” I greeted them cheerfully, while doing my best to ignore their grimace.

“You mean you insist on going? But Becca, you know we don’t like you moving with those people. They are too lively for a well trained child like you.” My Mum, Anne Summer, scolded with a frown on her old face.

I gave a light laugh. “Nope mum, it’s not about them. The truth is, you don’t like me having any friends at all and that’s in fact.” I said without any form of malice. 

My mum got married to my Dad in her late twenties and having waited for over fifteen years to have a child, I came along when she was in her early forties and Dad in his late forties.

So it’s understandable that they are so protective of me even though the way they go about it is unhealthy. It makes me want to break out.

“You know your mum and I only want the best for you.” Josh Summer, my father chipped in as usual, in defense of his wife.

And as usual, I rolled my eyes. Honestly, it’s getting worse, especially now that both of them are in their sixties.

“I know Dad and I love you both. But please, it’s just a small party for goodness sake. I will see you guys later.” Without waiting for a response, I dropped a kiss to their cheeks and quickly left the house before they would stop me.

‘Whewwww! That was a narrow escape.’ I sighed loudly but because I could not help it, I also gave a trill of laughter.

Although I'm not a fan of gatherings and parties, I’m looking forward to seeing my boyfriend, James. We have been going steady now since we finished college and I can’t wait for the day he will pop the question.

Thinking of how our home would be, I allowed herself to daydream for a few minutes while a certain part of my heart snorted coldly, wondering if truly I loved the guy as much as I was claiming or I was just eager to spread my wings and leave behind my not so comfortable sheltered life.

Ignoring the unwelcome voice, I glanced up and was surprised to see that I was now in front of the downtown hotel. Hmm, I can’t believe I walked the fifteen minutes distance without any idea of how I got there.

With a shrug of one shoulder, I gave a tiny smile before opening the door to the dining area, but I stopped suddenly, shocked to see different faces at the table, laughing and crooning to the birthday girl.

‘What the heck? I thought it was just going to be a few of us. Who the hell invited all these people?’ I asked silently with a great shock on my face even as I decided to turn back and leave.

But unfortunately, Cindy and my boyfriend, James, glanced up at that moment and our eyes met across the room even as they waved happily.

‘Oh dammit! Now I have to pretend I’m okay with this crowd. Double dammit! If only I had listened to my parents.’ I thought sourly even as I walked to the table to hug my boyfriend and the few friends I knew among the crowd.

Tall with a body that’s slim and healthy, it’s a lucky thing that I’m blessed with blond golden hair and a fair skin that glows even in darkness. But oh yea, even I know my best feature is my face. 

That entire pointy nose with a healthy chiseled cheek complemented with brown eyes is enough to make any man take a second look, but added to the fact that I have got some nice butts, hips and boobs to complement my long legs, even I myself know men usually take a third and forth look whenever I pass by.

Which of course, is the reason I don’t mind dating a short guy. James is of average height which makes him seem short when standing beside me and quite frankly, he is also with a bit of fat on his body. 

‘But I really don’t care, I have enough height to serve around. I’m not picky when it comes to love.’ I thought wryly with some devotion in my eyes while watching him talk to some friends.

To make my boyfriend and Cindy happy, I joined in the gist and dance and I even allowed James to give me some pecks and necking which was the farthest we had ever gone in our relationship. Even if I can brush aside my parent’s training, I know I’m still young and innocent to dabble into casual sex like my mates. 

Fortunately for me, James is also of the opinion that we should wait till we are married and now we are taking it cool while abstaining from anything serious. 

‘Dammit! We haven’t even had our serious kiss yet.’ I remembered wryly as he embraced me to his chest. 

‘Maybe we can cross that off the list tonight. I will definitely ask him if he is willing to share a deep kiss on our way home after the party.’ I thought with some excitement as I allowed him to drop a chaste kiss to my lips.

Two hours later, I felt a banging in my head and a warm dizziness, such that I had never known before. Luckily, I still have the key to the room Cindy got earlier for her personal use, so I stood from the crowd to walk groggily across the room to the elevator with the intention of resting my head for a minute.

Though I hardly drink alcohol, I know this isn’t the effect of nursing half a cup of tequila all evening. Obviously, an excited person or people already spiked the drinks before I joined the party, else there is no other explanation to what I’m feeling right now. Briefly, I wondered if Cindy knew about it yet failed to warn me.

Feeling too miserable to concentrate on that, I waved my way down the hall and standing in front of the door I presumed to be the room Cindy took me to earlier, I tried using the key but to my surprise, the door opened beneath my hand even before I could turn the key.

‘Hmmm, I can't believe we failed to lock the door properly when we came up earlier.’ I murmured groggily but at that moment, I felt too warm & feverish to think much about it as I glanced around.

For a moment, the room seemed slightly different from the one I saw earlier. I could have even sworn I saw something on the chair at the corner that resembled a man’s clothes but remembering how I was feeling at the moment, I knew I was probably hallucinating.

Walking towards the big bed, I was eager to stop the warmth and shivering I could feel was overpowering my soul and body, so I quickly removed my clothes and dive under the duvet. 

‘Oh, that feels better already.’ I sighed pithily before surrendering myself to sleep.