One Wish

A chill runs through me, making me shiver. My head’s a lot better, but after that encounter I can see the headache coming back again. With a sigh, I get dressed, noting the rumbling of my stomach. I need to eat some breakfast before I have some lunch. Even if it’s some fruit, I need something. I’m so hungry that I’m almost nauseous.

I flit through all the clothes in the wardrobe, picking out the most casual outfit I can find—a pair of Levi skinny jeans and red crop top that shows off my midriff.

Once I’m finished with my hair and makeup, I take a look in the mirror and still can’t recognize the woman staring back at me. This body, these clothes, this hair… it’s all not me. I can feel it.

I grab the phone off the nightstand, noting it’s only charged 34%. It will have to do until I get back from lunch.

I tiptoe out of my room, looking around just in case bunny boy is still lurking around upstairs. I don’t see him here, but movement outside catches my attention. Bunny boy is by the pool, a big net in his hands capturing all the leaves.

“Bunny boy’s the pool guy?” I ask no one, groaning as I make my way downstairs. I have two steps left when this tiny white dog barrels towards me barking and wagging his tail.

“Oh wow, who are you, little scamp?”

I bend down, stroking him as he jumps up and down, furiously trying to lick my face. I sit down, giggling, enjoying the excitement this little dog exudes. It’s infectious.

“I’ve never seen Max so excited to see you,” a soft female voice says, appearing from nowhere.

My eyes flit up to a lady who looks to be in her seventies, a long floral dress underneath a lilac apron. She has white hair up in a bun and very soft, kind eyes.

“I’m guessing you want coffee.” She turns on her heels, out of view, so I quickly get up and follow her into the living room. I never realized last night that it curves around into a massive kitchen/dining area.

And that’s when I gasp. Huge French sliding bifold doors from wall to wall reveal the most magnificent sea view I have ever seen. Somehow, the way the house is positioned, it feels like I’m on a boat floating in this endless ocean. The sun pours into the expanse of the room, bouncing off beautiful wooden floorboards. I hope beyond hope that when I turn and see what I expect to be the kitchen, it’s not blindingly white.

I turn, sighing with relief. The granite countertop is white, but the cupboards are a dark mahogany, making the room seem warm and inviting. In the corner, currently pouring a cup of coffee, is the white-haired lady. As I tip my head, trying to figure out who this mysterious lady is, she places the mug on the huge island in front of me.

“Drink up. No doubt you need it after last night.” She raises a knowing eyebrow, causing me to frown. She drops a newspaper in front of me and that’s when I see it.

Me and that Jason Stamford guy at the bar, our bodies turned to each other’s, his predatory gaze upon me. You can’t see my reaction, but the photo looks bad. Like… really bad.

Sitting myself down on one of the stools, I quickly read what the papers are saying.

On the opening night of Eli Prescott’s new movie, “When Love Finds a Way,” Eli got a celebration he will never forget when his wife, Kendra Banks, was seen looking very intimate with her ex-husband, and archenemy, Jason Stamford.

As followers of the famous celebrity couple will know, Jason Stamford tried to ruin Eli and Kendra’s relationship on many occasions, even going as far as attempting to frame Eli for cocaine possession.

I stop for a moment, looking up from the paper. I vaguely recall something about this. Kendra had a bitter divorce with Jason as he wouldn’t let her go. She started dating Eli and then he tried to make their lives hell. I think he even crashed their wedding. If that wasn’t bad enough, Jason planted cocaine in the trunk of Eli’s car and called the police. An investigation ensued, causing Eli to be dropped from major starring roles in several movies, which almost cost him his career.

And there I am, talking with him last night as if we were old friends.

How do I know all this, but somehow not remember living it? None of this situation makes any sense. I’m even talking about myself as if I’m a third person.

Taking a huge gulp of my coffee, I momentarily groan at the flavors hitting my mouth. I glance down, reading more of the article.

An anonymous person at the party last night had this to say: “No one could understand why Kendra did it. She’s supposed to hate Jason for everything he’s done to her and Eli, and yet they were intimately sitting together drinking like nothing had ever happened. None of it makes sense, but even if she is friends with that loser, the least she could have done was wait until after Eli’s big night. I guess that’s the problem with the likes of Kendra Banks. They’re just spoiled little rich girls who think they’re a law onto themselves.”

I grit my teeth at that comment, anger flushing my face. But at the end of the day, what can I say? Whoever it was that said that is right. No wonder Eli hates me.

I groan, placing my head in my hands. “I’m so freaking stupid!” I mutter under my breath.

“Whatever were you thinking last night?”

I glance up. The white-haired lady is standing on the other side of the island, cocking her head at me. I have no clue who she is, but she seems to care enough with the obvious concern in her eyes.

“I have no idea.” I glance around. “Where’s Eli?”

She picks up a tablecloth wiping an imaginary stain off the island. “He was up and out by seven this morning. Just as well, considering the ruckus you caused with that pool boy.”

My face flushes, but a tugging on my jeans causes me to look down. Max has the bottom of my jeans in his mouth, pulling. When he spots me looking at him, he stops, giving me a little bark.