[ Kiara's Point of View ]
I woke up with a really bad headache and hangover. I really don't remember anything that happened last night. But I am sure nothing good worth remembering happened either so why should I bother to recall? Before I could think of anything else Dora entered my room unannounced.
"Miss, Are you awake?"
Dora asked, raising her thick eyebrows as soon as she saw me sitting on bed.
"Have you ever seen people sleeping with their eyes open? And why can't you just knock before coming in!"
I asked avoiding eye contact.
Dora: I am sorry Miss. I thought you must be still asleep. You passed out in the club last night and Simon brought you here.
I snapped back as soon as I heard the name 'Simon'.
"Enough! Did I ask you to explain anything that happened last night?"
I asked without looking at Dora.
Dora: No! But I thought you wanted to know... And Simon is waiting downstairs.
"I don't want to see that Loser! Tell him to get lost."
I said with a robotic tone but my voice was cracking and I hated that.
Dora: But he wants to talk to you Miss. He wants to apologize.
"For What? I don't want his apology. I don't even want to see his face! Just send him away."
I said getting up from bed finally.
Dora: Oh God!
Dora exclaimed as soon as she saw my face.
Dora: You got dark circles Miss. Why don't you get a little more sleep?
I finally looked at Dora and sighed.
"No, I am fine. Just ask Simon to get lost!"
Dora: But Miss, you don't look fine. should I ask manager Joe to cancel the ad shoot.
"No, I can manage."
I felt a little dizzy and lost my balance. But before I could fall, Dora had caught me.
Dora: Oh God! You can't even stand on your feet. I am calling Charlie.
"No need! I am alright."
I said regaining my balance.
Dora: You missed your pills too. It's better to call Charlie.
She said in a concerned tone.
"What can Charlie do? Can he fix my life? If he can then sure, do call him."
I said in a bitter tone.
Dora: Miss you are sick. We need to call the doctor.
"Sick? yes, yes I am sick. I am sick of everything. I am sick of my life. I am sick of myself. I am sick of being sick like this too."
I ended up shouting and a few tear drops escaped from my eyes.
Dora: Miss, please calm down. If you don't want to, we won't call doctor Charlie. I have made some soup for you. I will bring it.
Dora was about to leave when I called her name.
"Stop there Dora."
She stopped and turned to face me.
"Why are you doing all this? You are not my Mom. You don't need to worry about me. Even my Mom is not worried about me. Then why?"
I asked, looking into her eyes.
Dora: Miss??
"Just leave me alone for sometime."
I fell back to bed and buried my face on the pillow trying to silence my sobbing voice.
Simon was walking back and forth in the visitor's room. A 6 feet tall guy who looked rough and handsome at the same time. He wore a tight white shirt and blue jeans. He was in his mid 30s but looks a little younger. He had a sharp jawline and neatly trimmed beard and long brown hair. His eyes were a mix of blue and grey. Typically any female would find him attractive. But for now he just looked nervous and busted after pulling an all nighter.
Manager Joe was giving him judging looks. Joe was a man in his late 40s wearing a business suit and specs.
Simon: Why is Dora taking so long? Isn't she awake yet?
Manager Joe: Do you really think Kiara will still be keen to talk to you?
Simon: Come on Joe, I didn't do anything on purpose. It was not my intention to hurt Kiara ?
Manager Joe stayed silent. Dora came down the stairs. Dora was Kiara's caretaker and cook, a woman in her 60s.
Dora: Miss is just miserable. I think she is gonna cry all day.
Simon: Tell her I am waiting.
Dora: She doesn't even want to see your face.
Manager Joe stared at Simon without saying anything.
Simon: Don't look at me like that. You know Kiara more than me. She is just too much sometimes.
Manager Joe: Yes she is, but you had promised me that you would take care of her no matter what. And this is how you take care of her?
Simon sighed, shutting his eyes.
Simon: Anyone in my situation would have left Kiara long ago. I still tried.
Manager Joe: I can see how much you tried. Don't you forget your past Simon. You were just an indie band singer who was struggling on the street. Kiara gave you the chance to sing a duet with her and that changed your life. Now you have got everything. Name, fame, fangirls and what not. Now you don't need Kiara anymore right?
Simon: It's not that. Kiara herself is the reason that I have to end this relationship. She is just too possessive and I can't handle that anymore. I have to move forward in my career. I just want to have a proper closure so that we can give a public statement without damaging our reputation. Because everyone knew we were dating. If we don't make a public statement the rumours won't do any good for us. So we just have to tell the world that we broke up.
"Okay!"
I said as I was climbing down the stairs. All the eyes in the room were directed towards me.
"You want to publish our break up news. Right? Go ahead. Do whatever you want. Just leave me alone."
Simon: Why are you being like this? We can solve this together Kiara.
"I have solved everything already. You can move on. You can date Liza or whomever you want. I don't care!"
I said with a poker face.
Simon: Liza? Oh God! So you fired Liza because of me? Listen Kiara, I was just discussing some work with Liza. I wasn't flirting with your secretary.
I looked at Simon and sighed with a smile.
"My bad that I haven't seen anyone discussing work all naked under a blanket."
I said, avoiding eye contact with anyone. I could hear manager Joe and Dora gasping. Simon stayed silent for a few moments and began talking again.
Simon: That… that was just a mistake. I was drunk.
I finally looked at his face. And I couldn't see any hint of guilt or apology which was hurting me more.
"No, it wasn't. The only person who made mistakes was me. The mistake of trusting you."
I said as tears started rolling down my cheeks.
"It hurts to even see your face. It makes me feel like an idiot! Just go away."
My voice was cracking when I said that and my vision was blocked by tears. But I could hear Simon's footsteps as he walked out of the room. There was this awkward silence in the room and I slowly climbed the stairs and reached my room. Only to cry my eyes out until I fell asleep.
When I opened my eyes I saw Doctor Charlie sitting beside me in bed. Dora and manager Joe were also there. I sat up trying to fix my messed up hair.
Charlie: How do you feel now?
He asked softly.
"Empty!"
I said in the saddest tone ever.
Charlie: Good. It's better than feeling too full.
He said with a smile.
Charlie: Do you wanna talk?
He asked with a soft tone again.
I nodded in disagreement.
Charlie: So what do you wanna do?
"Sleep."
Charlie: But you were sleeping the whole day. You should eat something.
"Yeah, maybe some sleeping pills."
Charlie: I meant food. Dora, bring a sandwich. No, bring two. I got hungry watching you sleep for an hour.
He said, looking at me. Dora had left and Manager Joe also cleared the room leaving me alone with Charlie.
Charlie: So, Simon was cheating on you with Liza. Sad!
He said it as if it was nothing and it annoyed me.
Charlie: Liza is pretty but you are more charming.
"Are you here to praise that Bitch?"
I asked, putting on a forced smile.
Charlie: Of course not! She is nothing infront of you. Simon has gone mad. Forget him.
"Simon has got a point actually. I am stubborn, rude, obsessed and on top of that I get panic attacks and even have depression."
I said looking at the side.
Charlie: That's not really depression. It's very minor. You just get sad.
"Looks like I am your one and only patient Charlie. You have plenty of time to visit me."
Charlie: Actually you are my one and only VIP patient. I don't wanna lose you to another doctor.
He said while wiping his specs with a kerchief. Dora came back with sandwiches.
Charlie: Did you brush your teeth darling?
"No!"
Charlie: You better do it or else you might get food poisoning too.
He said while taking a bite from one sandwich.
I hissed and left my bed and went to the washroom. Looking in the mirror I realised how bad I actually looked. And I met Simon in this state? But who cares! I washed my face with cold water and got a brain freeze. While brushing, I decided to think about Charlie to avoid thinking about Simon. I had met him when I had my first severe panic attack. I was preparing for a stage show and God knows what got into my brain and I started losing control. I felt like I was gonna die started shivering and struggling to breathe. I was rushed to hospital where everything in my body seemed to function normally and I was sent to meet Psychiatrist Charles Stover AKA Charlie. A man in his 50s who manages to get on my nerves everytime we meet. But apart from that he is a great doctor. I finished brushing my teeth and left the bathroom after tying my hair in a Messy bun. Charlie had finished eating his sandwich and was waiting for me patiently. I sat on bed and started eating like I was hungry for years.
Charlie: Slow down girl! The sandwich won't run away from you.
He said in his usual teasing tone. I gave him a cold look and continued eating.
Charlie: Aigoo! You don't even admit you are sad. How can anyone on earth make you happy then?
"I don't want anyone on earth to make me happy. I can be happy on my own!"
I said sternly.
Charlie: You know I watched this k-drama recently and the female lead was just like you. She was just miserable. But then the male lead came and she became a different person. He was even handsome. He is more handsome than Simon. I bet you would have fallen for him too.
"Enough Charlie! You know I don't watch these stupid K-dramas."
Charlie: You are Korean and you don't watch K-dramas. That's so bad. I love K-dramas.
"Will you stop getting on my nerves? I am feeling better now. You can leave."
Charlie: How pathetic you are. Not even a thank you.
Charlie got up from bed. Manager Joe entered the room.
Manager Joe: Miss, I have shortlisted some women for the secretary post. We can conduct the interview once you feel better.
"I am feeling better now. We can do the interview tomorrow. But don't call any woman."
Manager Joe and Charlie looked at each other.
"I don't want to pay another bitch like Liza. Call some men in their 50s."
Charlie: Can I apply too?
"I would have thrown you out long ago if you weren't my doctor."
Charlie: You are just impossible. Don't forget to take your medications. I have a golf match tomorrow. Don't disturb me by getting sick.
He said while walking out of the room.
I shook my head in disbelief as I finished my sandwich. Manager Joe was staring at me.
"What?"
Manager Joe: Nothing! I will make arrangements for the interview.
I spent the rest of the day And night drinking some wine and writing a song. Yeah, I make music for a living so I decided to exploit my broken heart for the same.
"The lie that was called love,
The moon that was feeling low
are fading away pretty slow
The scars are just gonna grow
I am getting as cold as snow
Now hear me singing this all raw
All the pain that you made me feel
I will keep that, don't want to heal
All my tears, all my fears
I was all yours
But now I know that no one cares
You look so happy
Congrats to you and cheers"
I tore the paper into pieces and broke down into tears.
I managed to wake up the next day even though I wanted to die in bed. I put on a black dress, red lipstick and uploaded a pic on instagram after putting a filter. Yeah, social media is a lie and I have to keep that lie alive. I went down to the visitor's room with Manager Joe and around 20 men were waiting there. I glanced at all of them for a few seconds. They all seem pretty normal dressed in business suits. You know they say, I wish people came with a 1 minute teaser of what they are. I wish the same. Suddenly I saw a guy rushing in and falling on his face on the ground. He made all heads in the room turn towards him including mine. He got up on his feet pretty fast dusting off his suit. A Korean boy in his early twenties wearing a business suit and back bag. He looked around with wide eyes. And I looked at manager Joe in disbelief.
"I remember I said men in their 50s, what is that kid doing here?"
Manager Joe: I don't know…. probably he is accompanying his father. I will go and check.