I massage my shoulders and waist. Seriously, all-nighters for novels are no longer doable for me. I glance at the time. Six AM. I take a deep breath and reach for my phone. I call Erica and our director to tell them I can't come to the office because of a headache and not because I am reading novels the entire night. They approve my request, and I feel relieved that I will have the whole day for sleep.
I rub my temple while remembering the events in the Princess of Fate novel. I can't believe how many times I cried and swooned over the heroine's guys. They are all so precious. I hope that at least one of them exists in real life. And if I'm given a choice, I will choose General Calais Parcell, no doubt. He's the third party of the story, and he's the most precious of all. He loves the MC too much, to the point where he can let the heroine, Eliana Pellegrini, to marry the Prince if that's what will make her happy. He even supported her in everything!
Next to Calais, I will make friends with the Villainess of the story who shares the same name as I am. Her name is Lyrica Dunnett, the eldest daughter of the Duke. I can just imagine the pain she's been through that made her the villainess that she is. She's a very lucky child with all the good things at her disposal, but that spoiled her rotten. I wish I'd be there to tell her how to gain the love of the people around her. That could have made her happier and prevented her from being as cunning and ruthless as she is. But well, without her, there would be no story.
After drinking water, I crawl back to my bed. I glance again at my phone. There are well-wishers from my teammates. Ah! I feel guilty for lying to them. I take my phone and tell them not to worry and that I just need a good sleep.
Then, there's a text from my parents, asking how I've been and if they should send me some preserved food. I typed in a quick text saying that they can deliver it this afternoon, then hit send. They've been worrying too much since I got my condominium unit and lived alone. Not to mention their reactions when I got my first car. They are always asking how I am after returning to the house. They are always afraid that I will get into an accident. Because of the persistent texts and their nonstop worrying, I sold my car and made do without it. Besides, my condo unit is close to the office.
I make a contented sigh and cover myself in a blanket. There's no need for them to worry too much. I know how to take care of myself and I owe it to them. They raised me the right way. But for now, let's sleep, and I promise, I won't do another all-nighter for reading a novel again.
****************************
The doorbell rings followed by the sound of hands pounding on the door. I reach for my phone and check that it's already past ten AM. Are my parents here? Or any of my siblings? I walk towards the door and open it, revealing my youngest teenage sister, Henrietta.
"I brought in dried fish!" she greets. "Ugh, you look bad. Did you pull an all-nighter again? I thought the doctor suggested against that?"
I open the door wider and let her in. I mutter a simple 'yes' and she adds, "Can I borrow your console?" she asks. "You can continue your sleep."
"As long as you keep quiet," I respond.
"I will be!" she says, delighted to play again. "Thank you!"
I smile at her excitement. Maybe it's the right decision to buy that game console after all, even if I no longer play as much. At least my sister can enjoy it and that can persuade her to visit me from time to time.
Suddenly, I feel an overwhelming dizziness. I close my eyes, reach for my temple, and massage it. After a while, I open my eyes. But, I see the ground getting close and I feel the pain of hitting the floor with my face. Then I blackout.
****************************
I go in and out of consciousness, catching things happening around me, and then blacking out again. Sometimes, I wake up with the nurse taking care of me. Sometimes, the doctor will hover over me to check for pulses or anything at all. But most of the time, I sense my family around me, as they hold my hand in theirs. They seem troubled by something.
"We are going to watch her state for a while. But you should not expect much."
"She's a healthy young lady!"
"Madam, I'm sorry, but you need to prepare yourself."
I see my parents cry. Why? I don't feel like dying. I feel no pain. Why would I die anyway? I don't have any life-threatening disease and I always have my annual checkups. But damn, this oxygen mask is very uncomfortable.
I look at the table on my left. Ah, I feel so weak, and then I see my siblings. Their attention is on the conversation between my parents and the doctor. They have their phones out, but it's left unattended on their side. Ha! I can't believe they can actually turn their attention away from their mobile phones.
Then, my mom sits beside my bed. I shift my attention to her. She looks haggard when there's no reason to be. My health card can cover the cost of hospitalization. There is money in my bank to spare. And even if I am dying, I have a couple of insurances they can claim from. After my death, at the very least, I will leave them with something other than grief.
I reach for her hand and squeeze it. It would be okay, I'd like to say. But I am so sleepy that I fall asleep in the middle of that simple gesture.