***********Annabeth********
When I told Karen that I would be going to Dubai for a conference this weekend, I knew she was going to go haywire but not this..haywire. She's completely frantic at this moment. Today is Thursday, and Karen is currently sitting at the foot of my bed at 6:30 am. Looking at me with a cheeky grin.
I sat there, utterly confused and speechless. I've just woken up from a really deep sleep due to how exhausted I have been this past days, only to see my female best friend sitting before me.
I looked to my side to see Paige who is very much asleep completely oblivious to the torture I feel I am about to go through.
"What are you doing here, Karen?" I asked in a groggy voice.
"Damn, you must be really tired to sound this way. " She said shaking her head at me. She stood up and went to the table and passed me a glass of water which I immediately downed. I didn't know I was this thirsty.
"Do you perhaps have another glass?" I said tiredly leaning back into the bed, careful not to wake Paige.
"No ma'am, I do not." She said sassily. "And I didn't come to serve you." She said standing up from the bed going to the bags that sat at the corner of the room. "I came to get you prepped for your travels." She said smiling cheekily..again motioning to the bags beside her. I instantly froze.
The last time Karen had me prepped for something I ended up not going because I was in too much pain at the end of the 'prepping' to go for the event. And guess what that event was.. My fucking high school graduation. It was one of the worst days I've ever experienced.
"Why do you have that face?" She said coming closer to me. I had the urge to run to the bathroom to hide but I couldn't move. My body felt numb. Probably because of the stress of yesterday. "Are you sick? Is something wrong?" She asked coming closer to sit on the bed. As she touched me, I quickly recovered.
"Karen, I love you." I said with a hand on her lap. "But, there is no way in hell that I'm letting you prep me for anything ever again." I said getting off the bed and walking to the bathroom. I need to get to the Cafe. The earlier I get my coffee, the earlier this fatigue leaves.
"Why?!! What are you insinuating, Anna?" She said following me into the closet.
"Why? Really Karen? Is that even a question? After what happened on the graduation day? You really shouldn't be asking that, ma'am" I said, turning back to my clothes.
"But I'm not that bad" She whined. "It was a mistake."
"I know, my love." I took her hand in mine, caressing it. "But that doesn't mean I'm gonna risk it. I'm already fatigued enough as it is right now..I really don't think I can handle any more. I'm so sorry baby."
"Alright then, can I atleast take you out to get prepped?" She asked giving me those freaking doe eyes. I really want to say no..
"Alright." I said and she shrieked in excitement. " But, it can't be right now.. maybe after work."
"Why can't you? He should atleast give you today to prepare!! You are leaving tomorrow evening."
"I know, I just can't leave, but tomorrow I'd be available. Promise."
"Alright then." She said in resignation and I sighed in relief.
"But" she started again "I'm going shopping for you today, I'd send you the pictures of things I plan on buying so you can choose. Deal?" She asked sticking up her pinky.
"Deal." I said locking my pinky with her and sighing in resignation. Girlfriends...
*********************
Apparently, letting Karen send me pictures of the things she plans on buying was a very wrong decision considering how extra she can be. My phone has been pinging for the last 2 hours!!.
I'm tempted to tell to her or simply put my phone off..but knowing Karen she's going to come here... straight to my office or make a scene of she isn't let up.
I have a few things to conclude luckily and I'd be done for the day. Ray said he was gonna stop by today. I wonder why though. I've concluded all important things that can't wait till next week.
Speaking of next week, I can't help but pity him. He's gonna work his ass off.
I turned to the right side of my desk to look at the brown envelope I saw taped to my door this morning. I haven't been able to open it due to the continuous flow of morbid thoughts in my head.
Who could it be from? Why would there be no address? Why does it have a Skull logo on it? Could it be a letter bomb?
I am just an assistant for fucks sake!. I haven't worked here for up to a month, but I already have enemies that do not even have the slightest idea of who I am, I've been confronted and ogled by my boss's father and now a freaking creepy ass letter.
Could this be why the other assistant quit?
I've heard a few rumors in the past few days. Alot of people are confused as to why I'm still working here. Apparently, a lot of people do not last a week and they keep talking about how bad and scary Ray is and how he might be involved in some really dark ...Truth is...its none of my busines. Not even the slightest. But yet, without the slightest effort I'm being pulled into this.
I'm trying really hard to not think about anything related to this..at all.
I turned back to the papers before me.
Let's be done with you and I can begin my weekend.
****************
"No, Karen. There's no way I'm putting that on..it basically dripping sex!!! It's a business conference not a birthday party or an orgy"
"Oh, I'm taking it then." Paige said picking the dress and adding it the pile beside her, making Karen more frustrated than ever.
" Why are you doing this to me, Anna? I just want you to look really good." Karen said looking really dejected. I could see exhaustion written boldly on her face.
" I know that, Karen. But you know what I like and what I can wear and so far you have only shown me party wears. I'm just so glad you can return all of these." I said motioning to the clothes surrounding us when my phone rang in my pocket. I brought it out to see the caller ID.
It's Ray.
"Hey, good evening" I greeted, trying to sound less exhausted. I can't miss this trip for anything.
"Hey, I'm downstairs" ...