The sunlight streamed into the once-dark room as the curtain was pulled aside. Lisa and Estabel, who had been unconscious for hours, groggily stirred to life. The pounding headache hit Lisa the hardest—her first time experience with alcohol had come with brutal consequences. Estabel, being more accustomed to drinking, suffered a lighter headache but immediately realized something was off.
This wasn't Lisa's room. Nor was it hers. She checked on herself if she had been abused but she wasn't. While trying to recall the events of last night, I only had fleeting memories. When she noticed a shadowy figure moving in the kitchen, her instincts kicked in. Grabbing a flower vase, she approached cautiously, prepared to defend herself. As the silhouette turned, she launched her attack and screamed in fear and surprise, causing Elvis to jump in shock.
"Why does everyone keep attacking me this week?" Elvis grumbled, touching his already swollen face. Estabel, realizing it was Elvis with a swollen face, burst out laughing, her tension melting into relief.
Lisa, still groggy, emerged from her hiding spot behind the curtain, and upon seeing Elvis's bruised face, she joined Estabel in laughter. Despite his wounded appearance, Elvis had been making hangover tea for them. Estabel's laughter only intensified.
"Seriously, Elvis," Estabel teased, "what happened? Did you try to ask a girl out last night and get beat up?"
Elvis handed them their tea, used to Estabel's teasing, but this time, even she couldn't brush off the seriousness of his swollen face.
"El, what happened to you?" Estabel asked more seriously, inspecting his bruises.
"Let's just say it wasn't an accident," Elvis replied. "But more importantly, why did you bring Lisa to the bar? You know it's dangerous for both of you to be out in a state like that."
Estabel, quick to defend herself, replied, "Lisa was feeling down. She wanted to experience the feeling of being drunk, so I brought her here, and besides, we were indirectly waiting for you!"
Elvis shook his head at Estabel's excuse, more concerned than angry. "You always have an excuse, Estabel. But seriously, Lisa, what's going on? Why did you let Estabel drag you here?"
Before Lisa could answer, Estabel, ever the deflector, cut in, "Are you trying to call me a bad influence? We can catch up on all that later. Tell me, how was California? Got a girlfriend there? Or are you still waiting for me to marry you once I'm rich enough?" She winked.
Elvis smiled faintly. "Since I have known you haven't had any money on you, do you think I can wait till you're rich enough?"
Estabel was left speechless, still thinking of the right word to get back at him.
"Since you're sober enough to make jokes, I guess you're fine now. I've got a project to supervise, so I'll be heading out." Elvis said
But before he could leave, Estabel grabbed him by the arm. "You can't go to work with a face like that! Let us at least help you out with an ice pack or some ointment."
Without waiting for his approval, Estabel pulled him toward the bed, with Lisa watching quietly. Once they had pressed ice on his face and applied the ointment, Elvis felt the swelling subside.
"My face looks better now, right?" he asked, receiving only a nod from the girls as they sipped their tea.
Elvis stood up, preparing to leave. "Okay, I'm heading out now. If you need food or anything, order whatever you like; the bill's on me."
"Thanks, Elvis!" Estabel said with a cheeky grin. "You must have known I'm broke."
"You're always broke," Elvis replied, shaking his head. "What do you even spend your money on? Building a secret company?"
Lisa chimed in, laughing, "Yeah, what's the deal? Maybe you've got many secret companies we don't know about."
Not minding the teasing words, Estabel smiled sweetly in Elvis' direction.
"Elvis, you know you just came back and we haven't spent much time together. How about going for dinner tonight? We can catch up on a lot of things"
"Alright, text me the direction when you girls are ready," Elvis spoke while heading out but was dragged back by Estabel.
"How can you ask us to go on a dinner date with you, without asking if we have a dress to wear?" Estabel smirked devilishly while twisting the talk. Elvis wasn't surprised. He couldn't boast of being Estabel's friend if he couldn't tell how she behaved.
"Alright, alright. Can't you say you want to go shopping with my money cause it's been a long time since I took you shopping? I'm off. You two should rest up and go shopping; you girls are okay," Elvis said with laughter; he had to drop this card for Melissa and Estabel before he finally managed to exit the room.
As the door closed, Lisa sighed, "I swear, I'm never drinking that much again."
Estabel, always the comedian, responded, "You still plan on drinking at all? I'm never going to the bar again unless someone forces me at gunpoint or Maybe to visit my favorite bartender."
"Well, until that day comes, or maybe next week when someone will mistakenly spill, `I just went to the bar to have a few bottles,`" Lisa said with a playful yawn, "I'm going back to bed. I deserve a massage after all this."
Estabel had always been extra protective of Elvis and Lisa. Though tough on the outside, she had a soft spot for those close to her. When she was first acknowledged as part of the Browns family, her step-siblings bullied her relentlessly. But with Lisa and Elvis by her side, she was never alone. Elvis's mother, Mrs. Isabel, had even taken Estabel in as her goddaughter, ensuring she had a safe place within the Charles family. Estabel's loyalty to both of her friends ran deep, and she often went out of her way to take care of Elvis, not just because of their friendship but also as a way of repaying Mrs. Isabel's kindness.