I opened my eyes and found myself staring at a familiar ceiling. Blinking a few times, I sat up abruptly and glanced around. I was still inside the room. Looking out over the balcony, I saw the sunlight filtering through the white curtains.
It was already past three in the afternoon. I took a deep breath and shook my head. I must have overslept, but then I remembered having breakfast. So why did I suddenly feel so sleepy and sleep through lunch?
And that strange dream-it lingered vividly in my mind, like a distant memory that couldn’t possibly be real. The white room, the peculiar woman, and Simmy… well, I knew she was odd, but the version of her in my dream was even stranger.
Massaging my temples, I left the bed. I stepped out onto the balcony and looked over the horizon. It was indeed mid-afternoon, and I had missed lunch.
Furrowing my brow, I wondered aloud, “Did no one bring my lunch inside?”
With that thought, I decided to leave my room and made my way down from the top floor via the staircase.
When I reached the kitchen, it was empty. I furrowed my brow even more. “Where is everyone in the mansion?”
Nonetheless, I approached the fridge and searched for some food. I found cookies, so I took them outside and placed them on the table.
I glanced around again, still no sign of anyone. Despite my confusion, I decided to sit down and nibble on the cookies. My lips twitched.
I sat up straight upon hearing footsteps approaching the kitchen. My eyes narrowed at the entrance. Then I saw Emery walking towards me, carrying a basket full of flowers.
I cleared my throat. “Where is everyone else?” I asked.
She paused and looked in my direction. Her eyes widened, then she smiled. “Miss Azora,” she greeted me. Placing the basket on the kitchen counter, she walked closer to me. “They’re out back, picking flowers and some fruits.”
I raised an eyebrow. “What about Simmy?”
Her smile faded slightly. “She’s also out back, Miss. She’s leading the flower and fruit picking.”
I pursed my lips and looked away. “No one brought me lunch.”
“Ah… well… Simmy said not to disturb you while you were sleeping,” Emery stuttered.
My eyes narrowed at her explanation, but I didn’t comment further. I finished the cookies. Then I stood up, went to the living room, headed towards the main door, and stepped outside the mansion.
I stood on the patio and looked up at the sky. It was already late afternoon. The sun’s rays gently warmed my face, and I smiled softly. I could still feel the gentle breeze brushing against my skin.
“Miss,” Emery’s voice interrupted. “Would you like an umbrella?”
I shook my head and walked towards the maze garden. “Come with me,” I told her.
We walked quietly towards the garden. Emery walked beside me while I enjoyed the fragrance of the roses and the cool afternoon breeze.
A few minutes passed, and slowly the sun began to set in the west. The sunlight faded, and parts of the garden grew darker.
“Evening is approaching,” I said, stopping and looking at Emery. She stopped walking and glanced ahead.
“It’s getting dark, Miss. We should head back,” she said.
I took a deep breath before nodding at her. We walked back towards the mansion. My father’s grand mansion loomed in the distance.
“Miss, what would you like to eat when we get back to the mansion?” Emery asked.
“Mmm… just prepare something good. Uh, fish,” I replied.
She nodded happily. “I’ll cook for you, but-”
I cut her off. “Don’t let Simmy near my food. Cook it for me and bring it to my room yourself.”
Emery hesitated. “I’m not sure if I can do that, Miss. Simmy wants to personally deliver your food with a servant.”
I furrowed my brow. “Then let her accompany you, but Simmy must not touch my food,” I said firmly. I took a breath. “She might tamper with it.”
“Do you suspect Simmy, Miss?” Emery asked, sounding curious.
I shrugged. “It’s strange that I slept earlier and the last thing I ate was breakfast…” I trailed off, my eyes narrowing. “And that dream-I don’t know if it was real or not,” I whispered.
The dream felt like a memory buried deep in my mind, familiar yet elusive. I knew I had experienced something like it before, but couldn’t recall when or where. Maybe it was a continuation of past dreams, or perhaps there was something in the food Simmy had prepared. Whether hallucination or not, I needed to be cautious around her.
“Alright, Miss. But if Simmy did put something in your food, what will you do?” Emery asked.
I stopped in my tracks at her question. She also paused, looking at me. I saw her curious expression from the corner of my eye.
Right. If something was in the food, then what about Simmy?
I took a breath. “I’ll report her to my father.”
“And if your father doesn’t believe you?”
I furrowed my brow at her question, then looked at her and said firmly, “Just do as I’ve asked. No questions.”
She nodded. I sighed deeply. I didn’t know how I would confront Simmy. She had a strong hold on my father, but I couldn’t dwell on that now. Simmy would leave the mansion soon enough. I just had to endure a few more days until she was out of sight. Let my father deal with her instead.
With that settled, I returned to my room and stayed on the balcony as usual. I looked out over the horizon, watching as the sun sank lower in the west. The breeze was gentle and cool against my skin.
When evening fell, there was a knock on the door. I went back inside the room and opened it. First I saw Simmy, then I glanced at Emery standing beside her. I sighed.
“Come in, Emery,” I said.
I let Emery step inside while Simmy remained outside. I didn’t allow Simmy to enter, and my indifferent look must have conveyed that, because she stayed outside with her usual haughty demeanor, not saying a word.
“I’m leaving now, Miss,” Emery said softly.
She couldn’t meet my gaze, kept her eyes down. I shrugged at her odd behavior. Maybe Simmy had intimidated her outside the door. So I let Emery take a step towards the door. But before she could leave, she stopped and glanced back at me. Our eyes met.
My eyebrow raised.
She gulped. “Miss, if you need anything, just call me.” Then she quickly stepped out the door and closed it with a thud.
I furrowed my brow at her behavior, but dismissed my suspicions. I had told her not to let Simmy handle my food, and I trusted her.
I sat down, reached for the food tray, and then walked out to the balcony. There, I had dinner.
The wind was cool. It was fresh. I turned on my favorite song on my phone, then ate quietly. I looked at the distant city lights. After a few minutes, I ate dinner, and I went back to the room.
After setting the tray on the tea table, I went into the bathroom and took a shower. After a while, I went to the walk-in closet and put on a dress before heading back to the bedroom.
When I stepped out, the tray was nowhere to be seen. Maybe someone had come in earlier and taken it. However, I noticed a flower vase with fresh flowers on my bedside table.
I walked over and lifted the vase. As I inhaled the fresh fragrance of the flowers, I caught a whiff of something powdery-like and sneezed.
Quickly putting the flower vase back on the bedside table, I moved to the mirror. After blow-drying my hair, I walked over and lay down on the bed.
I glanced up at the ceiling. The only light in the room was from the lampshade. The air conditioner was on, but the room still felt hot and humid. I furrowed my brow, changed my position, and closed my eyes, trying to get some sleep.
But after a few minutes, I jolted awake. I suddenly felt sweaty due to the warm weather. I was perplexed; despite the air cooler being on, my body felt increasingly hot. I also felt thirsty.
Deciding to get up from bed, I headed to the balcony. The cool wind brushed against my face, but it didn’t alleviate the heat within my body. I felt hotter with every passing minute.
Then, I noticed my neck stiffening. I couldn’t move it from side to side. My eyes widened in realization. What on earth was happening to me?
I hurried back into the room. I reached for my phone and walked towards the door, but before I could reach the handle, I suddenly collapsed to the floor. It dawned on me that my legs had gone numb. My eyes widened even further at what was happening.
My breathing hitched, and I panted softly. I felt beads of sweat forming on my forehead and neck. My fists clenched tightly.
Did Simmy put something in my food?
I gasped for breath. My heart raced wildly in my chest. I tried to look at my phone and quickly unlocked it. I fumbled with my contacts, but my vision started to blur. I blinked and focused on my phone.
Unable to see the names in my contacts, I decided to use speed dial. I pressed number one. Then, I heard ringing on the other end of the call.
I couldn’t remember who I had assigned to speed dial, but when a woman’s voice answered, I instantly recognized it as Emery’s.
“Hello?”
“E-Emery,” I said, panting. “Go to my room, q-quick!”
“Miss? Are you okay?”
“Just go to my room now!” I yelled out of frustration.
Emery quickly agreed and didn’t hang up. I could hear her hurried footsteps on the other end of the call, then Simmy’s voice.
“What happened?” Simmy asked.
“It seems something’s wrong with Miss Azora,” Emery replied.
I heard more footsteps before the line went silent. I wondered if they were on their way to the room or if they had stopped midway.
All I could remember next was collapsing completely on the floor. Blurry images of the dark ceiling filled my vision before a bright light appeared. Then, Emery’s face…
“Miss! Miss Azora!”
I stared at her face, filled with fear and horror. I tried to smile at her, but my attempt only made her more distraught.
“Call the Don! Quickly!” Emery shouted.
I tried to speak, but I couldn’t feel my face. My blurry vision followed the people around me as they panicked. Maids, cooks, and even some men were there.
Then one of the men rushed over and knelt beside me. I watched as he lifted me up, holding me in his arms as he hurried out of the room.
I guessed he was one of Dad’s private men from outside the mansion. I hadn’t forgotten about those private men lurking in the shadows of the mansion, the ones responsible for shooting Japen. They were the reason Japen needed immediate medical attention and why I had cut off communication with him and Anya.
If they hadn’t shot Japen, I could still be able to call him.
I groaned, though I couldn’t hear myself. I wanted to raise my hand and slap the man carrying me, but I couldn’t move. I wanted to protest, but my body didn’t respond.
Then, in my blurry vision, I saw the twinkling stars. That’s when I realized the man had carried me out of the mansion.