"Sorry for not calling! I just got back from a walk." I immediately say after accepting the call, bracing myself for the yelling that is about to come.
"You were supposed to call me RIGHT AFTER YOUR DAMN ARRIVAL!" the voice on the other end exclaims.
"I know, I know! I got carried away. It's so weird to be back and the trip was so long I just...forgot."
I step into the elevator and press my floor button, then lean myself against the opposite wall.
"Oh, so you just forgot to call your aunt, that pays for the trip and the hotel?!" Diana replies, slightly offended by my weak excuse.
God, everybody wants to argue with me today. Great!
I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose trying to calm myself down. I feel so on edge.
"Hey, I never asked you to do it! But thank you again, I'm really grateful that you did all that for me, auntie D." I calmly state while stepping out of the elevator that finally reached my floor. To my unlucky surprise, I'm met with an elderly couple, whose eyes immediately fall to my naked feet. I weirdly smile at them, shimmy my way around them, and with quick steps hurry in the direction of my suite.
"Oh, shut up. Topic change. Have you gotten the email from Chicago? They want an answer by the end of the month. You have to decide, California or Massachusetts."
Not that topic. Not now.
I inhale deeply and roll my eyes. Chicago or Massachusetts...her favorite and my most hated topic over the past few weeks.
"I know. By the way, Janis was right about the Jacuzzi...!" I answer while pulling out the room keys from my cardigan pocket hoping to change the topic.
"Stop avoiding making decisions. I know with everything going on right now it must be confusing and stressful but focus on your future and not the past. Don't make the same mistake..."
There it is again. The ruthless stab in my heart.
"Like mom?" I finish her sentence, knowing exactly what she was referring to. I'm so tired of this conversation.
"Josefine..." she starts but I cut her off before she can continue.
"No. I get it. Hey, listen, auntie, I'm really tired and I have a long day ahead, can I call you tomorrow?" I ask her, adding a fake yawn to make it more realistic. I had to end this conversation before it went south and I could not take another argument.
"Ok, honey." She got the hint. "Have a good sleep and I love you."
"I love you, too. Bye." I end the call and open the door. The whole suite is illuminated by moonlight, so I don't bother turning on the lights.
I go straight through the massive living room into the bedroom. I throw my phone on the left side of the bed, strip all my clothes off till I'm only in my panties, and let myself fall on the right side of the bed. The sheets are surprisingly cool but feel nice on my naked skin. I pull the soft white pillow into my face and let out a frustrated but well-needed scream. I inhale deeply, adjust the pillow so I'm comfy, and try to relax my tense shoulders. Tomorrow was probably not going to be any less exhausting but hopefully less conflictual.
My body must have been under so much pressure all day that the sudden relaxation immediately makes me fall into a deep slumber within seconds.
..
The sun is at its highest point in the sky and the waves couldn't be more perfect for surfing. I sit on my board, watching Leo and Morgan try to catch the next waves without getting thrown off the second they stand. The water is actually refreshing for once compared to the hot California sun. I feel small salt crystals slowly forming on my skin from the heat and strands of my hair begin to stick to my salty skin.
YOU ARE READING
One Of A Kind |JJ Maybank|
Pertualangan"This island is cursed!" "This island is my home! These people are my home! You are my home! I won't leave you again, JJ!" "You have no future here! All this island can do is destroy and take lives! Just go. Live your life without us. Without me."...
