The Target

Surprise?!!

Harry barged into my apartment. "Harry!! What is it?" I asked, surprised. "Adam- Adam. He slipped. Come with me." Harry managed to put together these words under gasping breaths. I rushed to get my slippers. Soon enough, I was in Harry's car, driving down to his house. I was worried.

As soon as Harry opened the door, I heard a loud Happy Birthday. "What a way to surprise! I nearly died of fright!" I shook my head as I wiped the tears and sweat off my face."Well, it's nice to see you care." Adam said resting his arms on my shoulder. "Well, not anymore," I said and pecked his lips gently.

Grace pulled me in for a hug. I whispered, "I know this was your idea. Why?" She held me by my arms and said, "Because I am here and you hate parties." I nodded in agreement. All my friends were there. They even managed to call two of my friends from work. I have been working at that place for a week and a half now. But I made some good friends. I was happy to see them there.

Suddenly, my phone rang. I picked up, "Ma, for the thousandth time. THANK YOU!" She was literally calling me since morning to wish. As much as she wanted me back to New Jersey, I was reluctant to go. Everybody has a past. I do too. But that's a story for another day.

We danced. We sang. We played. We drank. By the end of the night, Grace blacked out. Adam blacked out. I was sober enough to ask Lewis, who didn't drink, to drive me home. I took Grace under my arm and Lewis helped me. He drove us back to my apartment. Once inside, Lewis said, "why is it always me driving drunk people back home?" I chuckled slightly and waved him goodbye. Grace passed out on the couch and I ran back to the bedroom. Long Night. I thought.

"Good Morning, Grace!!" I said. Grace groaned in frustration. "Pull the curtains. They are burning my eyes and giving me a splitting headache." "Maybe you shouldn't have had ten shots and then chug later. Not to mention, the three rounds of beer. Now, take these and go stand under the shower. I am going to work. Will be home soon." I said giving her two pills of aspirin. I kissed her on the cheek, muttered a goodbye, and left.

When I reached the hotel, I was greeted by a familiar face. Mr. Hugh was waiting for me. "Ms. Grant. This is the third time you have arrived late. Your tardiness cannot be tolerated. Either correct your ways, or I will be forced to fire you." He said, clenching his fist. The temper on this guy. I thought. I sat on my seat, feeling guilty. During lunch, Roxy, a friend, came up to me and asked me why I arrived late. Honestly, I had no idea. Usually, I would get drunk at night and wake up in the morning with a massive hangover. Then everything would blackout for an hour or two. So, probably I should stop getting drunk at night. But I wasn't gonna tell her that. So, I made up an excuse, "I don't know. I just can't sleep at night and when I do, I find it difficult to wake up the next day." Ok, maybe there was a bit of truth in it. She nodded, sarcastically.

I reached home late. When I entered the apartment, Grace was missing. Her clothes were all over the floor. I dialed her number. Voicemail. Strange. I thought. I looked in the bathroom, my bedroom, even the kitchen.

She was nowhere.