Just Like Cinderella [9]

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Josi felt something cold but soothing on her face, disturbing her sleep. She tried getting her face away despite how comforting it was, only to bump against something else. She bolted up, hissing at the pain as her entire head protested.

It took her a moment to realize where she was and what she was doing there. Oh shit! She was on punishment, supposed to be awake in case Tammy was up and watching her through the cameras. She'd lasted all through the night. How had she dozed off on the living room floor only to wake up hitting her face on one of the legs of the coffee table?

In her state of panic, she didn't notice Kitty May kneeling down beside her until she reached out again to rub something on Josi's face. Josi would have jumped back in shock if it wouldn't hurt her head more.

"This'll help with your bruises," was all Kitty May said as she kept applying what Josi finally realized was cream. She did so quietly, as Josi's mind raced through all that had happened from the previous night to this moment. Megan coming over, the dance, Tammy and Kitty May getting in, her punishment.

God, her entire face—not to mention her head too—hurt so bad. But how had she fallen asleep? What if Tammy'd seen and was now coming up with a more diabolical punishment for her?

"She's gonna kill me," Josi blurted.

Kitty May heard and seemed to know what she was talking about. "Relax. You were only asleep for like an hour and I turned off the cameras and made it look like a glitch. You have nothing to worry about. If she rewinds the footage, she'll still see you here so you couldn't have done anything to the cameras."

"Oh."

"You can go back to sleep, it's still pretty early and I left the cameras off."

Josi raked her messy hair back, realizing it was still loose over her back from when Tammy yanked it. "I doubt I'll be able to. I have to—"

"Clean up the kitchen and find out what needs to be restocked, contact Rivera Winston who's flying back in today and confirm her appointment, order for a gift basket to be delivered to Mrs. Gale down the street, remind Luther to get a new ottoman for the salon before tomorrow, call to confirm the delivery for the new desk on Tuesday? Yeah, I've done all that."

Josi gaped at her.

Kitty May chuckled. "Don't look so surprised. I took a peek at the to-do list in your room, but I could only get about a quarter of what was on there done. And just so you know, it was not easy. Especially when you sound as young as me when you're talking to a full grown man over the phone about when and where to deliver a desk. I seriously don't know how you do so much and still do a great job, Josi. Mom should at least pay you for all the work you do."

Josi wanted to smile but it hurt too much, so she decided to voice her thoughts since that didn't hurt as much now that the throbbing had abated. It seemed Kitty May had finished up one side before she woke up. "Thanks, but it's for family. I can't collect money from my family. Besides, I have a job..." She trailed off, realizing that might not be true anymore. She hadn't gotten around to calling Taylor yesterday to explain her absence.

Kitty May seemed to read her mind. "I remembered you didn't go to work yesterday and wasn't sure you called to explain why. So I used your cell to give your boss a call. Taylor, nice lady, though she sounds older than I expected given her age. Anyway, I lied to her that you suddenly came down with this contagious rash and had to be rushed to the hospital, which was why you weren't able to call. Your face should make it more sellable, that is if you're planning on going to work today. I told her you might not and she assured me they'd be able to manage without you."

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