Emily slept soundly again. She woke at ten o' clock to see Jennifer peering over her in a immaculate suit.
"Summer, I'm going to work. I'll have to leave you with Rosa. Don't pull anything funny- Stay in the kitchen, living room and your room." She said, sternly, but added a smile.
Emily lay in bed for another few minutes as she listened to Jennifer's heels click on the marble stairs. She knew that Jennifer owned a modelling agency, or some cosmetics giant. The sound of Jennifer's heels soon faded. Emily hauled herself up. She glanced at her wardrobe, but dismissed the thought of getting dressed. She would have a pyjama day.
"Do you want pancakes? French toast? Bacon and eggs?" Rosa asked when Emily walked into the bright kitchen. Emily thought, but then saw the fresh fruit sitting in a ceramic bowl on the counter.
"Rosa, can I have a fruit salad please?"
Rosa nodded. She whipped out a knife and started cutting the colorful fruit into neat wedges, then out the chopped fruit into a bowl.
"Thank you!" Emily said with a smile, and sat on one of the leather stools at the counter. She ate the fruit, savouring the flavours in her mouth. She ate quickly, then pushed to empty bowl away. She thanked Rosa and walked into the living room and flopped onto the couch. Emily took the fleecy blanket that was draped over the sofa and snuggled into it. She breathed in the fresh smell of the expensive detergent as she flicked on the flat-screen TV with the remote.
"Summer, I going outside to hang up washing." Rosa called to her, holding a plastic bucket of assorted clothes. The smell of jasmine drifted in.
"Okay." was Emily's reply.
Emily watched two episodes of an entertaining sitcom, the decided to get up and do something. She was in a beautiful place with endless things to do, so why waste it on the sofa? She pulled herself off the soft leather couch and stretched. She walked into the main hall, feeling glad that Jennifer's house was in a secluded, un-noticed space so there was no-one to see her now. Her blonde-ish hair was raggled and un-brushed, her eyes were sleep-encrusted and not to mention, she was still in her pyjamas. Suddenly, the doorbell rung. Emily froze on the second step and swore. So much for un-nocticed. Emily looked helplessly the door, hoping it would be just Rosa, locked out of the house. But, as she looked closer, Emily saw the silhouette of a man.
"Crap." She said to herself. Rosa was in the garden, listening to music from circa-2005, and Emily was frozen in front of the door. What if he was a murderer? Or a guy coming to talk about his cult? The doorbell rung again, signalling impatience. Emily finally opened the door-
To see a guy. He was young enough, maybe seventeen,eighteen? He was very tall, but lanky and lean instead of poster-boy muscle. He had dark brown hair, covered in a beanie (Seriously,in L.A?) and his brown eyes were framed in geeky glasses. His clothes screamed hipster. But Emily instantly liked him. Even if he was a murderer.
At that point, Emily was opening and closing her mouth like a goldfish. She was mortified to be seen in her pyjamas and having awful hair. Meanwhile, the guy looked shocked. Utterly shocked, when he wrapped her ina tight hug.
"Summer! You're back!"
Emily awkwardly patted his back. Maybe he knew Jennifer was adopting her and he was so excited on her arrival?
"Oh....wait who are you?" asked Emily as she broke away from the hug. The guy looked hurt.
"Hmm. Jennifer said your memory was a bit rusty. I'm Zachary, remember?"
Emily nodded slowly, to keep him happy.
"Why are you here?" she blurted out. Zachary rolled his eyes and handed her a silk scarf.
"Jennifer left her Versace scarf at my place. God, she's so annoying. Moving out was the best thing I've ever done."
Emily opened her mouth to ask Zachary about his last statement. He lived with Jennifer? Maybe he was a nephew of hers, she thought. But before her question came out, Zachary had the door of his battered Mustang opened, his hand raised in a wave.
"Bye, Summer!"He called out, his Mustang speeding down the lane. Emily stood, confused on the doorstep, then went back inside.
YOU ARE READING
Perfection
Mystery / Thriller“Emily was confused. There was something wrong. Her room was ready made and there was a closet full of clothes in her size. Jennifer always wanted to know what she was doing. But Jennifer was kind – wasn’t she?” Fifteen year old Emily has been stuck...
