Sparks of a flame

2.5: Dreams Like Nightmares

VIOLET 

The very first time I set eyes on Lillian was the morning after I moved into our shared apartment.

The landlady had recommended we share since we were offering the same course. Her apartments were frequented by first-years like myself who did not want to stay in the dormitories provided by the school yet wanted somewhere not too far from it. 

The afternoon I moved in, she assured me Lillian was due to arrive in a couple of hours, as I had expressed discomfort over sleeping alone. I was eager to meet Lillian, hoping we would immediately hit it off and go shopping for foodstuffs the next day. 

By 10 pm, however, I was exhausted from all the cleaning I did in the apartment, and what felt like disappointment stung in my chest as I looked at her empty and bare side of the room.

I was woken the next morning by keys jiggling in the knob. A head full of chestnut brown hair appeared first, followed by a plump body. Her almost black eyes seemed to smile when she looked in my direction, before turning apologetic.

"I'm so sorry," she said, her voice low and smooth. "I'm so so sorry for waking you up, Violet." 

An instant smile appeared on my face as I sat up straight in my bed. Relief flooded through my bones. She had a warm aura emanating from her.

"You're welcome, Lillian. I chose a side already," my hands stretched out to my half of the room.

"Oh, that is totally cool," another smile formed on her round face. She set her vanilla-scented air freshener on top of her cupboard and started unpacking. 

Ever since that morning, either her hairspray or the air freshener gave the room a wonderful smell. It had become built in my brain, yet as I woke from my slumber, I smelled nothing.

My eyes slowly opened and the lack of the familiar smell quickly reminded me that I was not in my room. Groaning, I let out a yawn and stretched. I felt sore. 

The very first thing that caught my eye was the most impressive home theatre I had ever seen. Directly opposite the bed, it displayed its dark honey-brown color proudly. Next to it, a CD tower stood, full to the teeth. 

A sea blue modular sofa with two circular, sea blue, tufted ottomans faced the home theatre. A beautiful center table stood between the couch and the home theatre, its round top made of glass and the rest made of wood. It stood on a wide pure-white rug. 

Taking it all in, I lifted myself from the bed, my head turning slowly to take in the details of the room. 

The heavy white pinch-pleated curtains pulled one's eye down to the engineered plank bedroom flooring. Paintings of forests and water bodies hung beautifully on the custard-painted walls and for a minute, I just admired the room, taking note of the huge mirror that sat on a makeup vanity, numerous bottles resting on it, and a makeup chair behind it.

The room had three large windows, two on the left side, and one behind me. The window behind me revealed a beautiful balcony, access to it through the sliding doors painted white. The right wall of the room had two doors, both closed, and upon opening it, revealed a walk-in closet and bathroom. They were beyond elegant, and I was stunned. Everything looked regal and expensive.

Coming out of the bathroom, I took a look at the bed I had been lying on a few minutes ago. Bolster pillows, throw pillows, and sleeping pillows were scattered on the queen-sized bed, the comforter and bedspread ruffled. 

Under different circumstances, I would have been eager to jump right back in, it looked as cozy as it had felt, yet I had not forgotten that there was something weird going on.

Alexander and I disappeared from that closet and appeared in a garden, and then I got kidnapped and brought to the most beautiful bedroom ever. I needed answers. 

Right on cue, a knock sounded on the mahogany double doors that most likely connected the room to the rest of where I was being kept.

"Princess Amah," a feminine voice announced her presence from behind the door.

I recognized her instantly as she took brisk, calculated steps toward me. She was the lady who injected me in the garden. 

She now wore a mint green dress paired with white flat shoes. It caused me to look at myself, only then realizing that my clothes were different. I jumped up in fright, holding the hem of the silk nightgown I was wearing.

"Where are my clothes?" I shrieked. "What am I wearing? Who changed my clothes?"

She looked unfazed. "I discarded your inappropriate attire, Princess. And I clothed you myself."

"You stripped me?" I wailed. "Who the fuck are you?"

"Enough, Princess Amah! Please, behave yourself." 

I flinched at her loud tone. How was she the one upset? What was happening? 

I raised my index finger in the air. "Just send me back to the garden. I'll find my way back from there. I used to be in the girl scouts. Where is Alexander?"

"I informed the maids to serve you supper here," she continued, paying me no mind. "You need a good night's sleep.

Was she just going to ignore me? "Did you not hear me? You've got the wrong girl. This place is nice and all, but my roommate will be looking for me and.." 

I stopped for a second and burst into laughter. This was not a real situation. I must have hit my head on the way to the bathroom.

Her lips thinned as I laughed and she sighed for the tenth time since we met before speaking. "Be reminded of your fiancé's visit in the morning. I will awaken you earlier than usual so I suggest you go to bed immediately after your meal."

Fiancé? This was definitely a movie. I was engaged?

"Who?" I frowned.

"Prince Stephen, my lady," she stated. "His visit is-"

"I heard you. I just-"

"Princess," she cut me off rather calmly. "You are just exhausted."

A knock sounded on the door just then, and she ordered whomever it was to come in. Two girls came in carrying trays, and after greeting me and setting it down, took their leave.

"I will excuse myself now. Enjoy your meal, Princess Amah. Have a good night."

She took a bow, then left me standing there. I heard the key turn, she had locked me inside and I sat shakily on the bed, my thoughts chasing each other.