My Novelette

Short Two: Remember?

I woke up completely unfamiliar with my surroundings. I was in a beautiful penthouse over looking New York City. The Big Apple. It was breath taking. The skyline was glistening golden hues through out the penthouse, hitting all the mirrors at an angle that made it look like the lights were one. Nothing will beat natural lighting. After soaking up some sunlight, I decided to have a walk through the penthouse. I have no idea how I got here or who this belonged to.

I made my way around the penthouse, taking in every detail. The interior design of this place was just my style. From the tribal art décor, to the Boohoo furniture. This home had no faults. The walls weren't panted, but had a luxurious patterned wallpaper. I could feel the indents of the designs as I softly ran my fingers along the tour. I found myself in the kitchen and to my surprise, there was a gorgeous spread, splayed out on the kitchen island. There were dishes ranging from tooth decay sweetness of French toast, to a deliciously savory Paella.  The dishes ranged from East Asian to recluse European. It was a feast fit for a royalty. 

"Hello ma'am, you're finally up," I whipped my head around so fast I almost lost my footing. Regaining my stability I looked up to see an old man dressed in a Tux standing in the doorway of the kitchen.

"Um, hello. So sorry to intrude, are you the owner?", I was not hesitating to get the answers I need. I'm not gonna lie it was a treat to wake up here, but it didn't sit right. He laughed at my question and shook his head.

"No ma'am. You are. Have been for the past ten years." Ten years? I have been living here for the past ten years?! What? Okay, this definitely does not make sense.

"No, no, no. You must be mistaken. I'm only nineteen. I only went out for a girls night and well, woke up here," I gestured around baffled, I didn't know how else to continue.

"Ma'am, you were at your business function last night at the Empire. You had just launched your new line." New line? Talking to this man was making me more confused by the minute. 

"Wait... I'm in the fashion industry?", he nodded his response. I let out an unbelieving sigh. Trying to absorb this information.

"How can I not remember the last ten years of my life. I don't understand,"  I whispered the last part. Looking back up at him I asked for his name, Harold. Harold is my butler. I have a personal chef and a maid that comes by every morning after I have left for work. Wow. My life seemed put together. If not, it was perfect. An absolute dream. Only issue is that I don't remember any of it. I only remember having an argument with my parents and then having my girls night on my ninetieth birthday. 

"Harold, how long have you worked for me?"

"I've been with you since the beginning ma'am. You saved me. I was homeless before my dog ran right into you. That was ten years ago today ma'am. That's why I asked Henria, the chef, to make you all of your favourite dishes from the countries you have visited." My mouth hit the floor! The countries I've visited? I've never left the country! Why can't I remember any of this! This was giving me 'Thirteen going on Thirty' vibes and it creeped me out. I asked about my parents and he said they had passed two years ago and left me their inheritance. "Please ma'am, check your bank account," he passed me my phone. I unlocked it with my facial recognition. Somehow signed into the app and...

"Oh. My. God. I have a billion dollars! How? My parents were assholes and didn't even care about me! I mean on my birthday yesterday they got mad that I wanted to go out and not stay in with the family. I mean, we had a party for lunch! I think that was enough family time for a nineteen year old." I huffed it all out. Catching my breath and saw Harold's expression, I stopped my babbling. 

"Ma'am, I think you should go and have a lay down. You don't seem yourself today," as he spoke, he walked towards me, tenderly grabbed my arms and led me back to the bedroom I woke up in this morning. He stopped in front of the doorway and did not step foot past it. Gesturing for me to go in and have a 'lay down', like I was a child. Then again, maybe I was acting childish, I mean I still think I'm nineteen, but I'm twenty-nine. Oh good Lord. Saying that made me shudder. How could I have lost ten years of my life! I couldn't comprehend so I decided to take up Harold's advice and went to the bed. Sitting on the edge, hesitant to get back in. I felt like I would be giving in to this insanity. This supposed memory that I just, can not remember.