Second Arrangement

CHAPTER 26 - ONTO THE NEXT PROBLEM

JACKSON

I woke up with a pounding headache. I rubbed my temples and noticed a blister of medicine on my bedside stand. I grabbed it and popped one into my mouth, flushing it with a glass of water that I found on my bedside stand as well before noticing how late it was already. I saw the time and it was almost 6 PM. I frowned as the house was very quiet. I slid out from the bed and found my phone. There were a bunch of messages from my manager and from my publicist. Apparently, I was pretty drunk last night that I did some stupid stuff but it was manageable. Nothing too serious aside from embarrassing myself. Somehow, it became a common occurrence for me. Ever since I made my solo comeback, I attended a lot of events, promoting my album and stuff, which meant I'd been to a lot of parties as well. And parties meant booze.

Ellie complained after I went home drunk for the second time. She reminded me of my liver condition but I dismissed her, telling her that I could watch my own alcohol intake. I knew she meant well, but somehow it sounded a lot like nagging. She wasn't my wife yet and she's already nagging me for enjoying myself a little bit? But then, it kept happening. How many times has it been now? Four? Five? I sighed. She would definitely scold me when she got back later. I went down to the first floor and found an empty house. Ah, right.. my manager texted me earlier, telling me that no one would come to my house since I was pretty much hungover and couldn't even get up to pick up his call. Plus I didn't have any schedule today.

But why hasn't Ellie come back home yet? I looked at the schedule she stuck on the refrigerator and confirmed that she wasn't on duty tonight, so she was supposed to be home right now. I pulled out my phone again and checked for messages. Nothing from her. She didn't upload anything on her instagram as well. Oh well, since she moved in, she never updated hers again. Why would she need to update it when I was here with her 24/7? But still though.. No text, no call, where the hell was she?

As I looked for food, I recalled some of last night's memories. The party last night was quite wild. People were dancing and jamming all night. Drinks were served all night long. Glass after glass.. Wine.. beer.. whiskey.. Wait, why did I get a glimpse of Ellie? I was sure that she wasn't there. She never came with me to the parties, even though I've told her that I could disguise her as one of my staff, but she always refused the idea. She said parties weren't her scene. But, she was there in front of me. Wait.. it was bright already, so did I see her before she went to the hospital?

"Ellie!" I called out, perhaps she was in her office. I knocked but there was no reply. I peeked inside, making sure that she wasn't there and not because she didn't hear me, but there was no one inside. In fact, there was nothing inside. I stormed inside her office and found nothing. The desk that was usually covered by her papers, journals and what not, was clean. The shelves that were filled with her textbooks were empty. There was no laptop, no books, nothing. As if she never lived here. I went out of the room, found my phone and called her immediately. It went straight into voicemail. Damn it. Was she screening my calls now? I almost threw my phone to the wall. Where would she be? Ugh.. this headache wasn't helping at all. Her place! She must've been at her old place. It was still empty.

Car key, where was my car key? I almost hit the wall out of rage. Why didn't everything seem to work today? I cursed again while searching for the car key again and then decided to call my manager at the end. "Car key!" I barked into the phone when the call was finally connected. "Where is the car key?"

"Ah.. car key.. I accidentally brought it with me last night when I dropped you off," he answered. "Why?"

"I need it. Now," it came out harsher than I was intended to. "Sorry," I sighed. "I need the car key," I repeated in a softer tone.

"Where are you going to go? Aren't you having a hangover right now?"

At the same time, my headache decided to make a comeback. "UGhhh!!" I wanted to pull my hair to lessen the pain, if possible.
"See.. you're having a hangover. You shouldn't drive..," my manager continued. "What do you need? I'll help you buy it."