Despicable Desires

Episode 2

This morning, I struggle to open my eyes and instinctively put a hand to my face as flashes of last night and a nasty migraine remind me of how much I drank. My mouth is parched and I am thirsty - classic symptoms of a hangover. Before I have time to dwell on my situation, I understand the reason I woke up. I hear fragments of a heated conversation from downstairs on the other side of the door. First, I have the unpleasant feeling that Mia is arguing with my father, which seems to be happening all too often these days and has made the family atmosphere rather tense. Although I don't know all the details, I do know that my stepmother wants to open a new publishing agency in Europe, in addition to the one she has here in San Francisco. Apparently, it has always been her dream to expand, but my father, and I can easily imagine why, does not seem to be enthusiastic about the idea. This has created a chill between them for a few days. I turn to look at the time on my watch and notice that it's noon. I've only slept six hours. Yesterday we closed with Esther, Cameron and Holly. I knew it would be hard to wake up, but not this early. I can still hear Mia screaming in the living room, and considering the time, my father must be at work, so it can't be him she's arguing with.

"I hope you're joking! Yes, I hope it's not final... I don't want to know who started it... This is nonsense... I thought you were more responsible."

Relieved that she's on the phone and not facing my father, I decide to get up while listening to the commotion downstairs. When I get up, it takes me a few seconds to stabilize myself. I should probably get a glass of water and something to eat as I have a severe hangover. I open the curtains, but immediately close my eyes as the sunlight fills the room.

"Damn."

I was too hasty. My head is spinning and I have a terrible headache. I really need to cut back on the alcohol next time. I walk around my bed to get my gym clothes, determined to go for a run to get rid of all the bad toxins. I just hope it makes me feel better. Damn hangover. I stumble down the stairs to the kitchen and Mia has retreated to her office. She seems to have calmed down, but is still talking to her interviewer. I tune out the conversation, drink a glass of water, grab a banana, and walk through the garden. In a few steps I am on the sand and start walking along the sea with music in my ears. When I return, the afternoon is well underway and the sun is beating down on me. I feel much better. I was sweating and had only one desire: to take a shower to get rid of this unpleasant smell. I take off my earphones as I walk through the gate that leads to the garden. I go to my room, change my clothes and jump into the warm water to freshen up. After putting on a flowery dress and sandals, I go downstairs to prepare some food. Just as I put the pot on the stove, Cameron comes into the kitchen. Dressed in gray gym shorts and a white tank top that accentuates the muscles in his arms, he runs a limp hand through his tousled brown hair. I have always found Cameron very attractive; his six-foot frame gives him real presence when he enters a room. He never styles his hair and keeps a short three-day beard, which gives him a scruffy look that drives many of the girls at school crazy. However, I cannot imagine him as anything other than a member of my blended family.

"Up already?" I ask him. "I thought you were sleeping in."

He kisses my forehead, looks at the boiling water I have prepared, and then sits in a high chair facing the table.

"I wanted to, but my mother woke me up."

"Me too, that's why I went for a run."

"You're determined in the morning," he jokes.

"I'm making pasta; do you want some?"

"Yes, please! I have a hell of a hangover, and it's strong!"

I laugh as I fetch two glasses, fill them with water and drop a headache tablet into each. He takes the one I offer and clanks it against mine.