A Eternal Love

chapter 18

I woke up with a splitting headache, my temples pounding as if someone were hammering inside my skull. My eyes fluttered open, only to squint against the harsh sunlight streaming through the curtains. Everything around me felt hazy and surreal.

“Ahh… what happened?” I groaned, trying to remember how I had ended up like this. My head spun as if the room were tilted, and a faint nausea clawed at my stomach. I groaned again, pressing my hands against my temples, wishing the pain would just disappear.

Just then, my phone rang. The sound made me wince. Reaching over groggily, I grabbed it and answered, my voice hoarse.

“Hello?”

“Mia! Hi, honey!” Mom’s cheerful voice came through the speaker.

“Hi, Mom… good morning. How are you doing?” I managed to croak, trying to sound normal.

“Great! And your morning ended… three hours ago,” she said casually, almost like it was the most normal thing in the world.

I froze mid-breath. “Wait… what? What time is it?”

“It’s three in the afternoon,” she replied.

“Three… PM?” I echoed in disbelief. My stomach dropped, and my pulse spiked.

“Did you just wake up?” she asked, concern creeping into her voice.

“Yep…” I whispered.

“Mia! You woke up at three in the afternoon! Are you in your senses?” Her voice was a mixture of anger and worry.

“I am, Mom. It’s just… my head was hurting, that’s why,” I said quickly, hoping she’d understand.

“Do you have a fever? What did you eat last night?” she pressed.

I froze. Memories of last night came rushing back—the party, the alcohol, Mr. Mikelson, and that kiss… my first kiss. My cheeks burned involuntarily as I traced my lips with my fingers, recalling every fleeting, electrifying moment.

Before I could panic further, a knock sounded on the door.

“Yes?” I called, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Mia, your sister told me to wake you up and to ask you to join her in the kitchen,” the maid said politely.

“Okay… thank you,” I replied, forcing a small, shaky smile.

I paused, my mind racing. “Wait… is anyone else in the house?”

“What do you mean?” the maid asked.

“Is anyone here besides me and my sister?” I clarified.

“No, everyone else has gone for meetings,” she said.

“Okay, thank you,” I murmured. She left, and I finally let out a sigh of relief.

I picked up the phone again. “Mom… I love you,” I said softly.

“I love you too, honey. Take care, okay?” she replied warmly.

I hung up, but my heart was still racing. How was I going to face him? I kissed him… I had kissed him. My first kiss, and it was with him. A shiver ran down my spine as I recalled the way our lips had met, soft and electric.

“Mia! What are you doing there?” Rebecca’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.

“Nothing,” I said quickly, trying to mask my panic. “Just… thinking.”

“What do you mean?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at me.

“You look like a stray cat,” I said teasingly, attempting to lighten the mood. “Meow.”