Unexpected

34 | Namast'ay in Bed

Dedicated to Kyokawaii for the cute little message she dropped in my message box.

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Today was the day of the Christmas ball and with all the chaos, I just wanted to sink in bed and stay there all day. Namast'ay in bed. But, I knew that I had to handle all the stuff and I groaned. Even though they say that I'm a "workaholic", I'm not really keen on getting really tired and stressed. With the drama with Nate still fresh in my mind, I dragged my feet to the bathroom to get ready.

It was just a few minutes after I woke up and I needed tea running in my veins. I needed liters of tea, I thought as I grumpily headed towards the kitchen. I was still very much pissed off with everything.

"Good morning, Miss," Natalia greeted as I plopped down on a chair.

I merely nodded in response and her eyes widened in realization that I wasn't having a great morning. I placed the teabag in the cup and waited for the flavor to diffuse.

"I've already handled all the invitations and I've already talked to all the coordinators, Miss. The only thing that needs to be done is review the schedule once more and we are all set," she said. "Oh and I've also already looked over the decorations and they're up to our desired standards."

I looked at her, surprised.

"I figured you needed the break," she confessed as she chuckled nervously. "I mean, with all the drama with you and Mr. Brooks. Don't think I don't notice how very stressed you are."

I smiled at her remark and stood up. I hugged her and said, "Thank you for looking out for me, Natalia."

"Sure thing, Miss," she said. "I basically consider you my best friend since we spend a lot of time together plus I didn't really make friends when I was in uni."

"That's very nice to hear," I said. "I mean, not that you didn't make friends in uni, but that you consider me your best friend."

She just shrugged and went back to sipping her coffee.

"So basically, we'll just chill because all the work's done," I teased.

"Yup," she said. "But we still need to get ready."

"Oh right," I said. "But it's just morning so I guess we can just sit down and relax for a few more hours."

I sipped my tea, the familiar taste of English Breakfast Tea cheering me up a bit more. Just when I was about to finish my cup of tea while reading a random magazine, I heard clacking of heels.

"Winter, you have to give a performance later," my mom said.

I looked at Natalia and said, "I knew we didn't have time to spare."

* * *

My mother made me practice singing "Baby, It's Cold Outside" with my cousin for hours. She said that since my brothers are showing their video of "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch", I should perform as well.

"I think we should take a break," my cousin Brad said.

"We should," I agreed and we both crashed on the couch.

After our practice session, Natalia called me so that the makeup artist and hair stylist could do their work. I never really liked strangers doing my makeup and hair so I've had Tess and Leila do it for years. Just for important events, of course.

After that, the guests started arriving and I stood by my parents as we greeted them. Nate and the boys were still getting ready since the event had not officially started yet and I was thankful to not see his annoying face while I was forced to smile and talk to everybody.