Blood Type Zero

Victorian Chateau

We left America at dawn on Tuesday. Here in France, it was already Wednesday at that time-- I forgot that we hadn't set our clocks to French time yet. 

Thursday morning now. After a night of exhausting nightmares and Alliyah waking me up multiple times because she couldn't fall asleep, we decided to sleep the whole morning in. Our bodies still had to get used to the different time zone here. 

The next time I had awakened, I checked my phone-- I converted it to fench time-- it was already 2:30 in the afternoon. And Damian had called me. My phone was on vibrate, so I never noticed. I dialed his number again and waited for the ring. It rung several times, but no one answered. After calling six times and never getting an answer, I gave up. What time was it there?

I shook Alliyah awake, then she groaned and ignored me. The late afternoon sun was setting at the opposite side of the house, so our room was dimly lit.

I shook Alliyah some more, she didn't budge. I just left her in bed then went down to the kitchen. 

The kitchen was empty, I assumed they were out back, picking grapes. Aunt Clarisse had left our lunch on the table: eggs, croissant and orange juice. This was probably made when it was still morning. I started eating. Shortly after, Alliyah joined me. 

"Good morning." she greeted with a rough voice as she wiped drowsiness from her eyes. Her bedhead was unbelievably messy. The both of us didn't bother to change out of our jammies.

"Good afternoon, you mean. It's two." I corrected.

"What?" then she grunted. "I hate it when our bodies still need to get used to the different time. I feel awful-- sleeping in!" she whined. She whined very oftenly. She was the youngest child out of five in a rich family. The blame could not be put on her.

I shrugged. "It's what I usually do."

She looked at me with furrowed brows as she took a seat. "How could you sleep until afternoon?"

"Oh, you know, I don't have a job that needs me to wake up early."

"Right." 

Alliyah worked as the assistant of a fashion designer. She was expected to go to work at seven-thirty every weekday. She had off on weekends and that's when we would go bonding.

"Hey, what did you tell your boss about going to France? Is it subtracted from your salary?" I asked her.

"Oh no. I've got an assignment here. Ms. Cinco was suppose to come here this week to check on the new designs in Vogue, but her sched back home was just so busy, so it was perfect timing! I have my camera with me, so today you and I are going to the Vogue fashion company to take pictures of the designs for her. We're asked to feature those pre-realesed designs back home in a mag to give the public a glimpse of Paris"s new clothing line." she finished.

"Whoa! Who could have thought that Ms. Cinco needed you to go to France, right?" I enthused.

"Yeah. She even gave me allowance, that's honestly too much. Girl, we are so gonna have a shopping spree." 

My mood brightened. "For real? I desperately need one!" 

She laughed. "Ugh! I know!"

Alliyah and I sometimes talked like stupid blondes, but to admit, it's really fun.

Talking about work made me think about Damian. How was he? Did he do well in his latest project? Why didn't he answer me?

After eating, we each took a shower then got dressed and ready to go to the city. I took my meds then called Damian again before going to the back gardens to ask permission to my uncle and aunt to use their pick-up to travel. Still, no answer.