The Doll

CHAPTER 1

"Hello?" I answered to the unknown number calling my mobile phone. I was driving home from a meeting with a salesman from the condo I've just bought. I need to move out from the house. Mom's too strict. I need a life.

"Lacy, listen to me," the low voice said. It was kinda muffled...like it was being said through sheets of cloth. 

"Who's this?" I asked as I honked at the car who didn't stop at the intersection. Dumbass drivers.

The caller ignored my question, "Le Grande Hotel, room 314. Drake is waiting."

"Waiting for wha---" The call was cut off.

I didn't know what I was doing but my heart was throbbing. I turned the car around and drove along Sunset Boulevard. I stepped out of the car in front of Le Grande Hotel, handing the keys of my black Honda City to the valet driver. I looked at my phone as I entered the hotel. No calls. My stilettos made a lot of clinks as I stepped across the marble lobby. 

"Third floor, please," I told the elevator attendant. 

I watched the elevator lights go from L to 3. I stepped out of the lift. Thank you, carpet, I thought, my heels won't make a sound anymore.

"314," I repeated to myself as I looked at the door numbers. I found the room at the far left end of the corridor. I paused in front of the door and breathed a deep sigh. My heart was going wild. Is this a surprise? I wishfully thought. I was about to knock when I thought better and decided to silently turn the knob. I peeked inside and stopped at my tracks.

"Oh. My. God," I said in a hushed voice. I saw two figures facing each other, kissing. I couldn't see their faces but I knew very well that the back I was seeing was my boyfriend's. Hot streams of tears fell involuntarily as I ran across the corridor, back to the lift, into my car, headed to my house.

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I parked in front of the porch and dashed inside the house. 

"Where have you been? Why did you come home late?" My mom asked when she saw me.

"It's only 8 o'clock mom," I answered, irritated. 

She eyed me, "Yes. And 8 o'clock is pretty much...late."

"I am 18, mom."  I told her through gritted teeth. I made my way to the stairs and slammed my door.

I grabbed a folded box from under my bed and opened it. I stashed into it everything I ever had that could remind me of Drake: our framed picture from my bedside table, the letters he wrote me, the dried roses I preserved, a jacket, and the doll he gave on our first anniversary. I carried the box downstairs.

"What's that?" Tracy, my sister, younger by a year, asked as she entered the front door.

"Stuff I have to throw," I replied bluntly and headed to the backyard where the trash bin was. I rushed upstairs again and packed my things. I stuffed my duffel bag with clothes. Another few minutes and I was heading for the front door. 

"Where do you think are you going?" Mom asked skeptically, making Tracy look at the scene that was happening.

"My condo," Blank face.

"What condo?" She asked again.

"I bought one."

She was confused. No, furious. I saw the blood rush to her face. "How did you buy a condo?"

I walked to the front door and turned the knob, "Trust fund," was the last word my mom heard from me. 

Tracy followed me outside. "You're leaving me?"

"I'll visit," I told her.

"Could you at least tell me where you will be?"

"I'll text you," I said. Then I drove away.

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I lied down on the bed that I will be using for the first time, tucking myself under the floral comforter. It felt surreal to be alone but the sadness and hurt I felt was too much to be overpowered. I wailed and yawled the whole night until I fell into deep slumber.

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I woke up feeling something beside me. I smiled. 

"Drake?" I called out, still half-asleep. When no one answered, it dawned on me: I was in my condo. And we broke up. I opened one good eye and saw Lake lying down beside me. I fell off the bed. She was dressed in the same floral dress and in pigtails; exactly the same when I put her in the box and into the trash bin. The doll's eyes were open. And she's wearing that same sardonic smile.