The Blackmail Bride

Chapter 29 Part 1

Please, God. I gotta work tomorrow. I have to snap out of it already.

Interview

"H-hello?"

Until that time, I didn't realize you could know you were dreaming.

"I-Isla? This is Isla, right? Do you hear me? Why is it so hard to get to you!? Please, please say something!"

I had been dreaming about this for three nights a row now. It was that same call on the hallway. Just hearing her voice... and suddenly wanting to topple like a tower of wooden blocks.

"Anyna..."

My voice shook in reply. But I couldn't say more than her name. and the girl on the other side of the line made a choking sound.

"It is you! I saw on the news what happened. I could help you leave. Please, Isla, let me help you escape from the—!"

My thumb had already pressed the end-call button and I stared bitterly at the phone in my hand.

Then I sprung up in bed, breathing heavily. Like the two other nights, I was drenched in sweat again, my whole body shaking.

It was strange how my mind categorized that memory as a nightmare in my sleep.

Three straight nights. The first time being the night of the engagement party.

What happened after my conversation with my father was a blur. I was just spaced out, my head stuffed with cotton. How I got out of that place, how I got home and slept in my own bed... what meager memories that I could pick up, I couldn't even narrate in proper sequence.

It was a busy two days with the media frenzy and my family was busy. That was probably the only reason they didn't realize I'd locked myself up in my room 'til today.

With the back of my hand, I wiped the sweat off my forehead.

Useless though. It wasn't like I was getting rest. Not with the repetitive nightmares.

After two months of no news, I had found out that my best friend was okay. That should've been good news. If only our conversation was... of better timing perhaps.

What was it that she said?

I could help you leave.

My lips curved in a painful smile at such a thought. Leave, huh?

A knock sounded on my door.

Craning my neck in that direction, I bid "Come in."

One of the maids came in. Probably new seeing as I didn't know her, "Good morning, miss."

I nodded, "What is it?"

"Your grandmother asked for you to join them for breakfast," she said.

"Grandma?" I asked doubtfully, "Who else is there?"

"Sir President and Madam Amelia."

Everyone.

I glanced down at my nightdress. It was an Old English cotton nightdress in cream. The delicate design went to cover up to my neck. The sleeves were slightly puffed to hide skin to my wrists and the length to my ankles. This would do.

"Give me five minutes."

The girl nodded and went out. On the other hand, I pushed the comforter off me and got out of bed. In my en-suite, I washed my face and brushed my teeth. My hair combed to a shine, I let it fall over my shoulders. Without bothering to change my clothes, I went down for breakfast.