It Had To Be You

Chapter 6: Sleeping Monster

Noella's POV

I just stood there staring at the screen of my phone dumbfound, while my mind was in a turbulence as millions of thoughts were running through it. After a few moments, I realized that I was standing at the door for a long time now. I shrugged the thoughts away and decided to ring the doorbell.

Karla opened the door with a huge grin on her lips. It was so contagious; a smile automatically made its way to my lips.

" So? How was the first day?" she asked as I entered the house. I placed my bag on the floor and took a seat on the couch. "It was okay. Nothing much happened." I replied, shrugging my shoulders.

"Oh, C'mon! Don't be such a buzzkill! I know something crazy must have happened. Someone bumped into you, you looked them into their eyes, felt butterflies in your stomach and they would've asked you out on a date!" she said, clasping both of her hands, looking at me with dreamy eyes and in a very girly tone.

"Okay, firstly, nothing of that nonsense happened. And secondly, you really need to stop watching all those cheesy rom-coms. Those things aren't real at all." I said laughing. "Hey! A girl can dream you know! And as I always say, anything can happen at any time." She said giggling like a little girl. Be around her for 5 minutes, and I swear you'll just forget all your worries.

"Alright fine, nothing crazy happened, but I got invited to a party." I said smiling. "See! Something happened. My lines never go to waste. I know I am a genius. Thank you very much." She said bowing.

It just made me laugh and made me think of Spencer. A smile played on my lips for a while. He really was cute. But Late Princess? Really? Who calls someone that? I mean his flirting was kind of hot, I guess- Ugh! Was I attracted to him already? No, I wasn't. Yep, definitely not. But what if I was?

"Noella? Can you come to the kitchen? I have some news for you." Karla called me out from the kitchen. I didn't even realize that my aunt was out of my sight.

God! I really need to get my head out of my dream world!

"What's up?" I went in and climbed up on the kitchen platform, taking a seat on it and swaying my legs back and forth.

"I asked my friend about the vacancy in her restaurant. Turns out they don't have one." she said. "Oh..."I said, looking down at my hands, with a little bit of disappointment in my voice. "But..." she trailed.

I immediately looked up at her with hope. "There's another friend of mine, she needs a babysitter for her 5-year-old daughter. She is a mental health consultant. She is kind of a busy person, as she always has clients approaching her. So, are you willing to take up the job?" she asked, smiling.

"Oh my god, Karla, you have no idea how happy I am to hear this!" I cheered and hugged her tightly. "So...is that a yes? 'Cause you know, I have to give her a reply." She said in a teasing tone. "Karla..." I tried to say it in a stern voice but failed. "Okay okay! I'll let her know that you accepted the job." She said chuckling.

"Alright now, go upstairs and get some rest. Later, you have a party to attend and I have to get to work which is to make people get drunk." She said, sighing and laughed. I laughed back, shaking my head. I thanked her for the job and went upstairs.

As soon as I entered the room, I received a message from Juliette. She texted me the address and timing of the party. The message made me think of the message I received a few minutes ago.

Who must've sent such a creepy text to me? "Someone must have played a prank on you Noella, forget it." I said to myself and deleted the strange message. I was too tired for it anyway. I decided to lay down for a bit. The party was about to start at 8 PM and currently it was 4:30. I drifted off as soon as I hit the pillow.

****

"Are you ready yet Noella? I am leaving for work!" my aunt's voice woke me up from my deep slumber.

I rubbed my eyes and took a look at the clock to check what time it was. It was fucking 8:30!! I got the reason why I am always late to places. I was a sleeping monster!

"Noella?" my aunt's voice snapped me from my thoughts. I went downstairs looking like a zombie.

"Oh my! What's with the look? Is the party zombie themed? Because you certainly look like one with your hair all over place and your mascara smeared all over on your face!" she said laughing so hard that she had to take the support of the couch.

I was just standing there, glaring at her. She noticed my expression and calmed down a bit but was still laughing. "I am sorry, but I am taking that as a no with the expression of yours." She said chuckling.

"But why aren't you ready yet? I thought I could drop you off on my way." she said. "I slept way too much. And now I am late. I am not going." I said lazily lying down on the couch.

"Get up now missy! You are going and that's final. No further comments. Go up, get ready and meet me down in 15 minutes. Do you understand?" she said in a stern voice. "But-""Uh-Uh. Go upstairs! Now!" she cut me off. "Fiiinee!" I whined.

I went upstairs, got freshened up, and rummaged through my suitcase. Still haven't unpacked it! Ugh! I was a lost cause and that was the ultimate truth.

I pulled out a simple black dress and paired it with my black heels. I wore the necklace that Violet gifted me. I should call her tomorrow. I miss her so much already. I applied some mascara, some lip balm and let down my hair naturally. I took one more look in the mirror and I was good to go. I carried a clutch with me and went downstairs.

I saw Karla watching some cooking show on the TV. "I sorry Karla, you are late because of me. I really am sorry." I apologized.

"You look absolutely stunning darling. And don't mind me getting late, I am the owner, you know that right? I can go there whenever I like. Okay not whenever I like, but a little late is fine, you know, the perks of being a boss." She stated proudly. I am never going to understand her.

We exited the house. Karla locked the door and handed me the key. "Keep it, it's your spare key now." She said smiling and took nodding.

We got into the taxi and she dropped me at the mentioned address. "Take care, N. Don't get too drunk and no bringing boys to the house. Not that I mind but still. Be careful." She said, winking. "Off you go now, Karla! You're embarrassing me!" I said blushing. She laughed and waved at me.

I turned around and took in the view of the house. It was really huge. It was more of a mansion and less of a house.

I decided to enter the house. It was filled with sweaty people and the music pounding in my ears assuring me that if I don't get out; I will surely go deaf. I guess this is the definition of small party for them. I chuckled at the thought and decided that it'd be a good idea if I got out and called Juliette to ask her where she was.

 As I was about to head out, I felt someone grab my hand and pull me towards them.