Love by accident

THE WALK OF SHAME

I feel like I’m floating. Like I’m lying on a cloud.

Where am I?

I breathe in deeply.

Hmm. Smells heavenly.

Am I in heaven?

Wait. If I’m in heaven, that means …

I open my eyes suddenly.

Shit! Too bright.

I close it immediately. I try again, this time, slowly. I wince slightly at the bright rays of sunlight streaming through the huge windows. My head is pounding, like someone is drilling an actual hole in it.

My mouth feels dry and gritty. I try to sit up, but a wave of nausea washes over me, forcing me to lie back down.

Wait. My windows aren’t this big. My curtains aren’t white!

I look around and realise I’m inside the most luxurious room I have ever seen. A room that is completely unfamiliar. The walls are adorned with expensive artwork and the furniture look like they belong in a design magazine.

The panic begins to set in, I try to piece together the events of last night.

I remember my amazement when Matt, Stella and Cora pulled up in front of my house in a luxurious party bus.

Turns out, Matt is actually from a very wealthy home. I mean, millionaire kind of wealthy. He only comes to work because he’s trying to prove a point to his sister.

We partied in the bus, singing on the top of our lungs and then we pulled up in front of one of the most expensive nightclubs in the city.

Aurum.

We got in without stress because Matt knew, not one but all the bouncers at the entrance. I remember having the time of my life on the dance floor, but the rest of my memory is in fragments, tequila shots, laughter, more dancing and then blank.

I spot a bottle of water on the nightstand and I grab it, downing the entire contents in one gulp. Deciding to give getting out of bed another try, I swing my legs over the side of the bed and sit up. My head spins, and I start feeling like I might pass out.

I really shouldn’t have allowed them to talk me into drinking.

After a lot of effort, I managed to stand up and stumble into the adjoining bathroom. The bathroom looks just as luxurious as the bedroom.

I almost recoil as soon as I see myself in the mirror.

Geez

I look down at myself, and I’m not wearing the clothes I had on yesterday. I am dressed in an oversized shirt and shorts.

What in the world did I do last night?

I push the thoughts out of my mind. I’ll do all the thinking when I get home.

I splash some water on my face a few times and comb my fingers through my hair, trying to tame it. After a few minutes of doing that, I started to look a little more human.

I find my phone and wallet on the nightstand.

Thank Goodness.

I sneak out of the bedroom, trying not to make any noise. Just like in the bedroom, the huge hallway is lined with expensive-looking vases and artwork. I made my way downstairs, my eyes scanning my surroundings for any sign of the occupants of the house, but nada, there’s no one.

I hesitate as I reach the front door. Shouldn’t I leave a note or something?

But what will I say?

Thanks for the hospitality?

I don't even know who owns the house. I shrug and let myself out.

In unknown oversized clothes, doing the famous walk of shame.

I can't wait to forget all about this.

I go straight into the bathroom as soon as I get home, stripping as I walk.

I moan in relief as the first stream of hot water washes down my hair and body.

After my bath, I throw on a pair of pyjamas and fix myself a sandwich, I take some painkillers for my hangover and after eating, I drift off to sleep.

The incessant vibration of my phone wakes me out of my slumber, almost late in the afternoon. I wake up feeling very groggy.

I pick up my phone to find multiple missed call notifications from Matt, Stella and even Cora. I sit up with a start.

I was going to call them when I got home earlier but it completely skipped my mind. I bite my lips as I dial Stella’s number.

It rings for a while but there’s no answer.

I call Matt. He picks up on the first ring.

“Oh my God! Brielle!“ He exclaimes as soon as he picks.

“I’m so sorry…” I start.

“Where have you been?” We were just about to call the police!”

“I don’t know.” I say. “I can barely remember what happened last night.”

“You said you were going to use the restroom and then you disappeared. Cora was ready to call the cops, Stella said you must have gone home with a hot guy. Did you go home?”

I don’t know where to start.

“Actually, I woke up somewhere, at someone’s house actually-.” Matt’s squeal of excitement cuts my off.

“Way to go, girl! Seems like you had the best night among us–hold up. Cora is trying to call me.”

The call goes off, leaving me to stew in my own thoughts. A few seconds later, Matt calls back.

“Uhmm Bri?” His voice is off.

“What’s up?” I ask.

“Put on the TV.” He says but his voice sounds distracted. “Holy crap!”

“What?”

“The TV! Put on the TV!”

“What channel?”

“Anyone.” he says. “It’s bloody everywhere.”

I am confused but I do as he says. I grab the remote and put on the TV.

“...CEO of stone Corporation seen struggling with a still unknown woman who is seen puking on his clothes in aurum nightclub…”

The newscaster’s voice fades of as my eyes stay frozen on the woman on the television. A woman wearing the exact same blue dress I wore yesterday.

The blue dress I can’t find because I woke up wearing something else. The blue dress I puked on along with the strange man in the hallway. The strange man who is my boss. The CEO of Stone Corporation, Ethan Stone.

And the whole world just saw me puke on him.