*The Morning After*
956 Words
Heiley heard knocks but didn't stand up to open the door. She folded herself, putting her head on her knees and crying even harder. The door flipped open, and her dad, Sarah, Zoe, Troy, and Emily entered the room.
Her body shook with sobs as she looked up and ran to her dad. "Dad... they drugged me... the wine..."
Her dad's expression turned thunderous as his eyes scanned her disheveled state. "Princess, stop crying. I will find who did this and they'll pay for it."
Sarah, Zoe, and Troy exchanged dark looks, fury etched on their faces. Emily, however, stood frozen, a mask of concern plastered on her face. "Oh Heiley, are you okay?"
Heiley's dad guided her to the bed, his voice firm. "We'll get you checked out. And we'll find out who did this."
Troy stepped forward, pulling his phone out. "I'm calling hotel security. Now."
Heiley's gaze locked onto Emily, anger burning in her eyes. "It was you. You gave me the wine."
Emily shook her head vehemently. "No, Heiley! I don't know what you're talking about. I handed you the wine, yes. But I didn't drug it! You saw me take the glasses from the waiter. And why would I drug you?"
The room fell silent, everyone staring at Emily. Harris narrowed his eyes. "You better be telling the truth, Emily. But if I find out you had a hand in this, trust me — you'll pay for the rest of your life."
Emily's eyes welled up, her voice cracking. "I swear, Heiley, I didn't do it. I wouldn't hurt you. Yesterday I wanted to make peace. That's why I came to apologize."
Sarah's words hung in the air, laced with warning as she gazed at Emily. "It better be that you don't have a hand in it. But if you did, even I can't help you."
Before Emily could respond, a security guard stepped into the room holding a USB drive. "Sir, here is the security footage you asked for."
Harris took the drive, plugging it into his laptop. They all gathered around as the footage played.
It showed Emily approaching Heiley, apologizing for something. She called out for a waiter, who handed her two glasses of wine. Emily took them, gave one to Heiley, and they clinked glasses.
The footage showed them sipping, laughing, and chatting. The timestamp ticked away, showing nothing suspicious.
Harris's expression turned grimmer. "The footage doesn't show anything... unusual."
They exchanged looks, the tension palpable. Who drugged Heiley's wine?
Harris's eyes narrowed as he turned to the security guard. "Bring in that waiter. I want to know who he is and what he put in that wine."
The guard nodded. "Sir, we've already started looking into it. The waiter isn't one of our team members. We're still investigating who he is. Also, sir... one of our VIP guests was drugged last night, too. We're still looking into it."
The room fell silent, the implications sinking in. A deliberate attack on guests? Harris's jaw clicked. "Then find him. We have to know who was behind his actions."
The guard nodded. "If we find him, sir, we'll let you know." He turned and left the room.
Heiley's eyes narrowed at Emily. She knew, in her gut. Emily was behind this. But she had no proof.
Harris, oblivious to his daughter's thoughts, guided Heiley up. "Let's go home, princess. We'll get you checked."
Heiley nodded, still shooting a drowsy, angry gaze toward Emily. Her dad led her out, the group following, leaving Emily standing there, looking shaken.
As they left, Heiley whispered to her dad, "Dad... I know it was her." Harris's expression turned grimmer, but he said nothing.
Meanwhile, Emily let out a silent breath as the others left. She thanked her lucky stars another guest had been drugged, diverting attention from her own actions. If the investigation kept digging, she wasn't sure how she'd cover her tracks.
She quickly composed herself, putting on a concerned face. "What if they find out?" she whispered to herself, thinking fast.
Emily pulled out her phone, typing a quick message. "They're investigating. Better hide yourself. Make sure they don't find you." She sent it, her mind racing.
The coincidence had just saved her for now. Her phone buzzed — a message from an unknown number. "I didn't complete the last task. I couldn't find the room number yesterday." Her eyes widened with shock. _If it's not him, then who slept with Heiley last night?_
................................
Two weeks later, the tension had simmered down, but Heiley's anger still lingered. She sat in the living room, her dad typing on his laptop, Sarah flipping through a magazine.
She turned to her dad. "Dad, I want to go to the farmhouse. I need some space alone. Just to clear my head about what happened."
Harris looked up, concern etched on his face. "Are you sure, princess? It's still a bit soon and we have not found the one behind what happened to you, dear."
Heiley nodded, her voice firm. "I need this, Dad. Please."
Sarah spoke up. "It's actually a good idea, Harris. Some time away might help her process."
Harris hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. But you'll take security with you."
Heiley shook her head quickly. "Dad, I really need some space alone. No security, please. I'll be fine, I just need to clear my head."
Harris's concern deepened. "I don't know, Heiley. After what happened..."
Sarah intervened again. "Harris, maybe she's right. Time alone at the farmhouse might be exactly what she needs. We can check in on her remotely."
Harris sighed, weighing it. "Alright. But you check in with me daily, Heiley."
Heiley smiled weakly, relief in her eyes. "I will, Dad."
- Writer
