The Ordinary Guy

A Strange Feeling

*Alarm clock beeping*

Helena slowly opens her eyes and looks around the room, feeling tired and weak. She then reached out to the bedside table to turn off the alarm, and sees that it's already 8 am. She then sat for little bit. Suddenly, she noticed something.

"What the? Where am I?" she says to herself.

She was shocked to learn that she was not in her bedroom, but rather in an odd room with a queen sized bed and white walls with gray furniture.

"Why am I wearing these clothes? These gray pajamas aren't mine. What happened to me? I'm so confused right now."

Suddenly, the door opens and an older man in his 50s wearing a coat and tie enters the room.

"Good morning Ms. Helena, I'm glad you are already awake." says the man while smiling.

"Wh-who are you? Why do you know my name" Helena asks nervously.

"Oh, pardon me for not introducing myself first. My name is Adam. And I am the Butler in this house."

"What happened to me, why am I here? And how did I get here?"

"I know you have a lot of questions right now, but before I answer that, would you mind getting ready first, so you can have breakfast down stairs? All your questions will be answered after you finish your meal." he politely tells her.

Adam smiles and leaves the room. Surprisingly, Helena doesn't stop him to ask anything more. She then gets out of bed and heads to the bathroom to take a shower.

"Something is definitely not right, I have to know what is happening." she tells herself.

Upon entering the bathroom, She goes to the mirror and takes a look at herself. She hears a faint voice that is getting louder and louder.

"Helena! Helena! Hey! HELENA!"

Helena wakes up confused. She is sitting in front of the vanity mirror in her dressing room. She turns to her right and see's Karen looking at her.

"Oh, hi Karen, what's up?"

"Girl I've been calling your name. can't you hear me?" asks Karen who's puzzled.

"Sorry 'bout that, I really didn't hear you."

"You've been staring at the mirror for a while now. We're about to start the commercial shoot. Are you okay? Were you drunk last night?"

"Yeah I'm fine, I wasn't drunk. I was just at home last night reading my lines for the shoot today."

"Then why do you look like you're hungover or something?"

"I don't know, I'm just not feeling very well lately."

"Oh well, you might just need to go on vacation. That'll recharge you"

"Yeah, I think I need that."

"Well then, let's get this commercial shoot done, so you can leave town and relax." says Karen with an encouraging tone.

"Alright, let's do this." Helena gleefully replies.

Helena is a 24 year old Painter, Model, and Brand Ambassadress. She has signed multiple contracts with several media companies to star in the commercials for their brand.

Karen is her close friend and Manager.

After the shoot, Helena and Karen went back to the dressing room.

"Hey, are you alright?" asks Karen who seems to be intrigued.

"Yes, I'm fine. Why'd you ask?" Helena responds.

"Well, it's pretty obvious that something is bothering you. You usually don't make that many mistakes when shooting a commercial."

Helena sighs, "To be honest, there is something that's been bugging me lately."

"Is it one of your suitors again?"

"No, not that"

"Then what is it?"

"You see, I've been having these dreams about being in a different bedroom. Then there's this strange middle-aged man who tells me he's a butler. I keep asking him questions, but he just won't answer me directly. It's been happening a lot lately." says Helena with a worried face.

"Hmmm, that's strange. Maybe you need to see a psychic or a dream interpreter. Those people could probably help you out." says Karen while cheekily smiling.

"I'm not kidding!" exclaimed Helena with a serious look. "I have a weird feeling that something is not right and that there is something that I need to find out, I just don't know what it is."

"You are probably just stressed out; you've had a full schedule this week. It's Friday today, maybe you could go to Tagaytay for a relaxing weekend. Your next shoot is not scheduled until Tuesday, so you'll have plenty of time for yourself." Karen retorted.

"I guess you're right, well then let's head home now so I can pack my stuff. Can you please book me a House at Horizon Villas please?"

"Consider it done. I'll also call Manong Robert to pick us up."

(Manong is a Filipino word which is usually used to respectfully address an older man.)

"Thank you Karen, you've always been so good to me."

"Don't mention it, that's what friends are for, right?"

Both of them smiled.

*Car door opens*

"Thank you Manong Robert, please park the Car at the basement. I'll be driving it tomorrow. Here's for your Taxi fare." Helena smiles while handing 1000 pesos to Robert.

"Ma'am, this is too much, 200 pesos is enough."

"No, I insist. Please take it. Bring some pasalubong for your kids okay? Tell them I said hi."

(Pasalubong is a Filipino Term for a gift you give to people especially loved ones when you come home.)

"Thank you ma'am. I'll tell them that."

"You can take the rest of the weekend off, just pick me up here on Tuesday 8 am okay?"

"Yes ma'am, I will. Have a good weekend." says Robert while he heads for the parking.

Both of Helena's parents have passed already due to heart failure. She has no father figure now so, she has considered Manong Robert as family. That is why she has always been nice with him.

As Helena is entering the Lobby of Shangri-la Towers, she noticed a man sitting at one of the chairs in the lobby. He was wearing a black coat and and a black fedora hat.

"Probably one of those annoying tabloid paparazzi again. Gosh when will they stop?" She thought to herself.

She heads for the elevator and enters it.

The man who was at the lobby finished his coffee. He then stands up and leaves with a grin on his face.

-End of Chapter-