Dandelion

Chapter 11

                                                                                Morning Exercise

The morning found me in peace and the fact that I opened my eyes in a room alone, made me slime despite how uncomfortable I still was with the ambient which surrounded me.

It was not my room, after all. It was not my apartment. Nothing here had anything to do with my taste or held any essence of mine simply because it held someone's else. Zein's. 

It sure is a strange feeling waking up like this, in someone's else body, having to carry someone's else mistakes and issues but I won't worry about that right now, no. Today is gonna be a good day. I will make it so.

I stood from the bed and grabbed my phone, blasting some music out of it as I started taking care of my morning routine. I took a long bath, longer than any other I had taken in my life. Strangely even though I did nothing grand, I always used to be in a hurry. And for what? I still would get the same pay at the end of the month no matter how much more I was to try. Foolish.

It felt entertaining, being like this for a bit. I used the best robe I found in the closet, I used every skincare product I found on the shelves, I tried on any clothing that there were in her wardrobe while dancing around the house to the rhythms of a Youtube playlist that I was fond of.

Now I sure feel like I am living again. Now, this sure can be called a second chance. The excitement had taken over me and I was well aware of that. There were moments that my hormones would go crazy and I would end up acting hype. I need no alcohol to look drunk, I thought, before bursting in laughter.

Surely my periods may be nearing, there is no other explanation for this but I will leave that thought aside and deal with it when that actually happens. For now, maybe I should eat something. Ah, I have not eaten since yesterday. The realization made me aware of how much hungry I actually was so I rushed to the kitchen and roamed on the fridge, getting out some cheese and bacon. 

"Seriously, why is her fridge so empty? Is this logical? I may not have been rich but I definitely had food in my fridge before" I mumbled to myself finding it unacceptable yet on second thought, I should be thankful that at least there was something in it.

I looked at the too products that were resting in my hands and I couldn't help but hesitate. I was dressed in a satin emerald dress, chick and beautiful. Was this something to cook in? Definitely not but changing and getting back to cooking sounded too much work to do.

"Let's eat out then. Breakfast here I come~" I left the products on the counter and hurried back in my room to grab my phone, a coat, and a bag then I returned to the living room only to realize that I had forgotten to put on decent shoes.

People would definitely be giving me weird looks if they were to have seen me with these fluffy slippers. I forgot...I took them from Tian's house. Well, I will give them back some other time. I don't wanna encounter any of them today.

After I was done with finding and putting on some nice shoes, I walked out the door and soon out of the apartment building which I barely recalled entering. This place was sure too fancy. To not mention the security guards that happen to fall to my notice quite often. The cameras placed on the corridors and on the elevator made me feel a bit nervous but also a bit safer, as this place doesn't seem like one to worry about anyone breaking in.

How the heck did that stalker managed to take a sight of Zein, I wonder. Was he that skilled? Somehow the thought only is terrifying. Maybe I should buy a small dagger for security purposes, or not. I forgot it's illegal to carry weapons with you...How about hiring a personal bodyguard? She is rich so she can definitely afford that. I wonder why Zein had not done that so far. Being one of the most famous actresses would have definitely sounded logical if she had one by now.

On the other hand, however, the fewer men around her the better. As far as I have seen, she has a habit of messing relationships up. Secretly dating the Ceo of the entertainment company she works for and having an affair with her best friend/neighbor sure doesn't give the impression that she was a stable human being. I still can't believe all these troubles she has got me in. Maybe she might even consider herself lucky that she died and got to get out of this pressuring point.

And here I  thought I was the one who got a better 'chance' in life.

I stepped out of the building and started walking in a random direction, hoping that I would find any proper shops where I could have breakfast soon enough, but as I went, I noticed people started giving looks at me and halting their fit as I passed by. What's wrong? Don't tell me I forgot something again?... My hair is perfect, right? I am sure I combed it. I even put makeup on today. She had some really good quality makeup. Of course only the best for the one and only Zein.

Wait...Zein...OH MY GOD. I forgot!

I am Zein. I brought a famous actress to casually walk alone on the streets as if she is not to be noticed by literally everyone! 

I speed up my pace, feeling burdened by their stares and a bit scared as well. Some started following me while still talking. I could tell they were talking about me even if I could not hear them clearly. Heavens I really messed up. 

Pressure and anxiety started rising inside me, making me hyper-aware of everyone around me. Wherever I was to throw my eyes, I could see someone having a phone directed towards me, and they felt like they were multiplying at a suffocating speed. My breathing grew uneven as I felt my private space getting narrower and narrower by the crowd that kept forming around me.

"P-Please, make some way," I uttered feeling like a rock had sat on my chest and had made all my previous excitement transform into something painfully heavy.

They started calling Zein's name and asking things of me. 'Look this way, please!' 'Where are you going?' 'Can I have an autographed?' 'You are so beautiful!' 'I love you! 'I am your biggest fun' 'Can you say my name?' 'Please say I love you!'  Apparently, me speaking to them had given them more courage, contrary to what I had thought.

I took off running at that point, feeling the need to get away from them, kicked in but to my surprise they followed after me, making me look back at them in horror for a moment. Was this supposed to be normal? This feels like a horror movie. What will happen if they catch up to me? I suddenly don't even want to think of that scenario.

Is this how it is to be famous? Definitely not as fun as everyone makes you think of it. What normal human would chase someone so early in the morning and basically harass them like this? This behavior is against human logic. If you wouldn't do this to a normal human why do it to a famous one? Anyone would be weirded out of such a situation! How can people be so inconsiderate! It's making me angry, I swear.

I started feeling out of breath as I kept running and my feet started hurting me, making me conclude that I should have chosen a more flat pair of shoes after all. I left an exhale escape from my lips as my fit slowed down inevitably then I looked around in a hurry and entered the first shop that was close to me. 

Once inside I took the attention of the customers that were there but for the moment I was too out of breath to care for them too. All I did was rush to the counter and ask the bartender where the restroom was and after he stared at me in shock for a few seconds, he pointed at his right and I rushed there, making sure to lock the door once inside.

I started panting hard as my back rested against the wall, feeling as if I had run a marathon. I have never been an athletic person but I sure am thankful that this body had better stamina than mine used to, otherwise I would have been caught long ago.

After I took some minutes to calm myself down, I approached the mirror, only to notice that sweat had started forming on my forehead. Not a surprising fact as I felt my dress sticking all over my skin.

What to do now? My journey to breakfast got a bit messed up. I definitely should call someone to come get me out of here. Mr. Manager should be the one to take care of such things. I thought as I proceeded to get my phone out of my bag.

I am gonna get scolded for this, I can already tell but at least I will be safe and sound again. Right, don't hesitate. Just call. I motivated myself right before I pressed the button and waited in line for Elia to respond.

"Hello?"