Gloomy On Mars

Is this my ceiling? I couldn't tell. My mind was a foggy mess, not to mention my throbbing head. This one was high and domed with delicate brush strokes, which was nothing like my plain white one. I slowly sat up willing myself to focus. My gaze wandered around the unfamiliar room, taking it all in, until it hit me in the face, really hard. Laughter, drinks, more drinks, getting in his car, then his bed… Way to go. I had stopped at the Villa Azur's bar for one drink, ONE drink! But then I got carried away... WAY TO GO! I rolled out of the plush king-sized bed to look for my phone... and clothes in this luxurious room. My phone's battery was on 10 per cent, and the time was 9:27 am. I wasn't feeling alright, and my head hurt so much. I quickly put my clothes on and brushed my hair and teeth. I grabbed my purse and headed for the door, but it opened right before I could. "You're up" he says, leaning against the door frame, and for a good moment, I completely spaced out, staring at the man in front of me. He was wearing a loose-fitting linen shirt with a few buttons undone, his raven hair was slightly messy. Jesus help me. His eyes were so green, his features so refined yet relaxed. The way I hooked up with the man of my literal dreams and can't remember jack s**t is very on-brand for me. "Your head must be killing you" He smiles a teasing smile that makes my knees weak. He hands me a glass of water and an Advil, which I gladly accept. "I used your toothbrush", I said with a shrug. "Great, now when I brush my teeth, I'll think of you", He teased again as we left the room. "Gosh! I meant the extra toothbrush in the drawers" I laugh right before I swallow the pill and hand him his glass. He puts it down on a random table and picks up his keys. "I'll just take an Uber", I say dismissively, but he ignores me and walks down the stairs. Should I really be spending any more time with this stranger? You and I both know the answer to that, but I'm not a great listener so… Last night I was far too drunk and horny to notice how beautiful his house is. Sunlight poured in through arched windows that were as high as the ceiling. I followed him downstairs, catching glimpses of the kitchen and courtyard. His home felt so calming, it felt like less of a mansion than it is and more like a family house, even though I'm half sure he lives alone. I don't mind staying a little longer just to take it all in. We get outside, and he leads me to what I am guessing is the garage. When we walked in, I almost gasped out loud. Garage? More like a private showroom. I think I should go to expensive bars more often. "Which one?" He asks, a humorous glimmer in his emerald eyes. I touch my finger to my chin and pretend to be deep in thought. My eyes skim over every expensive-looking car until it lands on a sleek gray one. I walk over to it, and it seems to shift from dark gray to warm silver. "Aurora, that's my favorite", He says, and I snort. "What grown man names their car Aurora?" I ask, running my hand over it. "Me" "Okay, princess" He rolls his eyes and opens the passenger door for me, and I hop into his flashy car. I instantly relax into the soft leather seat. He gets on the driver's side and starts up the smooth engine. "What was your name again?" I ask and he looks at me with wide eyes until he laughs and shakes his head. "I remember yours," He says as we pull out of his home. I had one too many drinks yesterday, and it is astounding that I don't even remember how I got here. "Oops. Are you telling me or not? I could actually do without knowing" I smile and look anywhere but at him. "Zayne is not nearly as hard as Margaux, but I guess that's just me" He draws and I shrug. "I'm too hungover to recall stuff. Could you drop me off at this coffee shop?" I show him the address, and he nods his head. I open up my texts to see truckloads of worried messages from my sister. I totally forgot to tell her where I was going. → Paige Where are you? When are you coming back? Since when did you start leaving the house, did we switch fates or something? Mars, are you dead? I'm hungry... It's getting late Margaux be a responsible adult and come on home Margaux Margaux Margaux! Hello... She left me 63 messages just like that and I don't know if I should be empathetic or annoyed. → Margaux I'm not dead, go wait for me at Java junction I'll be there in a few minutes → Paige You've got a lot of explaining to do young lady. I look up from my phone and direct my attention to Zayne. "What do you do for work?" I ask, and he looks at me for a second, which makes my heart jump. He is so pretty; how does one just wake up like that? Perfect. I probably look like a relapsing drug addict right now. "Why do you wanna know?" He asks with a playful smile, that makes me want to smile back. "Just wanna know if I slept with a human trafficker/extortionist who is planning on killing me" I shrug with a silly smile on my face. "First of all, I haven't trafficked a human in years" he starts, and I laugh, and he actually joins in this time. I actually like his laughs. "So if you don't 'traffic humans' what do you do then?" "Business", He says, and I nod my head. From the corner of my eye, I see him look at me. "You're not gonna ask what kind of business?" "Nope" I pop the 'p' for extra emphasis and he laughs again. We stop in front of Java junction and I spot my sister sitting outside. When she spots the car her expression shifts from bored to confused. I really do have a lot of explaining to do. "Well, this was fun; looks like this is where we part ways. Bye," I say quickly as I unbuckle the seatbelt. He looks like he wants to say something but he swallows whatever that is, although I have a pretty good idea. He unlocks the door, and I hop out before he can go over and open it for me. I walk towards Paige quickly and sit down next to her. "Don't say anything", I say quickly as I wait for Zayne's car to move before I start talking. "Who's that?!" She whispers and yells, more on the yelly side, and I cover my ears; my headache is not gone, and I don't need this early in the morning. "Don't yell" I say as she removes my hands from my ears. "Where were you last night!? I was worried. I thought you got kidnapped or something, I almost filed a missing person report" "There really was no need for that" "What? Didn't you leave the house without my knowledge? Where were you?" She asks, and I roll my eyes. "I was at Villa Azur for a drink-" "You're drinking again?" Paige asks with a concerned look in her eyes, which I ignore. "Someone bought me one, and I looked over to see who it was, and he was hot! He ended up coming over, and we got along, had more drinks, and I ended up going home with him... " I trail off which results in her jaw on the floor. "Jesus Christ! Mars?" She gets up over dramatically and paces around. "Did you at least get his number?" She asks and I shake my head. "Margaux, are you a fool?!" She slams her hands on the table, earning herself glares from across the cafe. "What is your problem? Sit down, people are staring" I look around self-consciously, but she doesn't heed. "Oh, nothing; you just slept with a millionaire and think it's 'no big deal', i***t!" She says lowering her voice for me to hear. "He might just be richer, his garage is a showroom", I add, and she looks like she could cry. "Do you think he has a brother?" She asks ridiculously, giving me a perfect reason to finally ignore her. She requested an explanation but now I regret telling her all that had happened. Paige is such a dramatic and annoying kid sister, and her attitude in this coffee shop is killing me already; you wanna know what's more killing? It is the ache in my head, it isn't looking like I'm going to get any better, perhaps after I rest my head on the pillows of my bed, and that's if this girl is going to spare me with her lousy question and we find our way to the house.