Getting into her room, Jessica sat down on her bed, with her laptop by her side. She opens the laptop to check her email to see if her boss dropped her any documents to work on.
She was checking it when her phone suddenly rang beside her displaying Angie's name. Jessica felt bad because Angie was always the one calling her.
She had been so busy these few days that she had forgotten about her friend. It looked like she would have to try and put a reminder on her phone.
" He-llo, Angie" Jessica stammered, covering her face with her hand.
" Hi Jessie, are you okay?" Angie asked, curiously. She had noticed the way Jessica was talking to her. Was she sick or worried about something? That was Angie's thought.
" Yes, I'm fine, I'm sorry I didn't call you, " Jessica said, feeling guilty.
" It's okay, I know you are busy at work, " Angie said, smiling.
Then she added with a chuckle," Don't Tell me that's the reason you were stuttering?"
" Of course, I am guilty. You have been the one calling me since these things befell my family. Thanks for understanding. I am grateful for still having someone to talk to," Jessica said, moving her hands on the mouse to shut down the laptop.
"You don't need to be too formal with me. I am your friend and I understand what being busy means. I also know you can be a workaholic too when you enjoy what you are doing-especially when it comes to systems," Angie said, chuckling again.
Jessica smiled at her friend's words. They reminded her of how she bets with boys way back in college on a hacking challenge. But from the day her family went bankrupt, she cut herself off from everyone.
"How is your job, Angie?" Jessica asked, changing the topic.
" Work is fine, and yours?" Angie asked with a worried tone.
" Hmmm, it's good. I hope it continues to be good. We will be going on a business trip tomorrow. The only thing I am worried about is my boss's womanizing attitude," Jessica explained, yawning.
" I am worried about you, sweetheart. Are you sure you are safe with him?" Angie asked. She remembered that Jessica told her that her boss was a pervert.
" He is quite nice, I guess. I am sure he won't do anything against my will," Jessica replied. After how Edwin behaved today, she was sure he was a good person. The only flaw was that he loves women.
"Alright, if you say so. I trust you. We will talk some other time. Just wanted to check on you," Angie said, eager to hang up the call so Jessica can rest.
"Thanks, Angie, I will surely return your call," Jessica said, smiling.
After hanging up, Jessica took her laptop to her working table, and she hugged her bed goodnight immediately.
****
The following day Jessica was sleeping when her mother came to her room to wake her up. Though she looked peaceful, her mother knew she was passing through a lot of stress just because of them.
Seeing her daughter sleeping at that time hurts her. She knows Jessica must be passing through a lot at work and couldn't have the weekend for herself too.
Walking close to her bed, she sat down on her bedside while she played with her hair. Since her daughter was going on a business trip, she had decided to dress her up instead.
Mrs. Graves noticed that Jessica cared less about herself since they lost everything. She wasn't going to let her daughter lose her youth just to make up for the family.
After letting her sleep for another 20 minutes, she decided to wake her up so she can start packing her bag for the business trip.
" Jessica, wake up already. You need to wake up to pack your bag," Mrs. Graves said, tapping her gently.
Jessica wanted to sleep a little more as she murmured in her sleep." Mom, let me sleep a little more!"
" Jessie, stand up. You can't afford to be late. You need to wash up before getting dressed," Her mom said again, shaking her gently.
Opening her eyes slightly, the ray of sun shone brightly on her through the window. She quickly sat up on her bed and looked at the bedside to check for the clock.
" I slept this much? What if I am going to work?" Jessica exclaimed, after seeing it was already past noon.
" I decided to let you sleep since you are not going to work, " Mrs. Graves explained, smiling at her daughter faintly.
Jessica stood up from her bed and walked toward her wardrobe, rubbing her hands together as she traced the clothes with her eyes.
" Which clothes should I pack? Maybe I should just pack my regular office dress," Jessica thought to herself.
She took out three sets of office wear and pajamas, with two sets of shoes. She put them on the bed while her mom packed them in a small bag.
" Jessie, come and eat. Then after eating I will like to do your hair. It's been a long time since we did that," Her mum said while walking out of the room.
Jessica followed her toward the dining table. She was so famished! She just skipped breakfast without knowing because she was sleeping.
When they got to the dining table, the twins had already gone to school. Her father was seated while waiting for her.
"Don't tell me you haven't had your breakfast, dad, mom," Jessica complained looking at her parents.
They just smiled while her mother urged her to eat." I still need to make your hair, remember? Eat and stop asking questions."
Jessica knew her parents were trying to dodge her question so she quickly ate her food. When she was through, her mother took her to her room to style her hair.
She was determined to make her princess look every inch a princess!
***
" All done," Mrs. Graves said with a smile on her face.
Jessica stands up to check out her hair. Right then her phone started ringing. She took a glance at it and saw that it was her boss calling. She quickly picks up.
"Hello, sir!"
"The driver will be there in five minutes. You can come down to meet him," Edwin said as soon as she picked up the call.
"Yes, sir," Jessica said, sighing. She dropped the call and then turned to her mother.
" Mom, I need to get my things right away. The driver will be here in less than five minutes," Jessica said, hurrying out of the room towards her room.
" You know you are going on a business trip and still have time to gist with your mum when you're supposed to have prepared? " Mr. Graves voiced out.
"Dad!" Jessica exclaimed with a smile on her face.
" We are not chatting. I was making her look like the gorgeous woman she is supposed to look like. Besides, I missed doing that," Mrs. Graves said, making puppy eyes at her husband, to avoid scolding her.
Jessica rushed to her room and quickly put on a simple floral gown. Admiring her new look in the small mirror in her room, she leaned forward while kissing herself. Her mom knew the perfect hair for her.
Her phone rang as soon as she was done and she knew it must be the driver calling. She picks up the call and makes her way to the door with her bag in her hand.
" Dad, mom, the driver is here, I thought I was going to see the twins before going, " she stated, sighing.
" Don't worry, I will explain to them when they are back," Mrs. Graves said, smiling.
"Okay, see you on Sunday," Jessica said, as she hugged both her parents goodbye and walked out of the apartment.
She saw the driver who opened the door for her. She didn't know where they were heading so she asked the driver.
"Are we going to the office, sir?"
"No, madam. I was instructed to bring you to the Turner's Mansion," the driver said, softly.
" The Turner's mansion? Aren't we going on a business trip?" Jessica asked, confused.
" I am sorry, ma'am. I was told to bring you there," the driver simply said and continued driving.
Jessica furrowed her brows. Why was she going to Turner's mansion instead of the airport?