C8 CHAPTER EIGHT - CONFUSION

Clarissa walked briskly down the hallway. She had hastily put on the new clothes and was on the way to the elevator. The hangover migraine was now intense.

Once she got to the elevator, she remembered the surroundings and could recall that she was still in the same building as the club.

“What is going on, Clarissa?” Clarissa muttered under her breath, frustrated.

The sound of her phone ringing jolted her out of oblivion. It was Cassandra.

“Rissa, I’ve been waiting for your call. Where are you?” Cassandra asked in an urgent tone.

“I’m … I think I’m at the same location,” Clarissa muttered in exhaustion.

“What do you mean? What location? Tell me where you’re at and I’ll come and get you.” Cassandra pleaded.

“I mean I’m at the club. Turns out I’ve been in the building all along. I spent the night in one of the suites on the thirty-first floor.” Clarissa replied and whimpered as a sharp pain surged through her ankle yet again.

“WAIT! The restroom was on the eighteenth floor, so how?” Cassandra asked puzzled.

“Cassy, please come get me. I’m tired.” Clarissa pleaded, tears starting to form around her eyes.

Cassandra sighed pitifully “I’m some minutes away, I’ll come get you in a jiffy.”

“I’ll be outside,” Clarissa mumbled as she ended the call. The hangover migraine and the pain from her strained ankle were agonizing.

As soon as she got to the ground floor. She spotted the black limousine waiting for her. The chauffeur was searching the crowd by the second.

Immediately his eyes found her, he walked up to her and asked politely. “Miss Clarissa?”

“Uhm yes, how… How did you know?” Clarissa enquired.

“Dress color and physical description Ma’am. The CEO instructed me to ensure you arrive home safely.”

“Oh, I see. But my best friend is on her way here already, thank you for the kind gesture, but I’d decline.” Clarissa replied.

“Aha, that’s fine Miss. But I have to follow my boss’s order. He is quite firm Miss. You can go with your friend, but I must follow you.” The chauffeur insisted.

“Follow me? Why?” Clarissa asked bewildered.

“To ensure you get home safely, on the strict instructions of the CEO.” The chauffeur replied with a polite smile.

Clarissa nodded, realizing that turning him down would not work. She wondered how strict the boss must be to exert such firmness in his employees.

“Hey, Rissa!” Cassandra yelled, honking the vehicle’s horn to get her attention.

“You’re here, thank you.” Clarissa waved weakly.

“Hop in, let’s go.”

“We have a situation, a black limo will follow us closely. Don’t be bothered. They’re just ensuring I get home safely.” Clarissa said as she sat in the front seat.

“Wait, what? What for? You had a change of clothes too. Clarissa, what’s going on?” Cassandra asked puzzled.

“I think I had a one-night stand with a stranger,” Clarissa muttered, staring blankly at the roads.

*********************

“WHAT!” Cassandra yelled. “How could he be so selfish, he should have turned you down. He took advantage of your vulnerability.”

Clarissa nodded, still stunned. They were back in her apartment. The black limousine followed them all the way home and lingered for about twenty minutes before zooming off.

After a warm shower, Cassandra treated her ankle sprain and applied a cold compress to stop the swelling.

Clarissa recalled last night’s events in waves and realized she had a one-night stand with the stranger.

“Maybe, I don’t know.” Clarissa shrugged.

“What’s his name? Let’s look him up. I’d like to know the idiot who took advantage of my best friend.” Cassandra said.

“I don’t know his name. But there is a card in my bag.”

“I’ll get it!” Cassandra said racing to get the card.

Clarissa was dismayed. Having a one-night stand with a stranger was not what she could handle in the middle of her career crisis.

“Rissa! You slept with THE Ethan Grayson?” Cassandra gushed, jolting Clarissa out of her thoughts.

“Who is he?”

“This is unbelievable. He is the successor of Grayson Group. He was featured in HEIR Magazine recently for the ten most eligible CEO bachelors in New York.”

“Oh,” Clarissa replied absentmindedly.

“Yes! Aha, that explains the limousine. You should call him Clarissa.” Cassandra said in a rush.

“Why? To ask him to describe further how I made a fool of myself by offering myself to him like a cheapskate?” Clarissa scoffed, pessimistic.

“Oh, no Rissa. Do not be so hard on yourself, you were drunk. Plus famous or not, I still do not forgive his actions.” Cassandra said in support.

“He did nothing wrong Cassy. I offered myself to him. I wanted him, like a whore.” Clarissa shrugged.

“Shush, be quiet. You are not that.” Cassandra cooed, hugging Clarissa.

Clarissa relaxed in her best friend’s embrace. She felt safe and warm in her embrace, knowing Cassandra had her back any day. It was a good feeling.

Despite the many confusions, she decided not to succumb to total sadness. Everyone had turned their backs on her but she chose not to back off. She was going to get closure.

Clarissa breathed a sigh of relief.

Suddenly they heard sirens in the distance. Cassandra headed to the window as the sirens got louder.

“Oh no!” Cassandra cried, covering her mouth with her left palm.

“What is it, Cassy?”

“Reporters, everyone you can think of. They are camping outside right now.” Cassandra replied shakily.

“HOW? Who gave out my address for goodness sake!” Clarissa jolted from the couch and started pacing around the living room restlessly.

Before Cassandra could reply, they heard loud bangs on the door. The reporters were trying to gain access.

“What do I do?” Clarissa asked, tears threatening to fall from her startled eyes anytime soon.

“My darling, as of now we are on a house arrest. We have to vacate these premises immediately. Let's pack some stuff, we can use the hidden exit.” Cassandra said urgently.

“What? I can not do that!” Clarissa sobbed bitterly.