On the bed, a nightgown has already been laid out for me. It's not the one I brought. This is a long white silk nightgown, the fabric luxurious and cool against my skin. I slip it on and immediately jump into bed.
I think I won't be able to sleep in a strange place. But who would have thought, I pass out immediately. It's barely 7:30 p.m.
***
I'm dragged abruptly from the deepest sleep by a bright light flooding the room. I open my eyes, squinting against the glare.
When my vision clears, I see Vega standing at the doorway, framed by the light. He's still dressed in his casual clothes. I sit up abruptly.
"What now?" I ask groggily, my voice thick with sleep.
"Question," Vega states, his expression utterly flat. "Why are you in my bed?"
I barely process the words. I fall back onto the pillow, pulling the covers over my head. "I'm tired," I mumble. "Let's do this tomorrow."
Then, the words register. My eyes open wide beneath the silk sheets. I yank the covers down, adrenaline spiking.
I stammer. "Your... your bed? The lady told me to sleep here!"
Vega lets out a sharp, impatient tsk as he pulls out his phone and says something quick and low into it probably calling Catarina. He then turns his cold gaze back to me. "Get out."
I don't want to pick a fight over such a trivial thing. I pull the covers away from my body and swing my legs out of the king bed. But Vega's face darkens further.
"Cover up."
I have officially lost my patience. "Which one is it?" I challenge, throwing my hands up. "Get out or cover up? Make up your mind, you impossible bastard!"
He doesn't reply. He walks into the en-suite bathroom, grabs a thick robe, and tosses it at me. I pull it on, mumbling something vicious under my breath.
Vega, who has turned away, stops. "Are you cursing me?"
I don't deny it. "Yes! Yes, I am cursing you and your ancestors! I was enjoying a good dream, and you just show up and ruin it!"
"That wouldn't have happened if you didn't weasel your way in here," he retorts, his voice sharp.
I scoff at his accusation. "Weasel where? Don't flatter yourself."
Vega opens his mouth, ready to fire back, but Catarina comes rushing in, her usual beaming smile replaced with genuine distress. "Sir!"
"Why is she here?" Vega demands, his voice tight. "You know the arrangement we have."
Catarina looks genuinely bewildered. "Yes, but you are husband and wife, and husband and wife must sleep together."
Vega closes his eyes and rubs his temples, clearly fighting a losing battle against her logic.
"See?" I interject triumphantly. "I didn't weasel anywhere! Who would want to share a bed with a plank of wood?" I grab my phone and walk toward the door, not waiting for a response.
Vega whirls around. "What did you call me?"
I'm not at all restrained now. I pause at the threshold, look him dead in the eye, and repeat, "Wood. A stiff plank of wood," before slamming the door shut behind me.
I don't wait to be told where to go. I march down the hallway, pick the furthest room I can see, and open the door. The bed is neatly made, and that's good enough for me. I slam myself into the mattress face first and let out a long, dramatic sigh, my limbs sprawled all over the place.
Suddenly, the door is knocked softly. Catarina walks in, her expression deeply apologetic.
"I am so sorry, Madam, that was my fault," she whispers.
I raise my head, pushing the hair covering my face out of the way. "I can forgive you if you start calling me Tyr."
"But—"
"You can call me that in private," I clarify, giving her an easy way out.
Catarina smiles, a grateful, genuine smile this time. "Okay." She walks to the closet and starts placing the clothes I packed with my dad neatly on the hangers.
I lie back on the bed, feeling the soft fabric of the linens. Catarina finishes moving the things and closes the door. My phone suddenly vibrates. I swipe down the notification and immediately sit up.
I swipe open the screen and read Cici's message. It's short and alarming: "come outside."
I type back, "I can't," but before I can send it, Cici sends a video. She's shouting over loud music, her face blurry and enthusiastic. "You need a bachelorette party, bitch! Now come out and have fun with us!" I can tell she's already had a few too many drinks.
I press the audio record button. "You already started the party without me? And besides, it's almost 9 p.m." I send it.
A second later, Cici FaceTimes me. Her eyes are wide. "If you don't come, I will make a scene at the gym like last time!"
I get an instant headache just thinking about the last time Cici came to the gym and cried in front of everyone, claiming I had abandoned my best friend. They all looked at me like I was heartless.
"Fuck, don't you dare!" I snap, already scrambling up. I toss aside the silk nightgown, grab a pair of leather pants, and pull them on.
"Hurry up! I even got you gifts!" Cici insists through the phone.
"I'm on my way," I say, zipping up the pants. "Just stop drinking until I get there."
I grab a low-cut top and pull it on, then snatch my leather jacket and heels. I walk toward the door, determined to escape this cage for a night.
As soon as I reach the main door, Catarina appears from nowhere. "Ma'am, where are you going?"
"I'm going to hang out with my friends," I say, already pulling my purse strap over my shoulder. "I won't be back till tomorrow."
Catarina wants to protest, her eyes wide with worry. "But madam, it's late. Can't you let a driver drive you?"
"It's fine, it's close by," I lie, already getting close to were I parked. I get on my motorcycle, pull on my helmet, and ride out of the property. The cold air is a welcome slap of freedom.