CHAPTER FIVE

Despite clearing away the mess and washing the dishes, my headache doesn't ease up. I lean across the kitchen bench and grown as I clutch my head. What the heck did Keith give me to drink? I feel like an elephant is playing drums in my mind.

"I'll try and get back as soon as I can," says Kade as he walks into the kitchen.

"Sure." I nod my head. "I'll just be waiting here," I mutter to myself.

"There's Panadol in the cupboard, wine in the fridge." He laughs.

Lifting my head, I frown, "Have a good day, Mr. Taylor."

With a chuckle, Kade walks out of the room and off to wherever. I pull myself off the bench, I search through the cupboards for the pain killers. Once I've taken some, walk back to the bedroom. I head straight into the bathroom and turn on the shower. I strip out of my clothes and enjoy the warm feeling of the water cascading around me.

I scrub everywhere in the hopes to wash the dirt from my body like my headache. As the soapy sponge travels over my skin, it leaves a fresh feeling in its wake. The little soap bubbles swirl around the drain and then disappear. I think that's the last time I'll be drinking in a while.

When I'm finished showering, I turn off the water and step out of the shower. I wrap the plush fluffy towel around my body and walk back into the bedroom.

Walking past the bed, I grab my phone off the night stand and find a song to listen to. I put the music app on shuffle as I look for new clothing. I rummage through the whole of my suitcase before finding what I want to wear. I end up with a pair of jean shorts and a white singlet.

I grab my phone and make my way down the hall. The next song comes on and I start dancing to the beat. I don't understand most of the rap, but I sing along to the chorus. Crosby sweaters seems like an odd thing to sing about, but I roll with it.

"Wearing that Crosby sweater," I sing as I wiggle my hips and smile.

I bypass the entrance and walk deeper into the apartment. I pass Kade's office and the kitchen until I find the lounge room. The space is perfectly kept, which is probably due to the fact he wouldn't use it much. It takes me a while, but I find the controller and play around with the buttons until the television comes on.

There is nothing interesting playing on television until I find a music program that plays trending music videos. Just as the song stops playing on my phone, it starts playing on the television program.

"You've got to be kidding me." I laugh.

Tossing my phone on the couch, I continue to dance along to the song as I explore the room. On the far wall of the lounge room is a spread of photographs. As my eyes quickly dart between each frame, I notice the reoccurrence of his family and a lot of pictures of him with Alessia. It's freakishly scary how similar we look to each other.

There's a big picture of Alessia hanging in the middle, so I eye it closer. As I look over her face, I take in every detail visible. Just by looking at her, I notice the slight differences about us. Our noses are slightly different, but our eye shape is about the same. Her hair is a fraction lighter than mine too.

Before I can become too consumed by the image, I hear the elevator door open in the entrance. I snap out of my bubble of thought and walk towards the entrance. Perhaps Kade's a lot quicker at completing his work tasks than I thought.

I rush into the entry way and watch Jenna storm out of the confined space. I try to gulp back the nerves consuming my inside, but the shock prevents me from moving. Frozen to the spot, I watch the brooding look on Jenna explode right before me.

"I can't believe it! Why didn't you tell me? Who even does that to their best friend?" she screams in a dramatic tone which has me back peddling. Tell her what? I'm so confused right now.

Oh boy, I thought the door people were supposed to stop her from getting up here? Perhaps Kade needs to find someone who's not afraid of Jenna's crazy side. I think people would be afraid of her easily. I'm currently afraid of her. Do you think his place has a help button?

I don't want to say anything in case she's talking about something different to me. I want to assume she's talking about the deal I currently have with Kade, but I don't know. Jenna looks like the crazy person to have lots of problems in her life.

"Fine then." She huffs. "Your no friend of mine either," she shouts. Her voice echoes around the room, which sends tingles up my spine and shooting through my body.

I wish Kade was coming to my rescue right now.

"The lip on some people," she continues to grumble. "They call you their best friend, but they don't tell you they're getting a nose job? What the hell? Hannah has never been a good friend to begin with and then she does that. What are we even friends with her, Alessia?" she complains.

At the mention of Hannah's name, a random girl I have no idea of, I begin to calm down. I enjoy the sweet feeling of peaceful heaven. I'm not in trouble, thank goodness. However, there is still an unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach.

This poor girl is getting yelled at over a simple nose job and Alessia is the one hiding this kind of scandal. I don't want to be the person who crushes Jenna's illusion that Alessia isn't that great of a person either.

"What a fake bitch," I agree to keep Jenna happy.

"I've deleted that fake ass off my Twitter, you should as well." When Jenna looks at me expectantly, I struggle to think of something.

"Oh yeah, I totally will." I agree, nodding my head.

"So?"

"Right." I nervously laugh. "My phone is flat, silly me. I'll charge it later and do it Jenna, don't worry. If she's not your friend, she's not mine either." Oh gosh, I hope this is what Alessia would say in return. Nobody got nose jobs where I'm from, so it really didn't matter.

"Okay." She smiles happily.

"So, why the surprise visit?" I chirp.

"Babes, you were so drunk last night, I wanted to make sure you were okay." She grins.

"Aw, thank you, Jenna."

"No worries!"

"How was your night after I left?" I add to keep the conversation flowing.

"Well, after Keith left with you, I went and partied. I met this hot buy who, ugh." She rolls her eyes with delight. "He's a freak in the sheet, if you know what I mean." Winks Jenna.

"Totally." I giggle.

The mentioning of Jenna getting it on is starting to bring the sickness up inside me. I do not want to hear about Jenna getting her freak on with some stranger in the club.

"What about you and Kade?" She wiggles her eyebrows seductively.

"You know what? I was so drunk, I don't even remember leaving the club. Woke up this morning to breakfast." I giggle, playing it somewhat cool.

"Kade cooked you breakfast, yum! He's always been a good cook." At the mentioning of food, Jenna bypasses me and heads into the kitchen. I take a seat by the bench while she goes through the fridge and pulls out the containers of food to eat. She piles up a big load and chucks it into the microwave to heat up.

When Jenna pulls the plate out of the microwave, she places it on the table and starts eating.

"Can I have some bacon?" I ask.

"You really shouldn't have bacon, Alessia. You're supposed to be losing weight for your audition next week. Those last five pounds are going to be a pain to shift, especially with your thighs," she says.

I have to stop my mouth from dropping open with disgust. A diet, really? How much of a stick would they like me to resemble?

"Oh right." I frown. "I'll have a salad tonight then."

"I'll have a salad with you." She smiles. "What are friends for if they can't support you?" She takes a bite into the bacon and munches happily. So far I don't feel like this is supporting me.

"Thanks, I appreciate it." I fake a smile.

"Now, please tell me Kade isn't hanging around here. I want to hear about this boy on your holiday, you dirty stop out!" she says.

I shudder at the thought – boys? Dirty stop out? It's now that I'm beginning to realise that perhaps Kade didn't know everything about Alessia after all. He can't want to help someone this much if he knew Alessia might have been cheating on him behind is back?

***