A few hours after the best lunch of my life, I was lying in my new bed staring up at the ceiling, completely in shock at how quickly everything had moved. I’d signed more paperwork and given Joel permission to send people to pack up my apartment. I’d sent my notice to my old landlord, as well as my manager at the store, hoping that this wasn’t all some elaborate prank and I would be out on the street tomorrow. 

Here I was though, in the softest most comfortable bed I’d ever had the pleasure of lying in. Emily had insisted I take a nap as my eyes were bloodshot and I looked exhausted. ‘No offense,’ she had added, looking worried I might actually be upset. I couldn’t help but crack up at her honesty. 

She gleefully showed me my room and the connecting bathroom when we got back to the house. It was exactly as beautiful as she had described, and I couldn’t help but feel like it had been designed for me in another life. My favorite color turquoise adorned every wall and ceiling of the room and bathroom, giving it a very underwater-like atmosphere. 

The bathtub was huge! Large enough for me to lay my body completely flat and still not touch the end. It also had bubble jets that I couldn’t wait to use. There was a marble sink that sat on a base shaped like a mermaid’s fin. 

In the room, there was a giant bubbling water tank that didn’t currently have any fish in it, but cast a soothing light on the walls and ceiling while also offering background noise for me to quiet my mind. 

It was like a strange dream. 

Unreal. 

I stared at the reflection of the water on the ceiling. Watched it mold and form into various shapes. Faces. Bubbles of people’s heads popping. Yellow eyes. A gaping mouth. Long fingers, reaching for my throat. 

I woke up with a gasp.

Somehow, I’d managed to fall asleep.

I checked my phone and saw that it was after 8pm.

Shit, I really had been tired. I’d gone to nap at 4:30. What would they be thinking of me? Brand new to the job and already sleeping all day. 

I jumped out of bed and rushed to the bathroom. Glancing in the mirror, I straightened up my hair and my clothes and took a deep breath before heading downstairs. My stomach rumbled a bit, and it occurred to me that I was feeling a tad peckish. 

Would it be impolite to stop by the kitchen and grab a snack? Should I go check in with Emily?

My official start date wasn’t until the day after tomorrow, but I wanted to make a good impression. I decided I would look for Joel and find out what was expected of me. He seemed like the most accommodating guy in the world, so I fully expected him to tell me to just enjoy myself or whatever, but still. 

I almost got lost finding my way downstairs. I managed to pass Emily’s room, but I could hear her blasting music in there, and didn’t want to interrupt her alone time. Taking the elevator down to the first floor, I got out right in time to realize that I had no idea where Joel worked from. I only knew the office he had taken me to, and quickly checking there, I discovered he was not around. 

Why did I have to sleep so long?!

I wandered further down the hall, which was eerie and quiet, despite the light being on. Eventually, I reached what turned out to be the dining room. Stepping tentatively inside, I took in all the splendor of the long wooden table, the fine candlesticks in their crystal holders. 

There was no one there. 

The kitchen must be nearby, I thought.  

I could just pop in for a snack, then go to Emily’s room and have a chat with her to figure things out. 

I turned to leave the dining room, only to find an extremely tall looming figure standing in the doorway. My breath caught in my chest for a moment as I looked up at the stunning figure before me. Pale skin and long dark hair tied back in a pony-tail were complemented by a fancy black suit that was hanging open and untucked. 

“You must be Calista,” the figure said in a quiet deep voice. “I hope I didn’t startle you. I’m Sebastian Vascile. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”