My eyelids twitch open as I emerge from my pool of slumber. The sleep fades away as my senses slowly become active and I open my eyes. My body feels like it weighs a ton as I struggle to sit up.

It's late, super late I'm guessing, since my room is now illuminated by a number of round bulbs that litter the ceiling, showering me with warm sunlight-colored light. My innocent nap turned into a siesta that lasted the entire afternoon. I twist my neck to face the majestic window behind me only to find equally majestic curtains covering the glass. Did someone come in when I was asleep?

My suspicions are confirmed when I notice a trolley that wasn't here before. The trolley, covered in a flowing linen cloth is littered with a variety of snacks and stands a few paces from the door. I shriek in delight as I launch myself from the bed, eager to stuff myself with the spectacular treats. The food immediately distracts me from the fact that someone was definitely lurking close to me as I slept in my underwear.

I must be hungry because I've never tasted anything as sweet as what I was having. I stuff the pastries in my mouth with exaggerated enthusiasm, barely giving myself a chance to chew before I swallow. I choke and gag on a chocolate covered donut, having bitten a piece too big to swallow, absent any chewing. I recover almost immediately as I pick up the next sweet treat, a sponge cake and repeat the process. I plan on sampling each one of the pastries on display and determine a favorite.

It takes me five minutes to find the ultimate treat. The chocolate filled tender croissants reign supreme over the rest of the sweets. I make my way to the nearest couch and drop myself on it, sinking into it's fluffy cushions, they're very comfortable. I groan loudly as I stretch my entire body that barely covers the space on the three seater couch. I'm far from having a full tummy, but I'm comfortable enough to take a break.

I'm guessing my meeting with Jacob has been postponed due to my ill timed nap, I'll definitely have to find him soon.

I hug myself unconsciously and feel goose bumps on my skin. Right, I'm still half naked. I skip towards the closet, pull the double doors open and marvel at the assortment of clothes on display. No more baggy pajamas for me. There's too much to choose, attires for every occasion, ranging from formal tiny dresses I always wanted to wear to casual sweats which look to be the most comfortable.

The collection of footwear displayed under the clothes is also impressive, they all appear to be tiny, just as tiny as my petite feet. The fact that this room has a wide range of little girl clothes suddenly creeps me out. Come to think of it, I did see a bunch of kids earlier. They were wearing gloomy pajamas though and I doubt they use regular clothes. Was this entire collection for me?

Either way, these clothes look to clean to fit onto my now filthy body. I make my way to the bathroom and take a look at myself in the mirror, which seems excessively huge in my opinion. I'm covered in dust and blood, giving me the look of a homeless war veteran. My short, ear-length hair seems to deny having any association with me, boasting a frazzled and unworldly look.

I always have an image in my head of how I look like to people around me. That image never fits with my reflection in the mirror. The person staring back at me almost looks like a stranger with an odd familiarity. I stare into her beige eyes, as beautiful as my mother's and smile at the fond memory.

I feel my tear ducts stock up the liquid necessary to wet my cheeks and I turn away from the mirror. This isn't the time to be reminiscing, I need to be concentrating on finding a way out as soon as I can. I force my mind to switch back to my current situation as I turn on the shower head.

Warm jets hit my head and water trickles down my skin. I stand there, eyes closed and let myself be enveloped by the relaxing sensation of the shower. I trace lines on my body, my fingers sliding effortlessly on my wet skin. Showers have always seduced me, keeping me trapped in a warm embrace for minutes on end. No matter how many hot showers I take, the sensation is always fresh and entrapping each time.

My thoughts always run rampant when I shower, and today was no exception. Jack pops into my head first, why did he have to be absent on that fateful delivery, I miss him almost desperately. His presence always felt like home and I feel lost in his absence.

I run my fingers through my hair and face the shower head, letting the water jets hit my face, slightly scalding my tender skin. My eyes rest on the shower products lined up, I can only recognize one of the soaps displayed. I settle on the familiar product and lather my body in its foam. The dried blood on my leg takes a bit of scrubbing to come off, when it does and I decide to end my shower.

Crisp and fresh towels hang on a towel bar outside the glass cubicle, now completely misted due to my lengthened hot shower. I dry my hair first, since it sticks to my face and drips in an unending fashion. I roll my hair in the towel like I've seen numerous times on TV, letting it rest on my head like an ice cream scoop on a cone. One extra towel is all I need to wrap the rest of my body, and I go raid the closet, already deciding that sweats would be my attire for the night.

I pair my outfit with a set of fluffy bunny sandals that give my feet the impression of walking on clouds. Now how do I open the door. There's a panel next to the door, different from the keypad on the outside. This one is simply a screen with an outline of a palm glowing on it. I guess that's how I open it? I place my small palm on the screen and trigger a shrill beep, a whoosh confirms my suspicion as the doors open.

She's there, waiting as I step out, and flashes me a smile. She's still dressed professionally, a navy blue blazer and a white scarf tied beautifully around her neck. A white blouse is visible beneath the blazer. Her knee high navy blue skirt serves to showcase her flawless knees and slender legs. Her blue painted toes peek out of her blue heels and I get the sense that blue is the uniform color for those who work on this floor.

Her hair rolls effortlessly into a bun on her head and her light make up completes the model-like look. Mia is absolutely stunning and way older than me, probably 25 or something. I don't have to try and smile back, my lips stretch and widen by their own impulse, reacting to Mia's inviting smile. I love her already.

"I hope you slept well miss" her velvet-like voice sings out, completely different from the panic ridden apology earlier in the hallway.

"I did yes, thanks. Also, sorry for earlier, did I hurt you?" My heart aches for even imagining that I caused such a gentle person pain.

"Absolutely not miss, I was simply not watching where I was going."

There she goes again, blaming herself for my clumsy movement.

"Just call me Leah, were you waiting here for a while?"

"not really, I've been assigned to be your personal attendant while you're here, I came earlier but you were sound asleep so I let you rest."

So she was the one who must have drawn the curtains. The knowledge that she was the one who brought the snacks puts my mind at ease, I hated the thought that some random pervy stranger was hanging around me as I slept.

Why would I need a personal attendant, only princesses and royal people had those. Is she supposed to cater to my every need?

"Personal attendant?"

"Yes, I'll simply be showing you around, delivering your food, clean your room and generally cater to any requests you may have."

"That's a bit much, don't you think? I can mostly do all those things myself, I'm a big kid. Besides, I'm not planning to stay here long, so I won't be so much trouble."

My last comment makes her smile falter for a moment, as if suddenly saddened by something. I shrug and decide not to think too much of such a minor facial expression. I could use directions to the kitchen though, and get some real food, but first things first.

"Where can I find Jacob? Meant to meet him a while ago but I fell asleep."

Her smile all but fades but her face maintains its friendly composure.

"I was hoping to get you some dinner first, but I'll take you to him right away if the snacks were sufficient."

They weren't but I'll not die anytime soon, I'd rather feast my ears on the answers to the endless questions running inside my mind.

"They were delicious, I can have dinner later on." I say as I stretch my hand out and gesture for her to lead the way.

The double doors to my room whoosh shut as we walk away and I glance back only for a second. I should have carried some extra croissants with me.

I follow Mia closely and regularly steal looks at her. I like the way she walks in heels, swaying side to side as she takes small steps forward. I can tell she's used to walking at a faster pace because she catches herself several times speeding up slowing down each time to match my sluggish pace.

She walks with her arms slightly ahead of her hips, slightly swaying with movement as if holding an invisible platter or pushing an unseen trolley. She must have been serving people for a long while for such gestures to become part of her posture.

I look into her face once more, admiring her absently. Being in the brutal underground industry meant that I mostly dealt with men. I've always wanted to hang out with another girl.

Her face seems to be permanently set in a cheery mood. She catches me sneaking looks at her but she seems not to mind. She's naturally tall, more so with the heels she wears, so I find myself looking up to see her face, as I do to almost everyone I meet. I need to grow up faster.

The golden double doors on both sides of the hallway disappear as we come round a bend and face a set of sophisticated elevator doors. Mia pulls out a blank card from her blazer's side pocket and aligns it to a blank screen next to the elevator. No code needed this time. Noted.

A beep sounds as the elevator comes alive with a hum and the doors slide open. There's some bland music this time as we head even higher in this impossible building. This elevator is more spacious and I get a feeling that were heading to an even more exclusive part of the building.

The elevator dings as we stop at a floor with an entirely different layout. Unlike the previous floors, what lays ahead of the elevator is a hallway stretching directly forward and a door in the distance, a legitimate and old fashioned wooden door.

I assume we're on one of the topmost floors if not at the pinnacle of this tower. All the previous floors have had a wall right opposite the elevator, with a hallway stretching to the sides. This floor feels more personal and closed off. The professor must be here.

"This is as far as I'll take you. I'll be waiting for you right here when you come out. The professor is right ahead, he's been expecting you."

Our short trip here slightly bonded me to Mia, I feel comfortable when around her and am slightly saddened to part ways. She stands ahead of the closed elevator doors as I walk ahead, giving her one last wave.

Unlike other hallways, this one is slightly populated, with desks lining each side of the wall. Ladies dressed in attire similar to Mia's sit on the right side while gentlemen in flashy suits sit opposite them, I feel like a model on a runway as I walk between them, I'm heavily underdressed.

I count 5 individuals on each side who pay no attention to me as I walk past. Their desks are behind mini glass cubicles that must be soundproof since I see lips moving but hear no sound. Each one of them is busy, either typing on their computer, handwriting on a particular paper of simply talking to someone on a phone.

This floor might be command centre of the building. I slightly increase my pace as I approach the wooden door ahead of me, just realizing how big it is, a saloon car could drive through without a hitch.

I gulp loudly as I come to a halt at the door. What should I do? Knock? Just push my way in?

As if to answer my hesitant questions, the door swings open and I see him, immediately noticing his unmistakable dominant presence.

I thought my room was spacious, compared to the room panning out before me my room seems like a bathroom. It's almost as big as the nature Dome and my first thought is how on earth someone moves around in this place.

The place is littered with unnecessary features, a section to my left is literally a mini golf course, complete with borders, bridges and a mini pond in the middle. The furthest end of the room has glass instead of a wall too, only this one was almost ten times longer and wider than mine.

Jacob has his feet folded before him as he sits in what looks like a living room, right in the middle of this gigantic place. Comfortable looking seats and couches line up in a wide semi circle seemingly inviting me to join him.

A glass table within the circle of seats has several steaming bowls, full of food I presume. The table is set for two, it seems I'm just in time for dinner.

"Welcome Leah," he smiles gloriously, "Let's eat."