“Kichi! Wake up!”

I gritted my teeth as I struggled to budge my feet. However, the increasing pressure on top of me made it all the more impossible.

“Come on, girl! Wake up!” 

In a moment of disorientation and annoyance, my peaceful slumber was abruptly interrupted by a pair of hands tightly grasping my shoulder blades, vigorously shaking me. Still in a daze from the remnants of sleep and growing agitation, I instinctively swatted the hands away without thought or hesitation.

"Leave my room, Tie!" I said sharply. 

“Must we repeat this same procedure every morning—where you behave as if my method of waking you is displeasing?”

“Please stop bothering me and go away.” 

Ever since Tie began her employment with Papa, she had consistently been a source of headache.

"This is a must-see. Trust me, if you don't, I will make sure to leave you breathless with a kiss." She playfully taunted with a mischievous tone.

"Stop it - you shameless girl! Why must your face and voice be the first things I encounter every morning? I can't seem to understand what I have done to deserve this."

"Look at you, all adorable this early in the morning.“ She pinched my cheek. 

From the moment I met Tie, I knew she was a force to be reckoned with. Her personality was something I couldn't quite grasp, but I found myself surprisingly at ease with her. She seemed to have a relaxed and easygoing demeanor that made her easier to handle than most people. It was as if we were on the same wavelength, and I never had to second-guess our interactions. I could honestly say that I appreciated her laid-back approach.  

Tie's voice was filled with excitement as she exclaimed, "You are in the morning newspaper!"

My eyes were abruptly jolted open, as if a switch had been flipped. As I lay in bed, I could see the warm rays of the morning sun peeking through the silver-grey curtains of my bedroom

“You have made it to the celebrity section." Tie declared.  

“Get off me.” I hissed. 

"But I enjoy being pressed against you. It ignites my imagination with naughty thoughts.” She smirked.

I was surprised by the fact that Tie and I had developed such a strong friendship in such a short period of time.

“Let me see what all the excitement is about.” I snatched the newspaper from her and sat upright. I rubbed my eyes before looking at the paper.

Curiosity piqued, I swiftly grabbed the newspaper from her and sat up attentively. I closed my eyes and rubbed them before finally gazing at the paper.  

 The face of the girl who was peacefully sleeping on Ray's shoulder was completely hidden, leaving her identity a mystery. However, as I took a closer look, I couldn't help but notice that she was wearing a dress that was identical to mine. Not only that, but her frame, skin tone, and hair all bore a striking resemblance to my own. It was difficult to deny that this sleeping figure was, in fact, me. 

"I don’t understand stand." I turned to Tie, she could provide some insight. 

"The first time we crossed paths, you were engrossed in a magazine featuring this girl on its cover. I must admit, I had no idea that you had a close relationship with her. In fact, I assumed you were merely an obsessed fan.”

I gave her a nasty look. "Die already! We are  not close. I only crossed paths with her a year back. Then, to my surprise, I saw at my job interview yesterday, and … No way!” I gasped.  

“What is it?“ Tie questioned. “Have you recalled something?" 

"Um..." I felt my face flush. "I think she was on the train with me yesterday." 

“You think?”

"I truly cannot remember."

"Are you serious?" Tie's expression showed disbelief as she asked, "You seriously can't remember if the person you idolise was with you yesterday?"

“I may have been exhausted," I retorted in my own defense. "But if this wasn't just a figment of my imagination — where did she go? Did she return to Bridgeport?"

"What makes you think I would have knowledge of her whereabouts." 

"Do you think Papa has some idea about this?" I gazed at Tie with a sense of optimism.  

My  memory was consumed with disjointed fragments of what had happened after boarding the train, leaving me questioning whether I was dreaming.