Chapter 4
Simon's face turned bright red, totally embarrassed.
He'd never touched a kitchen in his life; couldn't even turn on the stove, let alone cook.
"Sorry, I messed up. I'll just order some takeout; it'll be quick," Simon said.
Jack grumbled, "Alright, whatever. Seriously, eating takeout here is no different from just staying at a hotel."
Simon let them crash in the guest rooms.
The rooms weren't messy, but since I hadn't cleaned in days, there was a layer of dust on everything.
They had to make the beds themselves.
When they left in the morning, Jack kept nagging the whole time.
Eugene didn't say a word, but one could tell he wasn't happy about it.
After putting up with it all night, Simon slammed the door and yelled, "Emily! Get over here!"
I was just lounging on the couch, not even bothering to move.
"What the hell are you trying to pull? I told you, I haven't made the antidote yet. Why are you so damn impatient?" Simon snapped.
"I've treated you pretty well these past three years, haven't I? Even after everything that happened to you, I still let you stay here and eat here.
"All I asked was for you to do some chores and cook for me. It's only been a few years, and you're already fed up?
"Emily, with that attitude, maybe I should really reconsider if I even want to marry you."
Honestly, I almost had to admire him.
He could say all that without even batting an eye.
"I've got a conference for the next few days, so I'll be staying at a hotel. Make sure this place is spotless before I get back; don't let me come home to a mess!" Simon continued.
That was the only thing that finally got me moving.
As soon as he slammed the door and left, I bolted straight for the study.
Hidden in the very back of the bookshelf, I finally found all the data records for the invisibility potion.
Simon would be at the conference for the next few days, so he wouldn't be going to the lab.
This was my best shot; if I missed it, who knew when I'd get another chance?
Simon always warned me that going out while invisible was way too dangerous.
But right now, I had no choice; I had to take the risk.
It had to be safer at night than during the day.
When the world was quiet and the streets were empty, I slipped out the door.
For the first time in three years, I walked out the door.
Even with the invisibility, I couldn't forget I was totally naked.
Every step felt like I was dragging chains; shame just wouldn't let go.
Luckily, the lab wasn't far.
The password hadn't changed; it was still my birthday.
How ironic.
I didn't dare turn on the lights, so I grabbed a flashlight and started searching in the dim glow.
Just as I suspected, Simon had hidden the antidote here.
Just like the invisibility potion, it was colorless and tasteless.
That was exactly why I'd drunk it without a second thought back then.
I dipped a drop onto my tongue, and as I looked down, I saw my body flickering in and out of sight.
Yeah, this was the antidote.