As the first rays of sunlight began to peek through the horizon, Lance gently tucked Edwin into bed. He lingered for a moment, his eyes tracing the lines of Edwin's face, before quietly slipping out of the room and the house.
---
The next morning, Kimberly arrived early, determined to get Edwin back on track. He entered Edwin's bedroom, immediately heading for the heavy curtains. With a swift motion, he pulled them aside, allowing bright sunlight to flood the room.
"Rise and shine! Time to wake up, your highness," he announced.
Edwin groaned loudly, burying his face deeper into the pillow. "Kim, what the hell?" he mumbled, his voice muffled and thick with sleep. "Close those damn curtains right now, or I swear I'll fire you on the spot."
Kimberly chuckled, unfazed by the threat. "Come on, Ed. It's time to face the day. You can't fire me and you know that. Now, get up!"
"Watch me," Edwin grumbled, pulling the covers over his head. "I'll find a way. Now close those curtains before I go blind."
Kimberly sighed, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. "Edwin, we have plans today. Important ones. You need to get up."
"There's nothing more important than my sweet sleep, Kim. So get out!" Edwin groaned, sounding really pissed.
"We have an event to go to later in the day, but for now, you have to get up. It's almost noon already, and yes, there's still time, but it won't hurt for you to start preparing your mindset from this minute."
Edwin looked up, surprised. "An event? Is that where you rushed off to yesterday?"
Kimberly nodded, a hint of excitement in his eyes. "It's the annual Starlight Gala. Marcus and I have been working on getting you back out there. This is a perfect opportunity."
Edwin's eyes widened. The Starlight Gala was one of the biggest charity events of the year, bringing together celebrities from various fields - actors, musicians, athletes, and more. It was known for its star-studded guest list and the millions it raised for children's hospitals across the country.
"The Starlight Gala? Kim, are you sure about this? That's... that's a lot of attention."
Kimberly nodded, his expression serious. "I know it's a big step, Ed. But it's also a chance to show everyone that you're not hiding, that you're still here and still committed to making a difference. Plus, it's for a good cause."
Edwin took a deep breath, considering Kimberly's words. After a moment, he nodded. "Okay. You're right. But I still want to get more sleep. There's still time."
"Actually, Ed, there isn't as much time as you think," Kimberly said firmly. "It's already noon, and the gala starts at 7 PM. We need to start preparing now."
"Now? But that's seven hours away!" Edwin protested.
Kimberly shook his head. "We need every minute and you know it. First, you need to shower and get yourself together. Then we have your stylist coming at 2 PM for a haircut and grooming. At 3:30, your makeup artist will arrive to ensure you look perfect for the cameras. We need to have you dressed and ready by 5:30 to account for traffic and arrive at the red carpet by 6:30."
Edwin's eyes widened as Kimberly laid out the schedule. "You have had everything arranged so perfectly."
"Thanks for the compliment," Kimberly said with a smile. "Now, let's get you up and moving. We have a lot to do, and we want you looking your absolute best tonight."
After several minutes of gentle coaxing and not-so-gentle prodding, Edwin finally relented. He sat up abruptly, only to be hit by a wave of intense pain that felt like a sledgehammer to his skull. "Oh God," he muttered, clutching his head and squeezing his eyes shut against the brightness.
Kimberly's eyes fell on the empty whisky bottle lying on its side next to the bed. "Rough night, huh?" he said, his voice gentle despite the circumstances. "How much did you drink last night?"
Edwin cracked open one eye, following Kimberly's gaze to the empty bottle. He groaned again, this time out of embarrassment. "Too much, obviously. I don't even remember..."
Suddenly, his eyes widened as a fragment of memory pierced through the fog of his hangover. "Wait... Lance was here last night, wasn't he?"
Kimberly nodded, surprised. "Yeah, he was. I'm amazed you remember that, given the state you're in."
Edwin's brow furrowed as he tried to piece together the hazy memories. "He... he listened to me. I was ranting about everything, and he just sat there and listened." A wave of guilt washed over him. "God, I must have been a mess. I need to call him and apologize."
"Why don't you get cleaned up first?" Kimberly suggested. "You look like you could use a shower. I'll make some breakfast and get you something for that headache."
Edwin nodded gratefully and made his way to the bathroom on unsteady legs. The hot water helped clear his head a little, and by the time he emerged, wrapped in a fluffy bathrobe, he felt marginally more human.
In the kitchen, Kimberly moved efficiently, his culinary skills on full display as he prepared breakfast and a much-needed remedy for Edwin's hangover. Soon, the kitchen was filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, crispy bacon, and fluffy pancakes. Kimberly arranged a tray with a stack of golden pancakes drizzled with maple syrup, a side of crispy bacon, scrambled eggs with a sprinkle of chives, a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, and a steaming cup of coffee. Alongside the breakfast, he placed two tablets of pain reliever and a glass of water.
When Edwin finally emerged from the shower, looking slightly more human, he was presented with the breakfast tray and the pain relievers. He felt his stomach growl appreciatively as he stared at the delicacy.
"Eat up," Kimberly instructed. "You'll feel better once you've got some food in you. And don't forget, we're on a tight schedule today."
"Kim, it still baffles me how you work magically in the kitchen to prepare something in such a short period of time," Edwin couldn't help but comment as he sat to eat.
"That's why you should increase my pay, else I would stop cooking for you once I get a husband," Kimberly teased.
"Then, instead of increasing your pay, I would rather make good use of you before that man comes to sweep you away," Edwin chuckled, as he ate with full happiness, enjoying the sumptuous delicacy.
"You might as well take me as your wife so I can cook for you forever." Kimberly teased.
Edwin cringed at the idea, "Sorry, I don't do best friends."
"Does it mean you can date other men?" Kimberly suddenly leaned in, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Never!" Edwin rejected. "I only do women." He fired back.
"If you say so." Kimberly said, while shrugging his shoulders.
As Edwin finished the last few bites of his breakfast, he reached for his phone. "I really should call Lance," he said.
Kimberly nodded encouragingly as he began clearing the dishes. "Go ahead. I'll clean up here and start laying out your options for tonight. Remember, we need to choose something that photographs well and fits the event's dress code."
Edwin dialed Lance's number, his heart beating a little faster as he waited for the other man to pick up.
"Hello?" Lance's voice came through, sounding a bit groggy.
"Lance, hi. It's Edwin. I... I wanted to thank you for last night. And apologize for being such a mess."
There was a pause, and Edwin could almost hear the smile in Lance's voice when he replied. "There's no need to apologize, Edwin. I'm just glad I could be there for you."
"Still, I appreciate it. I know I wasn't in the best state."
"The most important thing," Lance said softly, "is that you take care of yourself. Be the Edwin I know you are. The world needs that Edwin back."
Edwin felt a warmth spread through his chest at Lance's words. "I'm trying," he said. "Starting today, actually. I've got an event to attend."
"That's great!" Lance sounded genuinely pleased. "Good luck, Edwin. And remember, I'm here if you need me."
After hanging up, Edwin felt lighter, more ready to face the day. He walked back to his bedroom, where Kimberly was laying out several suit options on the bed.
"Alright, Ed," Kimberly said, clapping his hands together. "Let's get you red carpet ready. We've got a long afternoon ahead of us, but trust me, it'll be worth it. You're going to knock them dead at the Starlight Gala tonight."
Edwin took a deep breath, looking at the suits and then back at Kimberly. For the first time in a long while, he felt a spark of excitement. "Okay, Kim. Let's do this."