Melodia tossed a look toward the door. A smile was quick to follow. “Amy, you’re here!”
“Yeah. I am.” Amorette stalked to the counter and tossed her bag behind it. “But what are you and the store doing here?”
“We moved.” Melodia shrugged.
It was going to be one of those days. Apparently, Melodia didn’t want to tell her the reason.
Amorette sighed. “I noticed. A text would have been nice.”
“You figured it out. Ooh!” Melodia spun to plant her elbows on the counter. She rested her chin in her hands. “I hear our handsome CEO drove you here.”
“So?”
“So! Spill the details. Are you two official? Has he confessed his undying devotion?” Melodia’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Amorette rolled her eyes at her boss. “We can barely be in the same room without arguing. I’d say your hopes and dreams for me are a little far-fetched.”
“Mm, I don’t think so.” Melodia wrinkled her nose. One hand slipped away from her chin to reached out and grab her current romance novel. “There’s definitely something there. I’m just not sure what kind of destiny it is yet.”
“Stop saying things that don’t make sense.”
Melodia arched a brow, but not another word fell from her lips. She didn’t need to speak. What she said already sent Amorette’s brain into overload.
There were too many questions and unknowns. Amorette made a silent vow to discover everything she needed to know. Soon.
[Episode 11]
What Happens on Friday...
EADRIC’S EYES DIDN’T leave the computer screen. The girls were working hard today, making friends with various employees. Amorette’s smile remained bright and cheery. If only she showed that bubbly side of herself more often instead of fighting him.
Things seemed too easy this week. Conversations with Hunter didn’t result in a fight. Melodia agreed to his terms without much of an argument. Even Doon seemed to be behaving himself. This house of cards sat precariously balanced. Any small breeze might blow it over. Eadric needed to avoid that catastrophe at all costs.
His phone vibrated against the desk.
Eadric reached for it blindly and lifted it to his ear. “Yes?”
“He’s at school today,” Doon answered without preamble.
“Good. Keep an eye on him.” Eadric tossed the phone back on the desk. One less thing to worry about. If Hunter went to his college classes, that meant he wouldn’t seek out Amorette here.
Eadric didn’t know why Hunter’s presence bothered him so much. Perhaps because Amorette trusted the hooligan implicitly. She needed someone like that, but he wished it could be himself or Doon.
Hunter’s attention wasn’t welcome toward Amorette. Eadric could read his intentions like an open book. Besides, Hunter himself said he was after Amorette’s heart. It wasn’t fair, this head-start that Hunter had on her affections.
Eadric shot from his chair.
No, no, no. He couldn’t think like that. The mark meant she belonged to an immortal, but it didn’t mean she was his. He swore long ago never to bring anyone into his fight. He couldn’t chance it. Not with the devil himself hovering so close.
The buzz of his phone brought him back to attention. Eadric picked it up and slid the green icon. “What now?”
“Is that any way to greet an old friend?”
Eadric’s heart dropped to his stomach. He knew this voice all too well. Had heard it far too many times. “How did you get this number?”
“Is there anything I can’t find?”
“Only a handful of people know about this number. I don’t give it out freely.”
How did he find out? Did he have someone on the inside here? What kind of technology had he advanced to use? Did he place bugs or trackers somewhere? There were too many questions and not enough solid evidence.
“It wasn’t free, believe me.” The voice on the other end laughed. “Oh, Eadric, it has been ages since we last spoke. How are you these days? Still living?”
“If you can call this existence a life.” Eadric kept his tone even. Anything to hide the trepidation welling in his gut. “I assume you have a reason to call me during office hours.”
“I heard there’s a lovely little flower growing at your humble abode.” A click of his tongue. “I thought to myself, why would he take someone in like that? It’s not in his nature to be so kind or forgiving.”
“Well, people do change. Mature.”
“Not you. Not this much. Which made me think that perhaps there’s more to this than he’s letting on.”
“You instigated this whole ordeal. If you had kept your distance, I would have kept mine.” Eadric barely kept his voice steady this time. “Call off your dogs and let’s leave the woman out of this.”
“It’s too late for that.” The voice on the other end of the line went ice cold. “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. The Eadric I know would agree to such a thing. I never intended to go this far, but... you need to know how it feels.”
Eadric’s eyes shut tightly. Of course. The entire reason for this whole ordeal. “She has nothing to do with me.”
“We’ll see about that.” The voice chuckled again. “I believe it was you who took her in, in the first place. The Tower. Even before that, with the phone. A nice touch, if you ask me.”
“How do you know about that?”
“You’re full of questions, aren’t you?”
“How else am I to discern your true motives?”
“You don’t know them already? I’m not doing my job well enough.”
Eadric winced. He knew the ease of his plans was too good to be true.
“No comeback for that? Interesting.” The voice sighed. “Don’t think moving her into your territory will stop me from fulfilling my plans, Eadric. She’s no safer there than she was in her father’s home. Walls and locks aren’t things that can stop the true destiny of a person.”
Eadric’s gaze traveled back to his computer screen, to the live feed of the bookstore. If only she knew the danger that lurked, would she still smile so brightly? “Why must you bring her into this?”
“To make you understand.”
“I did the right thing.”
“As I’m doing the right thing now. We’ll speak again.” The line clicked and went dead.
Eadric dropped his hand to his side. His phone shook in his grip and clattered to the floor. All this effort, for nothing. He thought holding her close would make it easier to survive this, but it hadn’t. He only opened the door for hate and revenge.
If only he had never brought her into this in the first place. If only he knew what to do now that she was the center of everything.
Yet... he couldn’t push her away, and he couldn’t pull her closer. What exactly was he to do?
PATIENCE HAD NEVER been Amorette’s thing, but sometimes she found it absolutely necessary. Like when she needed to sneak out of the mansion undetected.
Her door didn’t squeak, thank goodness, but the bells on the outside were a nuisance. Thus, Amorette moved slowly, careful not to yank too hard or jerk at all. If those little bells stayed quiet, she could sneak through the rest of the house.
Eadric hadn’t come back from work yet, either, which made life a whole lot simpler. One less guy to fool.
With the door open, Amorette poked her head into the hall. So far, so good. No sign of the ever-present Hunter.
Amorette tip-toed her way to the stairs.
This was where things got tricky. The house may be in good condition, but even she could tell how old it was. The stairs creaked; nothing she could do about it except pick and choose carefully.
A single toe reached out to test the first stair.
“Where are you going?”
“Oh my—” Amorette clasped a hand over her heart. Over her shoulder, she shot Hunter one of her best glares. “Don’t sneak up on people like that.”
Hunter grinned. “Sorry. Where are yo
u off to so stealthily?”
Amorette turned her lips up into an innocent smile. “I’m going to go retrieve the rest of my stuff from my room. No need to panic, I’ll be back in a couple hours.”
“I’ll drive you.”
“No!” Amorette tried not to wince. She’d never been the best at lying. Maybe she should have learned. “That is, one of the drivers is taking me, so I’ll be okay. It shouldn’t be long.”
“Are you sure?” Hunter stepped closer. “We haven’t had much time together this week. Not since your store moved into the Tower.”
Amorette shrugged her shoulders. “Let’s hang out all day tomorrow. Saturdays should be lazy, right? Movie marathon?”
The idea seemed to pacify Hunter. He backed up a step and shoved his hands into his pockets. “Alright. I’m going to hold you to that, though.”
“Two hours. Don’t tell anyone okay?” Amorette flashed one more smile before she dashed down the stairs. Silence had become a moot point the second Hunter spotted her.
She paused at the bottom of the stairs to look around for Doon, but she didn’t see him. All the better. He would pester until he got the real information. She didn’t lie, exactly. She simply omitted some of the facts.
Whatever. Every girl deserved a night off.
Amorette hastened out the front doors and breathed a sigh of relief. Almost home-free.
A sharp bark to her left startled her again.
Cronus and Kratos came bounding toward her from the side of the house.
Amorette’s first instinct was to cower against the door. The dogs had other ideas.
Kratos nuzzled his head under Amorette's hand, begging her to pet him. Cronus immediately set to work nuzzling against her opposite hip. His rough tongue found her fingers and licked.
Amorette took it as an apology and ran her hands over each of their heads. “You were just doing your job.”
Satisfied they wouldn’t hurt her today, Amorette set off down the driveway.
Yes, she told Hunter someone would drive her, but all the drivers reported everything back to Eadric. Tonight, she needed to do this alone. It was personal, and she had too many questions to ask.
The dogs trailed her all the way to the gate.
Amorette stopped to stroke each of their heads again. “Stay here.”
Of course, the dogs merely looked up at her with big, soulful eyes. Hard to resist, but Amorette knew the hard and fast rule that the Dobermans stayed on the property at all times. She was pretty sure Eadric hadn’t been joking when he said: “under penalty of death.”
Tempted as she was to bring the dogs along, Amorette slipped through the gate without them. Their frenzied barking served to distract the guard for the brief moment Amorette needed to escape down the road.
There was a bus stop not too far from the house, which required less extra cash than a taxi. Amorette liked the anonymity of it, too. Bus drivers rarely remembered a face when they saw so many in the course of one day. She didn’t need a bus to take her all the way home, just close enough she could walk.
The evening wind blew brisk around her, making Amorette wish she had brought a thicker jacket. She pulled the windbreaker tighter around her neck and shoulders.
The bus arrived shortly, and Amorette climbed aboard with a shiver. Approximately thirty minutes later, Amorette stepped off in her old neighborhood.
Familiar sights and smells enveloped her like a warm blanket. Amorette breathed deeply and turned down the street toward her house.
She hadn’t lied, entirely. She intended to go home this evening, but she didn’t want to tell Hunter the real reason. She didn’t want to admit that her step-mother’s text piqued her curiosity.
“Young lady!”
Amorette smiled at the voice that floated from across the street. She turned to wave at the woman. “Nannie!”
The woman waved a hand, beckoning Amorette to her side of the street.
Amorette didn’t mind the detour. She glanced both ways and jogged to Nannie’s side. “Were you at a park on the other side of town a few days ago?”
Nannie sighed. “Child, child. Always running about without scarves, mittens, or a coat.” She crooked a finger. “Come here.”
Amorette hunched in front of Nannie and wrapped her arms around her legs. “I’ve missed talking to you. I feel like we’re kindred spirits, somehow.”
“You’re a fanciful girl.” Nannie looped a scarf around Amorette’s neck.
Her wrinkles didn’t look quite as pronounced in the dim evening light. Amorette could see the remains of a beautiful woman in their place. Even at this old age, Nannie seemed prettier than Amorette expected.
“I may be fanciful, but it makes life more interesting, don’t you think?” Amorette laughed.
Nannie patted a hand against Amorette’s shoulder. “How so? Tell me a bit about your interesting life.”
Amorette glanced down the road. She would rather tell Nannie than anyone inside her old home. “I don’t live in this neighborhood anymore. A rich CEO took me in and I stay at his house now.”
“Alone?” Nannie arched a brow.
Amorette shook her head. “No. My friend Hunter stays there, too. And my new friend Doon. It’s not like we all see each other that much anyway. Doon and Eadric and I have work, and Hunter has school, so most of the time we’re not all together in the house, anyway.”
“But it is fanciful, isn’t it? My, my, you’re going up in the world. A CEO benefactor? Why, in my day, such a thing wasn’t heard of except in scandals.” Nannie clucked her tongue.
Amorette laughed again. “The thing is, I’m confused. I thought I liked Hunter, but... the more time I spend around... someone else... the more I think I might like them too. I’m coming to depend on him. Is that bad?”
“That’s how relationships often start.” Nannie plucked at the scarf around Amorette's neck. “You began as friends?”
“Not exactly.” Amorette wrinkled her nose.
“Then what, exactly, did you begin as?”
“Um... bitter enemies? We argue a lot. He’s so stubborn about things and sometimes I need some space, you know?”
“Ah, so there’s passion brewing in your relationship.”
“Nannie!” Amorette pressed her hands to her face. “I think this is where this conversation needs to end.”
“Don’t misunderstand me.” Nannie laughed this time, a sound like the bells on Amorette’s door. “People always misunderstand the word passion. In this case, it’s two people who burn hot with conviction and a sense of justice. It isn’t a bad thing. Try to find the good in each other, to see how similar you are. Destiny will run its course, one way or another.”
“Thank you.” Amorette breathed a sigh of relief.
Nannie’s words meant more than she knew. To Amorette, they meant another day she didn’t have to worry too hard. Worry over relationships was the last thing she needed tonight. Especially when there were other things to worry about.
“I have to go now. If I don’t leave after a few hours and someone comes looking for me, will you point them toward my house?”
Nannie nodded. “Go on. You’re shaking from the cold. Get yourself inside.”
Amorette blew a kiss and stood. Home wasn’t so far away now, just a short jog. She raced toward her front door and, upon arriving, found it unlocked.
She pushed inside.
Four people sat around the coffee table, laughing as if they were the picture perfect family. Only, Amorette knew the difference.
She wrapped her fingers around the long scarf Nannie had given her. “D-dad?”
Her step-siblings both stopped to send a glare her way. Her step-mother wasn’t much better.
Her father, of course, didn’t see any of the looks they gave her. His attention snapped to Amorette immediately. His smile faltered, then fell. “Amorette.”
“Have you eaten yet?” Her step-mother pasted on a bubbly personality. “We already ordered takeout but you’re
welcome to join us.”
“That... would be nice.” Amorette couldn’t tear her gaze from her father’s eyes.
Why did he look so disappointed? Why were his eyes so sad and remorseful? She didn’t understand. Didn’t he want to see her? It had been years. Why show up now?
All these questions, but none managed to force their way past her heart.
Her father didn’t look away, but his expression didn’t change either. Amorette remembered, briefly, how deep his eyes went. In the oldest vestiges of her childhood, she remembered wondering how her father’s eyes always told a story. Today was no different, except she couldn’t discern what the story meant.
“O-on second thought... maybe I... should just get my things and go.” Amorette spun toward her room.
“Stay.” Her father’s voice was quiet but firm, like always.
Amorette looked over her shoulder at him. “Are you sure?”
He nodded. His fingers splayed over the couch cushion beside him. “Sit here. I think we have a lot to discuss. It’s been a while.”
None of this made sense, but Amorette wouldn’t pass up a chance to spend even a few minutes with her dad. She missed him. It frustrated her, not seeing him around for the years her step-mother raised her. It angered her that he would abandon them like that.
He would never know any of that if she didn’t say something. If only she could get her words to work.
“If she’s busy, we should let her go.” Amorette’s step-mother tried to paste a smile on her face, but it fell flat.
Amorette’s father shook his head. “Are you telling me to send away my daughter, who has grown into the living image of her mother? Are you telling me to let her walk away without even taking the time to memorize her face again?”
“I look like mom?” Amorette’s stomach quivered. Her mother, whom she remembered as beautiful. Did she really look like her?
Her dad nodded. “So much it startled me.”
Amorette relaxed into the couch. She looked like her mom. She always hoped, but there was no one to tell her if she resembled the woman. At least one good thing came from her father’s reappearance.
“We ordered Chinese food. Is that okay?”
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