How was she supposed to answer that when she needed him to pay her way out of this? Lie? Maxine knew she wasn’t good at that and would only look silly trying to come up with something to say. Instead she decided to get back on the subject. “You didn’t answer my question,” she said.
Philippe reached up to touch her but then just as his hand was centimeters from making contact, he withdrew his palm to his chest. There was so much turmoil in his eyes and she wished she could read his mind.
“You didn’t ask a question,” he said imperiously.
Knowing she looked sheepish, she smiled at her embarrassment and asked, “What can I do so I don’t have to go back to that place?”
“And to never go back to the chamber, you’re willing to give me anything? Do anything for me?”
Taking a deep breath before answering, she stated quietly, “Yes.”
“Give me this weekend to think about it.” He said simply and walked out the room.
Maxine wanted to scream. This weekend? They hadn’t requested her this weekend.
Following him out the room to demand he speak with her, she stopped just outside the door seeing him speaking with Romera Bellini and Mr. Bianchi. They were all looking very happy and she knew going over there acting as if she had lost her mind would be unprofessional. Sighing in disappointment, she turned around to go back into the conference room.
“Ms. Moore,” a young man said coming up to her.
She was riveted by his extraordinary eyes just like… There was no mistaking this was Philippe’s son.
Composing herself, she smiled cordially, but her demeanor was very stiff.
“I’m Pierre Darkore,” he introduced. “I’d like to thank you for the wonderful presentation as well. I was also very impressed.”
“Thank you.”
“I can’t wait to work with you personally on even more things to come in the future.”
She knew this was going to be good for the company she worked for and she should feel elated that she had done such a great job, but… looking at Philippe who seemed removed from the conversation they had just had in the conference room, Maxine just couldn’t muster any kind of happiness knowing the man had something planned.
Something she knew she wouldn’t like.
“I look forward to as well, Mr. Darkore.” Again she looked briefly over at Philippe before looking back at his son. “If you will excuse me.”
She returned to the conference room, gathered her things and went back to her office. People had left their congratulations on her desk or sent her emails. Quickly checking her personal account, she found an email from the Yahoo group owner.
You’ve been requested to meet at the same location at six p.m. tonight for the weekend. Reply immediately for confirmation and do not open your box. Wear only the dark colored dress and black shoes that will be under the box, nothing else.
Staring at the computer screen, she debated on hitting the reply button, but then hearing Nicole’s voice saying, “They will find you,” made her press the reply button with a simple, “Yes.”
A knock on her door made her minimize the screen and turn to Mr. Bianchi, who was coming in already.
“I’m duly impressed. Mr. Darkore was truly excited at the possibilities. I hope this means you won’t mind working on helping implement the program. The technology team told me that you were instrumental in the graphics and the design of Lisa.”
“Well, she was my partner. I had to honor her somehow. I miss her.”
Mr. Bianchi came up closer to her. “I thank you for your hard work, Maxine. You are in my debt. This could mean a lot to our company and I consider you an asset.”
“Thank you, Mr. Bianchi.”
“Why don’t you take off for the rest of the day? Mr. Darkore told me that you probably need some rest and that I should let you go early. We’ll celebrate Tuesday. I insist you take an extra day off with pay.”
"Thank you,” she said again, but her gratitude was very false because she knew Philippe was merely manipulating her life to be with him in the chamber.
When Kenneth was gone, Maxine grabbed the chain around her neck wanting desperately to rip it off, but Lieutenant Heart was right. It was strong metal and she couldn’t tear it off. Either that or her conscious wouldn’t let her.
She could pull it over her head with a lot of work, but she didn’t.
Obedience was a must!
End of Book Three: Dark Facade
COMING SOON
Book Four: Dark Façade IV – Let The Party End
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Dark Facade (Book Three) (Dark Facade Series) Page 8