Her mother's words weighed heavily on her chest. She couldn't stop thinking about it, about why her mother would make such a stupid decision. A slave!!! Her mother was a slave!!!
Did Damon know this?
Was he involved in this?
How could he not? It was his family after all. She went about the whole day thinking. The money she had gotten was useless. What use was the money if she could not use it to solve her problems?
What use was it?
She thought endlessly about what she could do, if there was ever a way she could stop or at least do something that would help, but nothing came to mind.
There was a lot her mother wasn’t telling her. She had to find out what it was.
Margaret walked in, Caelia barely even noticed that she was in the kitchen with her.
"Caelia!!! Caelia!!!"
She screeched.
Caelia turned and stared at her, wondering what the problem was this time.
"Caelia, I can't believe what I just saw in the living room! The green vase is shattered into a million pieces, and it was your responsibility to clean the living room properly. You have been so careless lately!"
A vase?! Caelia couldn't remember anything about a vase, but then again, she had not really been focused at work lately, how would she even remember?
She had the faintest memory of cleaning the living room, but she didn't think she broke the vase. It must have happened after she was done cleaning, it must have bene somebody else. But Margaret would not care deeply enough to thoroughly investigate.
Why blame anyone when Caelia her favorite scapegoat was right there?!
"Are you even listening to me? This kind of attitude cannot continue."
"Ms Margaret, I didn't break any vase. It wasn't me."
Margaret glared at her, her eyes so huge they looked like they were going to pop out of their sockets.
"Wasn't you?! It was during your shift!!!"
"Who else could it be?!"
Caelia ignored her and looked away.
"I've had it with you! I have half a mind to fire you right now. Maybe that would teach you a lesson!!!"
Caelia scoffed. Fire her?! She would really like to see Margaret try. There was no way they would fire her, not if Mrs Wright expects her debt to be paid.
"Don't just stand there like a lifeless statue! I'm talking to you! If you can't handle this job properly, then I have no use for you. Consider yourself on thin ice!!!"
With those words, Margaret stormed out of the kitchen, leaving Caelia alone once again.
Caelia sighed, savouring the silence once again, she went back to her cleaning.
Greta walked in not long after, she must have heard everything that transpired with the pitiful look on her face.
"Hey."
She murmured and Caelia nodded at her.
She didn't say a word to her and went back to her job.
"The vase thing, That was me, I will talk to Margaret about it."
Caelia paused and smiled.
"It's okay. She already thinks I did it. I don't mind taking the blame."
Greta looked dumbfounded, she scratched her chin.
"But why would you do that?"
Caelia shrugged
"It won't give her any satisfaction to know that you did it. She'd rather think it's me."
"I heard her threatening you..."
All empty threats.
Caelia scoffed.
"I know. But there's really nothing she can do."
"Even if she tells Mrs Wright?!"
Greta was very confused by Caelia's sudden uncaring and unfeeling attitude, it was unlike her.
"Don't think too much about all that I told you that I would take the blame for you. Or would you rather be on probation yourself or have to pay for the vase?!"
Greta quickly shook her head.
"Oh I couldn't afford it even if I wanted to! It must cost a small fortune!"
Caelia ignored her.
Greta watched her uncomfortably.
"What's up with you lately? Are you okay?"
She looked around, then she edged closer to Caelia and whispered in a very low voice.
"Is it Damon?"
Caelia froze. She turned and glared at Greta.
"No. No it's not."
"Then what is it? What's wrong with you?"
"Don't worry about me and get back to work."
"I will… but let me ask you a question Caelia."
Caelia looked at Greta.
"Do you like him?"
"Do you like Damon?"
She repeated.
Caelia stood rigid in a spot.
Did she like Damon? She didn't think she had ever asked herself such a question before, in such a straighforward manner too.
It was easy to say no, but her heart would be saying a different thing. All this while she had been telling herself something different.
"Why are you asking me about that? You should get back to work Greta."
"Answer my question first and I'll be out of here."
"No. I don't."
"Is that answer enough for you?"
Caelia asked as she stared at Greta.
Greta shrugged.
"It would have been. But I know you, you're lying. So I'll give you a little advice."
"He's the worst of them all."
Greta's voice was low, she was almost whispering but Caelia could hear every word of what she said. The worst?!
Greta walked around her, staring straight ahead ominously.
"I once heard he doesn't drink straight from the vein and before you think that's noble, it's because he cannot stop."
"Where? Where did you hear all this?"
Caelia asked.
Greta chuckled.
"Does it matter?"
"Whatever you do, stay away from him Caelia."
"He's a beast."
.........................................
In the grand expanse of her mansion, Samantha sat by the window, bathed in the gentle morning light. Her unruly appearance, with disheveled hair and a worn bathrobe, hinted at the intensity of her thoughts. As she clutched a steaming cup of coffee, she stared out at the beautifully manicured gardens, lost in contemplation. What was she to do about Caelia? Or about the fact that Damon's entire coven was out searching for a woman who did not exist.
It was only a matter of time before they uncovered their scheme. And she truly didn't know what they would be more angry about, the fact that she had invited a non human to such an exclusive event or the fact that their Lord Damon had now performed the marital rites to the said human.
Sipping her coffee, Samantha allowed her thoughts to wander, seeking inspiration from the scenery outside. The graceful dance of the cherry blossoms and the tranquil trickle of the fountain sparked a glimmer of an idea. Slowly, she started to connect the dots, envisioning her plan and watching it slowly materialize in her head.
As her mind whirled with possibilities, the sound of footsteps broke her concentration. Samantha turned her head, her eyes meeting those of Olga. Olga had worked for her family for years, always a calming presence amidst the chaos of her daily life.
And now, seeing her in front of her brought her more clarity than ever.
"Good morning, Samantha" Olga greeted her with a warm smile, noticing the intensity in her gaze. "Breakfast is already downstairs. Aren't you coming down??"
Samantha paused, momentarily thrown off balance by the interruption. She studied Olga's kind face, appreciating the concern in her eyes. Taking a deep breath, she smiled back and replied, "Thank you, Olga. I'm just lost in thought. But you know what? I believe I've found the solution I've been searching for."
Olga looked interested, she edged closer to Samantha with a curious look on her face.
"Is this about Caelia?"
Samantha nodded.
"Yes. Yes it is."
"And what is this solution that you have come up with?"
Olga asked as she put her hands behind her back.
"We'll lead them away from us, give them a false lead to chase. That should keep them busy for a while. Don't you think?"
Olga looked deep in thought for a moment, then she asked.
"And how do you plan to do that?"
Samantha shrugged.
"An anonymous call, saying I know the location of the bride."
"But do you think that they will all for it?"
Samantha scoffed.
"I believe they will be desperate enought to check it out. It's been a while and they've come up with nothing."
"They must need all the help they can get."
"Besides, I heard that Damon has instructed his cadre to find her. And every family in his coven has a spy or two looking out. This lead will be the perfect distraction."
Olga looked unsure.
But she nodded her head and said, "If you say so, what do you need me to do?
"I need a burner phone to make the call. Then I'll call a member of Damon's cadre, they’ll follow the lead."
Olga nodded.
"Right away Olga."
Samanthat murmured.
Olga hurried away.
An hour later, she was back with what Samantha had requested for and Samantha placed the call.
Joel picked up immediately.
"I have information about someone you're looking for."
She said into the phone.
There was a long pause before Joel finally answered.
"Speak."
He simply said.
"Well, the bride you're looking for is on her way to San Franciso right now, rumour has it that also has family on the coast. And she has gone visiting. Her name is Ella right?"
"Ella Stone, that’s her full name.”
She lied confidently.
Joel didn't answer.
"And who are you?"
"No one of importance, but I used to work for Ella. And I would like my identity to not be revealed. I've helped out the way I can. Do whatver you want with the informaion that I've provided."
With those words, Samantha cut the call and slammed the phone on the floor with so much force that it cracked and split at the side.
Olga looked at her wearily.
"I have some news."
She said and Samantha looked up at her.
"What?"
"When I was out, I overheard the Prestons talking about the event, they were very discrete but I managed to pick out some of the things they were talking about like you taught me."
"What were they saying?"
"They're searching memories to figure out who attended the ball and who didn't. Apparently, the one who didn't attend would be queried."
Samantha turned pale.
Memory searching. A pesky talent that a member of the cadre had. He could see through someone’s memories of a particular event with just a touch. If she didn’t;t turn up in anyone's memories then they would find out that she didn’t attend despite being on the attendance list.
Nobody from her family did.
But the attendance was marked.
She would be queried.