Chapter 169 Apartment 14c
Alessia's POV
The hallway is empty , no welcoming committee of friends or family to usher me into the apartment.
Inwardly I smile Padre really picked out the best candidate .Apartment 14c from the map is the last on this floor and Miranda should not hesitate before entering her own space . I take careful measured steps towards it . Once I am at the door I place my palm on the electric panel, it turns green as the door slides open ..
Stepping inside it slides shut behind me and I glance around the foyer the living room is on the right and the formal dining room and open kitchen is on the left it's decorated with black marble and chrome minimalist furnishing. There are no portraits or photographs on the wall. It's obvious Miranda prefers things cold and orderly she does not decorate with warmth in mind only functionality . Stepping forward I head into the living room and settle on the cold leather chair resisting the urge to yell . Flexing my shoulders I lean back on the chair feeling a slight tingle in my spine .
It's time to release the glamour for a short while just as I am about to shut my eyes there is a knock on the door.
Three low precise knock
I pause "I thought I told the busybody to not send anyone I mumble to myself .."
No one just knocks on Miranda's door for the fun of it . Taking a deep calming breath I get up and cross over to the door . I crack it open and a women is black and white maid attire stands in the doorway she lowers her eyes immediately in respect.
"Council woman Gross." her words are slow and precise.
"What is it?" I snap at her coldly
She gulps and I derive pleasure from it I hope I won't turn into a sadist by the time I am out of here.
"High Priestess Imelda sent me to make sure you don't need anything."
I am surprised they found out so quickly but I do not show it .
I wonder who it wss miss busybody or the cameras? Probably the latter.
"I don't need anything" I respond curtly and she panics for a moment.
"But what about food and refreshments.?" She persists.
I pause thinking about it logically if I don't let her in it will make them super curious so I step aside slightly for her to enter. I doubt if Miranda will close the door in a maid's face.
She steps in cautiously and walks into the kitchen as I follow her steadily. Opening the fridge she begins bringing out some making of an omelette.
"The high Priestess is surprised by your sudden return .."
Imelda , hence the reason she sent her
I did not even know I was been tested glad I did not shut the door in her face.
"Sometimes you finish official duties earlier." I add
The maid glances up giving me a faint smile
"I changed the sheets today and put in extra towels."
I nod sharply
And she carries on talking about trivial matters , the repairs that was done, food that was stocked I zone out as something shifts within me .
In my mind ,It feels far away like a voice drowned by water ..
"In seventy two hours"
I feel another tingle in my spine
The maid carries on talking blissfully unaware that she is conversing with herself .."I had her delayed...To buy you time...."
It's not in this room I know because it is Alex's voice
He isn't whispering to me he is talking to someone else .My heart beats loudly in my eyes .."Endeavour to be in and out before the time ..."
I hear the words in my mind again
This time clearer
What does seventy tow hours mean ?Delayed ? To buy time? Is he speaking with Padre on the phone and most importantly how can I hear him with so much distance between us.My chest tightens and I feel my face ripple for a moment.
The maid is still sputtering around the kitchen unaware of what happened but I felt it-
My emotions are unstable I will be changing in a few minutes she needs to go now!
She turns to me her eyebrows drawn together "is there something wrong council woman?" I take a shallow breath.
Trying to compose myself Miranda is the ice queen she doesn't react.
She never appears shaken
I moist my lips and steady my voice "No it's nothing."
As I am begining to relax another thought slams into me "I do not want to let her know how short a time frame we have"
.
But seventy hours is more than enough I think so myself as relief hits me so badly my knees nearly buckle.
My mark chooses this moment to start warming up as if responding to Alex's thoughts .The maid drops the vegetables and starts coming closer.
No! if she gets to close she may notice! I take a step back.
"Councilwomen you look-"
"That's enough." my voice comes out sharper than I had planned and she freezes , I give her another small smile to lesson the sting "I am tired after my long journey you can leave now."
"Yes Councilwoman." she leaves the things on the counter and walks towards the door and I am already heading for the bedroom before the maid steps out I speak to her without turning-
"I don't want to be disturbed tonight again."
"Yes Councilwoman" and she shuts the door behind her sighing I step into Miranda's bedroom the moment I shut the door I lean on it slowly sliding to the ground as my Glamour slips as painfully starts to fracture.
My face ripples harshly
Bones shifting rapidly
Spine elongating , shoulder straightening with no mercy the pain fills my eyes with tears I bite my inner cheek hard to keep myself from screening out then the final ripple falls into place opening my bag that I am still straddling I bring out the burner phone and check my reflection.
My real face stares back at me .Gripping the door I use it to support my weight as I stand up and head towards the bed sitting on the edge .
Sleep starts to blur my eyes but I type one final message to Alex "The lemons are blooming." The phone falls out of my hands as soon as I press tge send button and fall back on the bed as sleep overtakes me.