SMILE

7.Playing with The Devil

SMILE

Chapter 7: Playing with The Devil

Third person's P.O.V

The silence definitely stood, as well as the table, in between both of them. A calculated amount of breaths were exchanged, and so were shuffling movements under the table restricted. There was no ease, but there was tension, that was for sure. Occupying the seats that faced opposite each other was an emotionless Nicole and of course, unreadable Anna Bright.

"So, Nicole." Anna's voice finally decided to break the silence, but not the tension, only to be cut off.

"Don't bother, Anna. You will not be getting anything from me." Nicole told her, crossing her arm. "I don't care how much my mum is paying you, you still won't get anything from me." She repeated.

"Who said I would, Nicole?" Anna asked, wisely putting the pieces together and to her advantage as well. "You're worried, aren't you? Worried I might get something." The way she said it sent shills out of fear into Nicole. Placing files away, Anna leaned into Nicole's burning gaze and tilted her head.

Nicole hated when Anna did this. She hated when she tried, hated that she was just too damn good at her job. "Aren't you, Nicole?" Anna persisted, conscious of who she was dealing with and doing.

Playing with the devil.

"Whatever gets you a fat cheque." Nicole muttered to her hearing. She leaned back down, arms crossed in a nonchalant way. She knew she was getting on Anna's nerves and she laughed inwards.

"You didn't deny." Anna pointed out, leaning back and interlacing her hands. She awaited response.

"If you want answers, Anna, you got a long night ahead of you cos I ain't giving you shit." She said.

"Heard about your sister." Anna said, grabbing Nicole's attention. "From what I see, you love her so much that you'd do just about anything for her." She said. "Am I right, Nicole?" She asked. Pried.

"She is my sister." Nicole smartly answered. "What do you expect?"

"But something's wrong, isn't it?" Anna pried. "Isn't it, River?"

Uh oh.

Nicole narrowed my eyes at the choice of name used purposely. "Don't you ever call me that." She warned, banging a fist upon the table, creating a loud resonating across the silent room. Anger.

"Then stop shutting me out."

"You were never gonna be in."

A minute of silence.

"I think I've gotten what I want." Anna said, not even flinching at Nicole's burning gaze. "Just got a reaction from you." She smiled tightly. "Class dismissed."

Nicole stood abruptly. "You won't find what you are searching for, Anna." She said. "Don't bother."

¶¶¶¶

Nicole's P.O.V

I parked my car while staring at the house Juliana pointed at. It was quite a mansion, but more of a home; what I did not have. It's architecture was modern, with sets of vases containing beautiful flowers arranged - consisting of daises and sunflowers. Neat and relaxing, it felt and looked good. In one word, it was peaceful.

"Yes, Nicole. This is Ella's house." I gave her an unbelieving look as I raised a brown. "Been here a lot of times." Juliana explained, with an eye roll. She unbuckled the seatbelt she refused to put on.