Spark ( Book 3: Stronger Series )

29. Surprise

The next day I was gifted with a surprise visit from Irina and Anya. I was so excited to see them my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. They couldn't understand my words, but they could translate through my body language.

Irina gave me a fresh new cut and blow out while Anya took care of my nails and toes. I was a little shocked to see she was painting my toes a shiny bright red with sparkly white tips, which wasn't my usual color. But what was even more suspicious was when she continued to paint my finger nails the same red color while giving my ring fingers an accent nail that resembled a candy cane. It was a cool design, and I praised her well for it.

I found it oddly intriguing that Anya had given me a Christmas-themed manicure and pedicure. Maybe Darren had been listening to me last night about the holidays, after all. Maybe I could ask for a small Christmas tree for my room or something. That would be nice, especially since no Christmas decorations adorned the house. If my iPod didn't have a calendar on it, I'd never know what day it was, and that would make things even more miserable than before.

It was weird having Clive and Owen present in the room while Anya and Irina worked. It made everything that much more uncomfortable, the anxiety in the room palpable. I felt like this was an overstep—another invasion of time that was precious to me. It was completely unnecessary, especially after Holly.

When I met Darren for dinner, I waited until he was finished eating, hoping that his satisfied palate would make for better negotiations. I finally got the nerve to speak up when I felt my plate had been diligently cleared enough and cleared my throat.

"Do Clive and Owen have to be present in my room when Anya and Irina are there?" I asked as nicely as possible.

"Yes," Darren said without even looking at me, dismissing the question.

I grimace at him. "Why? I'm not going to do anything."

"I know. And them being there is exactly why you won't."

I almost rolled my eyes. "Even if they weren't there, I still wouldn't do anything. I don't need a repeat of what happened to Holly," I said gravely.

"You've already admitted to me once that my absence makes you care less about my rules. And I've already stretched far enough on letting you roam the woods without your bodyguards as it is. That is as far as my trust in you will go."

I pursed my lips. "Could they at least just stand outside my open bedroom door?" I tried to counter.

"No. Now, come on. I have a gift for you."

I paled.

Oh, no. Not another "gift."

The failed negotiations forgotten, Darren took me by my hand and led me over to the living room where a rectangular box, wrapped in red and gold wrapping paper and a big red bow sat on the coffee table. Setting me down on the couch, Darren placed the present on my lap and sat down across from me.

"Open it," he said with a nod.

Biting the inside of my cheek, I carefully opened the present; gently tearing off the paper and crumpling it into a ball to make the least amount of mess as possible, I finally opened the box. Pushing aside the white tissue paper, my hands encountered soft black fabric.

Oh, God. Please no lingerie...

Lifting the material in front of my face, I came to realize it was a single pair of black leggings. Confused, I felt the thick cloth in my hands noticing they were fleece lined. There was no way I'd need to wear fleece-lined leggings here, especially since I wasn't technically allowed to wear pants... so what the fuck were these for?