"And this is the second entrance, in case you require discreet access. The remaining lounges reside within the eastern wing."
"Mhhhmm."
Yep, that map would really could in handy any time now.
The moment I got up, Travis suddenly apparated by my side and gave me my much-needed tour of the mansion. The rest of the people, other than the occasional guards, were nowhere to be seen.
When I had gotten up for this breakfast Felicity and Angelo had seemed to have disappeared, though the chef, Charlotte Wees, created a splendid English breakfast for me. From the perfectly cooked eggs to the sizzling bacon and the golden-brown toast, each element was a testament to her culinary mastery.
"Yes," I nodded at Travis. "If you don't mind me asking, where are the others? Felicity and Angelo?"
And where is the fucking map?
Travis's expression remained unchanged, his gaze unwavering. "Mrs. De Luca is currently occupied in her office, while the young master is attending his classes at Thronwood Elite."
"I see," I paused for a second, weighing my words carefully. "May I please speak to Felicity?"
"Of course, ma'am," Travis nodded in acknowledgment. "Just a moment, ma'am," he replied, his voice carrying a sense of unwavering obedience. "Mrs. Arritagon will lead the way."
I turned and saw Mrs. Arritagon waiting in the foyer with a kind smile on her face. "This way," she beckoned, her voice soothing and comforting.
I observed the woman intently, my eyes carefully tracing her features. The fatigue from the previous night had prevented me from noticing the striking resemblances between the girl I had encountered and the woman standing before me. But in the morning light, the similarities were glaringly apparent.
The smile. The nose. The freckles.
There was no doubt that Celeste Arritagon was her daughter.
"I met your daughter yesterday," I casually commented. "She seems very nice and friendly."
Mrs. Arritagon's body froze, and I nearly collided with her in surprise. The air around us turned tense as she slowly turned around to face me, her expression guarded and cautious.
"You met Celeste?" she asked, her voice laced with a mixture of curiosity and concern.
I maintained my composure, meeting Mrs. Arritagon's gaze with a steady look. "Yes, we had a brief encounter," I replied, carefully choosing my words. "She was kind enough to extend a friendly gesture."
To my surprise, Mrs. Arritagon's body relaxed, and a slow smile curved her lips. It was as if a hidden tension had dissipated, replaced by a genuine warmth. "Did she offer you the cookies?" she asked, a hint of amusement in her voice. "She always does that when she meets someone new."
"No," I admitted, intrigued by this newfound insight into Celeste's character.
Mrs. Arritagon laughed, her laughter echoing through the hallway as she continued to lead me up another flight of stairs.
"Well, you should be prepared for them," she said, her tone filled with anticipation. "Her baking skills are known to be legendary. You're in for a treat."
We reached a door, and Mrs. Arritagon paused, her hand resting on the doorknob. "Here is Mrs. De Luca," she said, her voice softening.
With a deep breath, I nodded, ready to uncover the truths that lay within this world.
Knock. Knock.
After receiving a response, I cautiously pushed open the door to Felicity's office.
As I stepped inside, my gaze immediately fell upon the centerpiece of the room—a vase that stood proudly on a nearby table. It was impossible to miss, and equally impossible to ignore.
It was beyond hideous.
Its garish colors clashed in a discordant symphony, and its asymmetrical shape defied any sense of aesthetic appeal. It seemed out of place amidst the otherwise elegant and tasteful surroundings. I couldn't help but wonder why such an eyesore had found its way into Felicity's office.
After all, the woman seemed to know and command every bit of fashion.
A clearing of a throat interrupted me from my musings and I focus my attention on the office.
It worried me how much Amberly and Felicity looked alike.
I turned my gaze towards Felicity, taking in her composed posture behind the polished mahogany desk. Her piercing eyes seemed to hold secrets, and I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her than met the eye.
Beside her sat a woman, her presence exuding a no-nonsense aura that demanded respect. Dressed in professional attire, her hair tightly tied in a bun, she appeared to be someone who didn't tolerate any nonsense.
As Felicity rose from her seat, the room seemed to shift in response to her commanding presence. "This is Andrea Marlton, my personal assistant," she introduced, gesturing to the unknown woman. "If I'm not around and you do need anything, you can always find her."
Andrea stood up, her eyes briefly locking with mine as she acknowledged my presence. "Pleasure to meet you, Miss De Luca," she said, her tone polite yet tinged with a subtle undertone of caution.
"The pleasure is mine," I murmured quietly, observing the women.
She turned to Felicity, a silent exchange passing between them, words unspoken but understood. "I will be outside if you need anything," Andrea stated, her voice composed and professional.
She then gracefully exited the room, closing the door with a small thud, leaving me alone with Felicity.
"Have a seat," Felicity said, gesturing at the plush chairs.
After a beat of silence, she continued. "I'm sorry I couldn't join you for breakfast today," she spoke softly, her fingers fiddling nervously.
I observed her carefully, my gaze searching for any hints of deception or ulterior motives.
It was surprising to see Felicity display such vulnerability, as she had always struck me as a woman who kept her emotions tightly guarded, revealing only what she wanted others to see.
A thought crossed my mind, like a flicker of suspicion in the shadows. Was this a ploy to gain my trust, a calculated move to make me feel more at ease in her presence?
Or was there something deeper at play, something that she couldn't hide even if she tried?
With a measured response, I chose my words carefully. "No need to apologize, Felicity," I replied, my tone neutral yet tinged with a trace of skepticism. "I understand how busy things can get."
And I don't mind if you missed breakfast. Amberly used to do it all the time.
"No," Felicity said firmly, "I mean it Vanessa, I want you to feel as comfortable here as possible."
I nodded numbly, unsure how to respond.
My gaze shifted slightly, instinctively drawn to the papers scattered on Felicity's desk. It was a subtle distraction, a means to divert my thoughts from the weight of the situation.
"Where is Anthena?" I asked, trying to fill the silence that hung between us. "I thought she would be here."
Felicity's eyes met mine, and there was a flicker of concern in her gaze. "I've sent Andrea to get her," she explained, her tone measured. "She should be here shortly."
None of us uttered a single word as the weight of the silence settled upon us. In that moment, Felicity's unwavering gaze bore into me, searching for any signs of...something.
"I know you are confused, Vanessa with everything, and I want to make this as clear as possible."
"Well," I looked directly at Felicity in the eye, "You could start by telling me why you left me with Aunt Amberly. Why? What happened? Where were you?"
Felicity sighed heavily, fatigue etched across her face, and she scrubbed her hands over her tired features. A humorless smile graced her lips as she mustered a response.
"You and your father are so much alike, more than you know. Viktor doesn't beat around the bush when it comes to asking questions."
"I'm sorry, but it's hard not to notice when my life was turned upside down, and you were nowhere to be found," I retorted, my tone laced with frustration and a hint of bitterness.
Felicity winced, a flicker of pain crossing her features, acknowledging the truth in my words. It was a jab that hit its mark, though perhaps harsher than intended. But in that moment, anger and disappointment overshadowed any consideration for diplomacy.
Vanessa calm down and focus. You can't fuck this up now, not when you don't know their motives...yet.
"Thirteen years, six months, one week, and six days," Felicity stated, her voice laced with a mix of weariness and regret.
I looked up, my eyes meeting hers, searching for an explanation. "What?" I uttered, my voice laden with confusion and a tinge of desperation.
Felicity continued, her gaze locked with mine, "You haven't seen us in thirteen years, one month, two weeks, and six days."
"Why?" I looked at Felicity. "Why did you leave me for 'thirteen years, one month, two weeks, and six days'?"
"Believe me, Vanessa, not a moment from that time did we not search for you," she confessed, her voice tinged with a flicker of desperation.
Search for me? What the hell?
I raised my eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"Vanessa."
Anthena's voice called out, drawing my attention to the open door.
"Anthena..." Felicity pleaded weakly, looking at the newcomer.
She looked at her, "She needs to know."
Anthena turned to me and our eyes met, and in that intense moment, I felt a connection, a shared burden of secrets and hidden truths. Her words hung in the air, punctuating the silence with their weight.
"You had been kidnapped by Amberly Vacker," she stated, her words piercing through the haze of uncertainty. "And for the last thirteen years we have been searching for you ever since."