She smiles. “It’s okay. I asked for an office a few years back and was denied. Mr. Kingwood senior liked to keep his staff hidden. Understandable, I guess.”
“Not really, but I’ve never run a home, much less a manor.”
“You had an apartment. I’m sure that was run seamlessly.”
“You give me too much credit.” Glancing to the phone, I ask, “May I?”
“Yes, of course. My apologies.” She steps into the room and flips a laminated piece of paper over. Pointing to the number, she taps. “Here it is. I’ll give you some privacy.”
A twinge of pain shoots through my side when I sit. This was not a good way to wake up, but the pain is minor compared to my frustration of him being gone. Again. He doesn’t get it. I worry about him. If I was attacked for being with him, what will they do to him, whoever they are?
My gaze wanders the surface of the desk while I listen to the phone ringing on the other end. I land on a stack of periwinkle blue stationery in one of the desk trays. Something is printed across the top in gold, but is shadowed by the top tray. Glancing over my shoulder, I check to see if Neely is still there. As she’s not around for me to ask, I start to pull the piece of paper out even though I know better than to snoop. Alexander’s voice comes on the line, “Yes, Neely.”
Caught. The paper is dropped in front of me. “It’s me.”
“Hey there. Is everything okay?”
I realize this must be worrying. “I’m okay. I’m fine.”
“Why are you calling from this number?”
“My phone is dead. I forgot to charge it.” I look down and notice the gold lettering of the stationery. The lettering has a soft sheen to it. “It will be charged shortly. I just didn’t want you to worry. When will you be back?”
“I’m on my way. Just leaving the penthouse now.”
Fully invested in this paper, I say, “I’ll see you soon, Alexander.” Tilting the paper to catch the light, my breath catches.
“Hey, Firefly?”
I smile, cherishing his voice calling me that name. “Yes?”
“Love you.”
“Love you, too. Now come home to me.”
“See you soon.”
“Bye.” I hang up the phone and read the stationery head.
From the desk of Madeline Kingwood
The added whimsical touch of a bee replaces the dot of the i. I shouldn’t have snooped and tuck the paper back in. Looking up, I see a photo on the wall to the right, but not before I’m busted. “I couldn’t throw it out.”
Turning to find Neely behind me with her hands clasped in front of her, I ask, “The stationery or the photo?”
She smiles as if recalling a fond memory. “I was told to throw everything out, to burn it, but I couldn’t. The stationery is all that remains of the office she kept next door to Mr. Kingwood’s office down the hall. The photo is one I’ll always treasure.”
“I’m sorry for snooping.” I come out from the confined space.
“It’s just paper, Sara Jane. Nothing personal. Well, for me it is, but to anyone else it’s just a stack of stationery.”
“What can you tell me about her?” A smile lights up Neely’s face, and it’s easy to see how much she adored Alexander’s mother. Non-biological mother.
“Join me for tea?”
I nod.
A few minutes later, she’s pouring the hot water into cups and we move to the breakfast area to sit at the glass table. “Mrs. Kingwood was a wonderful woman. Her love was big and bold, and she was the only one who could tame the beast.”
“Alexander’s father?”
“Yes,” she replies with a soft laugh. “She could have tamed anyone quite honestly. She was engaging and a wonderful listener. When you spoke to her, she made you feel like she cared.”
Her hand pats the table between us. “You remind me of her in so many ways—your kind nature and soft corners. It’s easy to lose yourself in these walls, to harden like the statues in the garden. Many people conspire to bring the Kingwoods down, but it’s usually the closest that manage it. Hold on to who you are on the inside, Sara Jane.”
Holding her gaze, I appreciate her sweet comparison to someone my Alexander loved so much, but it came with a definitive warning to keep some walls up, to protect myself, and that rattles me. I change the subject to not get trapped in that spiral of conspiracy. “The paper had a bee. Did she like bees?”
“That’s not a bee.”
“It’s not?”
She smiles. “It’s a firefly. Madeline was fascinated with them.” Leaning forward, she whispers as if she’s sharing a secret. “I have a theory.” I lean in, eyes wide. “I think she related to them a little bit. Something so beautiful should always be free to shine. Once you’ve captured it, caged it, its light will eventually burn out.” Neely grabs a napkin from the holder and dabs her eyes.
My eyes lower, my heart racing as my mind begins to spin. The underlining message isn’t subtle. I sip my tea, hoping the warm liquid will soothe my concerned thoughts. She was caught and trapped in this fortress, her light snuffed out too soon.
Am I next?
I must be transparent, my worries obvious. Reaching over, Neely covers my hand with hers, and whispers, “Some people only shine when they’re free.”
My Alexander loves me. He wants me, but he also wants me to fly. He wants me to shine. “You mean bugs, not people.”
“Yes, of course,” she replies, pulling her cup up to take a sip.
The clacking of heels across the wood floors grabs our attention. April stands under the arch with her arms crossed. With her eyes as daggers, she glares at Neely.
What the hell?
April speaks to Neely, “You took a break two hours ago.”
Neely stands, a forced smile on her face. “I’ll stay an extra ten minutes this evening. Is there anything you require at this time?”
Require. Flashes of Alexander’s father appear, but my eyes lead me back to April, sickened by how identical they sound using the term. April only saw Alexander’s father once. How dare she come in here like she’s the Lady of the Manor, bossing the staff around. The staff actually work. I doubt April’s ever had a job. I steady myself with my hands to the table. “You shouldn’t talk to people like that.”
April’s eyes redirect to me—the darkness that fills her soul unmistakable in her large pupils. “She should know her place.”
“You should know yours.”
She gasps, her hand going to her chest in complete offense. “How dare y—?”
“Sara Jane?” Alexander calls from the front door.
“In here,” I reply loudly so he hears.
As soon as he comes around behind April, he smiles when he sees me. “Hey, baby.”
With my eyes back on April, I arch an eyebrow in challenge. “What were you going to say, April?”
Alexander’s fingers tilt my chin, and he kisses me as if nothing in the world exists except for him and me. I wrap my arms around his middle, and my body gravitates closer to his. With our lips firmly pressed together, I forget about April and her petty plays for power. For the time being.