Everyone, before anything I'd like to ask for a prayed for those who lost family in the terrorist attacks in the US today. At this point I'm still waiting for information on my uncle, and I'm sure many others are waiting for news on loved ones
This story is taking a lot longer then I'd expected it to. Can you believe that the last three chapters (counting this one) were all supposed to be one? But like I said, with the school year started I don't have the time to write long chapters every day. It's just another of those unfortunate facts of reality. Oh and Iceani, you sure are one to talk, I'm averaging about two reviews a chapter. I'd be thrilled to get five much less ten, but then again you're story is a but faster paced.
13 – Surprises
Onica took a deep breath, relishing the morning air as it blew though her hair and morning robe filling her lungs with the sweet sea breeze. It had been a long time since she'd felt so calm and at peace, it was as if her past were truly behind her. Closing her eyes she savored the soothing air for a moment longer before turning back into her apartment and readying herself for the day ahead.
***
The entire room had changed over the course of the night, the bed curtians which Sarah had left open were now closed. On the vanity there lay a jewelry chest, sunglasses, and various unopened cosmetics. The door to the walk in closet was open and through it Sarah could see clothing. Groaning she got up and walked to the table. Pinned underneath a pair of sunglasses and a bottle of sunscreen was a note.
Sarah,
Casual and under clothes in dresser,
Formal clothing in the walk in closet,
Shoes too.
Metal key goes to front door,
Black coated to your car.
Colleen is your maid, ring for her if you need anything.
Don't wake Kenneth before eight.
Please.
Ian
Glancing at the clock she saw that it was seven thirty local time. How someone had gotten into her room and done all this without her knowledge was what bothered her. It suddenly occurred to Sarah that if someone had seen the contents of her overnight bag she'd have some serious explaining to do. Before going over to her bed and pulling it out however she started doing what she should have done last night; checking to see if the room had been bugged. In truth she knew it was a futile effort if the room wasn't bugged Irons could have it done at anytime, when she left, when she slept. Whenever, still though habit made Sarah watchful and as she stated her tedious task she once again wondered if she had made the wrong decision after all.
***
As Callie brushed her hair she felt a shadow stir behind her, silently she put her brush down and pulled a derringer-sized gun out of her dresser drawer. "Who's there?" No one answered and she cocked the hammer of her gun, in the mirror the reflection changed and there stood the dark shadow that was Ian Nottingham. For a moment apprehension clung to her, the next however it was gone, replaced instead by joy at seeing her dearest brother once more. "Ian!" rushing out of her chair Callie flung herself into her brothers arms, and as he returned the hug he smiled for the first time in what felt like months.
"Lian-Er, I've missed you, but I can't stay. I've come to warn you tat you're in grave danger. Your father is here and undoubtedly searching for you." Callie's joy vanished in an instant, replaced by anger, she wanted to speak but Ian stopped her. "I need to return before he misses me. I slipped a mixture of sedatives into his wine last night so he shouldn't wake up for another hour or so, but I can't be sure. I'll contact your when it's safe. "The next instant he was gone, leaving Callie alone one again, and as she returned to brushing her hair a new emotion surfaced in her heart; fear.
***
Three hours after she'd begun Sarah finished her tedious task, fairly sure that the suit hadn't been bugged, no hidden cameras were in the room and that her bag hadn't been touched. As if an after thought she had cheeked her body fur needle wounds, finding none she had finally changed into a pair of casual black pants and a tight black T-shirt. Black was the only color in which Irons had given her casual clothing, likely because according to him she was in mourning for her fiancé. A knock on her door alerted Sarah to the time and growling in her stomach. Opening it she found an African/Australian girl of maybe nineteen standing there. "Yes?"
The girl held a tray in her hands of what looked like coffee, a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon, and what looked like an envelope. "Mr. Irons sent me ma'am." The girl had a strange accent that Sarah did not recognize, pronouncing Irons I-runz. "Since you didn't come down to breakfast he sent me up, he said that you're to take the envelope because he won't have you looking like anything less the his VP. He also says that the black Ferrari in the drive way is yours and he hopes you don't mind not having a motorcycle while your here." The girl set the tray down on a table then curtsied before leaving she turned and said "By the way ma'am I'm Colleen. I sure hope you don't mind me letting Mr. Ian in here last night. He was real 'sistant 'bout getting that note to you." Sarah didn't have to open the envelope to know that she'd find money in it, reluctantly she picked it up, almost dropping it when she found the equivalent of two thousand American dollars in large bills, and then some in smaller ones. As the scent of the food wafted up to her Sarah felt her stomach growl, she was hungry yes, but not hungry enough to eat something that Irons could've tampered with. Grabbing her leather jacket and overnight bag Sarah stuffed the envelope into her pocket and walked out the door to her room. Maybe she'd see how fast the Ferrari could run before finding a decent coffeehouse.
***
As Onica walked into the office building secretaries stared, and others whispered to each other behind files or hands. Some glared, some gulped, but all avoided her as if their life depended on it. As she neared her office she saw Karen nearly drop her coffee, as she whirled her chair around from where she was talking to Dana to face Onica. "Is something the matter." Both women shook their heads empathetically. Smiling fake, fearful smiles. Onica didn't understand it but when she walked into her office, she let out a gasp of surprise and her briefcase dropped to the floor with a rather loud thud.
