The Woman In The West Wing
551 Words
Chapter 5
Amara couldn't move.
The woman stood in the doorway, her long black hair falling over one shoulder. She wore a simple white dress, and despite the dust around the room, she looked elegant.
"You look frightened," the woman said with a gentle smile.
"I... I didn't mean to come in here."
"I know."
Her voice was calm, almost comforting.
"Come closer."
Every instinct told Amara to run.
But curiosity held her in place.
She took a few slow steps forward.
The room was unlike the rest of the mansion. It felt lived in. Fresh flowers sat in a vase by the window. A piano stood in the corner, its lid still open.
"You play beautifully," Amara said quietly.
"Thank you."
The woman studied her for a moment.
"So, Damien finally got married."
Amara nodded.
"It wasn't exactly my choice."
A faint sadness crossed the woman's face.
"It rarely is... in this family."
Before Amara could ask what she meant, footsteps echoed through the hallway.
Fast.
Heavy.
Someone was running.
The woman's smile vanished.
"You need to leave."
"What?"
"Now."
The bedroom door burst open.
Damien stood there, breathing heavily. His tie was loose, and his eyes were filled with anger.
"Amara!"
She had never heard him raise his voice before.
"What are you doing here?"
"I was just—"
"I told you never to enter the west wing."
"I'm sorry..."
His jaw tightened.
"Come with me."
He gently but firmly took her wrist and led her out of the room.
As the door closed, Amara looked back.
The mysterious woman simply stood there, watching them leave.
---
They didn't speak until they reached Damien's office.
He closed the door.
For several seconds, silence filled the room.
Finally, he spoke.
"Did she tell you anything?"
Amara frowned.
"Who is she?"
Damien turned toward the window.
"I asked you a question."
"And I asked you one."
He remained silent.
Amara folded her arms.
"You're hiding something."
"Yes."
"Then tell me."
"No."
Frustration bubbled inside her.
"I signed your ridiculous contract."
"You signed it willingly."
"I've respected every rule except one."
"And that one rule exists for a reason."
Amara took a deep breath.
"The woman said something strange."
Damien slowly turned around.
"What did she say?"
"She said... 'It rarely is, in this family.'"
For the first time since they'd met, Damien looked genuinely shaken.
He walked back to his desk and leaned against it.
"You must never speak to her again."
"Why?"
"Because she's dangerous."
"Dangerous?" Amara asked in disbelief. "She didn't seem dangerous at all."
"That's exactly why you should be careful."
Before Amara could argue, there was a knock on the office door.
Mrs. Evelyn stepped inside.
"Sir... there's a visitor."
"Who?"
Mrs. Evelyn hesitated.
"Miss Vanessa Reed."
Damien closed his eyes briefly.
"Tell her I'm busy."
"I'm afraid..." Mrs. Evelyn said carefully, "...she's already inside."
Just then, the office door swung open without permission.
A tall, glamorous woman in a designer red dress walked in confidently.
Her eyes landed on Amara.
She looked her up and down before letting out a mocking laugh.
"So..."
She crossed her arms.
"This is the girl you married?"
Amara felt the room grow tense.
Vanessa smiled—but there wasn't a trace of kindness in it.
"I expected someone... prettier.
- Writer
