WHAT SOIR READS.
979 Words
~AMANDA~
“It’s impossible for anyone to walk into this house, go to your room, take the photograph and leave.” I didn’t expect Soir to be part of this conversation but since we were having it…
“I was sure I placed it on my reading table before I slept.”
Soir retrieved his laptop from his room and set it up by the kitchen counter. I stood next to him and watched him scroll past a lot of the pack intelligence reports. He was scrolling so fast, I wondered if he was going to find anything at all.
Noir was unsettled but went back to his room to get ready to leave. I haven’t been this late so I never knew they had places they went to during the day.
Coir also left to make breakfast. I was left alone with Soir who was still scrolling through his laptop.
“You’ve been doing this for a very long time,” I noticed. Most of the surveillance was on Alicia and Long’s movements since the night of the gathering. I could tell by their dates and the name he saved them with.
“It’s my job, don’t feel special. If anyone came into this house, I would be able to see them here.”
I looked at him but he didn’t look back. He was focused on the laptop. “Why were you watching Alicia?”
I never mentioned Alicia to them before, yet she appeared on most of his surveillance. “Personal reasons.”
“Is she—” I couldn’t bring myself to ask him. If Alicia was the woman he was in love with then I am truly doomed.
“She’s not. Noir asked me. And you should know, the person who is watching you isn’t Alicia or Long.”
He read my mind. He slipped the photo into his laptop. “I’ll find who did this. You should get ready and go to work.”
“Soir,” I called before he left. “Thank you.”
He turned slightly. “I’m not doing this for you, don’t get the wrong idea.”
“I know you hate me, you don’t want anything to do with me. Neither do I. I know you have someone else you're in love with and you dread the bond and I hate that I’m in the middle of all that. But—” I nervously played with my cuticles. “You don’t have to. If Noir doesn’t do the right thing, I’ll make sure you get back to the woman you love.”
He froze till I was done talking. He snorted and left without a word. I wondered if I spoke out of turn.
However, I hate to be the point of inconvenience, if I find any opportunity to get myself out of this, I would.
I tried to put everything behind me and went to work. I was significantly late today. Priya was waiting anxiously and lit up the moment she saw me. She rushed to me, held my hand and pulled me into the staff room.
“What happened?” She asked.
I shook my head. “Nothing happened Priya.”
“Someone came looking for you today. A woman probably in her late thirties. She wore a black hat with a veil so I couldn't see her face.”
“And she said she was looking for me?” I had to ask again.
Priya nodded. “She said she was looking for Wood. Amanda Wood. I told her your last name wasn’t Wood but she insisted and I had to tell her you didn’t work here. But when she described you, I knew it was you.”
I stopped listening the moment she mentioned my last name. No one knew my last name here, I’ve never used or registered it.
She’s from the pack. “Around what time did she come in?”
“Right before we opened, it was almost sunset.”
I rushed outside even though the time Priya mentioned was about three hours ago. I scanned everywhere looking for anyone who could be watching me.
It’s hard when I don’t know what I am looking for, everyone seems to be minding their business.
“Amanda.”
I flinched and lost balance. My left foot slid and I fell into solid arms.
“It’s you,” I said.
“It’s Kane.” He helped me back up. He looked just like he did yesterday but I quickly remembered someone could be watching and taking pictures of us right now. I detached myself and nervously took a step back.
“Thank you. I didn’t think you would come earlier.”
I went back in and he followed. “I see you have my schedule written in your mind.”
“That’s not it—”
He glanced outside. “Who were you looking for?”
“Never mind.”
“Too bad. There is no one in New York that I cannot find.” It was a tempting call and I took the bait but waited a little longer.
“Your crush is here,” Priya teased and gave me the tray to serve him.
“I don’t know anyone in this city, yet someone took a photo of us talking yesterday and sent it to my house. This morning, the photo disappeared.”
He frowned. “Is that why you were surveilling?"
I nodded frantically.
“Are you ready to have a conversation with me now? I’ll still be around till you’re done with your shift.”
I nodded and told myself I was only speaking with him because he had something to offer me, something the brothers might not be able to.
If I am to blend with the humans, then I have to speak with a lot of them.
- Writer
