Spotting a socket near the window, half-hidden behind a tall lamp, she crossed the room in quick, silent steps, plugged the charger in and connected her phone.
After she plugged in her phone, Eira sighed, her eyes drifting around the room as the device slowly came back to life. Having nothing to do, and noticing that the people meant to help her 'get ready' hadn't arrived yet—probably waiting for her to bathe—she decided to do just that.
The bathroom, which she hadn't had the chance to admire the night before, stunned her when she stepped inside. The space was massive, sleek, and futuristic, with various sections designed for different uses. There were a male and female sets of everything—soaps, shampoos, bathrobes, and even slippers—arranged neatly as if the bathroom was designed for two. But what caught her eye the most was the seamless mirror that could enlarge, shrink and disappear on command. She saw it last night.
Eira took a moment to appreciate the luxury around her before getting down to business. She brushed her teeth and took a long shower, savoring the soothing water as it washed over her. Time seemed to slip away, and by the time she was done, almost an hour had passed. Emerging from the bathroom, wrapped in a plush bathrobe and towel-drying her hair, Eira was greeted by an unexpected sight.
Sitting casually on the edge of the bed was the 'old woman' who worked for the crazy guy. She was dressed differently than the first two times she saw her which was always in black.
Jania was wearing a light blue cropped denim jacket over a white crop top, paired with high-waisted distressed jeans and light-colored pointed-toe heels. Her black hair was pulled into a high ponytail, revealing sharp, glinting brown eyes that watched Eira with amusement.
"I thought you were going to spend the whole day in there," Jania said, tilting her head slightly. "Changed your mind?"
Eira rolled her eyes as she fastened the belt of her bathrobe and tossed the towel aside. "Is this how you treat all your guests? Just walk into their rooms unannounced?"
"The door wasn't locked. Didn't think it mattered," Jania replied coolly, gesturing toward the three maids standing silently nearby. "They're here to help you get ready."
Eira's eyes narrowed. "So over the top," she muttered, but her attention was drawn to the maids. One of them held an outfit encased in transparent plastic, while the others carried trays filled with hair products and makeup supplies.
She turned back to Jania, anger flickering in her eyes. "I'm not doing any of this until you tell me what the hell is going on. This morning, I woke up to find that your crazy boss in my bed, and that's nothing compared to the fact that the guy who practically abducted me yesterday was totally different from the one I saw this morning. Oh, and let's not forget his deep wounds magically healed overnight. So, how about you explain what's happening, who you people are, and what I'm doing here?"
Silence followed her outburst as Jania's gaze met hers, unflinching. Finally, Jania sighed. "I understand your frustration—"
"Get straight to the fucking point," Eira interrupted, her patience wearing thin.
"Fine." Jania's voice was calm but firm. "Get ready and follow me downstairs. You'll get all your answers there." Follow current novels on No(ᴠ)ᴇlFire.nᴇt
Eira's brow furrowed in skepticism. "Right, and I'm supposed to just believe you?"
"You know Doctor Liam, don't you?" Jania asked, ignoring her question. "He was the one who performed surgery on you, the one where, from what I've heard, you died and came back to life. He's here, and Master Lyle is his patient. I wasn't lying when I said he's ill."
Eira sneered. "You've clearly done your homework on me."
Jania nodded. "Of course. Master Lyle would expect nothing less."
"And what did you find out?" Eira asked, her tone sharp as she picked up a comb and started running it through her damp hair.
Jania's lips curved slightly, though her eyes remained serious. "That you, Ephyra Allen, are very unlucky. You have a family that wouldn't hesitate to kill you. Your stepmother..." Jania trailed off, shaking her head. "She's really something."
The comb paused in Eira's hand. Her body tensed as the words sank in. "It was my stepmother?"
Jania smirked. "You catch on quick."
A laugh escaped Eira's lips. "Impressive. You managed to find out in a few hours something that would take me a while to figure out. I should thank you."
Jania didn't flinch at her sarcasm. "You're welcome," she said, her tone dry. "Now, will you get ready?"
Eira turned her attention back to the mirror, brushing through her hair with renewed focus. "Do I have a choice?"
"Sadly, no," Jania responded with a tight smile.
Twenty minutes later, Eira found herself staring at her reflection in the full-length mirror. The maids had left, and she was alone with Jania again. She had to admit, the outfit they'd chosen wasn't half bad. Her red hair was styled in a loose bun, with soft tendrils framing her face. She wore a black, high-neck ribbed sweater with wide bell sleeves and a cut-out at the waist, showing a hint of midriff. Paired with sleek, black leather wide-leg pants and casual black-and-white sneakers, she looked effortlessly chic.
"Not bad," Eira murmured, trailing her fingers through her hair.
"If you're done admiring yourself, shall we go?" Jania asked impatiently, already moving toward the door.
Eira rolled her eyes. "So impatient. Is this how you treat all your guests?"
Jania shot her a glance. "If it were anyone else, I'd have kicked them out of the room by now."
Huffing, Eira followed her out of the room and into the long hallways of the mansion. They weaved through several corners, descending a grand staircase as Eira tried to keep her racing thoughts in check.
As they descended the stairs, Eira couldn't help but admire the grandness of the mansion. Each step echoed softly in the wide, open space, and she briefly glanced at the extravagant decor around her—artwork that likely cost more than the pay for two of her jobs combined and tall vases filled with fresh flowers.
The scent of something faintly floral lingered in the air, but it didn't quite mask the underlying tension and anger building in her chest.
Mariana... Marianna... She'd try to kill her when they realized that she wasn't the same Ephyra from before.
Rather than trying to control something uncontrollable, it was better to eliminate it, huh?
Ah, it seems her dearest stepmother's death will be coming earlier than expected.
When they reached the bottom of the stairs, a butler appeared, bowing slightly. "Miss Jania, Miss Allen. Doctor Liam is waiting in the dining room, and Master Lyle will join shortly."