Victoria's eyes fluttered open as the morning light seeped through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across her room. But the tranquility was shattered by the sound of laughter echoing through the mansion.
Confusion etched across her features as she sat up in bed, her heart pounding in her chest. She recognized that laughter, it was her father working room, but it sounded different somehow.
Pushing back the covers, Victoria swung her legs over the edge of the bed and made her way to her father's office room. As she approached, the laughter grew louder, mingled with the soft murmur of voices. With a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, Victoria pushed the door open.
"Father?" she called out
The sight that greeted her stole the breath from her lungs. But it wasn't her father who held her attention, it was the woman beside him.
"Come in," her father beckoned, his voice strained with an unusual tension.
Victoria stepped into the room, her eyes widening in disbelief. Sitting behind Mr. Jaxon's desk was Fiona, Nicolas's sister, a figure she hadn't expected to see.
"Victoria, dear, what brings you here? Did my laughter wake you up?" Fiona's voice carried a hint of surprise, mingled with an underlying curiosity.
"Victoria, what great timing. I need to talk to you," Mr. Jaxon's voice was heavy with emotion, his eyes betraying a hidden sorrow.
Victoria looked up, concern etching her features. "What is it, Dad? Is everything okay?"
He motioned for Victoria to sit beside him, his gaze distant, lost in thought. "It's Nicholas... he's gone. He died in a car accident earlier today," Mr. Jaxon revealed, his words laden with a weighty truth that Victoria struggled to comprehend, but he lied intently.
Victoria's heart sank at the news. Even though she had never liked him and find him annoying. Still, the realization that he was gone sent a wave of shock through her.
"I... I can't believe it," Victoria murmured, struggling to process the sudden loss.
As Victoria tried to come to terms with Anthony's death, she noticed something peculiar about Fiona, Nicholas younger sister, who had always been inseparable from him.
Despite the news of her brother's passing, Fiona seemed strangely composed, even smiling.
Confusion gnawed at Victoria as she observed Fiona from across the room. How could she be smiling at a time like this? Was she in denial, or was there something more to Nicholas death than they had been told?
"Something doesn't add up," Victoria muttered to herself, her mind racing with questions.
Victoria noticed that Mr. Jaxon and Fiona nodded with each other and as the few minutes had passed, Mr. Jaxon left them bothe behind alone at his working room.
Strange, there she was, Infront of me, wearing a serene smile that seemed out of place.
Victoria approached Fiona tentatively, her steps hesitant as she navigated the delicate terrain of grief. Summoning her courage, she finally spoke, "Fiona, how are you really doing? I can't even begin to imagine the pain you're enduring."
Fiona turned to face Victoria, her eyes reflecting a depth of emotion that Victoria couldn't quite decipher. "Why should I mourn for Nicholas?" her words, though steady, carried an undertone of defiance that caught Victoria off guard.
Struggling to process Fiona's reaction, Victoria stumbled over her own words, trying to find the right thing to say. "But... he was your brother. Flesh and blood... family..."
Fiona's laughter, soft yet tinged with bitterness, hung heavy in the air. "Blood doesn't dictate the worth of a person, Victoria. Nicholas... he was a fool, always chasing after trouble, never thinking about the consequences."
Victoria searched Fiona's eyes, seeking any glimpse of sorrow or regret, but found none. "But still, he was your brother. Don't you feel anything?"
Fiona's gaze turned distant, as if she were lost in memories long buried. "I used to... once upon a time. But his death... it's just the final chapter of a story that was doomed from the start. What about your story, Victoria? I'm curious, what's the end of yours." A wistful smile played at the corners of her lips.
A silence settled between them, heavy with unspoken truths and unanswered questions. Victoria struggled to comprehend Fiona's indifference, her own heart aching with empathy and confusion.
"But enough about Nicholas." Fiona started, "You know? I'm your new ally now, I'm better than him... trust me" she winked. "Oh, lets have some coffee, come on"
Fiona grabbed her hand and guiding her towards the comforting sanctuary of the kitchen, where the promise of a steaming cup of coffee awaited.
Yet, their anticipated solace was shattered as they rounded the corner into the living room, their movements become slower to a halt at the sight of Anthony. There he sat, an enigmatic figure amidst the tranquil ambiance, lost in contemplation as the weight of his thoughts seemed to cast a shadow over the room.
"Damn, who is that guy?" Fiona asked being captivated by his muscular figure
"It's Anthony, he's my bodyguard"
Fiona sauntered across the room, her gaze fixed on Anthony, who sat stoically on the sofa. She twirled a lock of her hair between her fingers, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. With deliberate grace, she reached out and brushed Anthony's hair away from his face.
"Hey there, handsome," she purred, leaning in closer. "You've been thinking a lot, you wanna make your mind clear?"
Anthony shifted slightly, his expression remaining impassive. "Just lost in thought, I suppose."
Undeterred by his cold demeanor, Fiona pressed on, her voice dripping with flirtation. "Well, how about I help you find your way back to the land of the living?" She trailed her fingertips lightly along his jawline, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Anthony's gaze flickered briefly, a hint of something unreadable crossing his features before he schooled his expression into neutrality once more. "I appreciate the offer, but I'm fine on my own."
Fiona tilted her head, studying him intently. "You know, you don't have to keep up this tough guy act all the time. Sometimes it's okay to let your guard down, to let someone in."
There was a moment of silence as Anthony regarded her, his icy facade starting to crack ever so slightly. "And what makes you think I'm putting on an act?"
"Because beneath that frosty exterior, I see a hint of warmth trying to break through. And trust me, I'm an expert at melting hearts." Fiona grinned, sensing an opening.
Their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills, each daring the other to make the next move.
As Anthony's gaze shifted to the other side of the room, he caught sight of Victoria. His heart skipped a beat as he noticed the coldness in her eyes, a hint of jealousy simmering beneath the surface.
Feeling a pang of guilt, Anthony rose from the sofa, his earlier resolve crumbling in the face of Victoria's presence. "I...I need to go," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
Fiona watched him go, a frown creasing her brow as she tried to make sense of his sudden departure. She glanced in the direction of Victoria, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.
As Victoria walked away, Fiona couldn't resist the opportunity to throw in a jab. With a smirk playing on her lips, she sauntered over to where Victoria stood, her posture oozing with confidence.
"Looks like someone's got a jealous streak," Fiona teased, her tone laced with mockery. "Don't worry, sweetheart, I'm sure Anthony will come crawling back to you soon enough."
Victoria stopped in her tracks, her eyes flashing with surprise. "You think this is funny?" she snapped, her voice sharp with indignation. "Playing with people's feelings like it's some kind of game?"
Fiona shrugged, unfazed by Victoria's outburst. "Hey, I'm just having a little fun. Besides, if Anthony's heart is as frozen as it seems, he could use someone like me to thaw it out."
Victoria's jaw clenched, her fists balling at her sides. "You have no idea what you're talking about," she seethed, her voice trembling with emotion. "Anthony is not some prize to be won. He's a person with real feelings, and you're toying with them like they mean nothing."
Fiona's smirk faltered slightly as she studied Victoria's face, seeing the raw pain and vulnerability lurking beneath her steely exterior. She likes looking at someone in pain.
"Fine, as if he would like you!" Victoria replied coolly, cutting the silent between them
Fiona scoffed, rolling her eyes in exasperation. "Oh, please, spare me the melodrama. Anthony's a big boy, he can make his own decisions."
Victoria's smirk widened, a glint of something dangerous lurking in her eyes. "Is that so? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're the one pulling all the strings, like a wolf in sheep's clothing."
Fiona bristled at the accusation, her temper flaring. "You don't know anything about me."
"Maybe not. But I know enough to see through your little charade. And mark my words, Fiona, playing with fire is a dangerous game. Sooner or later, you're going to get burned."
With that ominous warning hanging in the air, Victoria leave Fiona behind at the living room alone. And as she walked away, Victoria couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to take a turn for the worse.