Chapter 25: Dressed to kill

Zafron's heart raced as he watched the twins approach the house. He considered hiding, but realized it was too late. Taking a deep breath, he decided to face them directly. As they reached the porch, he opened the door, putting on his most casual demeanor.

"Can I help you ladies?" he asked, leaning against the doorframe.

The twins exchanged surprised glances. Giselle, the bolder of the two, spoke first. "Oh! We thought... well, we saw movement and thought there might be an intruder."

Zafron chuckled, hoping to mask his nervousness. "No intruders here, I'm afraid. Just me. I'm staying here for a while, looking after the place for Madame Matilda."

Vivienne's eyes widened with recognition. "Oh, you must be the new groundskeeper she mentioned! I'm Vivienne, and this is my sister Giselle. We live just down the road."

Relief washed over Zafron. Madame Matilda had thought to provide a cover story. "That's right," he said, smiling. "I'm Zafron. Nice to meet you both."

Giselle stepped forward, her curiosity evident. "We haven't seen much activity here lately. How long have you been staying?"

"Just a few days," Zafron replied smoothly. "I've been busy inside, getting everything in order."

The twins nodded, seemingly satisfied with his explanation. They chatted for a few more minutes about the neighborhood and the unseasonably warm weather before bidding Zafron goodbye.

As they walked away, Zafron overheard Giselle whisper to her sister, "Did you see his arms? Definitely not a beanpole!" He couldn't help but smile as he closed the door.

The rest of the afternoon passed uneventfully, with Zafron alternating between reading and gazing out the window. As evening approached, he was startled by a knock at the door.

Opening it, he found the twins standing there, each holding a covered dish. The scent of home-cooked food wafted towards him, making his stomach growl.

Zafron was momentarily taken aback by the transformation in the twins' appearance. Earlier that afternoon, they had been dressed casually - Giselle in a simple sundress and Vivienne in jeans and a t-shirt, both with their hair tied back in practical ponytails. Now, it was clear they had put considerable effort into their evening attire.

Giselle had traded her sundress for a form-fitting red cocktail dress that accentuated her curves. Her blonde hair, earlier restrained, now cascaded in soft waves over her shoulders. She had applied makeup artfully, her lips a bold shade of red that matched her dress.

Vivienne, in contrast, had opted for a more understated elegance. She wore a deep blue wrap dress that complemented her dark hair, which was now styled in a sophisticated updo. Her makeup was subtle, enhancing her natural features with a soft glow.

Both sisters wore delicate jewelry and a hint of perfume that Zafron could detect as they stepped closer. Their transformation was striking, and it was clear they had dressed to impress.

"Hello again," Vivienne said, a shy smile on her face. "We felt bad about earlier, thinking you were an intruder and all. So we thought we'd bring over some dinner to apologize properly."

Giselle nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, and to welcome you to the neighborhood! I made my famous beef stew," she said, holding up her dish.

"And I baked a fresh loaf of rosemary bread," Vivienne added, lifting her own offering.

Zafron was touched by their gesture. "That's incredibly kind of you. Please, come in," he said, stepping aside to let them enter.

As they walked in, both sisters took in the interior of the house with obvious curiosity. Zafron led them to the kitchen, where they set down their dishes.

"I hope you like hearty meals," Giselle said, removing the cover from her stew. The rich aroma filled the kitchen. "I always say, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach!"

Vivienne rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Don't mind her, Zafron. Giselle fancies herself quite the cook."

"Oh, and I suppose your bread isn't an attempt to impress?" Giselle teased back.

Zafron couldn't help but chuckle at their banter. "Well, I'm impressed by both. It all smells delicious."

As they served the food and settled around the small kitchen table, conversation flowed easily. The twins were eager to learn more about Zafron, peppering him with questions about his background and interests.

"So, Zafron," Giselle began, leaning forward slightly, "what brought you to work for Madame Matilda? It must be quite different from your previous jobs."

Zafron took a moment to swallow a mouthful of the admittedly delicious stew. "Well, I was looking for a change of pace. Madame Matilda's offer came at just the right time."

Vivienne nodded appreciatively. "It must be nice to have such a peaceful job. Though I imagine it gets lonely sometimes?"

"It can be," Zafron admitted, careful not to reveal too much. "But it's not so bad. And now I have such lovely neighbors to keep me company," he added with a smile.

Both sisters beamed at his compliment, exchanging a quick glance that didn't escape Zafron's notice.

As the evening wore on, Zafron found himself genuinely enjoying the twins' company. They were witty and charming, each in their own way. Giselle was outgoing and flirtatious, while Vivienne had a quieter, more intellectual charm.

"You know," Giselle said, refilling Zafron's glass with wine they had brought, "we should show you around the area sometime. There are some lovely walks nearby."

Vivienne nodded in agreement. "Yes, and there's a quaint little bookshop in town I think you'd enjoy, Zafron. You mentioned you like reading?"

"That sounds wonderful," Zafron replied, touched by their eagerness to include him. "Though I'm not sure how much free time I'll have with all the work here."

"Oh, surely Madame Matilda wouldn't begrudge you a few hours off," Giselle said, her hand briefly touching Zafron's arm. "Everyone needs a break now and then."

As the evening drew to a close, Zafron helped the twins pack up the leftover food. Both insisted he keep it, claiming they had made extra specifically for him.

"You're far too kind," Zafron said as he walked them to the door. "Thank you for a lovely evening."

"It was our pleasure," Vivienne replied, her cheeks slightly flushed. Whether from the wine or something else, Zafron couldn't be sure.

Giselle stepped forward, giving Zafron a quick hug. "Don't be a stranger now. Our door is always open if you need anything."

As Zafron watched the twins walk away, arm in arm and giggling softly, he couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. The evening had been a welcome distraction from his worries, and the twins' friendliness had lifted his spirits. Yet, he couldn't shake the feeling of guilt. He was, after all, hiding the truth from them.

Closing the door, Zafron leaned against it, letting out a long sigh. The house felt emptier now without the twins' lively presence. His thoughts drifted to Mara and the mansion. What was happening there? Why hadn't anyone come to check on him?

As he cleaned up the kitchen, Zafron's mind was a whirl of conflicting thoughts. The twins' visit had been a bright spot in his isolation, but it had also complicated things. He knew he should maintain his distance, stick to his cover story. And yet, a part of him longed for more interactions like this evening.

Lying in bed that night, Zafron stared at the ceiling, his mind replaying the evening's events. The twins' attentions, while flattering, also made him acutely aware of his precarious situation. He was walking a tightrope.

As sleep finally began to claim him, Zafron's last thoughts were of Mara. Despite the pleasant evening with the twins, it was her face he saw as he drifted off, her touch he longed for in the quiet of the night.

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