Capítulo 183: Nineteen
Night came and went, and so did the days following after. Being on my best behaviour turned out to be more challenging than I thought it would be. Also, very boring.
Not because, I had trouble being a good girl for my own good. Because my feet were itching like mad to go and see him. I knew I shouldn't but that was the problem. We were so close that I could feel him, even though the physical distance separating us didn't pose much of a challenge. Eric had been clear, that the academy grounds would ensure my safety. But that was also a problem in itself. I was driving myself mad. Nothing new there.
We still had the matter of my inheritance to resolve.
As that thought crosses my mind, my steps halt. The last of the students due to begin the semester has arrived in the morning. It was Friday. So on Monday, it was game on. No more fooling around. I had to display such saintly behaviour that would make most nuns pale in comparison.
Pressing the button to release the latch I impatiently watch as the ladder descends at a maddening slow pace. The damn thing tested every ounce of my patience.
Fed up with waiting, I jump through the hole and land on the floor in a crouch. I kept up my training, even though it was a tad difficult without a partner. I need to stay sharp, regardless. The game between me and Micah wasn't over. It would be foolish of me to fall back on the safety net that the academy provided. It was comforting to know that I could focus on my studies without constantly looking over my shoulder.
Running through the corridors, I bump into a few students, they angrily shout at me and I hurriedly apologise without stopping and rush down the endless flight of stairs. I skip the last few and land outside. From there I carry on sprinting until I reach the reception area and stop with a skid.
Panting, I appear in front of Frankie who gasps and places a hand over her heart.
"You need to stop scaring the life out of me. I only have so many," She says with a breath and I smile at her apologetically. It is kind of fun seeing Frankie turning a ghostly shade of pale every time she sees me.
" Is there any chance that you can get in touch with Mason" Frankie frowns displeased and sighs. She is not my secretary and if Aldo finds out, I'm as good as dead. Forget about Micah, somehow being at Aldo's mercy is a terrifying thought.
" Legal matters," I add pithyly, and Frankie nods in assent. Not exactly eager to do my bidding but nonetheless she reaches for the phone.
" He might not be in, so you'll have to tell me in a few words what's this about so I can leave a message with Sissy" Sissy? Odd name.
" It's short for Silvya," Frankie catches on to my confusion and I nod. It's a strangely cute pet name but at the same time hints towards someone that should belong in the fun house.
" It's about the inheritance," I say curtly while Frankie dials the number and impatiently waits tapping her well-manicured nails on the polished desk.
After a few rings, someone picks up, which I assume is Sissy. Frankie asks if Mason is in the office, and waits until she hears the reply. Frankie frowns and nods.
" Sissy could you please have Mr Kinnaird return my call when he is finished with the meeting? Some legal matters need to be discussed," Frankie frowns again, hums and places the receiver back in its hold.
" Ten minutes," She places her elbows on the desk and leans forward, " He is in a meeting with the mayor," She whispers as if it is the most sacred secret. That doesn't seem right. Or maybe it is. As far as I know, Mason doesn't think very highly of the mayor. Even less so of his daughter.
Leaning over her desk, I mimic the same hushed tone she used," Why are you saying it like that?"
" Because there has been some head-butting since Mason submitted the plan for rebuilding the Quarter. It is said that the mayor is against it," No surprise there, but that wasn't a secret and I couldn't help but be curious. The mayor must want something from Mason. Money? Perhaps.
Mason has enough influence and wealth that would make him ripe for picking. While the mayor isn't exactly regarded with the kindest eyes.
" Anyway, recently he has been vetoed by the council. So the plan moves forward in the spring," Relieved, I lean back and look outside. Once, it had been my dream to help the people in the Quarter. But for now, all I could do was keep my head down and wait.
The phone ringing drags me back to reality, and turn to look at Frankie who is staring at the phone as if she is afraid to answer it. Perhaps she had overstepped by contacting Mason on my behalf but it was the only way I knew how to reach him. For now, I had to be good.
Frankie sheepishly picks up the phone," Hello," She rasps and blushes. I know it is him from her reaction. The sound of his voice trickles through and my heart begins to pound against my ribcage wildly, untamed as if it has come alive at the mere sound of his voice.
Frankie clears her throat, " Mr Kinnaird, I am so sorry to trouble you but Miss Abernathy has asked me to contact you. Would you like to speak with her?" My breath catches in my throat at the question, because I already know the answer. He is mad as hell. He didn't bother to hide when we met in Helej Norun, and sure as hell he wouldn't bother now. Not even for the sake of appearance.
Frankie nods and hums, " Likewise Mr Kinnaird," She says after what appears to be the longest three minutes of my life and hangs up the phone.
My heart stutters and stumbles in my chest and slowly wilts away. He doesn't even want to speak with me. I can't afford the luxury of crashing and burning in front of Frankie, so I do my best to swallow my grief and smile.
" Mason says it's being taken care of. At some point next week Mr Reed will come to have you sign the paperwork and proceed from there. The inheritance will be released within the week once the paperwork has been signed," I hear her, but it doesn't quite register. It doesn't matter. I didn't care about the money, but I realised that at this point all bets were off. Shit.
Disheartened, I say my thanks to Frankie and head back to my room in the loft. I have no desire to speak to anyone else, so trudge up the long line of stairs leading up to my room.
A few of those I had bumped into speak to me, but I don't hear them. Only one thought swims in my mind. We were done.
Once again we were over before we even started. And this time it was on me.
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