Gerald frowned at the guard who had just come in while putting his phone directly behind him.
The guard looked behind him. "You’re being called."
His tone was authoritative.
Gerald nodded once. "By who?"
"Mrs. Serena."
Gerald, who was usually calm, felt a spike in his heartbeat. It couldn’t be that someone had heard him speaking to Samir, could it? Or was she already suspecting him?
Because unlike the other rooms in the mansion, this one wasn’t soundproof.
It was one of the reasons he had spoken to Samir in a low voice.
"Okay." He responded while trying to see if he would get any sort of reaction from the guard. But just like him, it was hard to read what was going on in any of the guards’ heads.
And unlike the maids, it was hard to get them to spill any sort of information to him.
He didn’t think they considered him part of them in any way.
Seeing there was nothing to give him a clue why Serena was calling him, he left the room.
Last night, the family hadn’t gotten together for dinner. So, he had thought it had to do with the attack or the movement going on in the mansion.
With the sun finally rising, there would be some sort of information soon. He had placed a small bug under the dining table.
After all, it was where most of their discussions took place, and the possibility of getting useful information was higher.
The movement had resumed again this morning. The living room and dining room were filled with people. The possibility of getting information was getting slimmer as time went by.
Soon, he was at Serena’s door. He knocked lightly.
"Come in."
Serena was seated on the bed, a small booklet in her hand.
Gerald tried to peep at what was in the book, but it was empty.
"You called for me, ma’am."
Serena nodded, closing the book easily and placing it beside her on the bed.
"What’s your duty in this place?"
"To keep Miss Amie safe."
"So, why were you absent when she needed your help most? How could you have let her go out without you guiding her?"
Gerald’s heartbeat began to slow down carefully. And here he was thinking it was because she suspected him.
He couldn’t exactly go on and say he was absent because he was researching about her real daughter. So, he said, "I was sick."
Thankfully, she couldn’t see him, so how could she tell if he was lying or not?
"Miss Amie insisted I wait behind to treat myself. I’m useless to her if I followed her while sick."
The excuse seemed genuine, so Serena accepted it.
"But I want you to be more careful while guarding Amie. I want you to be by her side every moment, well, until after the introduction party."
Glad he wasn’t in any sort of trouble, Gerald nodded eagerly, thanking her too easily.
He closed the door with a soft bang.
His secret was still intact, and that was all that mattered to him.
June rolled over on the bed, her eyes fluttering slowly as she woke up.
She felt strangely at ease with herself. The joy from the previous night still filled her with happiness.
And although her body was used to waking up early, she knew it was a fruitless endeavor to try to go to work.
So, instead, she changed into something casual and brought out the new phone Chris had gotten for her.
She decided to set up the phone and use it to keep herself busy.
But after a few minutes of pressing it, she became tired of it.
She frowned at the phone.
She just wasn’t used to being idle. It made her feel more tired than when she was working.
She lay on the bed, moving her leg.
Soon, she got tired of that.
She started arranging her room.
And soon got tired.
It took the grumbling of her stomach for her to realize she needed breakfast.
She got out of her room, her eyes widening as she took in the living room.
There were men moving things out and bringing things in. But unlike the previous day, when no major changes had occurred in the room, this time there were changes all over.
The couches had been changed.
The wall had been repainted.
And new paintings were displayed on the wall.
And what enticed her most was Amie’s absence from the living room.
She moved towards the kitchen, the aroma of the food being prepared was the only direction she needed.
By the time June left the kitchen, she was carrying a huge bowl, with drinks tucked under her armpit while holding one.
She set herself on the dining chair, watching the movers as she devoured her food in front of her.
She wished she could help them, but she trusted Chris to pull her back all in the name of her needing to rest.
Meanwhile, back at the hotel, Rauf finally had the list in front of him.
"You mean all these people have houses surrounding the Vassaris and are suddenly eager to sell?" he asked, his mouth still open.
From the look of those on this list, it seemed like everyone surrounding them was ready to sell.
"Is there something else happening in the vicinity that I was supposed to know?"
Henson shook his head. "No, sir."
"According to my research, just living next to the Vassaris brings natural enemies. And most of the neighbors have tried getting rid of their houses, but no one was willing to relocate next to them until you, sir."
Rauf’s lips curled up.
"So, they’re all trying to sell in fear."
Henson nodded.
Rauf frowned. What sort of enemies would the Vassaris have to warrant their neighbors living in fear?
As far as he knew, Chris and Serena were cool people.
"Then, I have to take advantage of this."
He started asking Henson about the houses, especially those closest to the Vassari mansion.
In no time, he was pointing at the house right beside it, with a smile tugging on his lips.
"I want you to finalize everything that has to do with the house and make payment as soon as possible."
Henson nodded.
But after a while, Rauf wanted to do something different.
"Wait. I think I should go check the house out before you make payment for it."
"Great idea, sir."
And for the first time since arriving at New Central State, Henson drove him to the estate.
The car stopped just a house away from the mansion.
Instead of getting out, Rauf squinted his eyes, taking a good look at the mansion. It seemed busier than usual.
Rauf hoped June was resting inside, like the doctor had told her.
"Sir?"
It was Henson’s voice that called him out of his thoughts.
"The house."
"Oh. Let’s go."
The guard opened the door for them as if he had been expecting them.
Right from that moment, Rauf started checking things about the house.
The gate looked insecure. He would need to check it. Apart from that, the building looked like they had just finished building it.
He allowed Henson to lead him towards the rooms.
An elderly couple were seated in the living room.
When they saw them, the woman’s mouth curved into a smile.
"You’re back."
Henson nodded.
Rauf noticed the small sense of recognition between them, and that gave him a sense of relief.
It would be cruel of him to send this old couple out of their house, especially if they were not willing.
Wanting to take his mind off things, Rauf asked, "Can I see the rooms before we decide on something?"
The older woman nodded.
During their tour of the house, Rauf learned the couple were called Mr. and Mrs. Campbell.
The house was a retirement gift from their children to them.
"Wouldn’t they be sad you’re selling?"
The old woman remained silent.
She wanted to say something, but her mouth didn’t seem to want to talk about it.
Rauf didn’t bother persuading her. Everyone was entitled to their privacy.
When he stepped into the next room, there was a view of the Vassari estate.
Rauf moved closer. He could make out tiny people moving in and out of the mansion.
"This is perfect for seeing things happening in the mansion," Henson said behind him, as if he was reading his mind.
Even if Rauf didn’t want to buy the house before, this room alone was enough to change his mind completely.
"You’re right. Even though I can’t make out those people walking in it, something is better than nothing."
"Are you taking it?"
Rauf nodded, but he never looked away from the windows.
He didn’t mind a glimpse. Even if it was just her back, he was certain he would be able to recognize June in the sea of people walking all around the estate.
But he didn’t see her at all.
Yet, he had already made his choice.
"I’m taking this."