It was much colder outside than when we arrived. There was only one other man on the deck. He sat at an iron garden table, overlooking the distant London through the metal fence. I supposed he heard our footsteps as he looked up as soon as we arrived. The darkness obscured his face slightly. Even then, I could hardly miss his crystal blue eyes and ink-black hair styled in curtain bangs. His fair skin, high cheekbones, and sharp square jaw even opposed Adam’s appearance. His deep eyes and slightly turned lips displayed what seemed to be a slightly pained expression. Or perhaps he was deep in thought. He wore a sleek black fedora and brown waistcoat over a striped suit. His grey dress pants were tucked into ink-leathered boots that reflected the moonlight. He pushed up a pair of gray circular glasses as we approached. It was several moments before anyone spoke.

“Adam.”

“Cecil”

Silence fell over us again. This time greeted with a thick blanket of tension. This time I took the liberty of breaking it.

“I’m Mayla, Adam’s new assistant!” I announced offering him my hand. Surprised as I was, he actually took it.

“Oh, right. I was quickly briefed on your situation.” He spoke in a smooth slow voice.

“Yes.” Adam added awkwardly “She’s to be a forensics scientist.”

“I see.”

Frustratingly, everyone grew quiet once again. I desperately tried to think of something to say but I thought of nothing.

“How’s Monica?”

“Same as usual.”

Silence.

Adam began to speak. “It’s been a while since we last met you know. But it seemed you haven’t changed much.” He sighed, placing his hands on his hips.

“Is that so?” The man laughed dryly. “If I recall the last time we met was, what? The wedding I suppose?”

Adam was silent. The black-haired man took this as his sign to continue.

“Oh, how happy you two were, or at least seemed to be.” He sneered. Adam’s face twisted.

“I was quite surprised really. You never seemed to be the type to throw everything away for something, something so trivial.”

Hm?

“But I suppose it was inevitable, wasn’t it?” The man leaned on his hands. “But, I wonder if you regret everything. I know I do.” He turned to me. “Or perhaps I shouldn’t be saying this in front of your new assistant? Knowing you I would assume she’s in the dark on this whole situation.”

I had no idea what was going on and I had a feeling I didn’t want to know.

Adam was still silent. The man observed Adam’s expression and let off his line of questioning.

“Maybe I should introduce myself to you, girl. I’m Cecil Hans. By all means, just call me Cecil.”

“Nice to meet you, Cecil.” I lied.

Cecil smiled at me until turning his attention back to Adam. “

It’s been years, Adam. We have quite a lot of business to discuss. Why don’t we meet at my apartment after his party?” He asked with an unreadable tone.

“Y-you know I can’t do that.” Adam choked out. “And please, not in front of the girl.”

Cecil glanced quickly at me. “Of course.” He smirked. “Maybe when you’re alone.” He hummed. Cecil leaned back. “If this is all you have, Adam you might want to leave before the fledgling arrives. He’s a bit of…” Cecil thought about his words. “An acquired taste.”

“Of course,” Adam replied. “Shall we go?” I could tell it wasn’t a true request so I followed him back to the main deck.

As we slid open the glass door the sound of chatter and singing resumed. There was an obvious change in Adam’s demeanor and I debated whether to get into it.

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

“We should get going,” Adam said through pressed lips.

“Right.” Perhaps Monica would know something. As I followed Adam to the exit I was stopped by a tree-trunk arm slapped me on the shoulder and I knew instantly who it was.

“One moment if you may. You’re free to go Clarke!” Ironheel boomed. Adam was hesitant, but soon nodded and headed outside.

The giant man smiled, turned around, and motioned me to follow. For a man his size, he walked quite fast. I had to hold up my alabaster skirt to keep up. He led up winding iron stairs and out to a balcony, overlooking the lights of the city. He leaned on the metal fence, sighed, and then turned around at me, who was standing suspiciously in the doorway.

“Did ya’ need something?” The chief turned around again briefly and faced me once more.

“I do.” He handed me a white sack. I eyed him, then peeked inside. To my ultimate shock, it was full of gold and silver coins. Before I could get a word out he turned and said to me seven words.

“Be my eyes. You’ll understand soon.” Without another exchange, he descended the stairs leaving me in awe. I didn’t know what to do, but something told me Adam shouldn’t know about this. I untied my knee-high boots and smushed the sack into it as I did with herbs I didn’t want to carry in my basket. After tightening it as best as I could there was a noticeable bulge in my shoe. I dropped my skirt and prayed for the best. I let out a deep sigh and began to walk back down to the main floor. Perhaps taking this “job” was the worst decision of my life.

As I opened the golden double doors to the front lawn I peered around and noticed Adam leaning against a nearby tree. His grey suit and dark hair blended in well with his equally dark surroundings. His hand was held to his sharp chin, his brown eyebrows furrowed in thought. I walk towards him through the damp grass. He did not acknowledge me. I had so many questions in my head to ask him I didn’t know what to start with, luckily he interrupted my thoughts.

“Let’s get going. Monica’s been home all day.” The carriage ride back was just as quiet as the one there.

The house is a bit less breathtaking at night. There is no sun to peak through the huge window lighting up the coal-black walls. You could no longer see your reflection on the white marble floor. A small gas lamp sat on Adam’s desk, oddly its flame survived the several hours we were gone. Adam tiredly untied his tie and placed his hat on the oak hook by the door. He quickly beelined to his bedroom, not uttering a word to me as he passed. As soon as I heard the “click!” of the lock on his door I ran as fast as I could to the park.

I desperately wished I waited until the morning, but this was business I had to attend to right away. I stumbled my way through the darkness, gripping my skirt and pulling it out of the mud. Luckily I had time to remove my corset and deposit my bonnet, unfortunately changing my skirt was a bit too time-consuming and I’ve become quite fond of the boots. The thick fog makes the flickering lights of the streetlights obsolete. The moon was reduced to a soft white light obscured by the clouds and blankets of fog. Thankfully, living on the streets for long as I had you could find your way to your destination blindfolding and handcuffed.

I heard the light swishing of the pond and the singing of the crickets and knew I was at the park. I got on my hands and knees, in my head apologizing to Monica for dirtying her skirt, searching through wet grass for the spot I was looking for. Finally, my hands rubbed over a cool patch of spongy moss. I took the silk sack of coins out of my shoe and dug a hole forearm deep. I placed the sack in snuggly and placed the moss back over it. I sighed, a weight off my shoulders. Although tempting, I’m sure Adam and Monica would be suspicious if I finally came up with enough money to feed all three of us for years. As I piled the moss back on I brushed what I originally thought was a dead leaf. But after further inspection, it was a muddy piece of paper. I held it up to the sad flame of the nearby streetlight. There were words written on it in black ink, slightly run by the dew on the grass. I had no hope of reading it here. I stuck it in my trusty boot satisfied, brushing the grass and dirt off my hands until I came to the blowing realization I’d have to find myself back at Adam’s house which I was a lot less familiar with.

Adam lay still in the bed. He was exhausted. His head swam, mind turbulent with forbidden thoughts. Regret, betrayal. He thought about him. Skin against skin, teeth against teeth. He thought about how he left. How he lied. The room suddenly became too hot. Adam slipped a black sweater over his head and went to the main room. He plopped down at his desk, hands against his forehead.

“Maybe when you're alone.”

He hated himself for lying to the girl, but it was safer this way. Adam took a folded note out of his breast pocket and read it over for the hundredth time.

If you’ve changed your mind about one thing or the other; The usual place.-C

Finally, all his lies and all his regrets would not be in vain.

I staggered, gasping for air, and frantically brushed the mud off my skirt. The narrow pathway back to the house seemed to be littered with more stones than I remembered. Steeling myself, I pushed open the grand door slowly, wincing at the prolonged creaking of its hinges. My heart raced as I silently prayed that Adam and Monica were sound asleep. However, to my horror, Adam was seated at his desk, his gaze filled with confusion and suspicion fixed on me, his expression stern and unwavering.

"What are you doing?" His voice sliced through the tense silence, demanding an explanation.

My mind raced as I desperately tried to conjure up a convincing lie. Would he believe me?

“Taking a walk. That party. It was a bit much.” I saw a slither of paper clutched in his left hand. “What are you doing?” Perfect! Take the attention off me and put it on him.

“I, uh, couldn’t sleep.” He stammered, withdrawing the paper deeper into his fist, hiding behind his finger. “It’s too late to be out you know. Many dangerous people roaming about.” He said awkwardly. He ran a hand through chestnut locks. “You ought to get to bed.”

“Yeah. Well, you too.” I mumbled why shifting my feet

“Hm.” He observed me. Clearly expecting to leave first. Hesitantly, I trodded off to my room. When I closed the door, I put my ear against it, listening and waiting. I did not hear him get up.