Onyx is a city ruled by the Ophidian Cartel . But to 19 year old Adalie Riva , Onyx is the land of opportunity as she leaves home to become a sultry jazz performer . Adalie is quickly enraptured with the vibrant city from its music , it's food and...
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Later the following evening , Adalie leaned back into the jewel-toned damask of her gilded chair. "I have nothing." "Nothing?" Priscilla laughed. She reached for another morsel of quail, pulling the tender meat apart between her delicate fingers. "There is nothing I can say," Adalie continued. "Nothing I can do. No way to convey how amazing this meal was. Simply beyond belief." She let out a protracted sigh. "Perhaps if I could dance like a winged fairy, I could better serve this cause." Another bout of laughter lilted into the air. "That is my favorite thing you've ever said Dearest ." "Also the truest." Adalie breathed in deeply, then reached beyond her golden cutlery for the crystal stem of her wineglass. Adalie had spent Every year on her birthday with her father , He would bring home a single mille-feuille from a well-known bakery in the eighth arrondissement. A cake of a thousand leaves. Paper-thin layers of puff pastry separated by whipped crème with dribbles of chocolate
. "You're to come with me." Priscilla snapped her out of thought . It is not a request. Priscilla's poncy British accent makes that quite clear.
"I had spoken with my doctor at length about what you've been experiencing and she instructed me to buy a pregnancy test . A-And I did " Priscilla looked around the well-appointed room.
Adalie nodded, the meat dropping into her plate. Already she'd begun to breathe easier. Already she felt more relaxed. How did Priscilla always seem to know what to do?
In two long strides, Priscilla enveloped her friend in an embrace. "Whatever happens tonight will be okay . We will deal with it accordingly ."
This year upon her moving to BlackBerry , Priscilla has been more to her than she ever had in her life. A mother , a sister and a Friend .
"In case I forget to tell you later, or something . . . thank you for changing your mind and agreeing to take me in " she says under her breath. Then she followed Priscilla into the bathroom .
They pause before the entrance to the bathroom , a space Adalie has shared with Priscilla since her arrival to Onyx a little more than a year ago.
"let me give you some privacy and the test is on the counter !" she shouts as he continues marching up the stairs. She closes the door to the small, neatly appointed space. Along one plaster wall hang tapestries and scrolls of black-and-white calligraphy, paying homage to Priscilla's heritage . The only thing that seems amiss is the large mirror positioned against the far wall, near the back of the flat. It's old and tarnished, its frame fashioned of ornate brass. It was vintage , Adalie loved vintage things She pause beside the pregency test her heart beating like drum
Taking a steady breath , she takes the box and begins to open it .
- 4 hours later She marched across Lucas's lawn This was the height of foolishness. She deserved whatever ill fortune came her way. After Adalie wasted half an hour hemming and hawing about the best way to deal with the situation , she shored up her resolve and marched towards the narrow double doors, her chin in the air as she ringed the doorbell . The Young girl from before opens the door
