Faceless Instincts

The Silent Magician

The next morning I woke up at the first chirp of the birds, staring at the ceiling I recollected memories from last evening, the possibility - or coincidence - of how this family might know something about Dorian or even lead me to his house was unreal.

I was scratching for every possible outcome, every word that came out of them and re-evaluating its meaning. little snowflakes were falling and when I checked, it was almost 5:30 in the morning, So I decided to get ready for my day.

I took a hot shower and dressed up in various layers to keep myself warm. By 6:45, I was walking in the dining room where I found Lucy setting up the fresh tablecloth and placing plates on the tables.
She beamed when she saw me and beckoned me in, I sat at the same table that I did the night before and she smiled at me, "good morning" I said and she shook her head. She hurriedly went back to the counter and brought back a small slate like menu and handed over it to me.

I turned it in my hands and saw the available breakfast options which were very impressive, considering the woman cooks everything on her own. I placed my order and she giddily walked away. It would be an understatement to say that she brightened up the room.

I was almost done with my breakfast and was about to leave when Will walked in with sleep in his eyes and lousy shoulders- someone didn't sleep at all. Nevertheless, I got to know that Xavier wasn't quite amused with Will's laziness this morning - not that he knew about last night - he gave him a rather harsh welcome; you could blame him, "Well, look who just remembered their family own a business with only two workers, namely mom and dad" ouch...!! He taunted Will as he set his foot inside.

"I couldn't sleep last night" he mumbled, I know.

"Why is that?" He threw a cloth on his shoulder, "would you interest us with an explanation, sire?"

Will rolled his eyes, "I don't know, I just couldn't"

"Well, I hope you do know your work here, which is not getting anywhere near done by itself" he mocked spreading his arms towards a pile of freshly baked goods waiting to be placed in the display.

Will muttered something under his breath that didn't reach my ears but it surely hit Xavier's eardrums because he blasted like a maniac as I made my exit.

I found Lucy walking through the gardens and towards my room, I picked up the paced and caught up to her, she turned to see me and I smiled down at her. Opening the door I let her in and she silently started replacing the bedsheet, pillowcases and blankets, "Thank you" I said and she looked at me wistfully, "Is everything okay?" I asked after a few short seconds of awkwardness.

She gave a small chuckle and gestured something, when she realised I didn't understand any of it she opted for a simpler measure by making a gesture of writing on her palm, "Oh, you need something to write?" I asked and she nodded.

I scrambled through my stuff and produced a notepad and a pen in front of her. She sat on the edge of the bed and I sat beside her, she wrote something on it and I read it, "are you comfortable here?" She asked and I muffled a laugh, "yes, Lucy I am very comfortable

She took the pad again and scribbled another sentence, "Are you here to sell the Ashford Residence?"

I looked up at her, her face was grim, "I am not here to sell it, Lucy, I am just here to negotiate on the behalf of Ashfords"

She shook her head, "How will you sell that house?" She penned down.

"Why?" I asked, "Is there something wrong?"

She waited before writing and then finally wrote one word, "Yes"

I looked at her face, and for the first time, I saw the lines of worry on her forehead. Before I could say anything she kept the notepad and pen on my bed and stood up, "wait, Lucy, what's awry with the house?" I asked but she didn't move to answer, "At least tell me how to find it?" I pleaded.