KING OF HEARTS and QUEEN OF SPADES

CHAPTER VII. LIPSTICK, TEARS & TRAGEDY

The day after the boat party

A light knock on the massive wooden door followed by a cold, barely audible 'come in', was heard from behind it. Clarke pushed the door with all her force and managed to open it wide enough to slip her body through the opening. The room was huge, the walls covered with paintings – William Blake's sketches never seemed so creepy – the design of the furniture was all about fixed geometrical forms, but the weird part was how they blended into a bigger picture, so to say. Clarke felt as if she was out of place, not belonging there – a small colored spot on the freaking perfect black canvas. Advancing through the office with irregular steps felt like descending to Purgatory itself; everything was new and at the same time so familiar. She felt that heaviness and her heart was sinking through the waves of her tangled thoughts.

Lexa Woods was sitting at her massive desk, head buried into the huge pile of files, resting on it. She was dressed with a white shirt and a black blazer, her hair in a ponytail. The rays of sun were reflecting through the big window behind her and this thing gave her some sort of a golden aura. From Clarke's point of view, she looked like a female version of Virgil, who was dwelling in Limbo. A more modern approach some could say, as Lexa was dwelling in Purgatory due to her mission and play pretend even with her true self. Clarke was thinking how someone like her could like those gory detailed sketches and those perfect shapes – during high school she was a rebel. I guess going to the university really made a breaking point in your life Lexa. You became so cold and distant, no emotions, no personal touch in your office...you're not the same rebellious girl I fell for...strange how a few years can spin the wheel of time so fast. Clarke was so distracted to stare at Lexa, that she didn't notice that she almost reached the desk.

- Clarke?

- Hmm?! Clarke was confused, as if she woke up from her slumber.

- I asked if you want a coffee or a water.

- Water is fine. Thank you!

Lexa pushed a button and talked to a sweet girl at the end of the line asking for a water and a coffee. It must be her secretary.

- What brings you to my office, Clarke?

- I wanted to ask you about some legal matters, but also I wanted to see you.

Lexa smirked and made direct eye contact with those gorgeous blue eyes. She could not help but freeze in space and time looking at Clarke. The blonde woman had amazing eyes and that shirt she was wearing did not helped Lexa and her wondering eyes at all.

A light knock on the door, followed by the sound of heels hitting the floor and a girl placing the coffee in front of Lexa and the water in front of Clarke broke the spell.

- Thank you AJ, said Lexa breaking the 'spell'

- Sure thing, boss. Let me know if you need anything else.

- That would be all for now. Thank you.

The tall girl nodded and walked away carrying the tray with her. Clarke looked a few seconds over her shoulder just in time to notice that AJ had her legs covered with tattoos – roses and thorns tangled in some sort of poisonous ivy. The work was amazing and a lot of details and shadows were shown. Clarke's primary passion was drawing and painting –she was so tempted to ask the girl to reveal her tattoo.

- Do you see something you like Clarke?

- No, no...she has some exquisite tattoos on her legs. The details and the vivid colors impressed me.