Captive: Hopeless

Chapter 70 - A Familiar Face

"This is Eden Richardson. Eden, this is our bride-to-be, Kay Lupine. The formal sitting room will have more space for you to speak," Minerva said, eyeing the two neat black boxes filled with folders.

It took every bit of Kay's willpower not to say "I know" during the introduction and to remind herself that there was no way her mother would recognize her.

"Nice to meet you," Kay managed, and as that familiar cool hand touched hers, she wondered why Akira did this to her. But then realized that this was not the woman she was supposed to be speaking to and that her sister might not be aware of the dangerous situation her wedding planner had created. Not that the woman would know.

"Likewise."

Dear heavens, how much it hurt to be this close to her mother and not be able to hug her and bridge the distance between them?

"This way?" Minerva said, leading the way. Once they reached the white and pastel decorated, modern living area with his leather sofas and glass tables, the housekeeper turned to face them.

"Tea?" she asked, and Kay nodded automatically, barely hearing the question as she struggled to keep herself from staring at her mother.

Baccus' genes allowed her parent to age gracefully. Despite being in her fifties, she looked no older than forty, which was both a blessing and a curse.

"Please, sit," she said, surprised at how normal she sounded.

Before they had properly settled, the tea arrived, and not trusting her shaky hands, she allowed Minerva to serve them. Was it strange for Azera's daughter to serve others in this castle that should be hers, or was she so used to it that it never occurred to her? Kay found that hard to believe.

Minerva immediately picked up on her unease, and their eyes met, curiosity in those cool eyes.

"Should I reschedule your meeting with Artemis? My boss may have forgotten that you made other arrangements this morning?"

For a second, she was tempted to accept the escape the woman offered her, but the idea of sending her mother packing and perhaps never seeing her again upset her even more.

"Please ask Artemis to meet me this afternoon at whatever time suits her," she said, and Minerva nodded, still concerned. Her gaze went subtly from one to the other. Was there still some hint of a resemblance? No, nothing remained of Daniella in her.

"Miss. Percheron mentioned that the wedding will be in twelve months; that should give us plenty of time to make it a memorable occasion for you if today is not ideal," Eve said, accepting her tea.

Kay almost asked if Miss. Percheron was Eve's employer until she realized the name appeared on the files in Akira's office. It never occurred to her to wonder what her sister's last name was. It seemed a trivial matter to ancients who must change their names often. How did they hide their faces, though, in this modern era? They would have a way. Did they not possess an answer for everything?

Minerva departed from them, leaving the tray behind.

"Yes. This was rather a bit sudden," she admitted.

"Will you be a second wife?" Eve asked with the tiniest measure of censure, and Kay froze. "Sorry. How can I ask such a thing?"

She seemed scandalized that the question slipped out.

"Claudia and Marcus are getting a divorce. Speak your mind. I will not take offense as long as this conversation is private." Had this woman been anyone else, she would not mind

"They've been married less than five months," Eve said, "and I signed a nondisclosure agreement, but this is really none of my business."

"They were friends and, after a few months of marriage, realized they mistook friendship for love," she said, and it was true enough.