Sincerely yours, Viviana

Gamble

Hope you're having a lovely christmas
xoxo

_________________

The next four days, Ana spent mostly alone. She had the occasional activity with Odette; swimming in the pool— the younger girl insisted they play mermaids— or Ana teaching Odette how to paint with different techniques. They had everything in Waddesdon Manor, so it wasn't a surprise when the house staff informed her that they had deep edged, pre-primed canvas' on hand.

Every evening, Ana would meet Charlotte and Odette in the dining room, and eat dinner, making polite conversation. She had grown to quite enjoy their company, yes, she still felt out of place, but it was easier to operate around them now. She knew what was normal, what to do, what not to do.

Ana hadn't seen Elijah at all in those days. Much to her annoyance, she wondered where he was far too often, in her opinion. He had been gone, and no one had said anything about it.

She hadn't seen James either, although she wasn't particularly upset about that. Any time she encountered the older man, he was always angry about something.

After walking to her room after dinner, she began getting ready for bed, walking over to the curtains to close them, she saw a flash of light in the corner of the window. Practically pushing her face up against the window to see Elijah rushing out of the house. She didn't even know he was here.

Ana watched attentively as he got on his black sport bike, revved the engine and peeled out of the grounds and down the winding driveway.

She sighed, slightly frustrated as she stepped away from the window, turning round to see Damien leaning against a foot poster of her bed.

"Fottuto inferno, Damien!" She jumped, bringing a hand to her chest. "It's impossible for you to enter a room like a normal person?"

He let out a laugh at her response. "Stupidity isn't a good look on you, Ana."

Ana rolled her eyes, before walking over to her dresser, pulling her hair out of her bun. Damien stood close behind her, meeting her eyes in the mirror. "Do you want to know where my brother went?"

"Honestly, Damien, I don't care." She picked up a brush and began running it through her hair, avoiding making eye contact.

"I think you do." He had a mischievous grin plastered on his face. "Didn't your mother ever teach you not to lie?"

"I'm not lying." Ana shot back, turning round to face him.

He tilted his head. "I'd say otherwise."

"You're delusional." Ana shook hers.

"Occupational hazard."

"Get out of my room, Damien." She pointed towards the door, sick of his teasing.

"Do you want to know?" He repeated himself, slowly.

"Leave, please." Feeling defeated she moved away from Damien and towards her bed.

"I'll take you to him."

Ana paused on the spot, and Damien's smile grew even bigger. Shaking her head, she continued her movements. "I don't care, Damien."

"You'll regret it if you don't..." he teased her. "I know you've been a curious cat these past few days, dying to figure out all my family's secrets. I saw you wandering around the house, pushing your ear against closed doors." He tsked, shaking his head. "You know you want to..."

Ana shook her head. "You've been following me? Add stalker to your resumé."

He let out a laugh and headed towards the door of her room. "We're taking my car."