Shadows of deceit : The Augustus secret

Chapter Seventeen

Ashley

"Ugh I can't seem to catch a fucking break, and now I got writer's block !"

"Girl, you need to get laid, that block is a result of work frustration, and you know it." Mary yelled from the phone.

"Seriously? I'm asking you for motivation and you're talking to me about getting laid? Glad to have a friend like you M."

"Oh please, the only motivation you need is that whatever you write about that family will blow up, you're the only journalist who got an in-house insight. But nooo, you just had to play detective."

I rolled my eyes as I replied. "I'm not going to write whatever, it's going to affect Stefan who I strongly believe he's really innocent now."

"You're just saying that cause he's hot, maybe you should get laid with him since Will is forbidden near you."

"Okay gross, I'm not sleeping with my boss, matter of fact I'm not sleeping with anyone thank you very much."

"Seriously Ashe, that house turned you into a bore." She paused before she continued "I miss hanging out with you, but you never leave that house."

"I miss you too, but I can't leave, every moment here is important and worth it, you never know when something unexpected will pop up."

"Yeah, like fucking ghosts, seriously you live in a murder house now."

"Oh please, ghosts? Failed attempt to drag me out the house Mary."

"Whatever, don't come crying to me when your ass gets possessed."

I chuckled at her words, knowing she was probably rolling her eyes and annoyed that I refused to hang out with her while I was still on duty. Mary was my best friend, and although she teased me about my attempts to write honest articles instead of just creating buzz around my name, she had always been supportive. She never hesitated to hook me up with any fresh scoop worth writing about.

"Always a pleasure talking to you bestie" I say teasingly.

"Yeah yeah..." she says before she hangs up.

...

That's fucking it, I've had enough. My eyes sting from the tears forced from inside me, and I am unable to write anything. This stupid block infuriates me to no end. I slam my laptop shut and throw my notepad onto the bed. Unable to muster the strength to break my laptop, I allow my anger to grow even more. I can't think straight, I can't find the words to write.

Unable to bear this frustration any longer, I rise from my spot and begin to slowly walk back and forth across the room. Finally, I decided that I have had enough of being trapped, so I prepare to leave my space and venture out of the room in search of fresh air.

As I stepped out from my room and into the hallway, my feelings of defeat overwhelmed me and that's when I hear it, the echo of a beautiful yet haunting melody that pierced through the halls, filling the house with its dark melody. The piano tunes made me stop in my tracks, its beauty and sorrow causing my heart to ache and yearn. Where was this sound coming from? This music had a hold on me, and as its sounds bounced throughout the halls, it took me over.

Moonlight Sonata (1st movement) by Beethoven

I followed the music as it led me downstairs and into the ballroom. However, the room remained dark and dimly lit, the only source of light being from the chandeliers above me. The ambiance of the room was elegant and refined, the dim lights creating a beautiful and serene atmosphere. Despite the darkness, the room still carried a certain air of beauty and sophistication.