Twisted

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

        Madam Éclair is now displaying the painting, 'AMORE', standing closed to it and discussing about it with various people.

    "Is this how art exhibition are normally? If it is, then it's quite boring. How can you stand that Leah?" Jason asked from the other side with a yawn.

      "Not really, it's because your focusing on the mission now. It's thrilling ones you see the art in person. I know! Next time I go to a showcasing I'll bring the both of you!" I exclaimed.

    "No thank you!" Jason rejected.

   "Hard pass. Not in the next twenty years! It's totally boring. " Kayla chipped in.

     "Oh come on guys! You have to experience it physically to understand!" I persuaded.

...

    "Leah, she's alone now." Jason said.

  "Yes! Finally! Copy! I'm going. I've been waiting for long now!" I walked forward, a little excited to get the job done.

       "What a lovely afternoon Madam Éclair!" I greeted with a smile ones I finally reached where she was. "And what an eye blinding gown you have there." 'I mean literally eye blinding!' I thought, stopping myself from closing my eyelids.

      "Ah! It is and I am flattered! You have a beautiful outfit yourself. " Madam Éclair replied all giddily.

   "Thank you " I said with a small smile.

     "You most be the third daughter of the Minister, Leah Blank! He informed me of your coming and asked me to take care of you." Madam Éclair asked excitedly. 'Is it weired that I think she's being this happy? I thought she'll be all proper and lady like.' I thought curiously.

     Seemingly noticing my curiosity, Madam Éclair said with a knowing smile and lock hands with me.

    "It most have been those old ladies talking nonsense again." She laughed. "I don't used to come early because I'm busy with work and I've tried to change the time for the exhibition but they always complain saying that I'm not considering them. Ah! The say they don't have time to come if its that late while all they do is gossip all day!" I can feel her anger on my hand. I mean it! Her nails her digging into my skin!

    Removing my hand from her grap, which she also noticed, and apologies, she seems nice. "But,..." Madam Éclair continued facing the now hanged 'AMORE' painting. "Sometimes I wish I could control them and make them do my bidding, let them get a feel of their own constant sarcasm! Then they will know to not get involved with everyone!" Madam Éclair said jokingly,  I hope.

       "What a jest Madam Éclair. Hhh " I laughed forcibly.

     "I am not joking, It's only a matter of time after all" she smiled darkly. "Hahaha! I'm just joking Leah. Lighten up, will you." She hit my shoulder lightly and laughed. I laughed along side her but I don't think she was jesting at all.

     "Let me get you a glass of water, Madam Éclair. " I said, Looking for any excuse to get away from her for a while to calm myself.

      "Ok" she nodded and I left. One thing that was at least provided in this exhibition was water.

...

    "Guys, did you hear that?" I asked ones I was a good distance away from Madam Éclair and the crowd.

     "Yes, that was creepy!" Jason answered.

    "Hmm," kayla supported. "Leah, see if you can get her phone while your at it."

   "Why?" I asked confused.

    "To check something. " Kayla replied vaguely.

   "OK, I'll try my best." Kayla most have a reason for requesting that. I took a glass of water from the tray of one of the walking waiters, took in a breath and walked back to the painting, where Madam Éclair was still standing.

...

    "Sorry for the delay! Who knew I would have to walk far to get a glass of water." I said handing her the glass.

    "No problem dear, and thank you for your hard work." Madam Éclair said then sipped the water. "You know, this art work, 'AMORE' is **** masterpiece. "

     "Yes, I heard he worked on it for months, trying to get every detail painted well. I most say though, it really is a fantastic painting. " I said looking at the painting, every detail was painted well, the leaves, the sand, the flowing waves of the ocean. Its almost as if one is standing bare footed on the ocean. It is truly breath taking.

    We talked more until Madam Éclair suddenly had a frown on her face.

    "Madam Éclair? What's wrong?" I asked concerned.

    "Oh nothing, it's nothing to worry about. I just need to go powder my nose. I'll be back." Madam Éclair said, almost crouching and holding her stomach.

    "OK." I smiled. She was about to leave when I stopped her, "Oh! Madam Éclair! The cup?"

    "Oh! Here, help me take it back." She gave me the cup and turned around.

   "And what about your purse!" I reminded her.

    "Ah! I'm sorry but could you help me by holding this for me, please?" She asked nicely.

    "Sure, I'm always happy to help." I smiled generously. Then she left.

    "Hahahahaha!" I burst out in laugher.

    "What happened Leah?" Jason asked confused as to why I was laughing.

    "Nothing! It's just that... Madam Éclair is going to be gone for some time now." I smiled mischievously.

   "What? Why?" Jason asked, not getting what I meant. "What did you do?"

     "I just gave Madam Éclair a little something that will make her stay in the toilet for about an half an hour." I explained laughing.

   "What! Seriously? Hahaha" Jason joined me to laugh. "But wait, how did you get that 'something'?"

     "Hah! Why so curious?" I asked jokingly, Jason has always been the curious one in the group. That's why he likes solving mysteries. But thanks to that we get to have adventures every time.

    "Ow come on Leah, don't keep me in the dark!" He begged.

    "All right, fine!" I gave in. "It's all thanks to the person besides you there."

     "Wha! I don't believe you" He said baffled. I can imagine his eye sockets widening then suddenly rejecting the possibility.

     "I'm telling the truth!" I yelled out.

     "Hahaha! So you did have something up your sleeve Kayla." Jason laughed.

   "OK OK, we don't have time for this." Kayla said but I could feel the laughter in her voice. "Leah, try checking if you can see any wording in the painting. The was no picture of the 'AMORE' painting on the Web after all and we can't get I close view from wherethe cameras are placed."

   "OK, Roger that." I said then moved closer to the painting ones I saw no one was paying attention.

      So far I haven't spotted anything strange with the painting.

   "Guys, are you sure that there's a password on the painting?" I asked after I had been checking the painting for a while.

    "Yes, it's definitely there." Jason said firmly.

   "But I haven't seen any..." the words I wanted to say got stuck on my mouth.

     "What is it? Leah, did you find anything?" Kayla asked.

   "Leah!" Kayla called out worriedly.