The Truth

Ch.20: Preparation

I was in full-blown panic mode, practically drowning in my own paranoia. There was no way I could serve Jason and Ryan-or Mr. Caesar, whatever I was supposed to call him at this point. I was so flustered, I couldn't even remember his name properly.

Hazel ended up taking over the task while I hid out in the kitchen, chopping onions like a madwoman. At least the onions gave me a solid excuse for the tears threatening to spill over. They were really pulling their weight in the "keeping Angelica from crying for real" department.

I was so deep in my own thoughts that I almost missed the sound of Alessia's grating voice echoing through the hallway. She was up to something, and knowing her, it wasn't good.

"Don't make a scene here," Ryan's voice cut through the air, calm but with an edge that made me freeze.

Curiosity got the better of me, and I peeked around the corner. There was Jason, casually sipping his tea like he was watching an episode of *The Real Housewives,* while Alessia, the drama queen herself, was facing off with the Master Wall-Ryan. I mean, who starts a marital dispute in front of a guest? But then again, this was Alessia we were talking about.

"I don't want that maid," Alessia snapped, her voice shrill and laced with venom. My heart skipped a beat. Oh great, here we go.

"Can't you listen to your wife for once?" she added, her words sharp enough to cut through the tension in the room. Ryan's jaw tightened, and before anyone could say anything else, he slammed his cup down on the coffee table. Okay, maybe not slammed, but the impact was loud enough to send a jolt of anxiety through me.

"I said, enough," Ryan repeated, his voice dropping several degrees colder. The sudden shift in the atmosphere was like a physical pressure in the room. Even Jason looked like he might choke on his tea.

Poor Hazel was standing there, head down, trying to make herself as invisible as possible. I gritted my teeth, feeling the sudden need to rescue her-or at least save her from the second-hand embarrassment. This was my chance.

Without thinking, I stormed into the room, grabbed Hazel's arm, and dragged her out of there before anyone could react.

"What are you doing?" Hazel hissed at me once we were safely in the hallway.

"Saving you from the royal rumble," I muttered, still clutching the onion-covered knife. "I'd rather go back to slicing onions than deal with that circus."

Hazel stared at me for a moment, then burst out laughing. "You're really something, Angelica. But thanks for the save. I thought I was going to have to referee a round between the Queen of Drama and the Master Wall."

I couldn't help but laugh too, even though my nerves were still shot. "Let's just hope I don't have to step into the ring myself. I'd probably end up disqualified before the match even starts."

As we shared a relieved laugh, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of whatever strange and dramatic turn my life had taken since stepping foot into the Caesar mansion.