Cold-Blooded

Chapter 9

The morning sun filtered through the thin curtains of my small room, casting a gentle light across the space. I woke up feeling a mix of anticipation and unease. The mission was in full swing, and today promised to be another step toward uncovering the truth. I dressed quickly in my maid's uniform, adjusting the frilly apron and making sure the tiny camera and earpiece were securely in place.

I made my way to the kitchen, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. Evelyn was already bustling around, preparing breakfast. "Good morning!" she greeted cheerfully. "I hope you slept well."

"Good morning," I replied with a warm smile. "I slept great, thank you."

Evelyn handed me a small list of tasks for the day. "We have a few things to get done, but nothing too strenuous. Just make sure everything is for the upcoming dinner party."

I nodded and began working. The kitchen was already spotless, so my tasks involved mostly tidying up and organizing. As I worked, I found myself listening closely to the sounds around the house, trying to catch any snippets of conversation or unusual activity.

Suddenly, I heard raised voices coming from the nearby living room. I paused, trying to make out the words. The conversation was fragmented, but I could clearly hear a few key phrases: "...so sudden...heart attack..."

My heart skipped a beat as I strained to listen more closely. The words became clearer: "...Howard Boston...passed away..."

I felt a wave of shock and sorrow. My breath caught in my throat, and tears began to well up in my eyes. I did not know why the news hit me so hard, but I was overwhelmed by the weight of the situation. The pain and loss were palpable, and the idea of a loved one passing away so unexpectedly was deeply unsettling.

I turned abruptly, my eyes blurred with tears, and stumbled out of the kitchen. I needed to escape the overwhelming emotion and find a quiet place to gather myself. As I hurried down the hallway, trying to keep my composure, I collided with someone.

The impact jolted me back to reality, and I looked up to see a young man with concerned eyes. He reached out to steady me. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice laced with genuine concern.

Before I could respond, a girl appeared from the side, her expression stern. "What's going on here?" she demanded, her gaze shifting between me and the young man.

"I... I am fine," I stammered, trying to pull myself together. The tears were still threatening to spill, and I could barely focus on the girl's words.

The girl glanced at me, her eyes softening slightly, but she did not relent. "Come with me," she said firmly, taking my arm and gently guiding me away from the young man.

"Thank you," I whispered to the young man, though I was not sure if he could hear me over the confusion.

The girl led me to a quiet room off the main hall, and as soon as we were inside, she closed the door behind us. She turned to face me, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "Are you all, right? You seem really shaken up."

"I... I heard something upsetting," I said, struggling to keep my voice steady. "About someone's father passing away. It is just...hit me hard."

The girl nodded sympathetically. "I understand. Sometimes news like that can be overwhelming. Are you sure you are, okay?"

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my emotions. "I think so. I just need a moment to process everything."

The girl offered a small smile. "Take your time. I am here if you need anything."

(A/N - Who do you think killed Howard Boston?)