Play The Part (Player Next Door Book 3)

50 | The Godfather

Hallo, hallo, hallo. Thank you to the amazing @buzbid_for this poster of Millie. I'm always suuuuper curious how you picture her!!

~ Pretty please vote, with a cherry on top! ~

Chapter 50: The Godfather

Today was a day of missions.

It was a Saturday, so, the only real day to get anything done. Because Sunday is rest day and Monday to Friday is a blur.

I popped my keys out of the ignition of my rusty but trusty car. They clinked against the new weight of an airtag hanging off the same chain.

Track me now, Luke.

I was on top of a hill.

The sun was shining and a beautiful fountain was sprinkling water in the front lawn of an old stone house. It felt like Mount Olympus, a safe haven amidst the chaos of my neighborhood.

I walked through the garden, passing by such sweet-smelling flowers that I made a mental note to pick some later. Would make for a beautiful bouquet with the ones in Luke's garden.

I knocked on the front door and waited patiently.

Then I knocked again and waited impatiently.

And before I knocked a third time, someone opened the door.

"Hi!" I said enthusiastically, bringing my hand up in a salute, "I'm here for Lara."

The lady, dressed in an amber uniform, looked me up and down, "I'm afraid Miss Lara is not here anymore. Would you like me to pass on a message?"

"Where did she go?" I asked.

"This is her summer home," the lady replied, "Have you been to the other house?"

"N- no," I said, feeling a bit weird that this lady was acting like I'm the weird one for not expecting someone to live in different houses depending on the season.

Especially since I've been seeing Lara here most of winter.

"Is it... nearby?" I asked.

I thought people switched wardrobes, not houses in winter.

"Somewhat," she replied vaguely, "I'm afraid it's not proper of me to divulge any further information, but I can pass along any message."

"Ok," I stuffed my hands in my pockets and looked around, uncomfortably, "So you can't tell me where she is... but you can pass on a message."

I thought about it.

"You know," I pointed out, raising my finger to my chin, "you keep saying 'pass on a message' in this kinda vague way. Normally people say 'I'll tell her you stopped by' or 'I'll pass a message to her'. Who exactly are you passing the message on to?"

This whole blackmailer mystery is turning me into a detective 24/7 apparently.

"To her mother," the lady replied, her hand finding its way to the door in a sign she was going to end this conversation soon, "Mrs Dillarios-Clemendel comes here to paint sometimes, so I'll pass the message to her, and she may pass it on to her daughter. I only take care of this house, and we don't have any residents right now."

You'd think she'd be more chatty with me, if there aren't any residents to take care of.

I looked down at my phone, where my chat with Lara was open.

All my messages, unanswered.

"Please tell her I'm trying to reach her," I said, resigned.

Did I do something to offend her?