Shadows of deceit : The Augustus secret

Chapter Twenty-Four

Ashley

I approached Stefan's office, my mind still preoccupied with thoughts about Lady Agatha's unexpected arrival earlier. As Martin had let me know, Stefan was expecting me, and it had been two hours since her unannounced visit. I pondered intently on the mysterious circumstances surrounding her presence, questioning both her identity as an unknown member of the Augustus family and her status as a foreigner to the rest of the relatives.

I gently knocked on the door before opening it and stepping inside, finding Stefan engrossed in sifting through some papers, his hair in disarray, as if he had been running his fingers through it in a state of anxiety. The sight of him rummaging through his documents was unusual, and the box sitting on the table next to him only heightened my curiosity. His face was still expressionless, making it difficult to decipher whether his anxious behavior was due to agitation or his growing suspicions about Lady Agatha.

"You called for me?" I asked, and Stefan looked up from his papers, nodding in response. He then gestured towards the box sitting on the table next to him, saying, "What you asked for." His voice was calm and composed, betraying no hints of the inner turmoil that could have caused his disheveled state moments before. I gave him a quick smile before I made my way to pick it up.

"What do you think of Agatha?" I was taken aback by Stefan's question, as it was unusual for him to seek my opinion, especially on a family member. My surprise must have been evident on my face, as I hadn't expected him to value my perspective. However, the fact that he was asking for my opinion filled me with hope, as it hinted at a willingness to open up to me. I tried to hide my excitement, not wanting to come across as too eager, and replied "Agatha... well, I can't say I've had much time to form an opinion about her yet... I mean her total existence was a surprise not just for me, but I assume you too?" I asked hesitantly hoping this conversation wouldn't end just yet.

"It's quite strange that neither my father nor my uncle ever mentioned her." he said as his expression grew pensive " It's as if she was completely unknown to the rest of the family, which is quite unusual for someone who's supposed to be part of our bloodline."

I nodded silently, my mind working to find a plausible explanation. "Perhaps there's a reason for that?" I suggested. Stefan's gaze lingered on me for a moment before he replied. "That's what I'm trying to figure out." His tone was matter-of-fact.

I studied Stefan intently, my mind buzzing with confusion as to why he had suddenly decided to open up to me. Stefan coming forward and exposing his total lack of knowledge about his own family member? Especially since he is now the head of the Augustus family. Yet he showed vulnerability in front of me?

"Why...are you telling me this, Stefan?" My voice was tentative, unsure of if I should be grateful for this newfound openness or puzzled by its sudden emergence.

Stefan's gaze held mine without faltering as he spoke, his voice steady and resolute "For now, I trust you more than I trust her." he confessed. "I don't care that we share a last name. To me, she's a stranger." There was a hint of resignation in his tone, as if he had accepted the fact that blood ties didn't always guarantee trust or connection.

I was taken aback by Stefan's frank admission, feeling a mix of surprise and anticipation at the implications of his trust in me. It was puzzling why he had chosen to confide in me rather than David or Jess, and I couldn't help but wonder if his lack of trust in his own family extended to this specific conversation or if it was a reflection of a more profound issue. The significance of his choice to talk to me was not lost on me, and I couldn't shake the feeling that it held clues to the hidden motives and dynamics within the Augustus family.