The Journal [A Sequel To Maya's Diary]

Chapter Twenty-seven

At the hall's entrance to the Montenegro's hotel, chairs arranged in an ordered decent crammed every nook and cranny. Guests arrived in hours later than the scheduled meeting time in exotic suits and for the ladies, gowns all in the dress code colour; black with a touch of silver as a mere part of an accessory. Everyone who happened to be a member of the Arch knew how important the monthly meeting was.

Gallantly striding down the stairway in her black v-cut gown was Diana. She hardly ever failed in plastering a red thick gloss across both lips and smacked them intermittently. Her heels though a little too long for someone her height and though proved uncomfortable, was very much the best fit.

Few minutes afterwards, Edward walked in looking particularly gracious and handsome in the suit he had become accustomed to. He had a silver tie knotted into a huge knot with its end propping out at the lower end of the suit jacket but carefully fastened with a pin to stay glued and in position. All eyes moved shifttingly to the newest member and Diana too didn't seem not to have taken notice. She helped herself with a glass of sizzling gold wine placed in a wine glass and held up by the waiter while she pushed forward to meet up with the gentleman in black over at the end of the corner also taking a drink.

"You're late," Diana spoke up while taking a sip her eyes still on his.

"I watched you come in. We are both late," he countered hurriedly flushing his drink down while slightly refraining from getting drunk.

"I'm bored. Take me to the dance floor," she requested folding her arms round his neck while dropping the glass she had on her other hand.

"You might want to take yourself away from me."

Slowly, she withdrew with disappointment clearly drawn on her face.

"Why do you resent me so much?"

"...because me and you will never work."

"You still love Maya don't you?"

"I think we both know what the answer to that is."

"True. But if you really did love her, when was the last time you paid her a visit?"

Edward grew worried by the nature of the disturbing question and turned sharply at her in a bid to reprimand her.
"I'm giving her enough space because I love her."

"I think you've given way too much space to have noticed what went amiss. She was poisoned by your sister."

"No! You are just trying to get into my head. Annabelle would never do that," he replied pacing about.

"OK whatever you say, but just do well to check up on her," she replied and winked while striding back away.

Everyone had taken their seats but stood briefly in quick and prompt honour to the distinguished Mayor. Diana rolled her eyes around to confirm the doubt that Edward was still present. She smiled when she realized he was long gone but the figure of Manuel approaching blurred her thoughts.

"Edward?"

"I gave him some disturbing news so he left."

"That does sound like you."

"Please.. That's the only way to dismantle the little solidarity between him and his sister."

"You know about his sister?" Manuel asked suppressing his reaction and slowly bending forward to whisper into her ears.

"I have my ears and eyes all around town especially if it has to deal with Maya. We need those babies delivered safely and then one killed. That's the rule."