Crown Of Hearts

Chapter 6

" This is stupid," Ian complained. He was dressed up in a white blouse and a tight black skirt. His makeup had been done rather sloppily and a wig had been placed over his blond hair.

Peter was currently enjoying this whole situation. He was sat in the corner, his arms crossed and a smirk played on his lips. Yup definitely enjoying himself.

" Why didn't you ask Nadia or Lindsey? They actually are girls."

" Nadia's busy with scheduling and Linsey's trying to fix the sleep tablets," Zak answers from the couch.

" Now again."

We had been going over the lines for almost an hour. It was mainly my fault. I had been the one messing up the lines and confusing the facts.

I was dressed in my regular clothes but instead of my usual apron, Zak handed me a pink apron, colored contacts, and glasses. I needed to look like Melissa and act like her too. From the files, I had gathered that she was extremely charming and friendly. She was so well-liked that even though her last name wasn't on the list. She was treated as such.

" Oh, Melissa. It's such a joy to see you again." Ian's attempt at a feminine voice made me winched. It sounded like nails on a chalkboard.

I giggle, something Melissa did a lot.

" It's good to see you too. My father left his lunch at home. I was wondering if I could bring it to him?"

Ian giggled and it was not a pretty sound.
" Oh, I don't know sweetie. I'm really not supposed to let anyone in that's not working."

I smiled and I hoped it was as dazzling as I thought, " Oh, come on Miss Lynch. You know me and I know you. It's just for a quick second. I don't want my father to go hungry. He works so hard especially now with my brother in the hospital."

Ian actually started to cry and fanned himself before pulling out tissues from his sleeve. He dabbed his eyes. His mascara was ruined and the more he dabbed his eyes, the more he looked like a raccoon.

I was at a lost for words, my mind went blank. I opened and closed my mouth before settling on not saying anything at all.

Peter lost it, he was practically howling with laughter and he wiped a tear from the corner of his eyes.

" Uh." I blanked.

" Okay stop. Ian go change." Zak ran his fingers through his hair.

" Clara you have to expect the unexpected. It doesn't matter what anyone does. Ian could have said no, or he could have just turned into an uncontrollable, inconsolable mess, or even strip naked and taken to the streets. It doesn't matter. You have to be quick and get what you want okay?" The real Zak was coming out. The boy I met yesterday was gone. This Zak was the leader of the seventh division, this was the boy who climbed his way to the top. And honestly this Zak scared me the most.

" Aw don't be so harsh on her. She only had her first lesson yesterday." Peter said and I smiled gratefully at him.

I don't know what was happening to me, I barely knew these boys yet I didn't want to let them down. For the first time in a long time, I didn't want to sit in the sidelines and let someone else take on the problem. I wanted to be the one to solve it.

I tied my hair back tightly and adjusted my glasses. " Let me go again."

" I don't know Clara. You're tired and I don't want you to overwork yourself. Peter's right. It's only been a day. We'll fix it tomorrow." He started to stand up.

" No please. Let me try one more time."

Zak looked at me and his expression soften.
" Okay. One more time. Peter take Ian's spot."

We ran through the lines easily and as we approached the ending. Peter smiled.

" Actually I change my mind. I don't want anyone inside right now. The floors are still being cleaned, you understand don't you?"

I bit my lip. Think, think. What was in the file.

I remember Zak's mini-lesson before we started.

Sometimes you gotta be the person that you buried deep within yourself to get what you need.

I attempted to smirked, " No, I don't. But that's just me. I don't understand a lot of things. I don't understand why life is the way it is, or why a particular secretary would leave her kids and husband to run away with an ex. But what I do know is my father works too hard not to enjoy his lunch."

Peter choked.

" Was that good enough?" I turned to Zak.

He smiles, " Good job thinking on your feet." He rose to his feet. " It's getting late. We'll practice more tomorrow."

" There's still half an hour before I need to leave."

" I know. Just figure that you haven't had dinner yet. Let's eat." All traces of the Zak before was gone and even Peter seemed to relax at Zak's playful tone.

Ian met us a little bit later, he was back to wearing pants which he seemed to be very happy about.

He was furiously scrubbing his face with a rag.

" If you keep rubbing your face like that, you're not going to have any skin like that," Peter remarked. He bit into an apple.

" How your food?" Zak asked.

" It's really good. I haven't had chicken and rice in a while."

" Ian, can you stop fucking groaning? You're ruining my dinner." Peter said calmly.

Ian shot a glare back, " There's makeup in my eye."

I giggled at the exchange and Zak smiled.

" I'm glad that you're becoming more comfortable with us." He said.

Peter and Ian were still arguing when Lindsey walked in. " Okay, I fixed the tablets. Hopefully, you'll wake up this time. But I still don't know why Clara was unaffected." She threw him a small jar.

" If I may ask, where do you live?"

" I live in Elara," I answered, although I didn't know where this was going.

" Elara." She muttered, " Elara...I see. That specific area contains an abundance of a willow leaf. Do you happen to drink a lot of willow leaf tea?"

" Yes, I actually do."

" What's the point of this?" Ian asked.

" Willow leaf is a natural herb grown specifically in the north. Many people living in the area claim that it is a natural defense against stomachaches and other sicknesses. Because Clara has lived there her whole life, it basically made her immune to the side effects. Which means, this batch is not good." She snatched the jar out of Ian's hands.

She was writing something down quickly on the back of her hand, " I'll need to create another tablet that contains willow leaf and busher beans." She muttered to herself as she left.

Peter was looking at Zak very closely, his eyes scanning his expressions. Did Zak look tensed? Like he was anticipating something.

" What the hell is Willow leaf?" Ian asked.

Peter sighed, " I thought you're the smart one."

It was gone, he looked more relaxed.

" I'm only good when it comes to numbers." He defended.

Zak stood up suddenly, " Peter please take Clara home, Ian I need to talk to you about something."