Sane or Insane | ✔

VII. Great Pretender

Gentle and firm hands gripped both my shoulders, shaking me gently to wake my asleep consciousness. I slowly opened my eyes, a blurry vision and a bright light welcomed me. I slowly shifted on the seat to avoid being blinded by the sun as I blinked rapidly, trying to see clearly.  

I averted my gaze towards the shadow standing over me, my eyes are squinted. Then I realized, it was not Victor nor the driver who woke me up. I was woken up by a woman in red, her green doe eyes staring at me curiously.

I cleared my throat as I sat properly. My head is pounding so hard, making me massage my temple. "I'm sorry, it seems that I fell asleep on the journey." I groggily said, looking around the car, searching for Victor, but my eyes only landed on the empty seats.

"Where the hell are they?" I thought to myself as my brows furrowed in confusion.

I heard the woman in red softly chuckled, making me avert my gaze to her. She flashed her million-dollar smile and cleared her throat. "It seems like you're wondering where your company went." She softly said, her British accent thick and lovely. She crossed her arms and smiled at me again. "Don't worry, they proceeded to Mr. Vurmingham's office." She waved her hand dismissively, smiling politely at me.

I absentmindedly nodded as I grabbed my earphone and iPhone X from the carpeted floor of the car, shoving them inside my handbag. I felt her eyes staring at me, watching my every move as I hopped outside the car. As soon as I set foot outside, my eyes widened in awe as I laid my eyes on the building behind her. I took a couple of steps forward towards the building to look at it much better.

A large, brick-built, baronial two-story building with many rooms loomed over us. Its windows are barred shut and its brick walls are covered in moss. 

"This building is for employees and visitors only." She chimed in as she walked towards me, her gaze fixated on the building in front of us. "Wait until you see the asylum, I bet that will make your smile bigger." She glanced at me with a sweet smile plastered on her face.

My eyes and attention remained on the building in front of us, thinking long and hard. "I wonder what and how many secrets lie within its walls." I thought to myself as a small smile crept on my face.

"So, Ms. Rivera." The woman in red clapped her hands to catch my attention. I faced and looked at her as she walked towards the car, the sound of her heels smacking the pavement made a clicking sound. "After Mr. Lance meets with Mr. Vurmingham, you will proceed to his office to discuss your work schedule." She continued and leaned on the car, smiling at me. She lifted her hand and lent me the key to the trunk.

I grabbed the key out of her grasp and walked towards the trunk. "Where will I stay?" I asked, my gaze fixated on the trunk as I inserted the key in the keyhole.

I heard a gasp escaped her lips followed by a chuckle. "Oh! thanks for reminding me. I nearly forgot that." 

I placed the key inside my handbag and opened the trunk. "Let me help you with that." She chimed in as she walked towards me, wrapping her fingers around the luggage handle.

"Okay, here it goes," I muttered under my breath and sighed. "This is gonna be heavy." I chuckled and took a glimpse of her.

She chuckled and cleared her throat. "On the count of three." She muttered under her breath and tightened her grip on the handle. "Three." 

She lifted the luggage and I placed my hand beneath it, supporting its weight. A grunt both escaped our lips, followed by a chuckle. "Oh heavens, that's definitely heavy," She stifled a chuckle, her hands rested on her hips as she stretched.

 A chuckle escaped my lips as I looked at her. "Yeah, I told you so." I pulled the luggage handle and exhaled sharply.

"Come on now." She chimed in as she closed the backseat door. "I'll show you to your room." She flashed her million-dollar smile before walking towards the asylum, her hips swaying and heels clicking, a folder in her hand.