From Frying Pan to Strange Fire

Joan roused from sleep earlier than she normally would because she had trouble sleeping deeply despite the perfect nature of the bed.

Utmost disappointment set in when she realized that she wasn’t dreaming everything that happened the night before. Her eyes traveled to the door and relief washed over her when she saw that the table she set behind the door was still in place.

Pushing her body to a sitting position, she grabbed her phone and tried to call Grace only to realize the device was dead due to low battery. Joan let out a frustrated groan, slammed the phone against the mattress and fell back on the bed.

Gazing at the pattern ceiling, all her life decisions for three years until that moment flashed before her eyes and she realized how foolish she had been to endure that hell of a marriage with Richard. But what could she call the situation she was in right now? Was this not another foolishness on her part?

She didn’t know how long she remained in that position until a knock brought her back to reality.

She took some time to drag the table away before finally opening the door for whoever was knocking, only to find another strange face staring at her.

“Good morning, Madam. My name is Jerome and I’m the Housekeeper.” He greeted and introduced himself with a barely noticeable frown on his face. Joan, however, noticed it.

“Good morning,” Joan responded, wondering why he was frowning. Did something happen?

“I came to inform you that breakfast is ready and being served. Also, I couldn’t help noticing that you seem to be having some trouble with the furniture setting. I can help you rearrange if the current arrangement is not suitable or to your liking.” He offered.

Confused at first, Joan wondered why he would think that. She couldn’t ask because it soon dawned on her that he must have heard her dragging the table.

“Oh, no. The arrangement is fine. About breakfast, I’ll be down shortly.” She dismissed him and he bowed, taking a step back. However he didn’t walk away, which was what she expected him to do.

“Is there something else you want?” She asked.

“Not at all. I’ll just wait for you right here.” He responded to her query.

“You don’t need to wait. I think I’m already familiar with the place. I can find my way down.” Joan informed him but he put on an apologetic smile.

“I’m sorry Madam, I would do as you requested but I was giving a direct order which I have to carry out to the letter. I don’t mind waiting. Please, take your time.”

Joan gave up and returned inside the room, shutting the door. In a few minutes, she stepped out of the room again.

“Let’s go.” She said, flashing a smile but he didn’t reciprocate. Instead, he threw her a hesitant look. He didn’t know why she was still dressed in the same clothes she came with last night when there were lots of dresses in the closet.

“Something wrong?” Joan probed, catching the frown on his face but he shook his head and straightened his expression, refraining from making any comments.

When they arrived at the dining room, there was no one there and the table was set for one.

“Where is everybody?” She asked, looking around only to find three men who were dressed exactly like the one that came to call her. One was serving the table and the others stood at the far end of the room.

“Boss and the others are out for an emergency business.” He said, pulling out to the chair for her.

Joan eyed the food suspiciously. “So who’s going to taste the food before I eat?” She asked, only realizing after the utterance that she had spoken out loud and not in her mind as she wanted to.

“It’s not poisoned, Madam. I made sure it was prepared with fresh and high quality ingredients. but if you need proof, I’ll taste it with your permission.

Normally, Joan would have refused but knowing her latest plan involved being extremely careful and not to die, she agreed and made sure he tasted everything before she ate.

In the process of tasting the last one, a voice echoed behind him, catching their attention.

“What is going on here?”

The fork fell off his hand out of share fright and they both shifted their attention to the entrance where the voice echoed from.

“Sir Trevor,” he called out letting out a relieved breath.

“Grace!” Joan jumped off her seat and moved to hug her friend who just arrived with Trevor.

“What were you doing, Jerome?” Trevor approached the servant who bent down to pick the fork he initially dropped.

“I’m sorry, Sir Trevor. Madam wouldn’t eat because she needed someone to taste the food for poison and I offered to do it.” Jerome explained with his head lowered.

Trevor let out a sigh and shifted his attention to the women.

I miss you,” Joan revealed, causing Grace to chuckle.

“We were together almost the whole of yesterday.”

“You won’t understand, Grace.” Joan uttered then moved to whisper to Grace’s ears. “This place is like a prison. You don’t know how happy I am to see you.”

Trevor’s brows furrowed when he heard her called the house a prison. However, he refused to comment on it.

“I’ll leave you ladies to catch up. Please call me when you’re ready to leave so I can come pick you.” He said to Grace then walked away from there.

Joan invited Grace to join her for breakfast but the latter insisted she was full and couldn’t take in anymore food. With that, Joan abandoned the food since she had eaten something reasonable and led Grace back to her room.

“This place is crazy, Jo. I mean, my dad is rich but this house is insane. These guys are beyond rich.” Grace commented, surprised at what she was seeing. It felt like she just stepped into a dream.

“I know, right? I reacted exactly the same way. No! I think mine was worse.” Joan held her hand and pulled her toward the bed.

“Yeah. You said you have something to show me. What is it?” Grace asked, fixing her eyes on Joan, who revealed the gift box from last night.

“His birthday present for me.” Joan uttered.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

Grace opened the box and her eyes circled. She lifted the neckpiece, bringing it to her eye level to give it closer look and her lips parted in awe.

“This is beautiful… and confusing.” Grace commented.

“Not as confusing as this one.” Joan extended the envelope and Grace checked its content.

“A ticket to Camparo?” Grace gasped, lifted her head and set her disbelieving gaze on Joan. “You two are traveling to Camparo?” She questioned.

“No. It’s a ticket for one and I can bring anyone I want along.” Joan clarifyed but that only surprised Grace the more.

“This can’t be real, Jo. It doesn’t make any sense. Why would he give you this and how did he know you wanted to go to Camparo?” Grace queried.

“How he knew? I’m not sure. But why he gave me this? The only reason I can think of is he’s probably giving me a way to escape.” Joan uttered.

“What?! Why would you think that?”

“It’s what I feel. Maybe this marriage is fake and he just did it to make me sorry for my mistake and right now I am very sorry for what I did. Maybe he is giving me a chance to start all over again, you know, go and sin no more?”

“You are not making any sense, Jo. These people are not people you cross and get away from. You can’t escape them easily. I’m already having a bad feeling.” Grace pressed her lips together.

“I won’t know unless I try. I can’t cope with this sudden marriage to a total stranger. I don’t even want to be entangled in marriage with anyone again until I’m ready. This is my chance to escape and disappear. I’m taking it and you’re coming with me.” Joan stated.

“What?!” Grace exclaimed.

“Not the escape part. We’ve always wanted to spend a vacation together at Camparo. Our wish just came true and I want you to be a part of it. Don’t worry, you are not escaping with me, neither will you be affected in any way. I have a perfect plan.”

“And I have a bad feeling. This is not good. Can I know what this plan is?” Grace asked and Joan moved her lips to Grace’ ear to whisper.