~Agathe~"Goodness, that was so close. He almost caught me." I murmured to myself as I finally stepped inside the premises of S.G.C.Thank goodness I managed to get away from Calixto. I couldn't express enough gratitude toward Yesenia for her help and I know I will be forever indebted to her for this.As I made my way towards the reception desk, two female receptionists immediately eyed me. I smiled at them even though it wouldn't be visible through my surgical mask.“Good morning. How can we help you?” One of the female receptionists asked.I was about to explain the excuse that Yesenia had given me, but at that moment, I had a sudden change of heart. I thought it would be simpler to tell them that I had come specifically to see Thaddeus instead.They wouldn't need to notify Gunther and raise any suspicion about my presence by doing so. Besides, since I was disguised as a maid, it would be believable to pretend that I was one of Thaddeus' maids as well. "I am here to deliver Sir Tha
~Agathe~Much to my surprise, Thaddeus extended his hand, seemingly asking for a handshake. "To our alliance." He uttered, and I nearly let out a chuckle.With a smile on my face, I took his hand and shook it firmly. "To our alliance." I said, quite joyous because it felt like I had been reunited with a long-lost friend.After releasing my hand, he glanced around nervously. "Should we sit down first?" He suggested, gesturing towards the couch positioned in front of a small coffee table.I nodded in agreement, swiftly gathering the maid's uniform and headband. I also picked up the eyeglasses and face mask from the floor.Once we were both settled in our seats, he let out a sigh and looked visibly stressed. "You're lucky that I have finished all the work I needed to do for today. Though I must admit, I'm uncertain about what we should do first."I reached into the pockets of the maid's uniform I had been wearing earlier and pulled out a small zip bag. Carefully, I revealed its contents
~Gunther~[Flashback, twenty minutes earlier]"You are scheduled for a lunch meeting with Mr. Dupont, a contract signing with Mr. Thompson, and a wine-tasting event with your father, Sir Clermont.”“Lastly, the head engineer has requested your final approval on the latest construction project of S.G.C., and you will be visiting the site for that.”I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the extensive list of tasks I had to accomplish today, all thanks to my new secretary, Wesley.I stood there, hands in the pockets of my slacks, watching the elevator buttons blink one by one. "So, when can I finally head home?”We are currently heading to the ground floor because, as Wesley mentioned, I still have fucking lunch meetings, wine tasting, and site visits to do.God damn it. I can't wait to return home and see Agathe and my daughter.I could tell that Wesley was taken aback by my question, as he seemed to lose his composure and even stuttered a bit. "Um, it should be around seven in the evenin
~Agathe~"Are you alright, Agathe?” Thaddeus asked after a long period of silence between us. We just got into his car a few minutes ago, and I was seated in the passenger seat next to him.“You know, you could follow Gunther to that bar right now and stop him from whatever nonsense he wants to do. I can deliver the teacup to Dr. Wright by myself. I will inform you when the results are ready."He must have noticed the tears that kept threatening to fall from my eyes.It took me a while before I let out a sigh and shook my head in response. “No, I have to see this through. Besides, I was the one who asked for your help. I need to finish it with you.”Thaddeus sincerely smiled and nodded at me. "Alright. Then, I will make sure to bring you back to Gunther's mansion as quickly as possible." He assured me.A sense of relief washed over me, grateful that Thaddeus seemed to understand my desire to talk to Gunther later and offer my apologies once this was over.He finally started the engine
~Agathe~I felt a lump in my throat as I witnessed him become vulnerable in front of me. But, why should I apologize for something I don't even understand?"I swear, Gunther. I have no idea what you're talking about. I can't remember anything. The last memory I have is having breakfast with you and Carlyle at the breakfast nook." I explained and gasped, desperately pleading for him to understand and trust me.“I can't remember anything.” I repeated, making sure to emphasize my words in case he failed to hear them the first time. “I can't remember anything!”Tears welled up in my eyes once again, but I fought hard to prevent them from cascading down my cheeks.I locked my gaze with him, refusing to blink, hoping that he would see and understand the sincerity in my eyes, knowing that I was speaking the truth.After a few seconds, Gunther seemed to finally calm down. He was able to prevent his tears from cascading down his cheeks as well, although he still wiped the corners of his eyes.
~Agathe~I just finished eating dinner with Gunther and Carlyle when Yesenia unexpectedly tugged me to the side, catching me off guard.“What’s the matter, Yen?” I asked her, a bit annoyed at the sudden pulling.However, as I caught sight of the urgency in her eyes, any trace of annoyance I had felt instantly dissipated in the air.Yesenia motioned for me to be quiet and glanced around discreetly. She patiently waited until Gunther and Carlyle ascended the stairs, heading towards the entertainment room.We all planned to watch a movie together that night.“I need to tell you something, young lady. This won't take long, or else the young master might notice and become suspicious.” She whispered.Afterward, when nobody was looking, Yesenia discreetly guided me into the maid's quarters.I squinted my eyes, a slight throbbing sensation pulsating in my head. It felt as though I had already entered those quarters before, but I can't remember when or how.Once we entered the quarters, Yeseni
~Agathe~"Seduce an old codger with heaps of money so that you can, at long last, fund your mother's surgery."Settling down the emptied platter of highball glasses on the countertop, I glanced at Grazie to show her my baffled expression. "You are in desperate need of cold cash, aren't you? It's all over your pretty face."I looked down, choking sorrow radiating from my sapphire eyes. Grazie must have detected that something was rattling me ever since this morning.My mind is in utter shambles. I received a call from the sole hospital in our village.The chief doctor told me that my mother's condition had gotten worse. Her medications aren't working anymore and she needed to have her surgery as soon as possible. And, it must transpire tonight or it would be too late for my poor mother. The sole complication was, I still don't have the ready money."I don't know what else to do, Graz." I muttered, and a lone tear fell from my eye. I hastily wiped it. Working in a teensy restaurant l
~Agathe~"Where is my mother, doctor Farah?" I inquired as soon as I arrived at the Snowflake Hospital fifteen minutes later.I almost forgot to pay for the cab. Good thing the cab driver knew me and let me off the hook. Sprinting inside the hospital's premises, I was an utter mess. Still in my waitress uniform and my long, wavy reddish locks were disheveled all over my face.A runny nose and dried tears adorned my cheeks but I couldn't care less. I was shaking like a leaf, utterly frightened that something unacceptable happened to my mother. "For now, she's stable, Miss Capucine."Thank god. "We did everything to stabilize her condition. But, I'm afraid that one final attack and your mother won't make it again." I unconsciously dropped my knees on the floor. I sobbed, crying my heart out. Bawling like a wee child. Shoulders trembling from too much weeping. "She was at her limit. Her fragile body can't take the medications anymore. The surgery she needed cannot be performed here