Wrapped In Silk, Trapped In Lies

"Oh my goodness… Marcus," I gasped as I held my mouth with both hands, pressing my lips so tight just to keep myself from screaming. My heart beat fast like it was about to jump out of my chest, and my eyes stayed locked on the small blinking dot at the corner of the wardrobe. It was so tiny that if I wasn’t already suspicious of Marcus Gerry, I would have missed it.

I knew that old fox was watching. Of course, he was. The man never left anything to chance. I stared at the camera for a second longer, narrowed my eyes, then gave it a small, wicked wink like I was thanking him. I knew he would see it. That was just my way of telling him, "Message received."

I turned back to the inside of the wardrobe and gasped again, but this time it was from pure disbelief. The gowns were hung like they belonged to royal brides. Long silk and satin dresses in beautiful colors, some with laces, some with tiny pearls sewn on them. I saw trousers, jeans, skirts, fitted shirts, leather jackets, thick winter coats, and even casual dresses. There were sneakers, high heels, boots of all kinds, soft slippers, and sandals. Designer bags were neatly arranged on the top shelf, and sunglasses of different shades were on the side.

"This is too much," I whispered as I pulled one of the coats closer and checked the tag. The label screamed a name only rich women mentioned. I pulled it back gently like it would tear.

"Marcus… you're really in deep," I said under my breath. "You want the Malcovichs ruined, just like I do. Marcus Gerry, you dirty old snake."

I didn’t waste time jumping and dancing around like a pauper who just entered a shopping mall for the first time. I was past all that. I was a woman with a mission. The wardrobe was beautiful and rich, but it didn’t mean anything if I failed. If I didn’t bring down Norman Malcovich and his family, all these silk and gold gifts were just decorations in a lie.

I pulled a pair of dark jeans, slid my leg into them slowly, and zipped up. I didn’t even need to look in the mirror to know it fitted perfectly. I grabbed a white shirt, buttoned up fast, and turned to the bed to grab the towel I had dropped earlier. I flung it toward the edge of the bed.

I could feel the camera still watching, so I looked back and smiled sweetly, knowing Marcus was probably sitting in a room somewhere with coffee in one hand and a wicked grin on his lips.

"I bet you waited to see me naked, grandpa. But sorry… you won’t."

I picked up my lip gloss, the red one that made my lips look full. I wore it slowly, letting it settle on my lips while I stared at my reflection in the mirror. My hair still looked freshly done from yesterday. I patted it lightly and sprayed a little of the expensive perfume I took from my purse.

"Let's go make money," I said as I looked one last time at myself in the mirror. I picked up my small handbag, tossed my phone inside, and walked out.

I rushed to the elevator, hitting the down button twice. My heart was starting to beat faster again, not because of fear this time, but because I was almost late for work. I knew Vanessa would not spare me. That woman hated lateness more than anything.

My phone buzzed from inside my bag. I pulled it out and saw it was a message from Emily. I opened it quickly.

"Hey Aria, where are you? Vanessa just came so early… she looks like she's loaded with troubles today."

I hissed out loud. My teeth clenched. I was still reading the message when the elevator doors opened. I stepped out quickly, and three ladies stepped into the elevator. They were well dressed, their makeup screaming money, and I noticed how their eyes ran over my body.

One of them turned, smiled, and said, "Nice perfume, pretty."

I was about to turn and say thank you when the elevator doors closed in my face. I sighed and shook my head. I didn’t need to be distracted. I had to find a cab, and fast.

As I stepped out onto the front of Solara Heights, I was just about to lift my hand to stop a cab when a red Ferrari screeched to a halt right in front of me. The sound made my heart jump. I stepped back a little as the window rolled down slowly.

A face appeared from the car, one with a wide smile. His eyes sparkled with mischief, and his voice rolled out in a soft, teasing tone.

"Good morning princess.”