Maja
She shifted from one foot to the other uneasily, aware that her rented dress was a little over the top as compared to the other women. Proserpina Delano was moving about in the kitchen, with James Schwartz leaning against the counter, chuckling at something that Proserpina was saying to him, shaking her head and smiling.
As for the woman who had walked in with Schwartz, Aiyana Laughing Water, she was dressed as impeccably as ever. After giving Maja a distant nod, she turned away and greeted Melissa with a lot more warmth. Soon she strolled away, her phone at her ear, lost in some conversation, her forehead crinkling in thought.
As for Melissa, she stayed on, in the kitchen with Proserpina and Schwartz. They were obviously very close to each other, like a trio of comrades, she thought as she saw them put their heads together. The aroma of spicy food filled the kitchen and Maja felt her stomach growl in anticipation. Whatever it was that Proserpina had put together, it smelt delicious.
She looked around, marveling at the spotless clean place, wondering if she could ever do what the woman in the demure dress was doing so effortlessly. She sighed. She knew she was a lousy cook.
The help, consisting of a couple of women, moved about discreetly but it was clear that it was Proserpina Delano who was running the show. The ancient, wizened old woman named Beatrice lumbered in after a while but when Proserpina gently asked her to rest, she left after a lot of protests.
*
Schwartz was sampling the food and Proserpina smacked his hand away sharply. Melissa was also helping, moving pans, whipping out a dish she had brought along too.
Maja was beginning to feel like part of the furniture but Proserpina immediately turned to her, beckoning her forward, and said,
“I prefer to supervise the cooking myself, Maja so I am sorry, I shall take a while here.’ And she waved her hands over the tables which were covered with closed pans of food. Maja sniffed appreciatively, feeling more than a little in awe of the beautiful woman before her.
*
Proserpina was dressed in a simple sheath dress with flutter sleeves, a dress that reached mid-calf and was elegant and dressy at once. The bright magenta color went well with her hair and skin, thought Maja enviously. The deep neck, emphasizing her full bosom, was the only overtly revealing part of the otherwise demure dress but she still looked like a million dollars and counting thought Maja with a sigh.
Her long hair had been left free and had been artfully curled at the end and she looked young and …ravishing. Which was probably why James Schwartz was beside her, literally devouring her with his eyes, thought Maja grimly.
Her heart sank as a familiar dark-skinned woman, with fine features and her hair coiled on top of her head majestically, ran into the kitchen and threw her arms around Proserpina.
Grace Obelia. The woman who had been instrumental in introducing her to James Schwartz.
*
“Gracie wanted to drive but I stopped her; she would have been over-speeding in her hurry to get here,’ came Danielle’s drawling voice and the woman stepped into the kitchen, a cigar dangling from the corner of her lips.
She raised her hands in surrender as she saw Proserpina’s expression.
“Aww, c’mon, gal!’ she said but she took it away, flinging it carelessly into the bin and as she did so, she noticed Maja.
Narrowing her eyes, she asked, not in an entirely pleasant way,
“And this is…?’
Maja stepped forward, offering her hand,
“Maja Nord.’ And then as she saw Danielle’s brows lift as she studied her clothes, Maja felt her temper rise.
“I am a teacher.’ She went on stiffly.
The dark woman came forward, smiling as she took Maja’s outstretched hand and said,
‘ Hello again Maja.’ The woman was different from Danielle which was why Maja felt her mouth drop open as Grace went on,
“Danielle is my partner.’
*
Ria
She was waiting for Philippe to call and when he did, she sank onto the bed, cross-legged, her eyes glued to the screen. It was a video call and she smiled tenderly to see her lover, his face bearing an exhausted look as he smiled at her.
“Hey you,’ he said, his voice hoarse.
‘Hi…,’ she responded, searching his face anxiously. Was he okay?
Philippe chuckled tiredly.
“Princess, I am good. The test results will come in tomorrow but my doctor is confident that I have no problem.’ He sighed and she saw how weary he was. ‘Come back to me, soon,’ she whispered and he smiled again, his white teeth flashing in his dark face.
‘Baby, I shall be there tomorrow at around five in the evening.’ And then he chuckled as he added,
” I am waiting …’
She giggled but as she saw he was fighting a yawn, she smiled tenderly.
‘Go to bed, Capo,’ she teased and he mock growled at her.
‘I will, Princess. But you better be ready for me.’
She giggled.
They spoke for a while longer; she told him how Mumma was preparing biriyani. Philippe’s eyes lit up. He adored her mother’s cooking.
But ultimately, his tiredness won out and they ended the call, their longing reflected in each other’s eyes.
*
Piers
He had made a plan. Tomorrow, he would set up a stake out at the apartment of the woman who called herself Ava Morrison.
Piers Delano was every bit a fighter when it came to double-crossing and he felt alarm bells go off every time he replayed the video.
Now, of course, he was going down to dinner but before that, he had t meet his Pappa who had arrived and was in his study.
*
Hila
In her tiny apartment, she straightened up from feeding the cat. The sourpuss was getting to grow on her, she thought in mild surprise as the feline leaped onto the window sill and then clambered down to disappear.
The night sky was dark, as she gazed out.