On the other side of the room in a corner a woman turned around with satisfaction in her twinkling eyes.
" Finally it is all settle. Wow! It is so beautiful."
Overexcited Alicia turned around herself again like a ballerina, eyes wandering all over the completely organized museum. As far as it could go through the section they were all in.
It was all magnificent, this section of the museum had things that looked so old and dirty months ago, now under the artisticallly arranged lights it looked so polished, brillant. So wow that someone could think they had always been like that.
Happy she was for another reason, she had also very truly finished her grade. Two months already and a half she had her bachelor in ancient history, her dream had come to reality without neither much fighting nor was it granded by her name, but her work. Having a tutor like the now professor kamali it would have been a shame to not finish honored.
Bitting her lower lip. She pondered a moment what she could invent to maintain said Lorelei mind to positive matters. Her mother being missing in action, She had done all she could those passed months. Now what was possible other than getting clingier than she was already doing?
Searching her mind she found nothing else for the moment not ashamed the slightest whatever works work. If being clingy would work. Clingy she will be. She knew Lorelei will never push her away.
At least her looking like her mother was not an obstacle but, a last point, better a lethal weapon she always used if necessary. It never failed. Wasn't she afraid to have Lorelei feelings going in another place? Like falling for her? Never.
The woman was so completely a lost cause in her love for the Queen. She would sometime mumbled her name while sleeping. Like all the time they had caught her sleeping which were as much as lunar eclipses. But invariably she had done it.
Anyway Alicia had stopped worrying about it. She had wondered a while if her mother had done something to have Lorelei loving her like that but it was too out of place for the woman to do it, she was sure. Humming Alicia pondered on it.
Her hand on her waist she wandered her gaze around stopping at something that was a bit weird. Perplexed with a frown on, she fixed her gaze on the other side of the room where Lorelei was holding in her hand something she was looking at many way showing her disdain, like a storm brewing in a calm sky.
She held a paper between her fingers shaking her head. Alicia had seen Mrs Blake giving it to her earlier with a close face too, that only meant one thing, PORYS news. Proving Alicia point the woman was not blind to what it was. It was too good to be that easy she thought blinking twice.
Curiousity getting the best of her, she walked to her friend side took a look of the thing it was. A letter, an official telegram it was from the Royal cabinet send to them in the name of the ministry of art and culture. The museum was mentioned nowhere.
"We are informing you that the Queen will not attend the opening of the Gator Discovery. Professor Kamali and Alicia Fendrik will continue their work of Representatives of the royal suite?" Signed " Porys Royal cabinet. Arthur Alister Zurrow. The KING."
Pursing her lips she looked at the words she just uttered out loud, the younger woman was totally frozen. Okay, for once she did not know what to do. This was completely an alarm blairing on high alert.
"Hmm, I mean that doesn't come from Mom. She would have come." Pointing at the paper she emitted the sound of those words not knowing at this point who she was trying to convince between the two of them.
"Who would have come." Kayley voice Almost startled them. While Alicia looked her way with a veiled anger, Lorelei eyes were still glued to the piece of paper in between her fingers.
Coming towards them from the back door that was almost invisible in a corner due to a statue that was a false hill made of marble that was almost extracted form Porys ground in the said form, like it was just there waiting to be picked. A tricky one to transport here. But Right there in the new museum it was kept inside of a transparent but very large box, to prevent it to deteriorated.
The inside containing things only the experts knew the names, it was their work after all, Kayley took it in shaking her head at how realistic it felt in the decorations around them. Looking their way afte she enquired she kept her eyebrows up. The question she knew did no really needed an answer. No. As It was just there by itself answered by the face Lorelei was making, she did not needed to be told she just knew.
"It is mom right? It, huh, it was predictable... What? Do not look at me like that her husband may not be the smartest of the two but the man is not stupid. He must have understood her subterfuge."
Giving back the document she had taken from Lorelei fingers she shrugged non committal. Even if she was sad she knew they could not afford to fall in the trap of sadness. Being the oldest she remembered what her mother told her when she left.
Squaring her shoulders she held Lorelei by her chin boring her eyes deep in hers. Making the young woman so proud of her it almost shadowed her hurt, she knew Katia would be proud of the woman her eldest daughter became too.
"You will not lowered your guards she is not coming so what? You will crawl in your bed and throw away all the efforts she made to have us here? Tell you what ? No. You are the strongest of us three. So swallow your hurt and get over it. She made a promise she will honor. We all know her. Katiandra Fendrik is not weak. So none of us are. Shot. Royalty is not a tittle it is a state of mind. Compromises dear. It is made of compromises."
From the dark pit where her mind was already caged in, those words coming from kayley moved Lorelei heart, a single tear rolled over her cheek while she felt weaker, the fact they care did not let her cold, she immediately felt Alicia quickly wiped away the teardrop with the scarf she had on her shoulders which both sisters knew was their mother's.
Then Alicia leaned her head on the professor shoulder saddened by the woman behavior. It was exactly the tragedy they had to avoid, Kayley thought while she could mask her pain, those two depends on each other's in a way only twin work or like a mother with her daughter. Lorelei been the strongest figure. If she was down inevitable Alicia will follow too. She could not have it.
Being a big sister was a lot of work she had learned in the time they had to be together in this foreign place. Struggling to find an answer she just stared at them a moment then shook her head.
"Okay girls enough of that pity moment. Wipe your faces and we start going on with our day. That is what mom would have requested you know it. Lorelei?."
Nodding her head yet again Lorelei patted Alicia back before pulling away from her. She had to be strong she did it all her life right?
She knew she could do it again. To be fair she was aware of the cost the Queen could be paying for their presence out of Porys, she knew king Alister Zurrow would not let it all go doing nothing. The man aura was all dark she always thought.
"You are right." Breathing in and out she responded to Kayley then smiled at the end. " Everything have to be perfect. You will be there right?"
Nodding at her, Kayley smiled thankful for the fact that Lorelei never forget to include her in theirs activities, she knew without her doing, Alicia would have never given her a second of her life here.
She made it so easy to happen. Now she could breath the same air as her little sister without tension. She even enjoyed it a lot. First she started coming to the museum everyday in the morning before work, then periodically at the Villa each time it was Lorelei inviting her, untill Alicia did one day.
"Are you kidding me? I will . But not with the official. I have to stay out of the front. Whatever this paper said you too Ali... This was not an error there, You are now a Fendrik not and Alister mom will certainly not want you to go there for anyone to see you. What do you think it will be an easy task to put it all together? You look like Mom the most. We do not want anyone to know that. You were never front in the news. You stay in the shadow too. We want our life here to go smooth babe okay?"
Defeated by the voice of reason that emanated from the oldest the two younger women stared at each other's. Even if she felt lost Lorelei knew it was all on her to make the flame burnt in this project yet again.
She could not have Alicia drowning with her. Nor disregard Katia expectations. The woman love the best in everything, she knew it was something that was as powerful as the best climax of the world for her.
She knew deep down she had to give it to her, even from afar. To be the reason her eye will glow the same as when she came undone above her. She had witnessed it when the little katiandra was registered in Zurrow elites school, she was so happy she had seen the estacsy in her green eyes, the dilatation of her orbs as she had pulled her in her arms.
They were in a meeting room with no time for others business but that moment they had connected in a higher level. It was not sex anymore, they had plenty of it, there, at that moment it was the same without the usual activities. They stood like that untill their souls felt at peace before letting go.
Breathing in Slowly she shook her head forcing herself in the reality.
"Yes, Ali, Kay is right. I, I am in."
Meeting Kayley gaze she exhaled. It was really the first time they interact so deeply since they arrived. Normally she would be the line between the sisters playing the matchmaker to their relationship with lot of silly games and light conversations she normally found dumb.
Kayley has changed a lot from the sarcastic bitch she was back in Porys to the all wise one she was now, Knowing fully well what was going on before made it easier to accept her wisdom.
Seeing the shift in Lorelei eyes Kayley felt it was the last wall falling, she could see respect in Lorelei troubled eyes. She was filled with pride for causing it. But the sadness that never left Lorelei eyes was almost there as a shadow around her iris, smiling warmly Kayley promised herself to figure out what it was.
She held the gray eyes that was like two searching antena intrusion in her soul. It was like looking at the sun in a sunny but peaceful day. Her eyes however sad before showed in a blink of her eyes a raw warm, communicating instant peace to her heart .
Blinking twice, which was unusual Kayley smiled gaining one from Lorelei too. In that very moment Kayley understood why she had fit in so quickly in the entirely family. Alicia was literally beaming with pride near her best friend at how she was reacting to all of it.
She thought in that moment that her mother had found her match in this one. So strong it was empowering.
Almost a mini her. This is what the way she had handled all her work and the crew with the hand of a mature person said it all. She was the most alert of the three of them.
She was also good at hiding her emotinions to the external world by how she smiled at Blake and Michaela who had come to them with worried gazes.
Kayley almost laughed at how Alicia rolled her eyes at the way Michaela was looking at Lorelei like she had never seen her before, becoming mushier when Lorelei smiled at her after responding to her greeting. One would not believed they were talking together early.
Like a mother Blake took Lorelei right arm in hers. She had taken bit by bit the place of a mother in her life and even in the princesses. For Kayley she was like doctor Killian who she knew was her guardian. No one was old enough to have a person to refer too when loneliness appear.
" Hey you are all okay right?" With worried eyes the older woman asked after letting go of her arm, she knew human contact were limited with her, keeping her at arms length she could see the young woman had her mask of dignity on bottling her emotions making them almost invisible.
She had only see that on the Queen for years. Never could she master it herself, the young woman was a quick learner. She really learned from the best, she had think of her in those terms longer but she knew now that she was THE best. A true gift.
"Yes Blake I believe we have thing to prepare. You had a concern on the guests earlier? How about we go through it now? The telegram may have been send later but we can manage."
Not surprised at how all business she already was, the older woman nodded comprehensive that work came first, even thought feeling a bit guilty on the edges. Feeling the Italian eyes on her she turned her way apologetically.
"Okay. Michaela you, oh! We have to go to that reservation you made I am ...! Huh"
" Do not worry." Turning to look at Lorelei eyes shining like she was the only one here, the designer had on the most sweet smile ever seen, trying to smooth her.
"Please you will come with us right? Say yes for once. Even the most hard working person should stop sometimes. We will go to this place I know trust me food there are divine. "
Before Lorelei could responded searching a way to decline, Alicia stepped near her, soon followed by Kayley on the others side. To be true Kayley did not fully know why she was doing it but the dislike her little sister had for that Michaela designer ran deep she could tell from the beginning. And she would do everything to stay on Ali good side.
"Oh. I believe it will not be possible, her day is already booked. Right Lo? It is always book in fact." Looking at Lorelei expectantly Alicia made her best puppy eyes knowing it never failed.
"But it is just breakf..." Not letting go so easily Michaela tried to counteract
"We take breakfast as a family. Today is no exception. You know how work can be stressing sometimes one can forget to stay focus on the reality. Do not ask about the night though, that will be something our security will not allow only if you come home."
The way her eyes moved innocently at the end of her diacribe was totally saying " Sure but you are not welcome home."
"Oh. I mean it was just a proposal...."
"Um? Proposal? Who said that again these day? Whatever... You go and have a good lunch."
A bit horrified by the young princess behavior and choice of words, Lorelei gray eyes darted in Alicia Cristal green ones to be face with an openly
" What?" Look.
Shrugging her shoulders while not feeling the need to explain herself to Lorelei, Alica crossed her arm on her torso in a position that everyone who knew her well could translate as
"I am not giving up."
Sighing internally in autopilot Lorelei met Alicia firm gaze again after glancing at Michaela. She really had left no energy to fight her, in fact she never like it when something made her sad or angey. It was not new that her best friend slash sort of stepdaughter dislike the designer with all her heart. Now she could only see how deep it was.
Not proud of herself not able to call her off, she let it go, moving her eyes on Michaela again with a sorry smile before walking away with Blake. The fact that she said nothing had Michaela mouth opened with dismay. Not even Blake said something!
"This is a joke!" The designer thought looking straight at her opponent nose flaring.
"What is your game?" The moment the two women disappeared in the elevator Alicia asked Michaela looking straight in the pool of blue eyes. Not impressed by how profound they were.
"My game?!? I should be the one asking that. Don't you think? I do not understand why you seem to dislike me so much." Placing her left hand on her hip she pulled her hairs that was flowing on the side of her face behind her ear.
"No. Correction. It does not seemed like it. I DO NOT LIKE YOU AT ALL. So whatever your game is stop it."
"Okay. So I have to leave the place to you? I mean, it will be clear at how clingy yo--"
A growl at their side made the woman stopped her sentence while Alicia started laughing at the idea. The comic in the situation fueling it. HER! Having feeling for Lorelei was not even possible in an alternative universe where she was sure all lines lead the protagonist in others way, Lorelei always ending in her actual point.
"My. You are delisuonal my dear. Or maybe a masochist? I told you to back off. I you do not want... Ok! GO AHEAD! But let me tell you something. You are wasting your time AND risking your heart for NOTHING. Do not complain to the universe when it will so crush back on you that nothing could repair it."
"That is..." Taking one step forward forgetting who she was arguing with, she stopped in her track at the sound of Alicia older sister directed to her in the form of another growl as her index pointed her way.
"ENOUGH! " Holding her gaze for a moment Kayley eyes were like fox as she met the designer furious gaze. Not intimidated Kayley shook her head disapproval in her eyes, like an adult whould do to a child who just did something that was forbidden. Disappointment were without no doubt there.
"A wise person always say too never forget to make sure that you finger will not be cut when you insert it in the hole on a wall. If you have no knowledge of the other side. It could come out safe. Or. Not. Your choice. What is then the responsible thing to do? Simple, make sure there is no harm. Or DO. NOT.GO FOR IT. IF YOU WERE WARNED. Stop poking like a bird, you at not one. In fact, your are smarter than a bird hitting on a closed window."
Doing the one who said nothing Kayley palm of the right hand moved one of her little sister strand of hairs out of her angered red face, placing it back behind her ears. Her eyes roaming her red face, she searched in her brain the face their mother always used to calm her, after doing it she saw her visibly calm her breath returning to normal. It was so natural to take her sister defense, for a change it felt good.
To think she had been the one threatening her safety in the pass was mortifying, she could understand now the way her mother never failed to look at her with deception. It was her obligation to protect her little sister not persecute her.
Realisation hit her so hard she placed a soft kiss on Alicia forehead vowing to make it her priority from that moment, feeling the shift in her big sister attitude Alicia who had lowered her gaze a moment, looked up surprised at her then smiled seeing it was not an act, she leaned further in Kayley palm on her cheek happy she had her sister in her corner now.
It was a wish she had almost given up to see happening because of all her late nights sessions of cries she experienced in Porys trying to understand why Kayley hated her so much.
The gesture and vibes between the two was so tender that Michaela whose eyes followed it all, moved two steps back. The thread was clearly understood.. seeing that, Kayley smiled at her coldly her head held high.
"What my sister is so calmly telling you is that Lorelei is already off the market. It is for your own good."
Linking her arm to her little sister's, wondering cluelessly on what she just uttered, she moved ahead pulling them forward forcing the woman to move out of the way even though there was plenty of space around her.
"I do not understand why mosquitos kept coming in a house where they have nothing to do. When I just arrived here, they did every night. Doctors Killian house is a ranch can you believe it Ali? I was like, you are a great doctor who live in a ranch in the middle of this wonderful town? Really!? Yeah it is not a ranch ranch. But not a palace neither. Ah! Thanks to Killian who arrange it for us. You know what she used? Repellents, my dear repellents always work on parasites. It certainly did in her high tech ranch. After that...Radio silence. Nothing."
Although she talked to her sister patting her arm that was linked to hers, Kayley iron cold gaze met Michaela's one at the last moment before they turned in the big C section of the museum. The coldness contained inside her eyes gave the designer chills all over her spine.
Frowning at how much hostilities they had the designer shook her head stubbornly bend on trying her luck. Where was that person Lorelei was supposed to be involved with? As far as there was no one here, trying she will. She just have to use more subtilty. Looking around she rolled her neck breathing out slowly.
She failed to see the cameras in all corners fixes on her. Or the people in the room control that was all looking at her with wonder.
"Norman?" Looking at his brother who was sitting in a boot near the camera control screens, Sloan waited for the man to tell them what to do. They all had witnessed the designer hitting on professor Kamali since the beginning and knew their boss will not like it if it reaches her ears.
"Let her." Two simple words, a stoic face on, Norman said standing ready to live the control room.
"What? She is.. " pointing at the screens Sloan was stopped by his brother lifted hand that silence him.
"Hurting herself. We all know that. Lorelei has no interest in her. And you know she will not be happy to learn we neutralise someone who was not a thread. Do not forget to whom you take your orders now bro. THAT will be considered out of her handbook. You Know it. We cannot go around pushing away anyone who think they are in love with her can we?"
Looking straight in his brother eyes Norman added before walking toward the door, the others four guards there said nothing, for theirs perspectives behind the screens all of it seemed like a bad novella serie, where someone did not know what the screenwriter had decided for them.
That was what they all thought of the Italian designer. Their chief was right even though technically it was Sloan that was in command because of Lorelei position, he has leaved it all in his brother lead.
"Let not forget they can think by themselves. The Princesses already took care of it for now. If they needed help one glance up would have suffice. They did nothing of the sort. Now everyone back to work."
Shaking his head he exited the office going were he saw the Princesses heading, he knew Sloan was behind him, they were to part since he had to be with Lorelei up pass a certain time.
"Do you think it was a good idea to hold that telegram without showing it to them earlier? It's been two months and a half. For a moment I thought professor Blake would have tell her."
Glancing at his younger brother, Norman stayed silent for a while walking in the desert corridor his mind a complete blank sheet, he had learned to keep it like that to be able to see the outcome of all situations before they arise.
"Did you see theirs faces? That is exactly why? The Queen knew it was what we would do here. That is also why she did not called. Lorelei was not in the right mind to take it, we both know it. Now she is forced to make it happens."
He stopped where they had to part taking his time to look at her brother.
"You are good, you know I am proud of you. But you still have to learn certain skills. There are situations where you have to be proactive. Others where you just have to ..."
As he was about to conclude Michaela, the Italian designer, came in view descending the staircase. Sloan had to take a hold of himself to not scared the life out of her. It was clear she was not giving up, because she had no business coming down, it only mean she was in the professor office.
The moment she arrived at theirs level she slightly slowed down her pace like she was not prepared to see them, looking at them she nodded her head uncomfortable because they looked like the same person, reacted even the same with invisible frowns.
They did not responded right away but looked at her like she was that annoying mosquito princess Kayley was talking about early, then when she thought they would not responded they nodded theirs heads in a same movement theirs gaze going from stern cold to blank, letting her go.
"... Say nothing." Closing his interrupted phrase Norman eyes took moment to warm again. " Things will always unfold according to your will. You decide and keep an eye on it, it will happen. Invariably. Clean work is what I want you to always aim to."
Making a military salute to him Sloan smiled happy to have his own brother mentoring him. It was a blessing, Norman never sugared it because of their link, but he was the best he could have asked to do his work easily. Norman made the man he was, that he will always be thankful for.
"Now go bro." Smiling at him, something that was not usual at work Norman gave him a tap on the right shoulder before they both walked in different ways.