Chapter 12: I need you

"Have you seen anyone else come in here?" she asked, "there are crumbs all over the floor."

My heart started to pound hard. I did my best to be cautious to not spill anything while I was eating so I won't leave a trail. Despite this effort, there were still very tiny crumbs that are unnoticeable. Or so I thought.

I was afraid to turn to her, she might notice the nervous expression on my face. But I know that I had to face her or she could suspect me.

"I apologize but I have not seen anyone else enter while I was inside," I responded coldly.

She stared at me and looked at me from head to toe. The whole time that she was doing this I felt like I was on edge. I could feel myself shaking but I did my hardest to not let it show. I want to get out of this room right now.

"You can go now," she pointed towards the door.

"Thank you," I replied again coldly. I was feeling relieved right now but I can't let her know that. As soon as I was about to close the door behind me I heard her say something.

"Have fun being free, while it lasts"

While it lasts? What does she mean by that? Would I go back to being monitored closely? I hope not.

***

While I was walking in the hallway just outside the room I saw Miss Asmia leaning by the wall. Her eyes were fixated inside the door. If I'm not mistaken she must be looking after Cyrus even if she isn't inside the room with him. I quickly looked away before she can see me staring at her. I walked towards the room and opened the door.

"What took you so long Virginia?" I was caught off guard by the sudden inquiry so I was unable to answer her right away.

"I said what took you-"

"I apologize for taking so long Miss Asmia, I was at the comfort room when I came across Miss Zilya," I answered in an apologetic tone, Sure we were not allowed to show any kind of emotions but showing respect to the elders is an exception to that rule.

"Took you long enough," she responded, "be sure to explain that to Sir Luke once you head inside."

"Yes I will," I replied coldly. I headed towards the room and got inside. Upon entering the room I instantly felt that someone was staring at me. I am well familiar with the feeling of being watched after years of having a guardian who is monitoring my every move. Could it be...?

I glanced at the window looking for any sight of Miss Zilya but all I can see looking over inside is Cyrus's guardian.

There are no signs of my previous guardian outside. Where is this surveilling aura coming from if not from the guardians themselves?

I was walking back to where I was seated, my eyes still fixated on the window when I bumped into someone. I lost my balance and fell off my feet. It hurt but I can't let anyone see it.

"Virginia there you are," Sir Luke spoke while offering me his hand.

"I apologize for taking so long, Sir Luke," I took his hand and he pulled me back up. "Thank you, Sir Luke. So I was saying, while I was inside the comfort room I came across Miss Zilya".

"Is that so?" Sir Luke replied while holding his chin, "I was about to send out some men to look for you if you had taken any longer."

I gulped inaudibly. That was close.

"Go back to your seat Virginia and help your partner," Sir Luke ordered.

"Yes Sir," I politely replied and went back to my seat.

When I got there I began to feel the stares once again. It sent shivers up and down my spine. I wanted to look around to find out who that person is. I'm afraid that Cyrus's guardian would catch me acting suspicious so I just used my peripheral vision to look for that person.

I can still feel that person's stare, he or she must be looking at me right now. I didn't need to turn my head to search for that person, I just needed to use my side view, and so I did. I can't see anyone staring in my direction, except for Cyrus's guardian. Miss Asmia doesn't count because even if she is looking in my direction, she's not exactly looking at me.

If that person is not at my side, he or she may be behind me. I purposely dropped my notebook so I can be able to take a glance behind me. There was nobody behind me staring at me. I can't see anyone looking at me but I can still feel the stares. Whom could it be coming from?

I sat down in my chair trying to figure out from whom those stares might be coming. It was neither in front of me nor at my back. I can't also see anyone staring at me from the left and right sides. I checked in all directions except on top of me and below me. It would be impossible for the stares to be below me so that excludes that possibility. Now I only have to check if the person staring at me was on top of me, that's why I can't see him or her.

"Virginia," I was about to look up when I heard an unfamiliar voice calling my name. I looked around and searched for whoever just spoke.

I felt a hand tap on my shoulder. I quickly glanced in the direction of where that hand may be coming from and there I found out who it was. It was Cyrus.

It's difficult to maintain a straight face because I was shocked, but I did my best to.

"Were you calling me?" I replied coldly. I could feel the intense stare of Miss Asmia at us.

"Yes I am," he replied without looking at me, "I need you".