DINNER I

I sat on the couch opposite the girl who claimed to have the name, Audrey, if that was even her real name. From what I'm aware of now, she seems to be one of Monica's employees and that baffles me cause she doesn't look like someone who can lie or deceive anyone.

I still couldn't figure out why she even went through the stress of acting cautious just so I couldn't figure out her identity. If she had come clean from the start, I would've just followed her to a more private place so we could talk.

Judging from how terrible she acted, it seems she isn't a good one. It's still surprising how she still hasn't been caught. One could probably tell she was obviously hiding something from a glance, just as I could tell when we spoke. 

"You can ask whatever you want to know, Miss Mckay," Audrey spoke after some seconds of silence.

My eyes fell on her crossed legs, before coming back to her face. For someone who once acted like a scared maid, she seems to elude a prideful aura now we are alone.

"How long have you been working here?"

She smiled, "That's confidential, so I can't answer that. When I said you can ask me what you want to know, I meant concerning Miss Monica's message I just relayed."

"Oh," my lips formed an o as the word escaped from it. "I'm sorry, Miss..."

"Audrey."

"Audrey?" I repeated in my head, a little bit dazed. "You told me your real name earlier?"

"I don't see a reason for not disclosing my real name, Miss Mckay. After all, I never divulged my last name and there's like a thousand Audreys in the world."

True! That's a solid fact.

"Isn't this the same reason, Miss Mckay is using her real first name, Abigail for her mission?"

"Of course," I lied. I used my real first name for my mission, but it wasn't for this reason.

I answered out of impulse on my first encounter with Mirabel cause I didn't really give the name I was going to be addressed for my mission a thought before meeting them. Since the harm had already been done, I had to stick to my real name.

There's more to Miss Audrey than meets the eye.

From her brilliant opinions, I could tell she is smart. Now I know I had been wrong in my judgment about her. There is absolutely no way someone as smart and confident as this could act that suspiciously when we first met.

Besides, I don't think Miss Monica would hire a shabby person to jeopardize her mission.

I looked at her skeptically.

She noticed, and said, "You seem to have another question for me, Miss Mckay."

"Yes. Why do you keep addressing me with my last name?"

She chuckled for a brief second, "I'm so sorry about that, Miss Abigail. Most times I get too attached to my job and always sound professional, some may say too professional. If it makes you uneasy, I can address you by your first name."

I feigned a smile. "Thank you. Now for the real question. Was it you who spied on me earlier?"

"It seems Miss Abigail is as smart as she looks. It took you long enough to figure it out though."

"So why did you lie when I asked?"

"There was someone else in the place at the moment."

My eyes widened at the revelation. "How did you know?"

She laughed softly, "Well, I'm good at my job, Miss Abigail."

No kidding! She really is. I couldn't even tell someone else was with us.

"If there's no more question, Miss Abigail. I have a job to return to." She stood to her feet, arranging her maiden's gown which was slightly crumbled from the way she sat on the couch.

"Wait..." 

She turned to me on hearing my voice and sat back down on the couch without further delay. "Yes, Miss Abigail?"

"One last question."

With a nod, she replied, "Sure."

"Can you go through Miss Monica's message one last time?"

She stared at me half disappointed, "I know you're still bewildered at my sudden presence in the mansion, but rest assured, I'm here to help you with your assignment, Miss Abigail."

I nodded.

Her impassive face as she wanted to relay the message once more made me more attentive, so I wouldn't miss out on any information again. I had been occupied with my thoughts earlier, so I wasn't paying attention to what she said. This time, it'll be different.

"Zeke wouldn't be picking you up tonight to where you'll be staying, another guard will, probably to avoid raising suspicions from Anderson's guards. Also, it seems there's been a word to the chairman that there's an intruder in the mansion, so you have to be more careful than ever to avoid jeopardizing your job."

I nodded, swallowing slightly as anxiety suddenly surpassed all my other emotions concerning my job. For a second, I thought about the future - what the Andersons would do if they found out I wasn't who I claimed to be, but I quickly brushed away the thought.

"Thank you," I managed and stood to my feet.

"I guess I'll be seeing you around, Miss Abigail."

I nodded and walked out of the room first, without taking another look at her.

.

AUDREY

I watched her closely as she walked out of the room. Even when she shut the door behind her, my eyes never left the position she walked out of, not cause I was watching her, but because my mind wandered to other things.

She doesn't seem to know anything, other than what she's instructed. Otherwise, she won't be so calm even after the warning I gave her.

The buzz I felt on my thighs that made my skin hanker, succeeded in tearing away my gaze from the door to the pocket of my gown, and I quickly pulled out the phone.

"Mr. Black?"

How did he know I just finished talking to her?

I felt chills, and my body trembled slightly at the revelation of who was on the other end. Without further delay, I quickly answered the phone.

"What took you so long to answer?" His tone had a tinge of annoyance in them.

Oh God! It was barely fifteen seconds.

Steadying my voice, "I'm sorry, Sir. She just left my side."

"What's the update?"

"It seems she's oblivious to the fact that she's been used. She was quite composed even after the warning."

"She's a professional, you dummy. That's her job, and most likely what she wants you to think. Keep an eye on her."

"Yes, Sir."

He hung up.