Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan)

I stomped my foot in frustration. It was too late. If the power came in now, and the hallway surveillance was restored, I'd be exposed.

In a flurry of motion, I returned everything to its original state, locked the drawer, did a quick check on the desk, and swiftly placed the set of keys back into the secret compartment of the statue. Then, I darted out of the study, scampering back to the master bedroom.

My heart was pounding like a ticking bomb. A metallic, salty taste bubbled up my throat. Just as I was about to collapse onto the bed, I remembered the camera still soaking in the water.

I rushed into the bathroom, snatched the camera from the water, shook it a few times, and then squeezed it in a towel, praying it was beyond repair after its 'drowning'. I then placed it back in its original position, pushed the chair back to the vanity, and collapsed onto the bed, gasping for air like a fish on dry land.

Suddenly, a wave of sadness washed over me. I stared wide-eyed into the darkness, despair and helplessness pressing in on me from all sides. I couldn't hold it in any longer and broke down in tears, all while keeping an ear out for any sounds outside, fearing they'd return and catch me in my moment of weakness.

The next day.

I woke up early, roused by hunger. I hadn't eaten dinner the previous night, and Zora hadn't come to give me my medication.

I had no idea what time they had come back, or when the power had been restored. Perhaps I had cried myself to exhaustion, or knowing that I had been able to contact Catherine brought me some peace. I had surprisingly slept well that night.

When Zora came in with my medication, I casually asked her, "Did I not have dinner last night? Why am I so hungry?"

Hearing my words, Zora chuckled and responded, "You had too little last night. You said you were too full from lunch and couldn't digest more."

I choked on my words, my fists clenching in anger. I cursed her silently, swearing that she would pay for this someday.

"Just leave it there. I need to use the restroom first. Can you bring me a glass of milk?" I instructed her, throwing back the covers and getting out of bed.

As soon as I heard her leave, I quickly dampened a towel, wrung it out, and poured the medication into it. To make it look convincing, I pretended to take the medicine.

Back in the bathroom, I quickly washed the towel while thinking that I needed to save some medication for Catherine to run the test.

Just as I got back into bed after washing the towel, Zora came back with the milk and sneakily glanced at the medication bowl.

I took the milk from her and casually asked, "Where's Jaylan?"

"He's out!" she answered while scolding Milo, "Milo, you're misbehaving. Get down now!"

I looked up to see Milo perched on top of the cabinet, looking down at Zora with an air of indifference.

My heart leapt with joy.

This cat was indeed my lucky charm, a guardian angel sent by the universe.

Zora gave Milo a helpless look, muttering under her breath as she took the bowls and walked out, saying, "Breakfast is ready!"

I wasn't sure if it was just my imagination, but her attitude seemed more arrogant than usual. It felt like a direct challenge.

I beckoned for Milo while getting out of bed and walking to the display cabinet. I pretended to talk to him to get him down, while throwing a book not where Milo was, but at the surveillance camera. The noise scared Milo, who immediately jumped down from the cabinet.

I picked up Milo and kissed him, praising him in my mind. "Good job, my Milo. You're my ace in the hole!" But out loud, I told him, "Don't climb up there again!"

But I was certain that this room was safe now.

I absentmindedly ate breakfast, careful not to eat too much to avoid raising suspicions.

As noon approached, I longed for Catherine's arrival. But despite waiting all day, there was no sign of her.