The moment I snapped out of the shock, the dread started. Kinsey never said anything close to those words.
"I love you girl." at a whisper.
She left looking like something dangerous, like something that would hunt you at night for all the right reasons and you'd be oh so happy when it caught you. She looked like a demon's wet dream. I'd never seen her like that. She looked like she'd done it before, that outfit, those shoes and the claws...well I really didn't know what to do with that. For a moment I forgot all about the pain. I couldn't wrap my head around the contradiction that she'd become to me in that moment. She seemed stressed but there was a glow to her, hopefulness, like light pushing from under a door. I was still frowning, slack-jawed at the space where she'd been. Several minutes passed and then the aches and pains returned with a solid slap.
Oh my gosh, everything hurt. The painkillers helped a little but really I needed to get back to bed. I called for the maids and they helped me. Kinsey might be all night so I tried to get some sleep. It was difficult to relax but once I did, I was gone.
The opening of the door in the early hours of the morning pulled me from my rest. Kinsey. She was trying to be quiet. I touched the light switch beside me and a low glow beside my head. She looked calm.
"Kins?" I whispered. Her blurry form becoming clearer as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and she walked over to me.
"Hey Dee, you okay, girl?" she whispered back.
"Yeah, put another light on, will you?" I added.
She did and stood by her bed looking dishevelled but ...happy. The smile that lit up her face was so pure and real, like she was a whole other person. I could feel my brow furrowing as I tried to figure out what the hell was going on.
"Are you going to explain some things?" I asked, making it clear that it wasn't a question but an order that I very rarely gave. My voice had made its reappearance, still sore and bruised but the rest and meds helping a lot. I tried to sit up but my rested muscles hurt more than before, so I stayed put.
"Yea, I will." Her reply was almost dreamy.
She moved to my bed and sat. She was wearing her robe and nothing else. I assumed all of her clothes and those amazing shoes would be cleaned and returned soon.
Kinsey started on her story, recounting her past with Caleb and moving into this evening. A flurry of emotions forced their way through me, sorrow at her loss of love, pain for her pain, fear for her, that she'd had to make this choice and happiness that she seemed so content with her decision to stay with him.
"Oh Kinsey, you didn't have to do that!" I scolded her but the only tone I could muster was awe touched with gratitude. She was an amazing friend; it made me feel so loved. "It's just crazy! So you really think Luca (what a perfect name!) will come?"
"Yes, Caleb was sure he would." She wrapped her arms around herself, feeling the chill now that she had cooled down.
"I'd like to meet him one day," I added going to pass her my blanket, she moved to get it before I could and draped it over her shoulders. I'd like to meet this man who made her so joyful.
"Yes, one day." Her eyes closing.
She seemed suddenly sad.
"Kins?"
"It's okay. I suppose I just have to resign myself to the fact that he'll never be all mine. I can live with that though, I really can." she took a deep breath and looked at me. I believed she could.
I nodded. She'd told me that Luca was free and I felt like the worst person, knowing I could possibly have something she wanted. I'd trade my happiness for hers in a heartbeat.
We chatted some more and after several yawns, we both decided to get some more sleep.
Like life does, things continued as normal. I got better, stronger and Kinsey spent most nights in the Black. She returned every night for over three weeks, happier and happier. By the time I was feeling almost normal both Kinsey and I were starting to worry because nothing had been said about Luca. Caleb had assured Kinsey that he was dealing with it but that these things were complicated. I suppose they were. One night on that third week, Kinsey was getting dressed for Caleb and there was a knock on the door, the paper from the Superior said, 'Normal duties to resume for both of you. He's not coming.'
It was very cryptic. Kinsey was annoyed but knew that sometimes he had to go away on business. What irritated her was that she was Caleb's; he reserved and paid for her even when he was away to avoid things like this. Kinsey approached the Superior about it and she said she didn't know anything and that her orders had come from the Boss. This was obviously the next part of whatever was going on. I hated that I had caused this but Kins wouldn't hear of it, 'we're in this together' she said. I'd started to lose hope about Luca but at least I wasn't going back to Silver, an involuntary shudder flowed through me.
We got ready that night in a tense silence. I knew Kinsey was mad and every time I tried to start a conversation she just shut me down. Her disappointment was all encompassing and I think part of her felt like she was cheating. I wore simple black lingerie and matching heels- when in doubt, keep it simple. I tied my hair in a high bun out of the way and threw on my robe after completing my makeup.
We made our way into the hall, the air was cool in there indicating that winter was making an appearance; I'd have to remember my slippers next time for the return walk. Kinsey was quickly sent to her previous clients but not without an apologetic smile in my direction and then I waited in the hall for my assignment. The chill made my fingers cold and I mentally added my thicker robe to the list.
"Ah, Dee. How are you?" the Superior said formally. This was the first time I'd seen her in weeks.
"I am well, thank you Superior and yourself?" My reply sincere, I knew this was all hard on her, she was usually fully in control and this whole thing was throwing her off balance.
"I am well also, thank you. Though I have some issues with what I am going to say next, it cannot be helped." She leaned in, "trust me I've tried" she whispered. "Anyway, tonight you're in Black. Please make your way down there." she said this with emphasis like she wanted anyone listening to overhear. Maybe the boss doubted her loyalty?
Surprise lit up my features. Black wasn't as bad as silver and usually, I didn't mind some light play, although it'd be the first time since Silver. I didn't know how I felt about it. I figured it'd be a new client since Caleb was away and places were sought after. Black was all about building a relationship, maybe the boss had decided to try and break me another way, or maybe Luca... no I wouldn't get my hopes up although I really wanted to. I was not as prepared as Kins but she said there were clothing items down there, so maybe it wouldn't be too bad.
The walk was swift, the cold biting at my heels. I arrived and a male maid I didn't know opened the door and took my robe. The entry room was exactly as Kinsey had described, everything in shades of silver and grey. Large, overstuffed sofas with blankets and throw pillows in various hues made the room feel 'like the inside of a storm cloud' she'd said, yes that's exactly it. Through the adjoining door, the room was a dense black with gold lighting. It was very disorienting. My heel slipped a little on the change of flooring but I recovered quickly. Not a fantastic first impression.
The man sitting on the chair at the end of the room rose when he heard the door click. He took one look at me and frowned, "You are not Kinsey."
I made a very quick deduction.
"No, I'm Dee. You're Caleb?" I said, completely shocked.
I had no idea what was happening. Caleb was here, not away and he seemed just as confused as I was.
"Where's Kinsey?" he looked upset, worry lines appearing around his intense eyes.
"Did she send you?"
"Erm..." what did I say? I didn't want to upset him but I couldn't lie.
