Page 72 of Malevolent Secrets

“It’s a boy,” someone says. I look up and see an elderly woman in a severe-looking grey uniform. She has raven black hair with silver streaks in it.

“What?”

I didn't think Lorenzo had told anyone about us, but she seemed to know who I was and what I was doing in the house.

“I’m Greta. I’ve been in this house since Lorenzo was a child. I know who you are.”

“Oh…I…”

“You should eat. Boys have a way of sucking the life from their mamas.”

After sharing that delightful piece of information, she disappears.

After eating a small breakfast, I decide to go for a walk in the garden.

The fresh air and the beauty of the flowers help to clear my mind. I need to focus, to prepare myself for whatever comes next.

I decide to find out what Renee is up to.

“Hey, Renee.”

“Hey, sugar. What’s up?”

“I’ve moved now. I’m in Lorenzo’s house. God, it’s all so big and intimidating.”

“Aw, there’s no need for you to feel intimidated. He invited you, didn't he? And he promised to keep you safe. I say, just enjoy it. I’m happy you aren’t doing this on your own.”

“Me too. Do you want to come over later? He said I could invite you over.”

“Did he?” she asks.

“Yeah. I know you’re at work now, but maybe after? We could have drinks, well, you can have drinks, and I’ll watch you and bemoan my existence.”

She laughs and clears her throat.

“I would love to, but Daniella, I have something I need to tell you.”

“Yeah, what is it?”

“I…”

There’s a crashing sound in the background and some angry voices.

“Shit. Let me call you back, okay?”

I frown.

“What’s happening? Hello? Renee?”

But the call has already been disconnected. Worry weaves its way through my body and I am instantly restless. I try to call her back, but she doesn’t respond.

Maybe it’s just a ruckus at work, maybe it’s an emergency situation that she has to handle. I’m not going to think the worst, but it’s hard not to with everything that has been happening.

I decide to occupy my mind with something, but there is literally nothing to do. I have never really been a fan of TV, so watching it isn’t going to help me at all. So, I decide to go to the club. Lorenzo did say that I could keep working there.

The club is quiet when my driver drops me off. It’s almost too quiet. It is too early for anything to be going on, but usually by this time, there would be armed men everywhere and people getting the club ready for the night. Today, there’s almost nobody around, but I do see Carla walking around.

“Daniella, what are you doing here? You’re not supposed to be here.”

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