Page 19 of Concealed Deception

Thoughts of the lies and deception, along with all the damn concealed identities play on my mind.The fucking catfishing to get me here, to fall into the trap of a man named Rowan when it was Alexander all along.

I’m such an idiot.

I knew the moment Lacey and I stepped at the foot of Envy’s doors nothing but bad news would come, and look where I am.

I continue scrolling through the messages sent to Lacey as me, and a reply to Aunt Lina; none of which look out of the ordinary, so why would anyone think otherwise and be looking for me?

I don’t bother messaging anyone, not with my conflicting thoughts.I leave my phone on the counter and try to navigate this house for any signs of the clothing Alexander said were on their way.

I come to a stop outside Alexander’s office, where the door is wide open and he has Antonio against the wall, yelling threats at him.I internally laugh, because I genuinely hate him, hence calling him by his full given name to piss him off.

I continue toward the bedroom to find Camille sorting through the garments from the last house.

“Hi, Ava.Are you okay?”I don’t buy her kindness, but I appease her by answering.

“I’m fine, thank you, Camille.Actually, can I ask you something?”She looks curiously at me before nodding, while continuing to hang the gorgeous garments.“What was he like before all of this?I can’t help thinking there’s a heart behind that brick wall of his.If there wasn’t, I don’t think I’d be so lucky in my situation.I mean—”

“I know what you mean, and he was once a very caring young man.Sometimes it takes a special kind of person to change that.Good luck, Ava.It’s not going to be easy.”

“You seem to think we’re good for each other.I can’t disagree more.”I wait for her to say more but she only shrugs.

“Are there any leggings amongst the clothing he organized for me?”I look at the piles of clothing.I have no idea how it got in here unnoticed between us leaving his room and talking in the living area.

“In that suitcase over there, you should find what you need.”

I walk over to the one she pointed at and open it.Inside, I find nothing but lingerie.“Camille, this is not what I’m looking for,” I sass, annoyed with her.

“Sure, it is.Pick something that hides under this.”She holds up a shimmering gold dress with a deep plunge neckline and open back, the embroidered detail making it delicate.

Once it’s hung in the bathroom, Camille returns to ruffle through a pile of designer shoe boxes.When she’s found what she’s looking for, she holds out a pair of gold leather, high heeled sandals.“Here, get changed, then tell me if I’m wrong.”She winks then leaves me to change.

I’m beginning to think she has her own agenda.

Vetoing any lingerie, I go to the bathroom to get changed.

An hour later, I’m about to step over the threshold to my room, when Alexander comes storming through the door, looking for me, then freezes as he takes me in.

Much like the first few times we encountered one another like this, he has his arrogant bastard persona in place.“The car’s waiting.We’re late.”

I remember the ten-minute warning he gave me earlier, but I have a feeling two members of staff had something to do with the time change.

“Let’s go then.”I walk past him, putting in no effort, simply because this dress is statement enough.Perhaps Camille was right?Perhaps there’s more of a power play at work here than either of us understands?At least I know I’m having an effect on him and flipping my switch isn’t for nothing.

Vince takes me through the back of the building to Alexander’s office while he goes off to ‘sort business’.

“Miss, I need to take a call.I’m going to be on the other side of the door.I won’t be long.”Vince doesn’t look too impressed with the situation, and I guarantee Alexander would have his balls if he knew he was leaving me unattended.

I take this opportunity to look around, to see if I can find anything to help me understandtheMr.Lamont.One wall has a series of screens, six to be exact, each with various views of Envy; that is, all bar one.I decide to hell with it and see if the screen turns on.When it comes to light, the screen fills with two figures in an unusual room.One is Alexander and the other a half-naked woman with red hair.While Alexander looks unimpressed, the woman sure as hell looks too invested in him.

My mood changes in an instant, and before I can storm out of this room, Vince comes back in and sees what’s got my blood boiling.

“Shit,” he says as he rubs a hand over his face.“Boss is going to kill me for sure.Come on, he’ll want to know you saw him.”Vince gestures for me to follow him and I gladly oblige.I’d love to see what this whore thinks she has that I don’t.

As we walk, my mind wanders to the woman I thought I was.Acknowledging that I’ve been lied to my whole life hurts, and right now, I’m happy to make that pain disappear.I want to find out if this courageous woman I’m becoming is who I’ve always meant to be.

Following Vince down a long corridor, we come to a stop outside a door labeled ‘3’.He does a series of knocks and then the door rips open with a raging Alexander behind it.His eyes turn hard at the sight of me, then he looks into the room toward the ceiling and mutters a bunch of curses under his breath.

“Vince, get Jackie out of here.Savannah, you’re coming with me.”I’m pulled into the room without any say, while the whore I saw on screen spits venom at the sight of me.

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