Page 147 of Poison Aches

Turn around and leave! This isn’t a place for you. Leave, now!

If I were in my right mind, I’d listen to that voice-like hiss but all I can do is stare at the guy.

I remember the strange look he gave me before, as if he’s wondering who the fuck I am but he never asked.

I’m obviously not a high-profile person but here I am.

My father is the governor? He’s celebrating his birthday today…?

We reach the end of the hallway and come in front of elegant double doors that are quickly opened elegantly by two doormen!

They have indoor doormen!!!

The doors open, revealing a room full of impeccably dressed people all wearing evening gowns, tuxedos, and everything that makes me severely underdressed!

I hear the sound of soft laughter, the wealthy kind.

There’s an orchestra playing what I’m sure is a classic, but I can’t place it.

What I do notice is how the soft notes add a perfect balance to the atmosphere and calm, happy chatter in the large room.

And as I stand there, feeling incredibly out of place but frozen in a way that I can’t move, the guy turns to the left.

“This way, please,” he says, gesturing toward another hallway.

“Uhh…” I mumble. I thought we were going in there.

“The Governor will be with you in a moment. Please, this way.”

On wooden legs, I follow him, feeling more confused than ever.

Obviously, there’s an event going on in that large ballroom, but I’m led down the hall, then we take another turn, then up some stately stairs all the way to an office far from the ballroom, like a dirty secret.

“Please have a seat. I’ll let you know when he’s ready for you.”

With that, the guy turns and leaves where we just came from.

I look around the slightly dark room.

Fidgety and unable to stay still, I notice a door in the corner. Is that another exit?

Can I leave?

Maybe I’ll just come back another time. If that is another exit, I won’t have to bump into the guy. After all, there’s a high chance that he’s out there guarding the door.

I turn and silently sneak toward the door, only to find it slightly ajar.

“This is all so sudden,” I suddenly hear. The voice is mature, cultured, but obviously annoyed.

“I assure you, Governor Hughes, this has been a long time coming. Surely you were aware,” a dangerously calm voice responds after a while.

That’s Governor Hughes in there!

I never imagined he’d sound so…angry.

The voice that responds, however, is slightly accented, maybe Italian, I’m not sure.

“Yes, but not today of all days!”

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