A surprising dinner

I didn't know whether Bhuvar had a system similar to the Internet and Dave wasn't even around for me to ask him. Maybe the library would have something on Ruffies. I had seen a row of encyclopaedia when I was going through the books.

I slipped out of the office and started climbing the stairs directly, trying to think where I could have heard this word. I had already reached the first floor and had started climbing the second set of stairs leading to the upper floor when the slam of a door made me freeze. I obviously hadn't been thinking straight. I hadn't even checked if Estena was still in the bathroom or if the coast was clear before moving to the library.

The soft clatter of heels on the marble flooring then propelled me forward and I climbed the stairs two steps by two, trying not to make any noise. Breathless, I reached the study and then at the other side where there was the den. Where could I hide if ever Estena decided to come upstairs?

I spied a plush sofa and tiptoed over there. The wooden flooring wasn't forgiving, each step could make a soft creaking sound if I wasn't careful. I went down on all four and tried to make myself as small as I could. If I was caught, I would have to change my strategy and I wouldn't be able to take her by surprise.

I pulled my head down as a soft clicking sound alerted me to the fact that she had just climbed to the 2nd floor. I could feel that even she was making the effort to move as softly as she could.

I dared to move my head slightly to the side to see if I could see what she was doing. Once again, her hands were going down across the spines of the books over there. She was quite meticulous about it, making sure not to miss any. What was it that she was looking for? She definitely wasn't here for some reading.

She kept doing the same activity for 10 more minutes and by then my legs were starting to turn numb. I could feel the tingle starting in my toes until it reached my heel and calf. Luckily, she stopped what she was doing and left quietly. I waited for a few more minutes even though I was dying to move.

I let out a whoosh of relief as I could finally stretch my legs. I tried to stand, but there was no feeling in both my legs and I crumbled down to the sofa.

As soon as sensation had returned to my legs, I stood up and went to the library. 'What were you looking for, Estena?' I whispered, moving my eyes up and down the titles. However, I could not get the answer to my query. So instead I looked for the encyclopaedia to find what I had been looking for.

'R, r, r, there you are,' I whispered excitedly as I found the volume that I wanted. I started leafing through the book, but before I could reach the page I wanted, I heard another noise.

'You never know when she might come back, Ash. Let's go back to the office.' Taking the book, I carefully climbed down the first few steps and looked through the bannisters. The coast was clear. I hurried down the stairs, carefully checking behind. How could I have been so inconsiderate and carelesss?

'It's all because of you, Dave,' I muttered. Ever since he had flashed me his delectable bum, I couldn't get my mind straight.

Once safely sheltered in the office, I put the book on the table and turned to the screens. Martha was putting the final touches to the dinner while Dave was on the porch, still busy with his phone calls. I sometimes felt guilty as he was overworked because he lost a few days on Earth and had to catch up with his work. I saw him pass his hand wearily through his hair and I itched to pass my fingers there too.

I squinted at the screens, blinking a few times in quick motion. How many hours had I spent looking at the images? I rubbed my eyes through their eyelids and sat down in the chair. Estena was in her lingerie and was wearing a slinky red dress that kissed her curves in all the right places. Evil or not, she was sexy and she knew it. Apparently, she planned on the dinner being quite formal.

I'd better go and fetch my dinner from Martha while Estena was stil upstairs.

'Mr Dave told me he wanted some pizza today, Miss Ash. I hope you like it.'

Pizza? Estena was dressing up to eat pizza? I bit back my laughter. Had Dave deliberately planned this or did he really feel like eating pizza? Well, I guess that the dinner was going to be an interesting one. I took a few slices along with a glass of wine and went to the office.

'The show begins,' I announced and sat, leaning back and taking a generous bite of my slice. The cheese was still oozing and sticky and some even dribbled down my chin. That was the way that pizza was supposed to be, with fresh mozzarella. 'Try being elegant with that.'

Dave was already seated when Estena came down and I felt happy that at least this time he didn't have to fetch her. As she reached the door of the dining room, she cleared her throat lightly and as Dave took in her appearance, his brows lifted up in surprise and he smiled. He stood up and pulled a chair for her.

Martha came to serve the meals and I saw a frown mar Estena's beautiful face as she had a look at the green lettuce salad and pizza. She managed a weak smile and started eating. All of a sudden, the pizza started tasting even better.

During the meal, Dave's phone suddenly rang and he excused himself to take the call. Estena looked around and pulled out the plastic bag I had seen her pull out of her suitcase. She took 2 pills out and dissolved them in Dave's wine. It all happened so quickly that I barely had time to react and I choked on my pizza. I coughed to free my upper respiratory tract.

'Shit! I hadn't even checked the name.' I put my plate aside and wiping my hands on the napkin Martha had provided, I opened the encyclopaedia and searched for the word, praying that I would find it.

**** Ruffies: Flunitrazepam, sedative and hypnotic drug, has been the subject of increasing concern as illegal distribution and abuse of the drug have spread. Abuse is particularly prevalent among high school and college youth.****

I knew this name. There was a case at the Academy where a student had used it on a fellow classmate before raping her.

Shocked, I looked at the screen where Dave had just entered the room and while I was still debating what to do, he finished his wine. I was too late.