PANIC ROOM

"Who is it, Malcolm?" questioned Astrel as he lifted his gaze from the stack of files piled over his long table.

Malcolm glanced at his boss as he lifted the phone away from his ears. "Seems like someone's trying to reach you," He said hesitatingly.

"Who is it?"

"A girl," he said, not realizing how stupid he was to give short answers.

"Malcolm?" He heard the stern voice of his boss.

"Sorry, sir, but if you would allow me to..." Astrel gestured with his hands to do so.

"Miss, if you would not mind, may I know your name?"

"Oh, my name's Vilian. Vilian Frost. But if I may know, is it the right person that I've contacted, for it is really urgent," came the hasty voice from the other side.

"Please hold on a moment. I'd let you know once I get permission from sir," said Malcolm and spoke to Astrel. Astrel nodded his head, and he gestured for him to hand over the phone and also to leave, which he did immediately.

"Speak," that was what Astrel said as he waited for her to get to the point right away.

"Astrel, can we meet up?"

"What's the matter?"

"I'm sure it's something really important and urgent. I don't think it's something that is to be discussed over the phone," he heard her with a not-so-loud voice.

Astrel stood up from his chair and he sighed, "Listen, kitty, I don't have all of my time to wander and chit-chat. Stop beating around the bush and come to the point," he said annoyingly as he rubbed his forehead.

"Are you aware of someone named Gary?" She held the right question which made him curious.

"Send me the location where you are. I'll send someone to pick you up," he said as he was ready to end the call.

"No, I'm at Mia's home."

"Good, Ashley is on his way. Tag along with him. I'll let him know about it," he said and didn't wait for her to reply as he ended the call immediately.

"I've got no idea what you've done, Gary. But pray that you won't meet me soon," muttered Astrel as he pushed the files away and walked out of his office. Malcolm was about to follow him but stopped as soon as he saw his boss gesture to him not to.

Vilian grunted and fumed as she held her phone. Just how insolent was he? I was about to help him, and what's with that bossy attitude? Uff!!

'No one told you to help him, Vilian! It's you who dug your own grave,' screamed her mind. Vilian buried her phone in her pocket and took in a mouth full of air as she tried to calm herself.

Lady Gizella was walking through the hallways when she saw a tall figure walking through the entrance. Furrowing her thin eyebrows her block heels click-clack down the corridor toward the entrance.

"Surprise!" exclaimed Ashley walking through the long corridor followed by the large door of the entrance.

"What an unexpected windfall!" came the surprise words with a surprised look. Approaching his aunt, Ashley hugged her tightly.

"No doubt, this is my nephew. Always ready to strangle me with his bear hug," remarked Lady Gizelle. Ashley stepped back as he grinned ear to ear.

"Ahh... My aunt is doubting his teddy~" said Ashley, pouting his lips. Lady Gizelle smiled as she tried to pinch his cheeks, but he stepped away. She didn't try it again, for she knew it was, however a failed attempt given that he was taller than her even though she was in her block heels.

His aunt turned her face and walked toward Mia's room, she said, "What else do you expect, when my teddy seldom visits his old aunt? Forgotten already?" she questioned but didn't once look at him. She headed toward Mia's room, stepping over the steps that were ahead of them.

"Where's my sweet candy?" asked Ashley, following his aunt.

"Probably, the koala's stuck to its bed, curled into its cocoon like a silkworm..." remarked Lady Gizelle waving her hands. Ashley wasn't surprised, given the numerous time his aunt used metaphors.

Coming to stand in front of the closed door she knocked it twice, "Honeybee! Are you up, dear?" her voice traveled through the door squirming Mia, who cared less about her mom's alarm-like calls just like any other day.

Her mother knocked on the door once again, waiting for any signs of her daughter awake, "Seemingly there are no signs of her awake..." she whispered to Ashley in a low voice and not waiting for his reply she announced her presence in a sing a song manner as she entered Mia's room swinging the door open, "Here I come~"

Mia groaned and buried herself under the pillow and blanket, hearing the door click open. "Uff... Go away, mom," Mia mumbled under her blanket. Ashley chuckled and raised a cushion that was lying on the coffee-brown sofa. Aiming it at Mia, he was about to throw it when he saw a figure from the corner of his eyes. He snapped his head to his side, and the throw was delayed when his eyes fully caught the figure standing in front of him.

"Vilian!" he exclaimed with a surprised look. Mia stood upright immediately as soon as she heard Ashley's voice and him mentioning Vilian's name. Her eyes searched her cousin standing away from her at a good five feet distance. She glared at her and shushed him as she glanced at her mother who seemed to be busy going through something that was lying on top of her study table. After a while, her mother shifted her gaze at Ashley.

"Vilian?" She frowned.

Shit! She was wrong, thought Mia. Her mother had heard it but had chosen to ignore it for a few seconds but not anymore. "You know her?" she questioned, oblivious to what was happening.

Vilian was about to step her feet into the room but retracted soon after her gaze caught Ashley and Mia's mother. Not again! She can't lie to her mother today, for it was too earlier today for one to be a visitor. Not to say her friend was still in her bed mess. She dashed out of their sight, hiding behind the tall pillar which stood on the balcony but not before gesturing to the devil's brother to not say a word about her presence.

Thankfully Mia's mother had her back facing her, so she didn't see her. She hopefully waited for Ashley or her friend to handle the situation.

"Uhm... Ehh... Yes... Yes! I do know her. Isn't she Mia's friend?" He questioned back hoping that she really was her friend, given the thought that she was in her room. Luckily, to his guess, it went right.

"Right, she's such a dear girl. Have you met her?" she questioned. Mia gestured for him to say no, but he went against her earning a glare from her.

"Yes. Recently, her father invited us for a dinner," he said, not looking at his cousin, knowing well, she was glaring daggers at him.

"Us? You mean Aster and you?" Ashley hummed in return. Lady Gizelle nodded her head walked forward toward the door and stooped on her tracks, glancing at the chevel mirror with a frown. Mia and Ashley gave a look at each other.

Is she visible through that freaking mirror? I better change its place as soon as mom leaves the room, thought Mia and got off her bed. She ran toward her mom, covering the tall mirror, she stood like a wall in between her mom and the mirror.

"What are you doing?" questioned her mom.

"Nothing... Just came to look at my appearance," she said and turned to look at her reflection in the mirror. Lady Gizelle shook her head, not understanding her.

"Whatever... You better come down as soon as possible. Breakfast will be served in an hour," and that was how she left her room walking toward her brother's room. No doubt she was gonna wake him up too.

"That was one way of a lame excuse," remarked Ashley pointing at the vintage cheval mirror. Mia rolled her eyes and ignored him. She made sure she locked the door tight while Ashley dragged Vilian into the room.

"Wha-"

"Shh!!!" Mia shushed him before he could say a word.