24.
"You want to leave Lilian and I, alone, together, for a whole week?" I gaped at him incredulously. He must have hit his head somewhere earlier this morning. That was the only sane explanation.
"It might not be the whole week," he shrugged indifferently.
"We won't last an hour together."
"If I remember correctly, I pulled you off her. So even if push comes to shove, I'm confident you will be able to hold your ground." Amusement gleamed in his eyes.
"You see we can't work together, not without some kind of buffer."
"What you both need is to sort out your differences and peacefully coexist."
"William! You can't do this," I groaned.
"I can, I will and infact, I have." He grinned before opening the door and stepping out. Sighing, I reluctantly followed him out.
"Lilian I will be at D)
Arriving home later that day, the neighbourhood was still tense from yesterday's macabre event.
"Blondie, you better be careful," Jiggy sneered as I brought my keys out of my bag. His appearing out of nowhere antics didn't surprise me much anymore.
"Good evening to you too Jiggy." I responded blankly.
"The woman that was killed was a blondie just like you, hope you ain't next.
" He walked away sniggering boisterously.
His crude words chilled me to the bone and I quickly unlocked my door, entered the apartment and locked it back.
The man was a maniac. I remembered my conversation with William yesterday. I knew I had to leave this place.
A knock startled me out of my reverie and my heart started pounding faster. Who was there? Jiggy? The serial killer? I slowly walked to the door.
"Who's there?"
"Detective Shaun from NYPD."
I opened the door and came face to face with a brown haired man who looked around his mid thirties.
"Good evening."
"Evening ma'am, I'm here regarding investigations on the murder of Elise Lynette, may I come in?
Got a few routine questions to ask," he showed his badge as he spoke.
Nodding, I let him in and pointed to the couch.
He sat and I took a seat adjacent him. The sight of his pen and little book made the reality of yesterday's events feel even more morose.
"As I said, I'm Detective Shaun from the NYPD, my partner detective Phil is also with some other residents at the moment."
I tilted my head in understanding, "I'm Ophelia Duhamels."
"Not the best situation on ground but nice to meet you Miss Duhamels," he said almost systematically then flicked his pen. "Did you know miss Elise Lynette?"
"No, I'm not even sure what she looked like. I may have seen her at the building entrance or something but I can't remember now." I answered and he jotted down.
"How long have you lived here?"
"Since January, this year."
"Any particular reason for your move?"
"A fresh start." I said and he nodded.
"Where were you the morning of May 19th?"
"My boss's house."
He jotted down again then went ahead to ask a few more questions, which got really embarrassing at a point as I felt the need-- after explaining my complete weekend whereabouts --to expatiate on the fact that all I did at my boss's house was sleep.
It seemed, defending this singular fact was the crux of my day.
"That will be all for now," the Detective closed his little book.
"Is it okay if I move out of here? I know there's the police detail around but I think I'd feel safer in a new environment."
"Absolutely, I understand. We'll also need to confirm your alibi so I'll need your contact details."
I nodded and collected the little book he stretched forward then scrawled my number down. I handed him the book after and he stood.
"Sorry for the intrusion miss and thank you for your time."
"It's no problem, goodnight."
I exhaled heavily and leaned against the door once he was gone. Staring at my one bedroom apartment, another sigh escaped me. Right before I went to bed later that night, I decidedly texted William.
To: Boss
I'll take it
Two more days into the week, Lilian and I had somewhat fallen into a routine consisting solely of work and silence. It was surprising, considering our lack of affinity for each other but definitely welcomed. But as whoever once said, all good things must come to an end.
Our rather amiable routine was finally broken Wednesday afternoon when Taylor McKenna, a manager of an Illston tech branch, came to drop off some reports. She frequently visited while I was the only PA manning the desks and we quickly became acquainted.
"Hey there," she smiled dropping the brown files on my desk.
"Hey Taylor." I greeted her with a smile as well.
"Is Mr Illston in?" She asked.
"He is not in." Lilian came out of her office answering the question before my lips could form a reply.
"Oh, Lilian you're back," Taylor appeared a little surprised, "how wonderful. Welcome."
"Yes, I am, thank you." Lilian's smile wasn't warm.
"I missed you these past few weeks." Taylor smiled a little too sweetly.
"I'm sure you did."
I eagerly watched as tension mounted between the two women.
"But I'm glad you're back now, you can finally join in on cupcake Thursdays."
"Cupcake Thursdays?" Lilian's gaze drifted to me in an accusive manner but I didn't react. Last thing I wanted was to get dragged into whatever power fight was going on.
"I've been sharing cupcakes every Thursday the past three weeks, to everyone." Taylor laid emphasis on the 'everyone'.
Lilian scoffed.
"Mr Illston loves them," Taylor chuckled.
It was probably best she didn't know William always passed his cupcakes to me.
He wasn't much of a sweet tooth. She stepped closer to Lilian and her sweet demeanor suddenly dropped, "It's no surprise he does, you weren't here to smother him afterall. "
Shit, this is getting good.
"Smother him?" Lilian laughed harshly.
"Or am I wrong and your intentions are really otherwise?" She was toe to toe with Lilian now.
This company definitely has more drama than the Kardashians.
"I am not a skank like you Taylor, now leave and do not even think about bringing along any poisonous cupcakes with you next time." Lilian pointed towards the exit way.
"Mr Illston is a grown man and can decide what he wants." Taylor jeered.
"And I assure, you are certainly not it."
"But I can make it so," Taylor winked and laughed again.
"Get out of here, now." Lilian gritted.
"I preferred it when it was only the dense secretary around," Taylor sighed then completely stepped away from Lilian.
My mouth fell open.
"Bye you two. See you tomorrow for cupcake Thursday," she smiled like the last five minutes didn't just happen then left.
"Did she just call me dense?"