Page 9 of Lilies from Hell

“Good morning? You mean good afternoon. Bad hangover?” she asks, amused. I barely drank anything last night, but I have to come up with some excuse for my terrible face.

“Yeah. And a bad one at that.”

“I have a broth right here that can cure even the most terrible of illnesses, for you and your brother,” she says with a teasing sparkle. I smile, feeling a slight pain in my temples.

“Thank you,” I say, bringing a spoonful to my mouth.

A few minutes later, the butler approaches with a neutral expression that highlights the wrinkle between his eyebrows. His eyes look like Igor’s, hunchbacked assistant of Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, and his strange attitude leaves much to be desired. I don’t even remember why we hired him.

“Miss Easton, someone is asking for you.”

04

Romina is waiting for me on the other side of the door, and with that, the air I didn’t know I was holding leaves my lips in a sigh of relief.

“Hello.” I move my lips into a smile that she tries to copy.

“Hi, can we talk?”

“Sure, come in,” I say.

We walk into a small room with some paintings by my mother’s favorite artists, a few armchairs, and a small fireplace with framed photos of me and my family. We then rest upon a lengthy sofa. I wait for her to speak, a cushion between my legs. She fiddles with her fingers, looking nervous about something. Her eyes then settle on the fireplace, and mine follow the movement, noticing that a particular frame has no photo in it.

“I know you have nothing to do with any of this,” she begins, capturing my attention from the empty frame. “But I am really desperate. I do not know who else to talk to. Do you remember this guy I was dating? Matt?” I shake my head slowly, trying to remember.

She pulls out her cell phone and shows me a photo of her with a guy. Looking closer, I realize that the guy’s face looks familiar, but I cannot remember seeing him with Romina. I recognize him as I scrape together some memories from the night before. Feeling my jaw go slack, I zoom in on the screen. They are identical.

“Yes. I think I recognize him.” I say as his blue eyes fade from my mind.

“I haven’t heard from him in days. I’ve called him a thousand times, and he doesn’t answer. I’ve been to the police station, the hospital, even his parent’s house, and nobody knows anything. I am desperate.”

Not knowing quite what to do in such an awkward moment, I put my arms around her and stroke her dyed hair, hoping to comfort her a little. I feel guilty and selfish for keeping information that isn’t mine to keep, but I can’t just blurt it out like that either. Besides, I do not want to cause problems for my family by spreading forbidden information. Snitching in our world is a death sentence, and I am not ready to die.

“When was the last time you saw him?” I ask.

“He was at a bar, the establishment near the warehouses.”

“Those places around there are dangerous.”

“I know, it’s no secret that he was up to no good,” she says with a bitter smile. “We weren’t in the best place in our relationship either, but I don’t think he’s ghosting me, do you?”

“No, but I’ll help you find him. Meanwhile, try to distract yourself. Worrying too much will hurt you.”

“Maybe he left with someone else.” She’s talking more to herself than to me.

I think not. “Why do you say that?”

“It wouldn’t be the first time.” I purse my lips in a grimace. I didn’t know she had such a terrible relationship with the guy, nor do I understand her desire to continue the relationship.

If I were in her shoes, I’d have sent him to hunt orcs ages ago. But since it’s not my relationship, I’ll keep quiet and smile, offering what little support I can.

“Well, I will leave now. I do not want to be a nuisance.”

“You don’t have to leave so soon. You can stay for lunch,” I say.

“It’s okay. I have a few things to do anyway.”

“As you wish.”