Your

After a fitful sleep you wake early the next day. Sliding out of bed so as not to disturb Natali you throw on a plain charcoal grey silk robe. It was so smooth and supple, like slipping into pure liquid luxury. This Vincent may have been a crook, a murderer, an asshole, and a lousy lover, but the man had taste! Stepping into some slippers you head out of the room and down to the kitchen.

You are surprised to see the lissom form of Soo-yin there sipping on some tea. Turning her head to acknowledge you she nods. You were happy to see her making herself at home. She stands at the windows looking out at the morning sun break over the lush green estate. She was wearing a tight black t shirt and what must have been a pair of the Caitlin's sweat pants; they were too loose and too short for her, the waist cinched tight. You make yourself a coffee and take a seat near her.

"Morning." You say.

She nods once more.

"It looks like you are feeling better. I hope you found a room you like." You continue. "Are you and Caitlin getting along okay?"

She turns 90 degrees, so that she can face you yet still see outside. "The room is fine. It will do for now."

Something about the way she said 'for now' makes you think there was something more to it. Was she planning on leaving soon? Was she staying long term? You weren't sure.

She continues. "I like the woman. She's soft."

You let that comment slide by, as long as she was happy that was good enough for you. "Good." You say. Staring at your coffee you hesitate. So far you'd been able to keep your hands clean but the moment was fast approaching where this might not be possible any longer. "I'm, uh, I'm worried about Louis. I think he suspects something."

You take a deep breath to continue but she beats you to it. "No, not yet." She interrupts and looks at you with her dark calculating eyes. "You still need him. The contract on your life needs to be uncovered and settled. He's probably the only one who can get to the bottom of it. I'll be able to help him with it since I know some details he doesn't, but I don't have his connections or influence."

"But...I'm worried that he's going to be the one to kill me." You say.

"He will try." She says flatly. "But not yet. You've still got the loyalty of your men and he's probably not completely sure about you yet, he just has suspicions." She finishes her tea and sets it in the sink. "The contract needs to be dealt with. I am more of a sword than a shield, if you take my meaning. I cannot protect you forever."

She looks down at her baggy sweats. "Today however, I need to do some shopping. I'll be taking the maid with me." Glancing over to you as she leaves she adds. "I'd stay on the estate for now if I were you."

You nod and raise your cup to her in a 'cheers' like motion. "Have fun. I'll see you later."

She and Mama Raeni pass each other at the entrance to the kitchen. The cook smiles and nods at her then, as soon as she's past her, gives you a wide eyed expression. Once she is sure she is out of earshot she looks to you. "No offense but dat girl gives me da 'eebie-jeebies."

She tosses the morning paper on the counter beside you. She was already in her apron and ready for work. She must have a room in the servants quarters, you figure, though you knew from your conversation with her yesterday that she also had a place of her own off the estate. She gets you another coffee and the pair of you begin to chat once more. You halfheartedly flip through the paper as you do so. The usual stories about politics and the economy and local events until...

Your heart is caught in your throat for a moment. There it was, buried deep in the back pages of the newspaper, just a tiny blurb at the bottom of a page. The news of your ****. You stare at it a long time. There are very few details. A mugging gone wrong, identity of the victim confirmed, no suspects and no leads, police looking for witnesses. That was it. Your whole life just wrapped up in a short paragraph beside an ad for half price laminate flooring. It was...humbling.

You suddenly hear Mama Raeni break through the haze. "You okay Vinsant? Look like you seen a ghost."

You shake your head. "Yeah, sorry. I...uh...I just tuned out there."

Mama laughs. "I got dat effect on men!" Undeterred she continues on with what she was talking about. You close the paper and set it to the side.