I was standing next to the bed, gazing at the clothes that I displayed on the bed.
I drew a long breath.
I started getting nervous, so I began breaking my knuckles.
The paper I found in the room was also on the bed.
It was map of something.
I was lost in deep thoughts.
I was imagining what I would look like in the clothes, but the creak of the door brought me back to reality.
I suddenly snapped and shifted my gaze from the clothes to the door, where I saw Aunt Agatha standing with a pair of earrings in her hand.
A small smile lit her face.
My face was straight.
I bit the hanger, which I held in my hand while sitting on the bed.
Aunt Agatha reached out to me, patted my head gently, and handed over the earring.
“I do not know what to wear,” I said.
My voice was low.
Aunt Agatha shook her head.
She then started looking at the dresses one by one.
She narrowed her eyes, and horizontal lines appeared on her face.
“Wear this one.” Her tone was firm.
I took a deep breath.
I clutched the dress in my hand firmly.
A minute later I tossed it on the ground.
“It is pink.” There was urgency in my voice.
I turned my face away, unable to hide the distaste etched in my expression.
Aunt Agatha placed her hand under my chin, lifted it, and glared into my eyes.
My eyes were watery.
Aunt Agatha blew her cheek.
“My dear, so what, pink will suit you?” Her voice was steady.
I clutched Aunt Agatha’s hand and gently pushed it away.
I bowed my head.
I placed my hands on my lap.
My face became straight.
I remained silent.
My cheeks turned red.
Aunt Agatha clutched my hand, squeezing it gently, and sat next to me.
She leaned her head on my shoulder.
Aunt Agatha sighed deeply.
“Umm…well, you have other dresses lying around; why don’t you select from them?” Her voice was steady but firm.
I gave Aunt Agatha a sidelong glance.
The corners of Aunt Agatha’s mouth moved upwards into a smile.
“They are old dresses, and I want something different in which…” Before I complete my sentence, Aunt Agatha interrupts me gently.
“You would look like a princess in any dress you choose,” she added with a weak chuckle.
I inclined my head in disagreement.
I stood up and tightened my hands into my fists.
I gave Aunt Agatha a grumpy look.
“It is a serious matter.” I unclenched my fists.
“I want a nice dress,” I said.
My voice was not quite steady.
In the next minute, Aunt Agatha held out the dresses one by one that were displayed on the bed.
It seemed like she wanted me to choose one dress from them, but I am stubborn.
If I decide that I will not wear one of these dresses, then this is my final decision.
I need a new dress that matches my personality and tonight’s theme.
I placed my hands on my head.
Aunt Agatha shook her head.
Aunt Agatha placed her hands on her waist.
“So, Cinderella, I would like to tell you that I am not a fairy godmother or a witch,” Aunt said sarcastically.
“I am a chef who works in the small restaurant, and I do not have money to afford a new dress for you.”
When I heard that, I silently lowered my gaze.
I did not respond to her.
I crossed my arms over my chest while leaning against the wall.
My chest rose and fell with rapid breath.
She clicked her tongue.
She raised her eyebrows.
“Well, go to my room, and there is a red suitcase,” she said softly.
“I brought some dresses, and I want you to take whichever one you like.” A genuine smile appeared on my face.
I spread my arm, wrapped it around Aunt Agatha, and hugged her tightly.
My voice rose in pitch, the excitement barely contained my delight.
“Did I tell you that you are the best aunt?” I pulled back, leaned in, and kissed Aunt Agatha’s cheek.
In response, she nodded.
Before Aunt Agatha said anything, a doorbell touched our ears.
A small smile lit up her lips.
Without saying anything, she left the room.
I dropped my hands on my sides.
I went to the room next to my room, where Aunt Agatha was staying.
When I stepped into the room, I saw two suitcases in the room; one color was blue, and one was red.
I reached out for the red suitcase, which was open, and my gaze suddenly fell on the dress, which was blue and had a big bow on the left.
And it was asymmetrical and off-shoulder.
I clutched it in my hand.
I breathe through my mouth.
I approached the door, but as I was heading to my room, I heard a voice coming from the ground floor.
I stopped midway, draped the dress over my forearm, and turned around.
I reached the stairs, sat on the first step, and began listening to the conversation.
“I have come here for an official visit,” Marty said.
His voice was strong.
“I have some questions in mind.” Before Marty said anything else, Aunt Agatha interrupted him rudely.
“I think you know me; we were friends.” Her voice was a mixture of anger and resentment.
Marty jammed his hands into his pants pocket.
He lowered his gaze for a second and minutes later looked at Aunt Agatha’s face.
“Hmm…yes, you are correct, but it was a long time ago, and I believe people change,” he added with a heavy chuckle.
“And I know you always lie to get out of the situations.” Aunt Agatha’s face became straight.
The smile faded away from her face.
Her hands find their way to her waist.
A quick nod escaped from Aunt Agatha.
“Marty, I do not like what you said.” Anger cleared Aunt Agatha’s voice.
“We were kids, and I was dealing with a lot of things, and sometimes to escape from the trouble, I lied.”
Marty’s face broke into a smile.
“I think you are forgetting how much you hurt people in the period you are staying here.” His voice was barely above a whisper.
Aunt Agatha raked her finger through her hair.
She sniffled.
She clenched her jaw, gritting her teeth together, as she was wrestling with her inner irritation.
I saw the fiery and intense anger in Aunt Agatha’s eyes.
Aunt Agatha let down her hands on her sides.
She sucked her teeth.
‘So, you are here to dig into my past.” Anger sharpened her voice.
“You have not changed a bit, always trying to find the conspiracies in every incident.” A smile crept onto Marty’s face.
Marty drew a long, slow breath.
“No, I have not come here for that.” His voice was heavy.
“I am curious.
Your aunt just died, and before the funeral you went to a notary to collect the property papers.” Marty pulled his hands from his pants pocket.
“It is odd because how did you know that this property is in your name without the will?”
Aunt Agatha rubbed her earlobe.
She pressed her lips together; it indicates her controlled anger.
Marty turned around and shifted his gaze from Aunt Agatha to me.
Marty’s eyes shot up, his interest piqued, a clear sign of his curiosity.
“Callie, are you going somewhere?” Marty asked.
Mart’s voice was soft.
Each word was spoken carefully.
I suddenly stood up.
“Umm…we are going to the party,” I muttered.
It seemed like my voice was barely out of my mouth.
Aunt Agatha’s eyes began flickering.
She suddenly jumped into the conversation.
I think you should leave because it is getting late,” Aunt Agatha said while approaching the stairs.
She motioned for me to go inside the room.
I obeyed her order and dashed into my room.
A minute later, I heard the door shut downstairs.
It was a loud thud.
I started getting ready for the party.
I placed the earrings in my ears.
Once I was prepared, I stood in front of the mirror.
My hair fell down over my shoulders.
I was just waiting for Max to see me.
I tucked my hair behind my ear.
I breathed in deeply.
Suddenly, my eyes landed on the music box, where I noticed a necklace inside along with a piece of paper.
“Wear it.
It looks good on you.”
I was gazing at my reflection without blinking, and suddenly the light went off.
I cautiously looked around.
“Did you get ready?” I heard Aunt Agatha say.
I grabbed the shawl and went out of the room, proceeded downstairs, and bumped into someone.
The darkness is making it difficult for me to see.
I felt a hand in my hand.
And suddenly I heard footsteps receding; I then heard the vase on the coffee table falling.
My eyes widened with a sudden jolt of surprise.
My hands started shivering, and the diamond sweat started appearing on my face.