Girl of Flesh and Metal by Alicia Ellis

Author:Alicia Ellis [Ellis, Alicia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Figmented Ink
Published: 2020-04-22T16:00:00+00:00

17

By Friday night, I’d forgotten all about my parents’ party to celebrate the Model One release. But the hubbub at home reminded me even before I walked through the door after school.

Three men and a woman, dressed in the kind of sleek black suits that could only designate security, stood on either side of the front door. They tipped their heads in recognition as I stepped through.

The foyer was clear of its usual decor and outfitted for the celebration. The glass entryway table had disappeared, showing off the wide-open space of our two-story foyer. The chandelier overhead must have been newly polished. Sunlight sought out the large crystals and cast multi-colored rays across the metallic accent wall. To one side, the coat closet stood open and empty, where hired staff would stand to check coats.

The rest of the first floor displayed more of the same. Tall metal tables replaced the furniture usually in the sitting and family rooms. Guests would stand around them while they ate fancy hors d’oeuvres.

Our king-sized dining room had been repurposed into a small ballroom. A temporary dance floor lay across the hardwood to avoid scuffing my mother’s floors. Smaller versions of the tall tables lined the walls.

They could just have easily rented a nearby venue for this purpose, but my mom prided herself on throwing lavish bashes—never mind the fact that her office and home staff together did all the work. She managed the tasks, and that counted for something in her book.

My bodyguard Owen had followed me into the house. Marcy caught up with us as we reached the stairs leading to my bedroom. “Will you join us for the party, Lena? Or should I bring your dinner upstairs?”

I gave her a quick hug, which basically meant I allowed her to hold me up for a few seconds. I hadn’t slept well in days—by choice. Better safe than sorry. “Upstairs. Definitely. And would you mind bringing some coffee too?”

I had an appointment with Ron on Monday, so I only had to make it three more nights on the minutes of sleep I stole here and there. Without the coffee, I doubted I would still be awake by the time Marcy brought my food. It had been days since I’d had a good night’s sleep.

Marcy gestured toward Owen. “Your mother says no bodyguards tonight. We’ll have a big crowd here soon, and security people are all over the place.” She turned and headed for the kitchen.

I used the handrail to support my weight as I dragged my feet up the stairs. Owen followed close behind me, his arms raised as if he’d catch me if I couldn’t make it. When we reached the top, he offered an awkward bow and retreated back down the stairs.

In the upstairs hallway, my dad’s voice drifted toward me from his office. His door stood a couple inches ajar. Although I didn’t understand the words at first, the tone was impossible to miss.

He’d used the same one when he found

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