Onbekend(11)

“Come in,” Arianna replied, still staring in horror at her aunt’s choice of clothing.

“How do you feel?” Molina asked as she opened the door.

“Much better,” Arianna replied. “But I blacked out again. Maybe something is still wrong with me.”

“That should go away in a bit of time,” Molina replied. “Your grandfather returned home an hour ago. He's waiting to meet you.” Molina stared at the clothing Arianna was holding in disgust. “Your aunt has an interesting taste in clothes. Pink, huh? I don’t recall ever seeing you wear that color.”

“Tell me about it,” Arianna replied. “I’ve tried for years to train her, but I don’t think she will ever want me to wear anything but pink and lace. What sixteen-year-old wants to wear baby pink and lace all the time? Are my bags here somewhere?”

“All of your things have been put away in the closet,” Molina said, moving across the room to the left side of the bed. What Arianna had assumed was a wall covered by a tapestry, was actually a door. Molina pressed the button next to the nightstand, and the tapestry folded to reveal a large walk-in closet.

“As long as it’s a skirt, it’s all right?” Arianna asked, and Molina nodded. “But you aren’t wearing a skirt.”

Molina smiled. “I don’t think your grandfather views me as a girl. He hasn’t since I was little. Besides, I’m in your employment. So your word trumps his. Will you order me to wear a skirt since you must also be tortured?” Arianna smiled as she pretended to contemplate the idea. “Take your time getting ready. I know you said you feel better, but it’s best not to push it. Even if he arrives early, your grandfather can wait.” Arianna nodded.

Arianna sifted through the clothes in the closet. Everything she had packed was neatly hung in order. She easily found a skirt and shirt she wouldn’t be embarrassed wearing and threw them on. Quietly, she opened the door to her room to where her aunt and uncle were talking before, but found only Molina sitting in the room alone.

“Where is everyone?” Arianna asked. “I heard my aunt and uncle out here before.” Arianna could smell the lingering scent of her aunt’s perfume.

“We wanted to make sure you got some rest, so they went to meet with your grandfather already. I told everyone you were awake now, and they are waiting in the formal living room,” Molina explained. “I’ll lead the way.”

Molina stood and opened the door on the farthest wall from Arianna’s bedroom. Turning to the left, Molina led Arianna down a long hallway. Her shoes clicked on the light brown marble floors. Arianna tried to count the doors as they passed room after room. Large oil paintings were interspersed between the gold and white trimmed doors. At the end of the hallway, Molina paused at a large door before pressing at a space on the wall. A panel swung open to show an elevator pad.

“How big is this place?” Arianna wondered out loud.

“Right now I think it stands at sixty-four guest suites, along with four family apartments,” Molina replied.

“No wonder I heard so many voices before,” Arianna added.

“Before?” Molina wondered.

“Yes, right after I woke up. There were voices all over the place,” Arianna replied, not understanding Molina’s shock. “The walls must be thin,” Arianna added as the ding of the elevator told them it was opening. Arianna stepped inside the door behind Molina, and watched through the glass as it lowered to the ground level. To the left was a large portrait hanging over a grand split staircase. Arianna paused in the elevator as she stared at the painting.

“Mom,” she said quietly, knowing immediately who the person in the painting was. Arianna turned to follow Molina out the elevator, but she stopped suddenly as she remembered the letter from Gabriel. “I need to go back upstairs,” Arianna said. “I forgot; I have a letter to give to grandfather. It should be in my coat pocket from last night.” Molina turned to rejoin Arianna in the elevator. “You don’t need to come with me. I’ll be back in a minute, and don’t worry, I can find my way back this far. Besides, I can hear someone talking in my room. Auntie and Uncle must have come back looking for me.”

Molina stepped into the elevator. “I’ll wait in the elevator for you,” she explained, as the door opened to the floor Arianna’s room was on. Arianna gave a quick wave and ran down the hallway. It was easy to find her room as it was the last door on the right.

“Auntie?” Arianna asked, opening the door to the sitting room. The room was empty. Arianna looked around, as she was sure she had heard two people, including a woman, talking in the room as the elevator reached the floor. Arianna hurried into her bedroom and quickly opened the closet. Hanging on the right side was her winter coat. Arianna found the letter from Gabriel, but accidentally dropped it as music began to play. Arianna turned and stepped into the doorway of her closet to find that on her desk, a music box was propped open. Arianna stared at the little ballerina girl who twirled in circles to the familiar tune. Quietly behind her, a man approached. With one swift movement, he bent down and covered her face. In an instant, Arianna was unconscious.