"Is that your opinion of me?" Arnold asked, with a voice and expression void of any emotion.
"I'm sure you even have a condom in your pocket right now, waiting patiently to f*ck the next available c*nt" Ciara answered, without any restraint and Arnold only nodded.
All eyes in the room, except Ciara's, were fixed on Arnold who only remained passive. He wasn't going to say anything nor betray any emotion.
Raymond knew Arnold was hurt badly, yet he couldn't do anything to ease his pain since he started it.
"How many people are we still waiting for?" Arnold asked as he looked at Caleb.
"Three; Theodore, Cindy and Edith" Caleb replied.
"I think we have to start once Edith arrives" Kelly said.
"Why?" Vanessa asked curiously.
"Things can get really steamy when couples who have been apart for a while, come together. Agree or disagree with me, it's going to feel just like in the honeymoon stage" Kelly replied sternly yet full of humor and Vanessa only shook her head.
"The meeting starts in five minutes, with or without those three" Arnold said sternly and they all nodded and the room became awkwardly silent.
****
Mary had packed breakfast for Maya who kept sleeping. Maya was an early bird, so Mary couldn't help but wonder if she was alright. She checked Maya's body temperature, raised her hands, pressed her feet and inspected other parts of her body. Maya seemed fine and Mary couldn't help but sigh. 'She must be very tired' Mary thought. After waiting for another hour without any sign of Maya waking up, Mary decided to have Cedric check up on her.
"Excuse me...do you have any idea where Cedric, the butler, is?" Mary asked a passing maid politely.
"Yes, ma'am. I saw him in the corridor not long ago. I'm sure he's still there" the maid replied politely as she looked at Mary.
With how Mary looked at her, she knew Mary had no idea where the corridor was located.
"When you get there, turn left" the maid pointed.
"Thank you" Mary replied with a smile and the maid only bowed slightly and walked away.
Following the directions given by the maid, Mary founded herself in the corridor. It wasn't difficult to spot Cedric, who he kept making hand gestures as he talked to a group of maids. Mary began to walk towards him.
"Is there anything you'd like, ma'am?" Cedric asked Mary, the moment he spotted her in the corridor.
Cedric was supervising the maids as they worked. He was giving the maids some ideas and tips on how to work effectively and efficiently.
"Yeah, I came here looking for you" Mary replied.
Cedric deduced the older woman, was worried from her demeanor.
"Is there anything I can help you with, ma'am?" Cedric asked.
"Yes. Maya hasn't woken up yet. I tried waking her up but still couldn't" Mary replied worriedly.
"I will go with you to check up on her" Cedric said, dismissed the maids and walked with Mary to her room.
Upon arrival, Cedric walked slowly towards sleeping Maya. He stared at Maya's face for a while and knew something was definitely wrong. 'Theodore. He needed to get Theodore' Cedric thought.
"You don't have to worry, ma'am. I'm sure she's fine. I will let someone check up on her to make sure she's alright" Cedric assured.
"Are you sure?" Mary asked unconvinced.
"Yes, I am sure" Cedric replied, wearing a reassuring smile.
"Cedric, you can tell me anything. I know you're an elf too"