[Celestine's POV]
Mrs. Robinson was washing the dishes with me. The owner did not disturb me after taking my video. The Robinson's were blissfully unaware of my plight. I doubt that they would do anything even if they knew about my plight.
After washing my sixth lot of dishes I went outside the building. I hated this building. Yet, I could not do anything. I could not do anything but sit here and hide from him. Tom has become everything he was not in the past. Money, respect, influence, power and immortality that I gave him from the diadem. If only I was not weak and stupid to fall for that handsome boy. The only good thing he ever did to me was Amelia.
"Ms. Bell, you have visitors" Tim shouted from the reception.
My blood ran cold. Visitors? Me? Are they Tom's people?
No, I need to take a grip of myself. They might be just pervert friends of that Hog. If that is so I might make more money and I need money. How shameless I have become! My mother would beat me with a stick and lock me up in the attic if she heard me. Dad would probably threaten to disown me. As for Tom, no, why am I again thinking about him?
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I made my way to the waiting room. It was a small room with two couches facing each other and a small table made of cheap plastic in between. There was no window in the room. Only the door through which I entered. The fireplace had the fire turned on. The cackling noise of the fire burning the woods could be heard. A man sat on the couch facing the door.
He wore a black cloak. I was hiding my wand in my sleeves ready to use. I had already given instructions to the Robinson if I give a red signal then make a run.
"You are Tom's men, aren't you?" I asked. I could hear my breathes over the cackling sounds of the fire. The man was studying my face.
"No man by that name is in power now Ms. Celestine" he said.
"So, you are his men?" I almost took out the wand.
"No, I am not."
"How do I believe you?"
The man took out a paper from his pocket. This is illegal now, but I think you will recognize the symbol.
The paper held the symbol of a phoenix. A phoenix I was well acquainted too.
"Dumbledore!" a tear escaped my eye. Dumbledore's mere symbol was enough to bring out tears of relief from my eyes. I was never of help to him neither will I be. He was like a tree. He always gave but never took from me.
The man studied me further.
After making up his mind he decided to speak to me.
"I presume you know what it is?"
"Yes" I said.
The man puffed up a bit before speaking the next lines.
"Celestine Bell, would you like to join the Order of the Phoenix, it is an organization run by Dumbledore for the fall of He who must not be named" the man in the black cloak asked.
"No" I dislike Tom's activities but that did not mean I would betray him.
The man seemed annoyed but said, " You still Like him?"
"I LOVE him and will always do."
"If you join your daughter can have a better life. You would never have financial problems" the man whispered leaning closer.
"If you are bribing me then you are doing a very bad job at it" I said standing up.
The man in the black cloak stood up too.
He said, "I see your love for him has made you blind to your own daughter's wellbeing."
I glared at him. It was true. My love for Tom is poisonous for not only me but also Amelia.
"I am sorry I cannot." Tears were again escaping my eyes. Just this time they were tears of frustration and pain. "He has taught me to obey him. Even if I try my mind won't allow me to" I fell on my knees trying to cover my tears. "Please go away. I have barely adjusted to live without him." Tears were flowing through my eyes.
The man looked at me perplexed. He took his bag and said "Well then Goodbye Ms. Bell. It was nice meeting you."