CHAPTER TWENTY
"You shouldn't ask me, cause you refused to tell anyone about your cat, and you suddenly lost interest in pets after the last one. Well before no one saw you again, and you went missing."
"What did my pet look like?"
"All black and furry."
Cherry's eyes widened like saucers out of curiosity as she geared up to fire off another question.
But before she could utter a word, the grand gates swung open with a majestic creak, and she realized that she was already home.
Carlos, ever the charmer, gave the horn a jaunty double tap, announcing their arrival.
As usual, summoning the maids, who emerged from the mansion in a uniform line with their starched aprons and caps with precision.
The maids surrounded her, clearing her path and relieving her of every burden, except one – the book clutched tightly in her hands.
One eager maid attempted to lighten Cherry's load but Cherry swiftly pivoted, shielding it behind her back.
"Thank you, no need," she smiled. "I've got this one covered."
The maid's hands hesitated mid-air before retreating.
Cherry spun around, intending to rekindle her conversation with Carlos, but he had already vanished into his quarters, leaving her with an unsettled conversation.
"Carlos?" she called out.
Only the soft rustle of the maids' uniforms and the distant creak of Carlos's door responded.
Cherry slipped into her room and locked the door.
She tossed the book onto her table, and the dust that rose from it tickled her nose, giving out a soft sneeze.
"Achoo!"
Her slender fingers danced across the cover, tracing the intricate writing from left to right.
The title font was otherworldly, the elegant curves and swirls were mesmerizing.
Her gaze drifted to the subtle inscription below.
"Make sure you have the lights off when you read."
Cherry quickly flicked the switch, putting her room into darkness.
She walked through the shadows using her phone's torch.
The light was faint and it helped in illuminating her path to the desk.
Afterwards, she extinguished the phone's light, and the room fell into an inky blackness.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she opened the book.
Suddenly, a radiant glow emanated from the pages, bathing her face in an ethereal light.
The intensity made her squint.
"Whoa!" Cherry gasped, her voice barely above a whisper. "What kind of sorcery is this?"
The light danced across her features, highlighting her wonder-struck expression.
Her eyes adjusted slowly, revealing intricate symbols and illustrations within the book.
She flipped through the pages of the book and went through the chapter's until her eyes caught a title.
'Chapter 146: The Turning Tide; Spell for undoing dark magic'
"This could be what I need," she whispered slightly before looking deeply into what the chapter entails.
"You'll need a black and white candle, Sunflower, Rosemary, a mirrored surface,"
She paused.
"What da! I've got none of these,"
She continued.
"Clear quartz, salt and water! Where the hell I'm I gonna get all these tonight?" She voiced out of frustration.
She resigned, "No magic for tonight then, I'll get them tomorrow, it's a long day already, I can't continue with the stress,"
She moved and turned the light back on.
"It's been a long day," Cherry admitted, rubbing her tired eyes.
She rose from her chair, stretching her slender frame, and yawned.
"Tomorrow," she promised herself, "I'll gather those ingredients and tackle this spell."
She changed into comfortable pajamas, stood still and thought of possible places she could get the ingredients.
Her eyelids grew heavy, and her breathing slowed.
*
*
*
*
As dawn broke, Cherry's mind sprang to life, fixated on finding the spell's ingredients.
But her enthusiasm was swiftly curtailed when she attempted to sit up and bumped her head on the bed frame.
"Ow!" she winced, rubbing the tender spot.
Groggily, she realized she wasn't in bed. The chill of the floor seeped into her hands and feet, and her gaze dropped to confirm her suspicions.
"¿Cómo que cómo...? (How in the world?)" she trailed off, bewildered.
It dawned on her – she'd dozed off on the floor, lost in thought.
"Of all places Cherry, the floor?" She soliloquies as she holds onto the wooden side of her bed tightly to help her stand up properly.
Cherry scrambled to her feet and stretched to shake off the stiffness.
"Well, that's a great start to the day," she muttered, chuckling wryly.
Soon, as usual, the doorbell chimed, punctuating Cherry's morning routine.
She smoothed her clothes, before making her way to the door.
Opening it up, 5 maids stood in front waiting for her to nod them in.
"Buenos dias (Good morning) Miss Amy!" they chimed in perfect harmony.
She just nodded curtly and she stepped aside, allowing the maids to file in.
As she turned back into her room, the maids followed closely.
"Can't wait for all this formality to end," Cherry thought, her mental sigh nearly audible.
Cherry's gaze drifted lazily toward the maids as she gently smoothed her nails with the file.
"What's the agenda for today?" she asked.
One maid spoke up, "I'm here to discuss your meal options, while the others attend to your morning care routine."
The chef maid nodded, pencil poised. "Would you like something specific for breakfast, ma'am?"
Cherry's shoulders rose in a gentle shrug. "Anything edible sounds fine."
As she spoke, skilled hands kneaded tension from her shoulders, and gentle fingers massaged scented oils into her skin.
Cherry's eyelids drooped, her body melting into the blissful sensations.
The chef nodded, jotting notes. "Noted, ma'am." smiled and she departed.
The remaining maids continued their ministries.
After a serene interval, they announced,
"The bathtub is ready, ma'am. Whenever you're prepared."
Cherry's eyes opened, her gaze following the maids as they filed out.
"Okay, that's great," she replied.
As the door closed, Cherry rose, shedding her relaxed pose.
She moved toward the bathtub, the scent of rose petals and chamomile wafted up to greet her.
She then slipped into the warm, fragrant water, got done bathing and came out.
As Cherry emerged from the bathtub, her focus shifted to the day's primary objective: acquiring the spell's ingredients.
Her mind went to Carlos to get some help, but she preferred not telling him to avoid more questions, she then remembered she had a PA.
She took her phone to make the call and scrolled through her contacts.
"Ju…ana," she slowly said as she searched but saw that she didn't have her number stored.
Cherry snatched up Amy's diary, flipping through the pages until she found Juana's contact information.
"Ah-ha!" She exclaimed and dialed the number.
Juana's voice answered on the first ring.
"I need you here ASAP."
Juana's response was succinct. "On my way, ma'am."
Hours passed, Cherry's anticipation building. Finally, a knock at the door signaled Juana's arrival.
Cherry opened the door to a vision of professionalism: Juana stood tall, clad in a tailored pink suit and sleek black pants. Her hair was styled in a neat bun.
"Good morning, ma'am," Juana greeted as she put up a fake broad smile.
"Thanks for coming on short notice."
"How may I assist you today, ma'am?"
Cherry's eyes locked onto Juana's, looking at her from her head down to her toe and back up as she noticed she dressed too professional.
Cherry raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in her voice. "Juana, why the power suit? I didn't invite you over for a board meeting."
Juana's bright smile faltered for an instant, her eyes flashing frustration.
She rebounded quickly.
"You instructed me, ma'am, to maintain a professional image at all times. 'Even simple occasions demand elegance,' you said."
Cherry thought for a moment.
"Amy said that?" she murmured.
Juana's smile began to feel forced, her eyes blinking rapidly to suppress her irritation.
"If I may enter, ma'am?" Juana requested, her patience wearing thin.
"¡Por supuesto! (Oh yes!)"
Under her breath, Juana muttered, "You're weird."
Cherry stepped aside, allowing Juana to enter.
"Please, come in," Cherry said as she still gazed at Juana's attire.
Juana's smile remained plastered, but her voice took on a hint of edge.
"Shall we proceed?"