Luciana left, and Angel returned to the machine.
She had just finished sewing the shirt, when Nadia walked up to her.
"You're working hard," she said, taking her seat beside her.
"And I'm done already. I told you it wasn't hard to make a shirt. The difficulty is all in the cutting," she said, lifting her creation up.
"It's a pretty shirt, I must confess," Nadia said, and smiled.
"Wow!" Angel blurted.
"What is it?" She asked.
"You're so pretty when you smile. I mean you're already naturally pretty, but when you smile, it's just taking it to a whole different level."
"Really?"
"Yes! Also the fact that you're blonde has nothing to do with my view. I'm not biased," she said.
"Blonde?" Nadia lifted a brow.
"Yeah. You're naturally blonde, aren't you?"
"How did you know that?" Her eyes squinted, causing her forehead to crease.
"I'm a designer. Part of being a designer is being good with spotting colors. I know the black you have going on for you is just a cover. Beneath that, you're naturally blonde." She shrugged.
Nadia sighed. Everytime she tried to forget, the girl kept reminding her why she reminded her of someone else.
"I think I'll return to my bed now," she said, gearing up to get up.
"Wait, is it something I said? If it is, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."
Nadia returned to her seat, but didn't smile this time around.
"It's not you. You just remind me of someone I'd rather forget."
"Who? A boyfriend?" She teased.
Nadia scoffed dismissively. "A boyfriend at my age?"
"Wait, what's wrong with your age? You're a young, beautiful woman from what I can see. Why do you never leave this awful room? I'm sure you'd have rich powerful men lining up to make you theirs," Angel said as she set the shirt she had just made aside, and began sewing the rain inspired fabric.
"That's none of your business. But I'd answer if you answer my question," she said.
Angel shrugged. "I don't mind answering things. You already know I love to talk."
Nadia chuckled heartily. "Why did both Ivar, and Luciana leave in such a hurry?"
"Wait, that's the question?" Angel paused sewing just to ask.
"Yeah." Nadia nodded.
"I just thought it would be something more complicated. Anyway, that thick headed Boss of theirs, apparently granted an audience with an imposter. I'm guessing it's going to cause some serious trouble, so they went to warn him."
Nadia's face went white, but just as Angel turned towards her, she regained her composure.
"If they're not who he was expecting, then who are they?"
"You know what, that's a great question actually. Frankly, it does seem like something my father would do. He's sneakily clever like that."
"Yeah, it does," Nadia muttered under her breath.
"Sorry?" Angel's ear twitched.
"Nothing. I'm just saying it has to be a dangerous situation," she lied through her teeth.
"Hey, it's dangerous for me too. I was kidnapped. My father probably just wants me back. Besides, he should have done better research."
"How do you know that this person is an imposter?" Nadia lifted a suspicious brow.
"Simple," she replied, as she continued sewing. "When I just graduated from fashion college, I begged dad to send me on a cruise as a birthday gift. He hated to let me out of the tower, but after much persuasion, he finally let me go. But not without an escort," she laughed.
"He seems like a thorough man," she said with a straight face.
"Oh he is. So there I am in this cruise, soaking in the sun, when this man comes into my space. He introduced himself as the prince of Baghdad, who was supposed to be the king soon, but didn't want that responsibility. He didn't want to be forced to live his life in the service of others. He also didn't like the girl he was being forced to marry."
"Sounds like a sad life."
"It was for him. I pitied him, and naturally, we became friends. Until he started to like me, and even asked me to marry him!"
"What?!"
"Exactly my reaction too! There was no way I would leave my perfect European life, just to be restricted. I even was in a relationship with my now finance at that point. I adored him as a friend, but that was it. Safe to say I broke his heart, but we remained friends."
"But you just said he was the prince," Nadia circled back in confusion.
"Oh at that point, he was. Until recently, his parents died, and so did his younger brother he was hoping could take his place. He became king. Even had to marry the girl betrothed to him since they were kids. My father didn't permit me to go for the wedding, but I sent him gifts."
"Wow! That sounds like a lot. So he still keeps up with you?"
"All the time. He tells me he loves me, and all of that crap."
"Why do you think it's crap?" Nadia asked, ashamed at how invested she was in this story.
"Well first of all, like I've said before, I have a fiance. Secondly, I love my freedom even as restricted as it is by my father. I wouldn't trade my peace of mind for anything else. Lastly, I don't love him, and I don't think he loves me. I probably just represent the life he wanted, but circumstances wouldn't let him have it."
"That sounds like he loves you. Do you love your fiance?"
The question came as a shock to Angel, and for a second there, her body stopped moving.
"Hey, are you okay?" Nadia tried to touch her shoulder, but she inched away. "You don't have to answer," she said, dropping her hands down.
"No it's not that," she cleared her throat. "It's just—"
Quick, successive gunshots filled the air, causing her to jolt in fear.
She closed her eyes tightly, and held on to the machine, her heart pounded loudly against her chest.