Patriarch Magnus's eyes seemed to bore into the distance, his gaze piercing through the opulent decor of his office as he envisioned Sierra by his side. He could almost see it: the two of them, ruling the alchemy world together, their power and influence unmatched. A faint smile played on his lips as he thought about the challenge of taming her, of breaking down her defenses and claiming her as his own.
"She's a wildflower, untamed and unpredictable," he mused, his eyes glinting with excitement.
"But I will be the one to domesticate her, to bring her under my control." His smile grew wider, his confidence in his own abilities unwavering.
"It's only a matter of time before she's mine."
Patriarch Magnus's eyes seemed to cloud over, his expression thoughtful as he considered the mystery that was Sierra. He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together as he pondered the transformation she had undergone.
"Seven years is a long time," he mused, his voice low and introspective.
"Whatever happened to her during that time, it's clear that it had a profound effect on her. She's not the same person she was before." His eyes narrowed, his gaze turning inward as he searched for answers.
"But what could have caused such a drastic change? What could have made her so... cold?" He shook his head, his expression skeptical.
"No, I don't think it's just a matter of her toughening up. There's something more to it, something deeper." His eyes snapped back into focus, his gaze piercing as he made a decision.
"I need to know more about her past, about what happened to her during those seven years. I need to understand what drives her, what makes her tick."
Patriarch Magnus's eyes gleamed with determination as he pressed a button on his desk, summoning his personal assistant.
"Get me all the information you can find on Sierra's past," he instructed, his voice firm.
"I want to know everything about her, from her life before she disappeared to her current activities. Leave no stone unturned." His assistant nodded, taking note of the request before hurrying off to begin the task. Patriarch Magnus leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving the door as he waited for the information to come in. He was determined to uncover the secrets of Sierra's past, to understand what made her the person she was today. And once he had that information, he would use it to his advantage, to draw her in and make her his own.
*Sierra's eyes rolled in exasperation as she read the message from her father. She couldn't believe his audacity, demanding that she bring her children to dinner like they were some kind of trophies to be shown off. She shook her head, her lips curling into a snarl. "No way," she muttered to herself. "I'm not going to let him use my kids as pawns in his game." She quickly typed out a response, her fingers flying across the screen. "Asshole Father: The kids are out with their uncle, and even if they weren't, I wouldn't bring them to one of your fake family gatherings. You can't just summon me and the kids whenever you feel like it. Leave us alone." She hit send, feeling a surge of satisfaction at having told her father off. But as she sat back on the couch, she couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had settled in her stomach. She knew her father wouldn't take no for an answer, and she was prepared for the consequences.
Asshole Father: Fine then you just come along! It starts at 6:00 p.m
*Sierra's eyes narrowed as she read the message.
"No," she typed out, her response curt.
"I'm not coming. Don't bother contacting me again." She blocked her father's number, a sense of relief washing over her at having cut off his demands.
*Sierra's voice was laced with sarcasm as she spoke, her tone dripping with disdain.
"What do you want, Patriarch Magnus? I'm busy ignoring my father's demands, I don't have time for your games too." She paused, her voice taking on a sharper edge.
"And don't call me 'amore'. I'm not some lovesick fool who's going to swoon at the sound of your voice."
Patriarch Magnus's deep voice chuckled on the other end of the line, the sound sending a shiver down Sierra's spine.
"Ah, Sierra, you wound me," he said, his tone dripping with amusement.
"I'm not trying to woo you, at least not yet. I just wanted to extend an invitation to a little gathering I'm hosting tonight. I think you'd find it...enlightening." He paused, his voice taking on a slightly sinister tone.
"And I think you'd be wise to attend. After all, I have certain...information that I think you'd be very interested in hearing."
Sierra's anger and frustration boiled over as she slammed her hand on the table, making her phone jump.
"Who does he think he is, ordering me around like I'm some kind of servant?!" she fumed, her eyes blazing with indignation. She paced back and forth in her living room, her mind racing with thoughts of Patriarch Magnus and his audacity.
"I don't know what his problem is, but I'm not going to let him push me around," she muttered to herself, her jaw clenched in determination. As she paced, she couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something more to Patriarch Magnus's behavior, something that went beyond mere arrogance and entitlement. A nagging sense of familiarity lingered in the back of her mind, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
"Did I really know him in my past life?" she wondered, her brow furrowed in concentration. The thought sent a shiver down her spine, and she quickly pushed it aside, focusing instead on her anger and determination to resist Patriarch Magnus's demands.
At 7:00 p.m no joke a car came to pick up Sierra she walked out at the door and she coughed out she sneezed as she gave herself a cold and she touched her head.
"I guess I can't go to this party," Sierra told the driver and she coughed.
The driver looked at Sierra with a mixture of confusion and skepticism, clearly not buying her sudden illness.
"Ma'am, I'm afraid Patriarch Magnus was very insistent that you attend," he said, his tone polite but firm. "Perhaps I can help you into the car and you can rest on the way?"
"This sickness really bad! If I go I can other sick cough cough see these red marks it's virus do you want people to blame your boss?" Sierra asked as she coughed and coughed out blood which was food coloring.
The driver's expression changed from skepticism to alarm as he took a step back, eyeing Sierra's "bloody" cough with concern.
"Ah, ma'am, I think it's best if you stay here and rest. I don't want to risk...contaminating anyone," he said, his voice laced with worry. He quickly pulled out his phone and dialed a number, speaking in a hushed tone. "Sir, I'm afraid Miss Sierra is unwell and won't be able to attend. She's...ah...coughing up blood." He paused, listening to the response on the other end of the line.
"Yes, sir. I understand. I'll make sure to...ah...take care of her." He hung up the phone and looked at Sierra with a mixture of relief and wariness.
"Patriarch Magnus sends his regrets, ma'am. He hopes you feel better soon."