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Blue kept her gaze elsewhere in the room as they devoured their entrees. The sound of knives and forks scraping the plates along with the murmurs of various conversations around the table was welcome from her earlier turbulent moment on the road. She could not believe the family ate dinner like this. A few close friends were also seated around the table. Earlier they were served Caesar salad with fresh Parmesan and house made herb croutons. They finished the evening having been served various seafood dishes that started off with fresh scallops and vegetarian soup. They were also served roasted double ranch prime rib with marinated shrimp, opal basil and mint spring rolls.
Blue felt as if she’d eaten enough to last her the week. There was something soothing about seafood. She often thought of pasta and seafood as her favorite comfort foods. Right now, she could use all the comfort she could get.
“It’s so nice, what you’re doing,” Shelly commented to Blue. “The documentary. We’re all excited to see the finished product.”
“Thank you. I’m truly grateful for the honor. I’ve always admired all the wonderful contributions you all have bestowed on the community and in your amazing products.”
“Yes, well, excellence is our middle name. If we can’t live up to it then we don’t do it. Isn’t that right, Zack?” Toni commented, turning from Blue to Zack.
“We do our best,” Zack assured, a smooth grin curled the corner of his lips.
* * *
“Why can’t I go now?”
“Because, Courtney, we just got here,” Blue said later to her sister as they got ready for bed. “I’ll be in the next room across the hall. Just shout if you need anything.”
Courtney folded her arms across her chest. “I’m eighteen-years-old, Blue.”
“Yes. That’s right. So act responsibly.”
"Melissa invited me. There’s a few of the girls from my school who will be there. I spoke to Tiffany already. She’s in my Bio class.”
What was Blue afraid of? She knew at Court's age, she was able to hike across Europe for God’s sake. Courtney was just going to the adjacent land next to the Romero Estate to be with the other kids her own age. It sure would be better than hanging out in a vacant wing of a lonely mansion with her older sister.
“You know something? I’m sorry, Courtney,” Blue said, plopping herself on the bedside. “You’re right. You’re eighteen. And you are responsible. I know you are. Just…no drinking or anything okay?”
“You know I’m a teetotaller, right?”
She reached over and hugged her sister. “Enjoy yourself, sis. But not too much.”
“Good. We’re going camping tomorrow and then we’re going to hit the amusement area. You’re like the best sister ever with the hottest friends, eh?”
Blue playfully rolled her eyes. “I told you, Courtney, we’re just going to stay here until my assignment is over. Then…” Then what? A painful lump settled in Blue’s throat. Yes, then what? She sucked in a deep, lung-expanding breath. Yes, what was Blue’s plan B? What would happen when Zack decided he no longer needed her around? What if he found out about her past…with the ex-Senator Aitkin?
CHAPTER TEN
Blue tossed and turned beneath the silky sheets on her bed in the guest room at Romero Manor. How could she possible sleep? Who could possibly sleep at a time like this? First, her job with Zack working under his direction for the documentary. And it had to be perfect, too. She still had a whole lot of filming and editing to do. Then…there was that crazy accident.
Somebody was following her. It wasn’t her imagination, after all.
Her mind was tormented with a whirlwind of confusing thoughts. Her heart pounded like a bass drum inside her chest. She was breathing hard and fast. So hard it was almost painful to inhale and exhale. After gazing up at the magnificent star ceiling art that twinkled in the darkness of the room, the ceiling created the illusion of gazing up at the stars at night on a clear night. It was awe inspiring. Under normal circumstances she would be soothed. But not now.
Blue had one thing on her mind. A crushing, pressing thought.
