* * *
Lilliana hummed to herself as she collected the eggs at the hen house. She had decided that if Senora Draco discovered Amber’s secret that she didn’t care. Amber was a hard worker and Senora Draco had to understand that. When her small basket was full she headed back towards the house. She arrived in the kitchen to more hubbub then when she left. Everyone seemed agitated. “Hey Carlita, here are the eggs Senora Draco asked for. Do you need anything else?” Lilliana asked the stereotypical rotund and dough faced cook. “Lilliana! Oh thank goodness you are here. Salvatore has been looking for you everywhere!”
Lilliana handed the egg basket to Carlita and shook her head. “I have no idea what you are talking about Carlita. Why would Salvatore be searching for me? Wouldn’t have Senora Draco informed him of my whereabouts?” She asked feeling slightly confused.
“Senora Draco is not well at the moment. She is resting from her heroic act. I can’t believe what she did to save Amber…I mean mistress Ruth.” Carlita responded.
Lilliana shook her head and laughed. “Carlita you have the oddest imagination I have ever heard of. Where do you get these crazy tales? Senora Draco, a hero? Really? Why would she need to save Amber? It is not nice to make me think my best friend has been harmed.”
“LILLIANA, I am so glad I found you! Please you must come. The Dom would like to speak with you. About Ruth, uh, I mean Amber.” Salvatore said loudly as he entered the kitchen.
Lilliana jumped and turned towards Salvatore. “You needn’t yell. What is wrong with Amber and who is Ruth?”
“Please just come and speak with the Dom. He will explain.”
Salvatore turned and headed towards the study. Lilliana gave a dubious look towards Carlita and then turned and followed Salvatore. She had no idea what was going on but she began to feel that she shouldn’t have taken so long to gather the eggs. What on earth happened to Amber? She wondered.
She entered a room that had a large desk in the center. It had papers spread all over its surface. To the right of the desk was a large fire place with several leather chairs in front of it. The Dom was staring at the fire with a frown on his face. He looked much younger than Lilliana had imagined he would look. His eyes were bloodshot as though he was lacking a good night’s rest and the weight of the world was wearing on him. Salvatore cleared his throat. “Excuse me Dom. I have brought Lilliana.”
The Dom looked up and frowned. He looked over at Salvatore and Lilliana. As his eyes alit on Lilliana he smiled. “Ah, thank you for finding her. Senorina please have a seat.” He said authoritatively but warmly.
Lilliana gulped and sat down. She looked up at the Dom. A sense of dread began to overwhelm her.
“I need to know everything you know about Senorina Amber. Where you met? How long you have known each other? Those sort of details.” The Dom asked.
Lilliana felt confused. She wondered why they were so interested in Amber. She didn’t know if she should continue with the lie they told Senora Draco or just tell the truth as she knew it. As she looked into the Dom’s eyes she sensed a warmth and kindness there. He was the exact opposite of his wretched brother, Antonio. She took a deep breath and decided on the truth.
“I am sorry Dom Giordano. We lied to Senora Draco when we arrived here. Amber and I had only just met less than an hour prior to our arriving for work. I found her laying in the bushes down the road. She seemed perplexed by her situation. Something about her made me want to protect her and help her out. She told me she did not know who she was. We planned on asking questions in the village yesterday on our day off but we ran into problems. My mother is friends with the local printer and he agreed to write about Amber’s situation. I’m so sorry we lied she really needed the job and since my sister was unwell it seemed like a win win situation. Has something happened to Amber? May I see her?” Lilliana did her best to stay calm but the more she thought about the situation the more she was afraid something terrible had happened to Amber.
The Dom gave Lilliana a warm smile. “Thank you Lilliana for your candor. Although I do not condone lying, in this situation I will overlook it. Ruth, um Amber, said that you were a dear friend. She has been waiting to see you. As odd as it would seem I think a familiar face would be comforting to her. Although it is hard to understand that a stranger would be more familiar than her own family.” The Dom shook his head and looked at Salvatore. “Take Lilliana to my wife. Perhaps she can help her sister feel better.”
Lilliana felt even more confused than before. She went with Salvatore. She entered the Dom and Dona’s bedroom and found Amber lying down on their bed and the Dona singing to her. “Amber? Are you alright?” Lilliana asked hesitantly.
Arlana looked up at the sound of the voice. When she saw it was Lilliana she jumped up and ran to her. She hugged Lilliana and began to cry. Lilliana patted Amber’s back and guided her to the bed. She then learned that Amber was actually Ruth, the Dona’s sister.