Daughter of Ogden

Chapter 7 - Another Scary Woman to Impress

"Don't look so tense," Aadya chided, threatening to swat my hand with the spatula she was using the flip pancakes.

      "I'm trying to correct my posture," I defended through a mouthful. "You said that would be important."

      "Fera appreciates strong willed woman," she spoke with mild exasperation. "I meant sit up straighter, not move like a robot. You look near ready to bolt."

      "I am!" I retorted. "Aadya, if I could, I would run until my legs gave out."

      "You will keep that thought to yourself," she said sternly. "You will not show this fear to Ailbert and Fera. We don't want them thinking you're guilty."

      "Don't show fear," I worded slowly, and tapped a finger against my temple. "Note mentally added to your list."

      "The list was meant to be helpful."

      "It sure helped to stress me out some more."

      Forcing herself to pause her frantic washing of dishes, she attempted to smile reassuringly. The smile was terrifying. I shrank in my seat. I suspected that she hadn't been around children for a while. I wondered how long it had been just her and Nathaniel?

      "There's no reason to be stressed," she said, voice unnaturally calm.

      "Are you kidding?" I demanded. "I'm meeting the people on whom my life is basically dependent. And you're not fooling me, you're as tense as I am which isn't helping."

     Grey eyes flickered shut and she took a few deep breaths.

      "I'm not tense," she finally responded, stern eyes and tight jaw saying otherwise. "I've got other things on my mind... I promise that I'm convinced that everything will work out."

      "You don't seem convinced."

      "I am." She spoke through gritted teeth, tone expressive of her belief that I ought to believe her or at least pretend to. Despite being able to read her mind, I forced a smile on my gnawed lips. Her mind was such a mess that I could hardly decipher her emotions. She was torn about some sort of decision, and I had no doubt that it had something to do with me.

      "Thank you," she sighed. "You just focus on eating. Fera and Ailbert will be here shortly."

      Leaving without another word, I was left alone with the pancakes.

      I stayed at the table, long after I finished eating. Aadya had yet to return, and I didn't dare wander across the house in the chance that she returned and would be further riled by my absence.

      Kitchen dreadfully silent, I was left to my thoughts and that was never a good thing. Scrutinizing my poor choice of outfit, I was sure I'd make for an awful first impression. To be whisked away by strangers, when I was told to pack a bag, I packed for comfort. I hadn't imagined that I might need to dress to impress. The grey sweatpants and large black shirt would have to do.

      Flinching when the door swung open, I sighed a breath of relief when I spotted long blond locks. In a much less casual attire than usual, Nathaniel pored himself a glass of orange juice and reached for a banana on the counter. In a fitted white button top, and body-hugging black trousers, he made move to leave just as soon as he appeared.

      "You're dressed nice," I remarked casually.

      Stopping in his tracks, his gaze fell on me cautiously, brows faintly furrowed. Clearly, he didn't know how to take a compliment. Grey tie bringing out the color of his eyes, he shifted uncomfortably, adjusting the short blade tucked into his waistline.