Hush

◇ Three - Dripping Gold ◇

"Shall I tell Ms. Pierce you won't be joining her?"

Camille Pierce was sitting not 15 feet away from me, more than that she bought me a drink and requested for me to join her. Butterflies erupted in my stomach and I take a deep breath to calm myself. I hadn't planned to see any of the Pierces so early on, but here she was and my next move had to be smart.

"Don't be daft. I'd love to." The bartender nods his head and grabs the wine bottle taking it over to where Camille Pierce sat across the dimly lit bar. I took my glass of wine and at a slow confident pace, I walked over to her with a smile. She looked nothing short of confident and dignified dressed in a sparkling rouge pantsuit with a deep v-neck plunge accentuating her curves. Her wrists and fingers were adorned in gold jewelry and the sparkliest diamonds that reflected rainbows from across the room. She looked every bit as expensive as this place, even more so if that was possible as if she were a work of art that was fought over to make any pair of eyes jealous. She exuded money, power, and beauty in every way.

I straightened my back and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "You summoned me?"

She smiles, playfulness and curiosity in her eyes. "I did. Join me won't you?"

I slide back the steel bar stool and sit crossing my legs. I couldn't help but notice the most beautiful pair of red Louboutin heels covered in sparkling stones. Camille raises a perfectly sculpted brow and leans closer her hand supporting her chin looking as if we'd been friends for years and she was going to tell me a secret. "Their diamonds."

Oh my god her Louboutins were covered in diamonds?

"They're beautiful," I respond and sip my wine.

Camille traces the rim of her wine glass a playful smile still displayed on her face. "I haven't seen you around here before. Strange to see someone new in a place where I know everyone."

My presence piqued her interest and that's why she called me over. My heart thrummed in my chest and thankfully the sounds of smooth jazz and someone expertly playing the piano were loud enough that she couldn't hear it. "That's because I just arrived today. My name is Amelia."

"Amelia." She says her English accent practically put sparkles on it. "I am Camille Pierce. My family owns this building, amongst other things." She grabs the cocktail skewer from her martini and eats the olive careful enough not to smudge her lipstick. I can't be too impressed by her, I have to blend in, and the key to doing that was pretending I was bored as if meeting the rich and powerful was an everyday occurrence. "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Camille."

She sips her martini glass without breaking eye contact. "Tell me, Amelia. Where did you come from?"

This was my chance. I caught her attention and If I could keep it, that would be my way in. It'd almost be too easy. But the hard part now was convincing her I was someone she wanted to keep close to. "Originally I'm from Brazil. I moved to the States when I was ten to pursue education abroad. I attended Clarice Worthington's School for Girls." Camille's eyes lit up and her head tilted in surprise. "CW? I went there."

Of course, we'd done our research. I had a full background story and record proof of Amelia Sanchez who attended the same all-girls academy that Camille went to. It was a small detail, but something we wanted to have up our sleeve just in case, and here we are. "What a small world."

"That is is." Camille's cell phone rings on the counter next to her. She answers it and I take the time to let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. "Alright. I'll be there." She hangs up and stands from her place on the bar stool. "I'm sorry Amelia, seems I have somewhere to be. Duty calls."

"I understand." I nod and when I go to stand she holds a hand up stopping me. "Please relax. Finish the wine and enjoy it. Although I would love a rain check to continue our getting to know each other." She takes her coat and places it around her shoulders and starts to walk away.

She wants to see me again. I turn in my chair, "Camille?" I call after her and she stops in her tracks turning to me. "Don't you want my contact information?"

"That's alright," She winks at me with a devious smile. "I know where you live."

In other words, she'll find me when she's ready.

As soon as I see Camille completely exit the lounge I ask the bartender to prepare my bottle to go. I swallow the bit of wine I had left in one gulp and grab the bag as he hands it to me. I wanted to get to the apartment as soon as possible, update Jordan on everything that had happened, and get prepared.

Once I made it to the front door of my new temporary home I turned the new bracelet on my wrist with the cursive letters engraved PT. Pierce Towers. I wave my hand over the reader above the handle of the door making sure the bracelet got close enough and sure enough a soft electronic beep chimed followed by the sound of the lock turning. Once I was inside I noticed all of my suitcases were neatly lined up by the door of the master bedroom on the right. I was taken aback by the tall sculpted ceilings, luxury white furniture with gold accents, dark chocolate wood floorings, and one of the most amazing views of Coastal City I'd ever seen.

I walked through the glass doors that lead to the balcony and stared at all the beautiful twinkling lights that spread across the city like stars. A soft breeze carrying the ocean spray misted my skin and I couldn't help but feel enraptured by it all. Money was never something that was important to me, but I could definitely see how a life like this could be addicting. It almost makes me wish I was under different circumstances so that I could really take the time to enjoy all of this. But I wasn't on vacation, none of this was real. I was on the job and I work have work to do.

After a few hours of sweeping the apartment for cameras, listening devices, or anything that could be used against me and I deemed the apartment clean, I used the second burner phone that was for communication with Jordan only and dialed him. I caught him up on everything the most recent developments and he was hilariously shocked. "She wants to meet with you again? Why?"

I unzipped my blouse and stepped out of my pressed slacks. "She was curious about me I guess. The first thing she mentioned was that it was weird seeing a new face in a town where she knew everyone, her words exactly. Then I really got her when I mentioned I was from the same boarding school she went to."

"You actually used that?"

"Of course I did." I opened my suitcase putting away my fancy new wardrobe. I knew I had to look the part so I had done a little shopping before coming here. With a little assistance from the station and some personal savings I had, I was convinced that I would fully embrace my new persona of a polished Brazilian heiress. And thanks to the Brazilian blood from my mother's side of the family, I looked the part too. "I needed to reel her in, give her a reason to want to get to know me more. And just as we thought, it worked. Now all we have to do is wait."

"When she reaches out to you to meet, I need to know when and where. I also packed a few discrete surveillance devices you can wear under your clothes between the lining of the suitcase. All you have to do is turn one on and I will be there with you every step of the way."

"Ten-four."

Jordan chuckles. "I've got to say, Hush, you're turning out to be just as impressive as your file said you were."

"And then some," I respond with a smile on my face and hung up the call with Jordan.

After taking one of the best showers of my entire life I climb into the heavily padded queen bed bringing my laptop with me. I had to go over my notes and dive deeper into everything we know about Camille Pierce. Making friends with her will be to my advantage to gain their trust and not just with her but with Logan too. You know what they say, keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.