Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 63289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
“And what did you do?”
“I was being nosey and looking around. Oh.” I turned to the clock. “I was so captivated with this. I. . .touched the sides.”
“Interesting.”
Shivering, I got closer to the clock. “But. . .I don’t know.”
He went over to it with me. “How did you touch the clock?”
I stared at the large grandfather clock, ticking to the steady beat of my heart.
When I first saw the clock, I felt like. . .it had lured me over.
“Maya?”
I swallowed. “I walked to the clock, interested in getting a closer look.”
This time, I studied the intricate designs carved into the wood.
“What did you do, Maya?”
I showed him, raising my hands to the clock and slipping them along the side. Like before, the wood hummed and vibrated beneath my fingertips.
But this time, the clock stopped ticking.
Shit.
Ethan leaned closer. “The hands are not moving.”
I put my view on the clock face twinkling and glowing with crescent moons, stars, and hourglasses. Just like Ethan said, the pendulum and hands remained still, and the clock stayed silent.
“This sounds crazy but,” Ethan touched the sides, slipping his hands along the clock. “But. . .this could be what triggered it.”
“You said this belonged to the witch?”
“That is what my father believed.”
A creak sounded behind us.
Suddenly, the bookshelf on the other side of the room swung open like a door.
How?
“What?” Ethan jumped in front of me. “Who is using my secret passageway?”
A waiter rushed out, pointing a gun. Same gold mask. Same long flowing cape.
Damn it!
The scene unfolded before me like a nightmare. Shots fired through the air, hitting Ethan.
Terror and sadness tore through me. “No!”
He fell forward.
Then, the waiter pointed my way.
I had no chance of survival. I knew I would die. But this time, I did my best to get some details.
He’s short!
And then my chest exploded in agonizing pain as bullets pierced my chest.
Chapter 10
A Bumpy Ride
This time, I waited for M.J.’s song to fill my ears.
Once it did, I gazed around.
They all danced to Do You Remember the Time like every other moment before.
And I just sat there, stunned and heartbroken. Finally, I had gotten someone to believe me. Of course it would be Ethan. He was proving to be an amazing guy. If I ever got out of this time loop, I would fucking give my all to make him mine.
I would surely put in time.
But, would I ever get out of this?
My stomach twisted.
And who’s trying to kill me?
“Yes. I love M.J.” Claire gestured at me and then pointed to her green purse. “I have a special something in here to relax you this evening. Just let me know at the Gala when you want to go out and have a break.”
The waiter was short. That meant that it didn’t have to be a man. It could have been a woman.
“We are going to have so much fun, Maya.” Claire snapped her fingers to the song. “Just like the old days when we were in college, having an absolute blast.”
But, whoever it was—man or woman—they knew a lot about Ethan’s Manor.
Did they work there? Or. . .maybe they used to work there?
“No. No.” Horace raised his voice over the music. “Maya must be an elegant and captivating lady this evening. I want her to blow Ethan’s mind away, so that he will open up those pockets. Money. Money. Money.”
The killer knew where to get the waiter’s costumes. Also, this person was aware of the ins and outs of the maze. We had walked in decently deep, before sitting on the bench.
Or maybe the killer just followed our voices as we talked.
Horace spoke, “And, Ethan will not be like the hero’s in your billionaire romances. So, let me give you some tips on wooing Ethan.”
The killer also knew about the secret passageway into Ethan’s office. It must have been behind the bookshelf wall. Was it some sort of tunnel and where did it start?
If Ethan was tight-lipped about the grandfather’s clock and even the waiters’ costumes, there was no way he allowed his secret passageway to be common knowledge.
“This is my advice, Maya.” Horace held up both hands. “Be confident and self-assured. Billionaires are often used to dealing with people who are trying to impress them or win their favor. Showing confidence and being self-assured can help you stand out.”
Claire rolled her eyes. “Ethan is not interested in Maya. He has super models and actresses throwing themselves at him.”
Horace shrugged. “But are they being authentic? Men like real women.”
“Oh, really?” Claire frowned at him. “Is that what men like?”
“Ah!” Ryan dropped the glass. Champagne stained the front of his gray pants. The glass tumbled along the floor.
Horace glared at him. “Are you serious right now?”
The chorus came in for the song, and I tried to block it out as much as possible.
“I need a drink.” I rose, duck walked over to Claire, and sat down next to her.