His assertive tone sent shivers down my spine, and not in a good way. He pronounced the words like a Native American with a hint of a Scottish accent.

Just like Finlay.

"P-pleasure is all mine, sir." My voice came out uncertainly.

Why the f**k am I calling him sir?!

Things like this happen when a powerful man is watching you with his calculated gaze, trying to detect any kind of dishonesty in you.

I shouldn't be scared. I'm not doing anything wrong.

"I've heard a lot about you from Rosa." He casually said, but nothing about this interaction felt calm.

"I hope the good things, Sir."

I internally kicked myself for calling him that again. F**k, I felt like a guy meeting his girlfriend's police dad for the first time. It shouldn't have been like that because he's not a cop and I'M NOT A BOY!

"Hae a seat, Darlin' ." Rosa took me out of the awkward position and gestured towards the seat beside Blair.

Giving her a grateful smile, I took a seat and look ahead to see Neil watching me in amusement. I raised my brow at him, at which he smirked and shook his head. He must have felt the uneasiness and was making fun of me.

A**hole!

I glimpsed at Finlay, who was still standing behind Dolina's chair and staring at his father with a mixed expression on his face. No wonder what was going on in his head right now. Maybe he remembered some things.

"Amber." I flinched at Fergus's voice and deliberately turned my head to my right. "Rosa told me how you and Finlay met and everything, but if you don't mind, I'd like to ask you a few questions."

"Sure." I took a deep breath to prepare myself.

"What are you currently doing?"

Finding your son's potential murderer.

"I'm a journalist at the New York Times."

Everyone looked at me, surprised by my revelation because no one asked me such a question before.

"Your job?"

Investigate journalist.

"I'm an article writer..." He looked unimpressed, so I quickly added. "But I'm working on a story for my promotion."

"What story?"

A hit and run accident.

"It's... Uh, it's in the process right now, but I'll let you know as soon as I'm done with it."

He asked me a few questions about my family background and I answered them while the others were busy amongst themselves and not paying attention to me, which relieved me a little. He had a blank face when he asked me all those questions, but the muscles on his face twitched a little when I mentioned I'm from Pennsylvania.

"Where in Pennsylvania?"

"Kidder Township," I answered and his brows shot up and, for once, he looked surprised.

"Inn't that the same place Aurora waz fae?" Aunt Jessica mumbled, scrolling through her phone, not realizing she picked up a sour subject.

"Wait... Ye er fae the same place?" Uncle Lewis frowned and side glanced at Fergus. "Guess the apple does nawt fall far fae the tree."

"Awright enough widh the in'erview," Dolina said as Mr. Butler and the maids brought the breakfast. "Let'z pray an' eat."

Everyone ate and talked about the festival in the evening. The tension in the atmosphere didn't change, but I was glad he was done with the interrogation.

• • • • •

After breakfast, Blair and Isla asked me to go shopping with them for a dress for the festival and I agreed since I also had nothing to wear and I wanted to spend as much time away from Fergus.

At first, I wanted to monitor him, but I knew my cover will get blown if he asked too many questions.

Finlay said nothing when we returned to our room and looked traumatized. I asked him what was it and he answered he remembers nothing, just felt different emotions toward him.

Finlay didn't go to the shopping with me saying he'll guard his body. It was the first time he didn't want to come with me, but I knew the reason. He wanted to observe his father.

I regretted going on shopping with Isla and Blair. Both girls were picky as f**k and went from one store to another looking for the perfect dress, and even after looking at the most expensive dresses, they weren't satisfied. So, after hours of walking behind them like a zombie, they finally picked dresses to wear.

As for me, I took the simplest dark blue dress to wear with my dark boots. The V-neck dress reached my mid-thighs and had full sleeves with cuts on its shoulder. I didn't have my money and couldn't throw my uncle's because I'll have to pay him back... Someday.

After shopping, we went to a restaurant to eat and Blair paid for the meal which my broke a** gladly accepted. They made me try the Traditional Scottish Beef Stew, Haggis, and Black pudding and that was the only part I didn't regret.

During lunch, Isla talked about her teen life and a guy she liked at school and asked us for pieces of advice since both Blair and I were engaged to the love of our lives.

"You should forget about the boy because he is going to break your heart and you'll spend the rest of your life trying to put those pieces back which will-" I halted in my speech when they side glanced at each other and gave me an odd look. "What I mean is he is a young boy and doesn't know the proper meaning of love, so you should wait for you both to grow up." I finished and stuffed my face with the Dundee cake.

"She'z right about the growin' up part." Blair patted Isla's shoulder. "When Ah waz youn', Ah loathed Alistair, an' the thought of being betrothed to him made meh want tae puke."

"Wait..." I swallowed the food so fast that I almost choke but didn't care when I heard the new information. "You were as well..."

"Aye." She gave me a sheepish grin. "But ah grew to love him an' look where it got uz." She wiggled her fingers, showing her ring.

"I'd like to know the rest of your story," I asked in curiosity.

"It's nawthin' much." She murmured, taking a sip of her orange juice. "It's just our families er old mates like... Ancient. When ah was born Alistair's Grandpa asked for mah hand an', well... Mah parents accepted it without a blink." She shrugged, concluding the story.

There was something off about the way she said it, but I ignored it for now.

• • • • •

It was around six in the evening, and we were almost ready to go to the festival. I was in Isla's room combing my hair in front of the mirror while Blair was putting makeup on Isla. I had a little makeup on my face, which included nude lipstick, black cat eyeliner that popped my green eyes, and a light blush on my cheeks.

Everything was going as smooth as butter, but I was worried about Finlay.

When I came back to the castle, I looked around for Finlay and couldn't find him anywhere. I was worried about him and searched for the castle, but he wasn't anywhere. Then I found that Alistair, Neil, and Fergus went to their office to discuss the festival, and I figured Finlay must be with them.

It's been hours and I've been itching to see him. I'm addicted to Finlay and I accepted it. Once I'm done with finding whoever is behind his accident, I'll admit my feelings to him.

I don't care if he calls me a fool or weird or anything. I'll take my chances and confess.

I was busy with the trains of my thoughts when I saw something move behind me from the mirror. Slowly turning around, I saw the boy of my thoughts entering the room.

"I've been looking all over for you..." He trailed off as his eyes dragged down my body. "Wow... You look... Stunning." He whispered, snapping his eyes back to mine.

Heat rushed up to my cheeks, and I nodded my head, not saying anything because of the two girls sitting on the bed busy doing makeup.

"I got some information," Finlay said with a serious face.

Please be something good.

• • • • •

A/N

Eeekk!! I know another cliffhanger and I swear I don't do it on purpose 😬 it just happens.