FUTILE

      Anne stared at the poison vial which she held firmly. Taking a deep breath, she let her gaze wander to her reflection in the mirror. Hidden beneath all the make up were the god-awful bruises Barron had left on her skin. Thinking about the beating she'd received from him brought tears to her eyes.

'Stay calm', she told herself.

She had no choice but to do what Emperor X had asked her to do. Now, she was trapped in a web of disorientation. How would she get out of this mess?

    The plan was to visit the Monteros in pretence of just coming to see her best friend. She was to slip the poison into Alexandre's drink when no one was looking. Anne's nerves were already acting up because of how scared she was. What if she got caught? What would happen to her? Inhaling shakily, she grabbed her silver purse and stepped out of the bedroom and left the house. She boarded a taxi which took her to the Mon