Chapter 9
Anissa walks out of the heavy double doors of the study. Her face is pale. Her jaw is locked so tight her teeth ache. She fights to hold back hot tears of rage.
Hennie is waiting anxiously near a marble bust in the corridor. She immediately falls into step beside Anissa.
Anissa's breathing becomes shallow and rapid. A panic attack threatens to break through her rigid composure. Her chest tightens painfully.
Hennie grabs Anissa's hand. She pulls her into a secluded alcove hidden behind a heavy velvet curtain.
In the dark shadows of the alcove, Anissa finally lets out a choked sob. "I can't do it," she whispers, her voice breaking. "I can't bow to Cecily. I won't."
Hennie grips Anissa's shoulders firmly. Her eyes are fierce and maternal. "Survival in D. C. requires playing the game, Anissa."
Hennie advises Anissa to view the apology not as a defeat, but as putting on a mask. "It is armor to protect your tribe. Nothing more."
Anissa takes a deep, shuddering breath. The mention of her tribe grounds her. It reminds her of her true purpose in this hellish house.
She nods slowly. She wipes her eyes with the back of her hand. Her expression hardens into a mask of cold, dead resolve.
They walk back to Anissa's bedroom to prepare the "peace offering" required for the visit.
Anissa goes to her closet. She pulls out a beautifully hand-woven Navajo blanket and a piece of raw turquoise jewelry.
She places them gently on the bed. "In my culture, these are the highest forms of respect and peacemaking," Anissa states.
Hennie looks at the items. Her expression is sympathetic but highly pragmatic.
Hennie gently shakes her head. "Cecily will view these tribal items as primitive insults, not peace offerings. They will use it against you."
Anissa argues, her voice rising. "It is my heritage!"
"In this house, optics are dictated by European designer labels," Hennie insists firmly.
Hennie walks over to Anissa's vanity. She opens a locked drawer and pulls out a sleek, velvet Cartier jewelry box.
Hennie opens the box. It reveals a diamond and sapphire tennis bracelet Julian had casually gifted Anissa months ago. She had never worn it.
"This is the currency Cecily understands," Hennie states. "Expensive, soulless, and socially acceptable."
Anissa stares at the glittering diamonds. A wave of deep disgust washes over her. She hates the superficiality of her new world.
Reluctantly, Anissa agrees. She allows Hennie to pack the bracelet into a pristine gift bag stamped with the Sinclair crest.
Hennie then moves to Anissa's wardrobe. She selects a muted, elegant beige dress. It is a garment that screams "submissive and respectable."
Anissa changes into the dress. The fabric feels like a suffocating straitjacket of conformity. It restricts her movement.
Hennie expertly pins Anissa's hair back into a severe, flawless chignon. She removes any trace of Anissa's wild, natural curls.
Anissa stares at the stranger in the mirror. The fire in her eyes is buried deep beneath a layer of expensive beige powder. She looks defeated.
Hennie places a comforting hand on Anissa's shoulder. "True strength is knowing when to bend so you don't break," she whispers.
Anissa picks up the Cartier gift bag. The weight of the diamonds feels like lead in her hands.
She steps out of the bedroom. Her posture is perfect. Her face is a serene, unreadable mask of compliance.
Hennie walks half a step behind her. She acts as her guide and silent supporter as they navigate the massive estate.
They cross the glass bridge that connects the main house to the opulent East Wing, where Cecily's suites are located.
Anissa stops in front of Cecily's heavily gilded door. She takes one last deep breath. She raises her hand to knock.
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