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At Audrey’s question, the young man sitting in front of her let out an amused laughter that suddenly made her feel uneasy. The flustered feeling she’d experienced had now made way to discomfort. He waited a few seconds to look around -God knows with what purpose- before answering that he was a ‘distant relative’. However, this definition was put into doubt when Eli confessed that it was ‘what they told him to say when asked’. His touch on her lips still gave her goosebumps, but this time it wasn’t the good kind. Audrey gave a nervous little laugh, looking around her family members for a chance to escape. This Eli guy was getting sketchier by the second, and the Now if only there was a way to-

[color=purple]“AAAAAUUUDREEEEEYYYY! HIIIIIII!”[/color]

Out of nowhere, a blue-clad, petite figure had thrown herself in the space between Audrey and Elijah. She landed directly into the brunette’s lap and wrapped her into a tight embrace. It was the famous [url=http://www4.pictures.stylebistro.com/gi/Sarah+Hyland+Dresses+Skirts+Cocktail+Dress+DHMjvw9Emetx.jpg]Delilah Duclerc[/url]: Audrey’s youngest cousin and confidant.

Perfect timing.

[color=BC8F8F]“Honestly, Delilah, let the poor woman breathe. I’m sure you’ve already managed to wreck the eardrums of every guest here with your obnoxious screeching.”[/color]

This last statement had come from another woman who had arrived with Lila. [url=https://i.pinimg.com/736x/34/dc/f2/34dcf2ca128aa8ba7e51c83b9c03d88e--ruffled-dresses-and-dresses.jpg]Heather Duclerc[/url] stood near the crowded loveseat, shaking her head in disappointment at her younger sister. However, when the teen wasn’t looking, she shot Audrey a knowing wink and a kiss. Their parents Marietta and Christopher were already busying themselves saying hi to the guests, ignoring their youngest daughter’s overwhelming greeting to her cousin.

Delilah frowned, sticking her tongue out at her big sister while still perched in Audrey’s lap. [color=purple]“[i]You’re[/i] just jealous because[i]I[/i] like Audrey more than [i]you[/i].”[/color]

Heather rolled her eyes and shrugged, giving Eli a dismissive -but low-key curious- glance before turning her eyes towards her sister and cousin. [color=BC8F8F]“Whatever. I need a smoke. That car ride with Mom, Dad and Lila can make even the most avid non-smoker crave a fix. I’ll make the protocol salutes in a bit.”[/color]
 
[color=deeppink]“I’ll come with you.”[/color] Audrey quickly added, sliding Lila into the space next to her and getting up. Heather gave her cousin a questioning look, but shrugged again before walking away. [color=deeppink]“If you’ll excuse me, Eli…”[/color] 

Taking complete advantage of the Duclerc sisters’ interruption, Audrey excused herself and hurried away into the hallway behind Heather as fast as her high heels would let her. Where the young woman turned at the hallway in the direction of the garden, the Latina continued her own separate way. As if fate was on her side, she found the missing Mossos children in the first place she searched. Alexandros and Ava were back in the foyer, huddled together in what looked like deep conversation. Such was their concentration that they didn’t notice Audrey’s arrival until the young woman spoke up.

[color=deeppink]“Um, Alex?”[/color] the brunette called out, biting her lip. [color=deeppink]“Could I have a word?”[/color]