- call me that , '' she says , voice smooth yet laced with quiet venom . she sets the beer down with a deliberate slowness , '' i don't entertain familiarity from strangersโespecially not ones who clearly donโt know what they're doing . ''
excella's fingers tighten around her glass , the gold of her bracelet catching the dim light as she lets out a quiet , irritated sigh . gaze flickers to ophelia , eyes narrowing ever so slightly , as if assessing whether sheโs worth another moment of her time .
'' do not -
- to you , you poor idiot , '' she says , italian accent thick with condescension . words drip with disdain , but thereโs a flicker of amusement in her expression , as if sheโs toying with the idea of entertaining this conversation just to alleviate the tedium of her night .
excella barely suppresses a scoff , arching a perfectly shaped brow as she takes another measured sip of her beer . the glass feels cold against her fingertips . finally , she turns her head slightly , gaze sharp and laced with boredom .
'' my name is not important -
- slow sip of her drink , the bitterness of the beer is almost offensive to her refined palate , but she tolerates it . a woman of her status should be drinking champagne or an expensive vintage , but the night called for something differentโsomething numbing .
excella barely spares ophelia a glance , manicured fingers delicately swirling the glass of beer in front of her . she exhales sharply , a mixture of impatience and disinterest flickering in her brown eyes .
'' no , it's not , '' she says , rolling her eyes before taking a -
- her chin up slightly , brown eyes practically glinting in the dim light . there's something almost mocking in her gaze as she looks wynnifred over . '' but i wouldnโt expect you to understand that . you seem like the type who enjoys getting . . . messy . ''
'' i do my work , i am not lazy , '' excella counters smoothly , voice as poised as ever , yet carrying a sharp edge beneath the silk . '' delegation is an art . the mark of a true leader . only fools dirty their own hands when there are others to do it for them . ''
she tilts -
" oh , you're funny . "
but she doesn't laugh , electing to scoff with a vague roll of her eyes , crossing arms over her chest . it was clear she didn't intend to be on her way any time soon . stubborn creature she was .
" bold words for someone who doesn't do their own
+
- '' or perhaps , the bsaa is simply more persistent than we gave them credit for . you know how righteous types can be . they just canโt seem to let things go . ''
her voice carried that usual smooth arrogance , but beneath it , there was an unmistakable edge of irritation .
'' did she now ? i thought she was busy being improved , '' excella mused , leaning back in her chair as she crossed her legs . the gold accents of her attire caught the dim light of the control room , gleaming as she tilted her head .
she turned her gaze to amara , -
- scrutinizing her with brown eyes . '' if she had the means to expose us , then perhaps she isn't as broken as i led to believe , '' fingers idly traced the rim of the wine glass sitting untouched on the desk , manicured nails tapping against the delicate crystal . -