Read Online Black Adagio by Wendy Potocki - Free Book Online Page A

family, she deluded herself into believing that it could work.
    “Collette, what on earth happened to your roommate?” Zoe inquired. Changing the subject, Melissa listened while measuring the right amount of ice cream for her bite of pie. The dessert was beyond delicious and put the perfect capper on the great meal.
    “Christina? Don't know. The office only said she was a bit delayed.”
    “Are you sure you didn't off her?” Gretchen asked, her freckled face wrinkling into a poison-laced expression. “Aw, come on! You can tell us! Was she too much competition? Or just thin?”
    Another slam at Collette's weight, it was none too subtle. Sighing heavily, Missy dropped her fork, letting it clank against her plate.
    “What? What the hell’s gotten into you,” Zoe demanded, disingenuous as ever. Knowing damned well why she was upset, Missy patted Collette’s hand. Firing a dirty look at Brandi, her roommate slumped down to avoid being damaged by the blast.
    “Hey, well, will you look at that! Company! The kind you want staying long after dinner—and overnight,” Rob cooed, lasciviously smiling like a man sneaking a peek up a tutu.
    All turning to view a stunning, light-skinned African American, her shoulder length hair was wicked back by a barrette. Her body displaying a perfect proportion, it was the type demanded by the unrelenting art form. Her long limbs accentuated the width of her shoulders, her back narrowing into a waist as firm as a military-made bed. Her dark brown eyes took in her surroundings. It didn’t take long to see where the line started. Sauntering over to it, the rippling muscles of her lithe legs made it seem performance worthy.
    “I wonder ...” Zoe mused.
    “Wonder what?” Brandi asked, wistfully watching Melissa demolish the rich dessert.
    “Whether ...” Zoe started.
    “... it's my roommate?” Collette finished, happily starting to fidget. “I'll bet it is, Christina! I think I'll go over and see. If you'll excuse me,” she said, pushing away from the table. Rushing to the young girl, it wasn't long before Collette yelled excitedly, a very animated conversation ensuing.
    “I guess it's Christina alright,” Melissa drolly observed, taking her last bite. Meting out just the right amounts, she ended up with a dollop of ice cream to wash down the crumb topping.
    “Hmmm, I wonder?” Zoe asked, the non-sequitur hanging in the air like a water balloon.
    “Wonder what?” Gretchen asked.
    Half-paying attention, Melissa began fiddling with the placement of her dirty dishes. Hating anything slovenly stacked, she didn’t care if they were only going to be washed.
    “Whether it was her watching.” The bullet whizzing over Melissa's head, she hadn’t been so distracted as to not notice it had been fired. “So Missy, do you think that she’s the one who’s been watching you?” Zoe taunted. “I mean, she could have been hiding under the eaves of the roof, or in the basement.” Raucous laughter breaking out amongst her minions, Melissa's ebony eyes drilled into the callous girl. “Or maybe, she's paranoid enough to think that she’s being watched, too! Yes, that must be it! Let’s go ask! If she says yes, it’ll mean that you’ll have some company in that loony bin that they're going to send you to!”
    Hilarity breaking out, it spilled into the four corners of the enormous hall. Humiliated, the remarks left Melissa to search for a reason as to why she'd put herself into the position of being victimized. It didn't take long to find an answer—it was because of her dear, sweet roommate.
    Swiveling her head, she flashed Brandi another hostile grimace. Rising, she marched away.
    “Hey, Missy, where you going?” shouted Collette.
    She was so angry that she didn't even turn to acknowledge the query. Stacking her tray on the metal stand, she rushed out into the hall. Running to the staircase, the brush fire inside was consuming reason. She rubbed her temples, wondering why she would