Once we’re finished looking through the massive grounds, Aisling excuses herself to go complete her chores. “You sure you’ll be alright?” she asks.
“Definitely,” I promise, very aware that we haven’t bumped into Kian even once since starting the tour. “I think I’ll just pop on one of my new swimsuits and take a swim.”
She smiles. “Very well. Have fun.”
The moment she disappears into the house, I head in there myself. I pretend to go towards my room, then double back to the black door after making sure that I’m not being followed.
When I get to the black door, I start snooping around, looking for anything that might help me enter.
Half an hour later, I’m tired and defeated.
Apparently, the secrets behind the black door are barred to me.
I follow the wall of the black door into the room right next to it. It’s an unassumingly small space, filled with nothing remarkable, except for a long tapestry that feels like it belongs in a medieval castle rather than a Hamptons mansion.
I move closer and admire the intricate detail that’s gone into creating the massive stone castle at the focal point of the artwork. I reach out tentatively and run my fingers down the thick material.
It’s definitely beautiful. It just strikes me as strange.
This tapestry feels like something that should be given a more prominent space in the house. Instead, it’s been tucked away in this rather boring little room that doesn’t seem to serve a purpose. Apart from a large carpet and a few paintings on the wall, there’s nothing else here.
I look closer at the tapestry, and that’s when I notice that the bottom isn’t fixed to the wall. Instead, it hangs loose, allowing me to pull it away from the wall entirely.
Something pinches at the back of my mind.
I act on instinct and pull up the tapestry.
“Fuck,” I breathe.
There’s a door just underneath. Could it be…?
Holding my breath, I try twisting the small silver knob. Victory. It clicks open without a fuss.
“Yes,” I hiss. “Let’s see what secrets you’re hiding, Kian O’Sullivan.”