Chapter Text
A wave of memories washed over Amy, a vivid flashback to her time in the orphanage. The sterile, echoing halls faded away, replaced by the soft glow of a dimly lit dormitory. It was the day she was adopted and she saw the kind, yet firm face of her adoptive father. His words, though spoken gently, carried a weight of expectation.
“Amy,” he’d said, his voice resonating with a quiet strength. “You must be strong. Don't show your emotions so easily. As your father allowed me to teach you, you must always be composed, always in control.”
His words echoed in her mind, a constant reminder of the persona she had to maintain. Be strong. Don't show weakness. It was a lesson ingrained in her, a shield against the vulnerability she felt inside. The echo of her father’s words, however, remained, a constant reminder of the facade she had to uphold.
She saw herself then, a small girl perched on the edge of a plush sofa, watching with wide, curious eyes as her father’s image flickered on the television screen. He was giving a recorded interview, his voice calm and authoritative, his face composed and confident.
“Father,” she’d asked, her voice small but filled with a quiet determination, “why are you the only one who can show your face to the public? When will I reveal myself?”
He had turned from the television, his gaze softening. He knelt down, his eyes level with hers, and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Amy, one day you will inherit my company. That is a great burden, a great responsibility. You must be ready for it. Until then, you must learn, you must observe. You can observe much more when you are not in the public eye. You can see things others miss.”
He had smiled then, a reassuring smile that always made her feel safe. “Trust me, Amy. When the time is right, you will step into the light. But until then, you must be patient. You must be strong.”
The loss of her adoptive father had been a seismic shift in Amy's life. His final words, a gentle but firm command to remain hidden, echoed in her mind, a constant guiding principle. And so, she did. She embraced the role of the phantom heiress, a figure shrouded in mystery, unseen, and unreachable. She became a whisper in the wind, a legend whispered in hushed tones, a force working from the shadows.
Her father’s words proved true: she could observe much more when she was not in the public eye. She became a silent observer, a keen analyst of the world around her. She saw the subtle power plays, the hidden agendas, the unspoken truths that others missed. She learned to read people, to decipher their motivations, to anticipate their moves. She became a master of disguise, blending seamlessly into any environment, her presence unnoticed, her observations sharp.
She saw the cracks in the facade of the powerful, the vulnerabilities hidden beneath layers of wealth and influence. She saw the corruption that festered in the shadows, the injustices that went unpunished. And she began to understand the true weight of her inheritance, the responsibility that came with the power she held. She knew that one day, she would have to step into the light, to use her knowledge and her influence to make a difference. But until then, she would remain hidden, a ghost in the machine.
~~~000~~~
Ames sat up in bed, her heart still pounding from the vivid flashback. The images of her childhood, her father's stern but loving face, lingered in her mind. She rubbed her eyes, trying to shake off the lingering emotions.
"Why did I dream about that?" she murmured to herself, her voice barely audible. She didn't have time for this. She couldn't afford to dwell on the past. Not now.
With a deep breath, she pushed the memories aside, focusing on the present. She had a job to do, a role to play. She was Shadow's personal maid, and she needed to be prepared for the day ahead.
She rose from the bed, her movements efficient and practiced. She dressed quickly, pulling on her maid uniform, her fingers deftly fastening the buttons. She then carefully arranged her hair, securing it into a neat bun, and slipped on her glasses, the familiar weight grounding her in her current reality.
As she looked at her reflection, she saw not Amy Rose, the heiress, but Ames, the loyal maid. She was a master of disguise, a chameleon blending into her surroundings. And today, she would play her role to perfection.
~~~000~~~
That afternoon, Shadow summoned Ames to his study. "Ames, I have a matter to attend to this evening. You may take the rest of the day off."
Ames nodded, her heart skipping a beat. It was the perfect opportunity.
Later, as she got back to her room, her communicator beeped, and she answered to find Knuckles on the line. "I got an invitation to the orphanage auction...?," she said, her brow furrowed.
"Yes, Amy," Knuckles confirmed, his voice laced with concern. "I know this is the place you were adopted from. But, I strongly suggest you don't attend. It's too risky."
"I must, Knuckles," Ames insisted, her voice firm. "I have to. I promise I won't make a scene, okay?" she pleaded, her voice softening.
"All right," Knuckles relented with a sigh. "But be careful. I'll pick you up at Chao Park at 5. We can go together and make sure you're safe."
"Perfect," Ames said, her voice filled with relief. She had an ally, and a plan.
~~~000~~~
It was three o'clock, and Ames, dressed in her casual clothes, was ready to leave. She approached the main door, only to be startled to see Shadow standing there, fully dressed and prepared to go out.
"Oh, Mr. Shadow," she said, her voice laced with surprise, "where are you going?"
"There's an event I must attend," Shadow replied, his voice firm. He didn't offer any more information, his gaze fixed on her. "By the way, do you have plans today?"
"Umm, yes," Ames replied, her voice slightly hesitant. "I plan to meet my friend at Chao Park." She offered a half-truth.
"Then I can take you there," Shadow said, his voice decisive. "Come."
Ames knew she should reject his offer. It was too risky. But Shadow's tone left no room for argument. He seemed determined, and she knew that any attempt to refuse would be futile.
"Are you alright?" Shadow asked, his brow furrowed slightly.
"Yes, of course," Ames replied, forcing a smile. "It's just… I didn't expect you to offer."
"Time is of the essence," Shadow stated, his tone leaving no room for further discussion. He gestured towards the waiting vehicle. "Let's go."
Ames reluctantly followed him, her heart pounding in her chest. She climbed into the car, her mind filled with a mix of apprehension and frustration. She knew this was a dangerous game, but she had no choice but to play along.
The ride to Chao Park was tense. Shadow remained silent, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery. Ames, meanwhile, tried to appear relaxed, but her mind was a whirlwind of worry. She had to get to the auction, and she couldn't risk being seen with Shadow.
As they approached the park, Ames' anxiety grew. She needed to find a way to separate from Shadow without arousing his suspicion.
"This is it," she said, her voice slightly strained, as the car pulled up to the park entrance. "Thank you for the ride, Mr. Shadow."
"I'll wait until you meet your friend," Shadow said, his gaze fixed on the park.
"Oh, no, that's not necessary," Ames said quickly, her voice laced with urgency. "My friend is… running late. I'll just wait for them here."
Shadow's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't press the issue. "Very well," he said, his voice curt. "I'll see you later in the mansion."
Ames breathed a sigh of relief as Shadow's car drove away. She had managed to escape, but she knew she wasn't out of the woods yet. She still had to get to the auction, and she had to do it without being seen.
To be Continued...