Chapter 63 Keep him happy
CHAPTER 63: Keep him happy
Vera
My feet took me towards Lily’s bedroom as soon as I got to the top of the stairs, but I didn’t know how to face her without giving her the answer she was expecting. I leaned my forehead against the cool wood of her door for a second, trying to find the words to tell her that I had failed…that I hadn't given Silas the answer he wanted, and therefore, her trip was likely a lost cause.
I took a deep breath and knocked softly, then pushed the door open.
“Lily? Sweetie, do you have a minute? I'm sorry, but I think we have to—"
I stopped mid-sentence, my eyes scanning the room. I was confused, almost certain that I was hallucinating things.
Lily wasn't crying or moping, my sister was in high spirits, humming that upbeat pop song that played from the headphone she had on as she threw in different colourful sundresses and bathing suits into the large half filled suitcase spread across her bed.
“Vee Vee! You’re just in time!” she cried out when she saw me, pushing the headphones down to hang around her neck.
Before I could even take a step toward the bed, she lunged at me, enveloping me in a tight bone crushing hug.
“What are you—”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” She kissed my cheeks. “ I knew you could do it, Vee Vee. I knew you could. You actually did it!”
I pulled back, forehead scrunched, my hands trembling slightly as I held her at arm's length.
“Slow down. Lily, wait. What are you talking about? Why are you thanking me?” My gaze darted briefly to the bed. “And why are you packing?”
She looked at me, then burst into laughter.
“The graduation trip to Tulum, silly!” she squealed, spinning around to grab a bottle of sunscreen from her dresser. “What’s wrong with you? I’m going! I’m actually going!”
I felt a wave of confusion wash over me, making my head spin. I stepped closer, stopping beside the bed.
“What? How? The final payment was due today, sweetie. I haven't even…”
She stopped. “Okay. I'm going to play this game with you,” she said with a wide amused smile.
“It’s already paid, Vee,” she said, her smile wide and genuine. “Everything. The flight, the resort package, pocket money, even the excursions. Everything is all done.”
I was more confused than clarified.
“But how?” I pressed, my heart starting to race for a completely different reason. “Lily? Sweetie, where did you get the money?”
Lily looked at me like I was being intentionally dense.
"From Silas, of course. Silas? You know…your husband?” She folded her arms. “Who else could I have gotten the money from under such record time?”
My face lost its colour.
Her smile waned, some of the amusement and excitement ebbing away. “Vera are you okay?”
I felt the air leave my lungs. I reached out for the bedpost to steady myself.
“Silas gave you the money?”
She nodded, then went back to folding and packing the rest of the clothes.
“Yes. He asked me about the deadline and then sent it earlier this evening,” she narrated, her hands moving busily as she folded a sarong. “You know, when I got the notification on my phone I almost screamed. He sent more than what I needed,” she squealed.
“What… really?”
“Yes, Vee. I don't know what you said to him or what you did to finally get through that icy exterior of his, but it worked.” She dropped the clothes and hugged me again. I sat stiffly, before I put my arm around her too. “Thank you for looking out for me, Vera.”
She pulled back a little. “You know, Silas can be… a little intense. But he's still kind of cool. He cares about what you want.”
I sat there, my mouth gaping open… totally stunned into a profound silence. Silas and I were yet to finish the conversation we were having this morning.
Was this a trap or a test?
What was he playing at?
He knew I was desperate to provide Lily with what she wanted, and he had held the leverage over my head like a blade. And then he turned around and granted the favor anyway.
He helped her without the payment he demanded.
“This is going to be so exciting,” Lily smiled as she kept throwing her essentials into the box.
I looked at her, and remembered what Cherry had told me today; the lies she had told to Cherry about the “honeymoon”. And also her lies to everyone about Cherry going on a trip.
I wanted to ask Lily why she had lied to Cherry and to everyone, but seeing her so radiant, and excited and looking forward to this trip, the words died in my throat.
I couldn't ruin this for her.
“Are you happy, Lily?” I asked instead, my voice soft. “I really want you to be very happy,” I said in a whisper.
“I’m so happy, Vee,” she replied, coming over to squeeze my hand. “And it’s all because of you. My sweet, darling sister. Truly, whatever you're doing with Silas, just keep doing it.”
My jaw dropped. “What are you—”
She giggled. “Don't be such a tease, Vee.” She wiggled her brows conspiratorily. “Keep him happy, alright? It’s better for all of us when he's in a good mood. Okay?”
She patted my hand and went back to her packing, but I remained frozen.
It hit me then…a sharp, undeniable realization that cut through my mental turmoil. She thought I had done something.
But I didn't…yet.
Silas had been generous when he didn't have to be. He had seen my need and met it before I had even surrendered.
I thought about the way he had looked at me this morning, the heat in his gaze that matched the secret, treacherous attraction I had been ignoring, hoping it would go away.
But it was there. I felt in my own blood. I couldn't deny it anymore.
I wanted him.
He was the first man that I was ever intentionally and consciously aware of as a woman. And he turned out to be the one man that despised me too.
But he had shown that he would touch me while tightening the noose around my neck.
If I was already bound to this man by law and a contract, why was I still fighting the pull?
If surrendering to what we both wanted could make things easier for Lily and I, why not?
I turned and walked toward the door, my decision made.