Chapter 97 She liked him
CHAPTER 97: She liked him
Vera
I stirred against the cool softness of the silken sheets, turning from my face down position to lay on my back. Unsurprisingly, the space beside me was empty and cold. The sliver of sunlight peeking in through the drawn blinds was beginning to cast shadows on the wall. It must be past noon now.
Memories of earlier this morning flooded back to me. The desperate, reverent heat and surprising softness of Silas’s touch rushed back with a clarity that made my breath hitch.
And along with it came, a tiny, fragile spark of hope that flickered in my belly, warming me from the inside out. At the moment, I didn't know what it meant yet. Or if I was being foolish and delusional to trust the peace I felt, believing that Silas could ever see me as anything more than a criminal.
I climbed out of bed and stepped into the shower, letting the warm water wash away the lingering shadows of my fear and soothe my sore muscles.
I emerged from the fogged up bathroom, clad in a thick, cream-colored bathrobe, feeling remarkably refreshed and, very unbelievably ravenous. As a result of all that happened at the party last night, I wasn't able to grab a bite.
I pressed a hand to the small curve of my stomach, a small smile playing on my lips.
“You’re hungry too, aren't you?” I whispered to the life growing within me. I chuckled. “I know. Me too. Let's go see what we can find.”
I was turning toward the door, intent on heading down to the kitchen, when a soft knock came on the door.
“Who is it?”
“It's me, madam.” It was Elena’s voice. “I brought your lunch.”
I sighed in relief, and climbed back into bed. “Come in, Elena.”
The door opened, and she pushed in a rolling cart laden with a variety of vibrant, healthy dishes; steaming quinoa, grilled salmon, and a variety of fresh greens, and fruits, all meticulously prepared by the personal nutritionist and chef Silas had recently employed just for my needs.
She began to dish some of the food onto a plate for me.
“Thank you so much, Elena. I was just coming down,” I said, eyeing the tempting cart. “Why didn't anyone come to wake me for breakfast?”
Well, you were quite busy at breakfast, I reminded myself.
I reddened instantly, clearing my throat uncomfortably.
“Sir forbade it, madam,” she replied, her voice soft as she began to set the table. “He gave strict orders that no one was to disturb your rest for any reason. He ordered that your food be brought up to you when you awaken.”
A rush of surprise, followed by a sweet, sharp pleasure, surged through me. He had protected my peace.
“And where is he—where's my husband now?”
“He left not too long ago, madam.”
She finished setting the dishes, and took a step back.
“Thank you, Elena.”
She excused herself to return later for the dishes, while I settled down to enjoy the meal. The quietness of the room felt different now…less suffocating like a cage and more like a haven. I was nervous to face Silas again, but I wasn't scared.
I was halfway through my salmon when the door burst open and Lily waltzed in, her face lit with a mischievous, radiant grin.
“Suprise!”she squealed with her arms spread open.
“Lily!” I gasped, dropping my fork as I stood to embrace her. “You’re back! This is such a pleasant surprise. I was starting to think you’d forgotten you had a sister.”
“Impossible, Vee. I could never forget you,” she laughed, hugging me tightly.
“I'm so happy to see you, sweetheart. But I was hurt that you didn't tell me before you left, and you never called all the time you were in Tulum. Not once the whole trip, Lily. I was worried sick.”
She pulled back, a fleeting shadow of guilt crossing her face before she waved it away with a practiced air.
“I know, I know, I know. Can you please forgive me, Vee?” she pouted, her hands clasped together. “The service was not too good. And I could only manage to call Silas. And then I just got so caught up in the tours and the graduation celebrations. I’m really sorry.”
I watched her as she moved toward my vanity, waving aside her apology in my excitement to have her home.
“It's okay. I’m happy you had fun, and you're home safe.”
It was then I noticed how she was dressed; she wore a sophisticated, form-fitting, red dress, her hair was swept up in a sophisticated fashion and her makeup was done with a flawless precision that made her more stunning than she was, and also looking some years older than her nineteen years.
“Sweetie, are you going somewhere?” I asked, my brow furrowing in confusion.
She spun around with a smile, then proceeded to twirl around. “How do I look?”
“As pretty as a picture,” I replied truthfully.
She beamed, pleased. “Well, I'm going to an art exhibition!” she chirped, her eyes sparkling.
I was confused. “Huh?”
“With Chauncey. It's his art exhibition.”
“With Chauncey?” I repeated, a knot of unease tightening in my stomach.
Personally, I had nothing against him. He had always been good and nice to me, despite everything. But it was obvious from last night that he was a complicated issue. There was definitely a history between him and Samantha, and I wasn't blind to the energy between him and Cherry.
He was probably harmless, but he wasn't the best person for Lily to be around right now.
I moved toward her. “Lily—”
“Can I borrow these?” she asked, already reaching into my jewelry box and pulling out a pair of teardrop diamond earrings.
I could only nod with a tight smile and watch as she clipped them on, turning her head to admire the way they caught the light.
At that moment, I could see it clearly. This wasn't just an outing, at least for my sister. She had taken extra time with her appearance and she was excited, occasionally glancing at her cellphone with a desperate longing.
She liked him.
Lily was still too young, and I didn't want her to get caught in whatever he had going on… that is aside the age disparity between them.
Before I could find the words to say, her phone chimed with a notification. She rushed to pick it up and checked the screen.
“That’s him! He’s waiting for me downstairs!” she squealed, rushing toward the door.
I walked toward her. “Lily, wait. We need to talk about some—”
She was already rushing out the door. “I promise I’ll catch you up and tell you everything about the trip when I get back tonight! Love you!”
The door slammed shut behind her, leaving the room vibrating in her wake. I stood there, confused and worried of what might come of my sister’s growing infatuation with the other complicated Rutherford brother.
I sighed, moving back to my cooling meal, while trying to shake the heavy feeling that something was off, and something ominous was going to happen. I took a bite of my semi-cold salmon and chewed it, reaching for my water glass just as my own phone began to vibrate on the nightstand.
I picked it up, and frowned at the unknown number.
I hesitated, then swiped to answer. “Hello?”
“Did you really think I was gone, cosa mia?”
The voice was like a douse of ice water. My blood turned to lead as I recognized the smooth, predatory cadence of the monster I thought I was now permanently rid of.
“Damien,” I whispered, my hand beginning to shake.
“Don't sound so surprised,” he scoffed, his voice dripping with a lethality that left goosebumps on skin, and my hairs on end. “Our business is far from over. In fact, it's only just beginning.”