"Morning charming." Nicolas said as soon as I came down to the parking lot. I didn't bother to answer as usual."Jeez, stop frowning Gramps, you're gonna get old quick. I keep telling you this." he said jokingly but when he saw I wasn't going to indulge him he quit."I have to go see my doctor later today. Book an appointment." I said curtly."Yes boss!" he replied in a mocking manner.During the meeting, I couldn't concentrate at all. I was mad. Mad at myself for not being careful enough and falling into a trap. I can't believe I almost marked her. Jezz, all I said in the hotel was bullshit, I had no self control and the only reason I couldn't completely mark her was because she passed out probably due to her intake of the pills."Shit!" I said out loud unconsciously and everyone in the conference room looked at me shocked."Please continue." I said to the man making his presentation. He hesitated before he finally continued. He probably thought I was dissatisfied with what he was sa
I didn't return home for a week because I didn't have the energy to exchange words with father. He had his servants come fetch me countless times but I remained adamant.Nicolas had called that evening about an important document we needed for a meeting the next day but it was at the main house. I sighed defeated as I realized I'd have to go back home if I needed to retrieve it. The next day, I drove back home. I met with Miss Felice at the entrance and she was delighted to see me. She commented on how I had lost weight and told me she would get me breakfast privately as she knew I didn't want to eat with the rest of the family.In the entire household, Miss Felice was the only one I could rely on. She has been in the Troy household for two generations and she basically raised me after my mother passed away.I informed her about the reason for my coming as I didn't intend to eat anything now but I promised I'd be home later.I went straight to my room to grab the files I needed. When
~ Iris POV ~It has been a week since I started working in the Troy household and as Chad had promised, I wasn't sent anywhere near Leigh's quarters. I had also adjusted to my new life and was more familiar with my responsibilities. My only fear was running into Leigh and surprisenly, he hasn't been home since the past week. This was good news for me as I didn't have to encounter any more weird situations with him.As much as I wanted to resolve the misunderstanding between us, I wanted to avoid him as much.There are so many rumors about him from the older servants, he is known to be hot tempered and rude that all the other servants avoided close contact with him. The younger ladies all talk about how much of a pretty boy he was but his bad temper disqualifies him from being a perfect man, hence they all shifted their love and attention to Chad who was more likeable and easy to relate to.Chad was so likeable and easy going. He was loved and well received by all the servants. He was a
"Chad!" I exclaimed looking back to find him holding my arms firmly."What are you doing?" Leigh asked curtly as he turned to face Chad."I should be the one asking. What are you doing Leigh?" He said sounding pissed while Leigh tilted his head to the side in amusement."And what do you think I'm doing?" Leigh asked and I just stared at the both of them confused and afraid to utter a word."Wasn't it enough that you almost strangled her, now you also hurt her like this?" Chad said pointing at the injury in my arms."Umm it's actually... ""So what?" Leigh interrupted me. "What does it have to do with you?" He said raising a brow."Let go!" Chad said in an intimidating tone."You let go." Leigh said aggressively as they both gripped my hands tightly causing me to wince in pain.They both let go immediately."Are you alright?" Chad asked concerned while Leigh just stood there without saying a word. He seemed upset and irritated. He probably felt bad for being misunderstood and I couldn'
"Do you really have to seduce someone else?""What?" I asked confused."I'm talking about Chad, did you really have to get him involved?" He said with an expression I couldn't read.I really began to wonder what was going on inside of this man's head. Okay, I can understand the fact that he thought I had seduced him but him thinking I was doing the same with Chad was unacceptable. Angrily I pulled my hands from his grip."Master Leigh, I do not care what you think about me in that head of yours, but I will not have you insult me like this. I already told you that time at the hotel was a misunderstanding but you didn't believe me and I do not blame you, but you talking about my character like this as related to your brother Chad is unacceptable. If you would please excuse me." I said angrily as I stormed out.I knew I had spoken harshly and that I could probably lose my job, but I wasn't going to be insulted like that.I headed towards the servant quarters and I met Chad waiting at the
"You do know I can smell you." He said looking towards the direction where I hid."Hi!" I said awkwardly as I came out to his sight but he didn't answer, he didn't even look up at me. I stood nervously at the side contemplating if I should go back or not."Come here!" He ordered and I quickly moved closer."Give me a push." he said signalling at the swing and I tilted my head to the side at his request."Just do it." he said curtly. I moved slowly behind the swing and gave a light push. I pushed for a couple more times and we just remained there quietly."This was my mother's garden." he said suddenly and I just nodded."The empty quarter by the side also belonged to her. And this swing.." he said caressing it softly "was her favorite thing in this whole house" he said with a light smile."The garden is beautiful." I said softly as I didn't know what to say and he chuckled softly. I knew his mother was dead and we weren't exactly friends so I didn't know how to react now that he is su
~ Leigh's POV ~I really wonder why I can't bring myself to say the things I actually want to say but I always end up saying the wrongest and stupidest stuff. I sat restlessly in the car as I remembered the rubbish I had spilled to Iris."Do you really have to seduce someone else?" I cringed at the memory."Ahh!" I screamed going crazy over the crazy stuff I said."What?" Nicolas asked alarmed as he heard my scream."Nothing, just keep driving." I said composing myself."I think you are going crazy." he said as he shifted his focus back on the road. I was actually going crazy, I've been acting out of character for the past few days all because of Iris."What's bothering you bro?" He said looking at me from the rear view mirror."Nothing." I said curtly."Must be an Iris problem." he said smiling mischievously. I didn't bother to answer as I knew he was only going to make fun of me."Oh by the way, she looks really good. I understand why you have your heads in the clouds." he said wink
That night, I had the most comfortable sleep I'd had in years. I was happy, just too happy that i got to open up to someone other than Nicolas or claws. The next day, miss Felice brought my breakfast down to my room, she noticed I was in a good mood as I was not as grumpy as usual."You seem quite happy leigh darling." she said with a light smile and I smiled brightly back at her."Before I forget, I got a new batch of bird food for your birdie dear." she said pointing at the balcony where i usually left claws cage."His name is claws." I reminded her. She always forgot his name and called him birdie."Whatever dear, I have to head back and ensure those servants are doing their jobs properly.""Don't be too harsh on them Felice." I said and she stopped on her tracks and faced me."And when did you start caring about the servants?" She asked with this look on her face like she could read my mind."I never said anything about caring about them, I only said that because I know how strict
I sat in the passenger seat of the car, my eyes fixed on the GPS screen as we navigated through the winding streets. Archie was driving, his hands moving deftly over the wheel as he expertly maneuvered the vehicle. He surprisingly impressed me with his driving skills, makes me hate him less for being such a jerk to Iris in the past. Just kidding. Still hate him just the same, but I have to work with him for now. And he’s actually been working pretty hard."Come on, come on," I muttered under my breath, my frustration growing. We had been tracking Gina for hours, but she was proving to be a slippery target. More slippery than anyone I had ever had to chase. Even Alaric."I know," Archie said, his voice calm and reassuring. "We will get her. She definitely can't keep running forever. Besides we are the good guys.” He said composed with his eyes still on the road as he expertly turned the stirring wheel.I nodded, but my doubts lingered. Gina was sly, observant, and clearly resourceful.
~ Leigh’s POV ~I had brought Iris back to the house. Dr Eli had secretly told me that something was awfully wrong and I should keep Iris with me by all means. I didn’t exactly know what was wrong, but I knew I had to protect her. She was so worried and I tried to console her as I held her firmly in my arms. Suddenly my phone rang and I frowned a little. It was Archie. I excused myself to go pick up.“What?” I said curtly.“I think we have our guy.” He said from the other end of the line. They have found the culprit? “Who is it?” I asked. “Its better you come here yourself. It’s not something I can say on the phone.” I don’t know why but I just had a really bad feeling. "I'll be there soon," I said finally, before hanging up the phone."What's wrong, Leigh?" Iris asked and I could sense the worry in her voice.I tried to keep my expression neutral. "Nothing Iris, Just pack business.""Tell me Leigh, what's going on?" She said unconvinced.I sighed and rubbed my temples. "I
"What is it?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.“I can’t tell you on the phone. Let’s meet up immediately. And come alone.”My heart raced with questions as I heard his words. I took a peek at Travis who was still talking to the security guard. “Okay. I’m on my way.” I said to chad before hanging up. He texted me a location and I considered for a quick second. “Hey,” Travis said to get my attention and I didn’t even know when he got back from speaking with the guards. “I’ve spoken to them to know the exact time Amelia had left. He said she had gone out to meet someone. Do you know anyone she might have gone out to see?” I tried to recall, but I literally do not know anything about my sister. If she went out to see someone, it’s definitely not her fiance, maybe his parents? “I think she must have gone to see her soon to be in laws. Maybe she’s there.” I said as I immediately started dialing their numbers but it was unreachable. “Let me try... in fact let’s go over t
I lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling as sadness and worry washed over me. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Why did those people suddenly want dad specifically? And this issue about my mother probably being a Crescent Pack member. Leigh hadn't also come back that night, and I was getting more and more anxious by the minute. I needed him. I needed his comfort, and not being close to him at this moment of confusion in my life, made me all the more frustrated and nervous.I tossed and turned, trying to get comfortable, but my mind was racing with various unanswered questions. I kept thinking about Leigh and where he could be. Was he okay? Was he hurt too? No. I shouldn’t think like that. He was definitely okay.As the hours ticked by, I finally started to drift off to sleep, slowly but surely. But as soon as I closed my eyes, I felt myself falling into a void. I was drowning, unable to breathe, and I felt like I was being pulled down into the depths of the ocean.I
I paced back and forth in my room, my mind racing with worry. I still couldn't reach my dad or sister, and Anne's words kept echoing in my mind. Gina could possibly be alive. Then that makes Chad a liar. But why would he lie? And Leigh hasn’t also returned. This only made me more anxious and worried about the whole thing.I felt like I was suffocating in the room. Everywhere felt stuffy, and I was finding it so hard to breathe. I needed to clear my mind, at least for a little while. I decided to slip out of the room and get some fresh air.I made my way to the side garden, hoping not to bump into anyone to avoid any form of conversation. The cool evening air enveloped me as I walked quietly to the swing. I sat down gently sighing deeply as I let my thoughts wander.But my mind kept drifting back to that weird dream I'd been having. The strange woman which felt all too familiar asking me to remember. But what was I supposed to remember? It was frustrating, not knowing what was going on
I stood in my room, my phone still clutched in my hand as I tried to process the phone call I had just received. How could Gina who had been presumed dead, just call me, asking for help. I was still reeling from the shock, my mind racing with questions.How was this possible? But Chad had confirmed that Gina was dead and that her family even got her body to be buried quickly. Or so he had said. But now, Gina was calling me, asking for help. What in the world was going on?I needed to do something, and I needed answers, and quick. So I quickly dialed Chad's number, my heart racing with anticipation. He picked up on the first ring."Hey, I've been trying to call you for a while now, but your line wasn't going through," Chad said, his voice warm and familiar.My heart quickened at the thought that maybe he had news about Gina too. "What's going on?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady."I just wanted to check in on you, see how you're doing," Chad said, his voice reassuring. "I know
As we pulled up to the Troy pack's mansion, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. I was relieved to be back in a safe place, but I was also worried about my dad and Amelia. Leigh seemed to sense my unease and reached out to take my hand."Hey dear, it's going to be okay," he said, giving my hand a squeeze.I smiled weakly and nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Leigh. He had been my rock throughout this whole ordeal, and I didn't know what I would do without him. I was really happy to have him by my side in such a time.As we stepped out of the car, Miss Felice came out to welcome us. But to my surprise, she didn't greet me as a servant this time. Instead, she smiled warmly and greeted me so politely like I was some important guest."Miss Iris, welcome back," she said to me warmly.I was taken aback by her warm greeting. Just this morning, I had quit my job as a servant in the Troy pack's household. And yet, here was Miss Felice, treating me like a honored guest."Thank
“Where did you hear that from?” he yelled at me. That was a first.“Was she actually from Crescent moon Pack?” I asked and he went quiet. “Father answer me!” I said desperately. “I’m driving. Don’t get me distracted.” Was his cold response.I looked down on my palms. I was right. Why was he hiding it from me? And who exactly was my mother? I must find out today.“Let me out.” I muttered.“What?” he asked me surprised.“I said let me out!” I suddenly yelled and he was greatly shocked. “What are you doing Iris?”“You do not want to tell me anything so I am not going home with you.” I said stubbornly and he was taken aback by my sudden outburst.“Iris dear, calm down. I’m only....”“Let me out dad. I’ll go ask the person who would probably tell me who I really am since you want to keep hiding things from me.” I said painfully.All these while, I had never asked. Not because I didn’t want to know, but because I was afraid of hurting everyone. Dad, my step mom and Amelia. I took wanted a
I floated in a void and it was hard to breathe. I struggled till I finally found my balance. "Here again?" I muttered to myself as I walked the familiar path and was met with the same woman that has been appearing in my dreams almost every night.I still couldn't understand what she was saying, but I knew it was something very important."Remember!" She whispered before a whirlwind blew me away and I woke up abruptly, panting heavily.I looked around and I found myself in the comfort of my own room. I sighed as I sat up and rubbed my eyelids with my palms. I tried to move, but I hissed in pain as I was still sore from last night's activity in the garden.I felt drained and tired, with my body still humming from the memories of last night's passion with Leigh. The sunlight streaming from the window seemed too bright, that I winced as I turned to look the other way. I stretched, yawned, and swung my legs over the side of the bed, with my feet dangling in the air.I went to the bathroom