Chapter 4

Lyla washed off and went back into her room. There was a red dress lying in wait on her bed. She cuddled her towel properly as she watched the servants creep in and out of her room, setting one or two together.

“Janet,” she sighed Janet and called her. Janet got to her and genuflected. “What's going on?”

“It's the tenth anniversary of the Blackwoods dynasty. Usually celebrated every fourth night of the sixth month,” she responded.

The Blackwoods were very prominent in Manhattan, New York City. They dealt in various areas of the economy, ranging from finance, electricity, real estate, art and designs, interior decorations, and construction. 

No one knew how Mr. Blackwood was able to acquire all these. He delved into a lot of profitable businesses, placing his name at the top of the board.

The anniversary was a way of creating awareness of how the journey has been. Influential and prominent people, popular models, usually graced the event with their presence.

Lyla saw it as a lot to take in. She had barely settled down and all these were already weighing on her.

“Your dress was picked by Mr. Grey Blackwood. He asked you to put it on and be ready before the clock strikes seven” Janet added.

The mention of his name reminded her of what just happened a few hours ago. She did draw him but didn't get the chance to admire the art as he sent her out of the room immediately after she was done. She took hold of Janet's wrists.

“Hey, are you okay,” she muttered.

A smile tore through Janet's face as she nodded positively. She wasn't that old. Just in her late thirties. She had served the Blackwoods for the past eight years and remained the longest-serving servant in the house.

For some reason, Mr. Blackwood had decided to keep her and not sack her like the rest. Janet returned the care as she took Lyla's hands.

“You should learn to endure him, ma'am. He's just a man with a troubled past,” she said. 

“ What do you mean?” Lyla got curious. She felt her curiosity grow as Janet hesitated to respond. 

“ Don't try finding out. He doesn't like discussing it,” that was Janet's only response. Lyla nodded, leaving her to finish her work. They all left after some time.

She walked to where the dress lay and felt its fabric. One does not have have have an expert to tell how quality and expensive it was. She sighed in relief and sat on her bed. The doors to her room opened forcefully, causing her to spring out of her bed.

It was Grey and his best man at the wedding. She didn't have enough time to meet him or talk to him at the wedding. She saw him stop at the door and try to call Greyback. 

Grey had already walked into the room entirely and was close to her bed. 

“I need to get dressed Grey”

“What's stopping you?” he asked with corked brows. 

Lyla held onto her towel tightly as he invited his best man in. She wasn't looking at who he was or what he had on. Her gaze was fixed on Grey, while she tried to comprehend how disrespectful he could be.

“Here she is. The daughter of Thompson Raymond” he introduced with zero enthusiasm.

“I'm Tony, Tony Stone” Tony introduced, reaching for a shake.

Lyla knew she had to employ Janet's advice. She forced a smile immediately, turning to Tony and accepting his handshake. “Lyla Thompson,” she introduced.

“Wow, Grey, Your wife is pretty. You should have given me a heads up,” he chuckled, crossing his hands over Grey's shoulder and pulling him gently. 

Grey scoffed and turned around, headed for the door. “She's all yours,” his voice echoed as he walked out of the room.

Tony noticed the strange atmosphere but just played cool. He wasn't sure what to say or do next. 

“You're here for the anniversary?” Lyla asked, still having her fake smile on. 

“Yeah. I am,” he replied, rubbing his sweaty palms at the back of his trousers.

“If you'd excuse me Mr… umm —”

“Tony”

“ Mr Tony, I need to get dressed,” she did her best to sound polite.

“Yeah, sure,” Tony said and took his exit in a hurry.

Lyla slammed the door behind him. Never had she been or met a man as arrogant and proud as Grey. She leaned her back against the floor, her head aching in a web of thoughts. She just needed air to think.

She needed space, alone time, and a bottle of booze.

______

“Now listen here lady,” Grey started as they walked into the large hall. Their elbows were locked together at right angles. “ Spare me embarrassment tonight. In as much as I wouldn't want you hovering my shoulders–”

He stopped and faked a smile at a family friend who just crossed by. Then he continued. “Never leave my sight. Keep your distance, but never leave my sight,” he added.

His dad called him and he unlocked their elbows and went to greet him. Lyla was left, dazzled by the luxury surrounding the room.

He had said stupid things to her, but he wasn't in her mind. He lost her the moment they stepped into the hall.

The disco balls whirled in the hall, causing diamonds to sparkle as they came in contact. The atmosphere was calm and welcoming. One would know this was a gathering of first-class citizens.

The hall was divided into sections, depicting the vast nature of the Blackwoods business. She took a wine glass from the steward and sipped from her glass.

“It tastes like magic doesn't it?” Tony said to her from behind. She turned around immediately, a smile engulfing her face.

“ Armand de Brignac rose, cost 275,000 dollars,” Tony said proudly. Lyla nodded. He was trying to impress her. She could tell it.

“I'm not familiar with wine” she responded, watching the little bubbles in her glass vanishing. 

Tony scoffed. “Neither am I, “ he said, revealing the bottle of wine that he had hidden behind all along. She wouldn't lie, he made her laugh. Tony chuckled as he scanned the bottle. “Care for more?”

“Sure,” she said and reached for a pour. Her eyes caught Grey's glaring at her and she withdrew immediately. “Or never mind,” she said with a shy smile. 

Tony looked toward what he thought must have made her change her mind. He was right. Grey. He couldn't help but smile. “Is he always that way towards you?” He asked.

The question caught her off guard, but she pretended not to have an idea of what he was talking about. “Huh?”

“Grey, is he always this way toward you?” Tony elaborated. 

“Wow!” Lyla softly exclaimed. She didn't know what reply to give. Could she even trust Tony? After all, he is friends with Grey. She got saved by the beep on her phone. “Sorry, I have to check this,” she took the phone out of her white purse.

It was a message from Grey. She looked up, towards the last place she saw him, but he was gone. “Hey, Tony, it was nice speaking with you tonight. Some other time,” she rounded up their little conversation and left the hall.

She walked down the hallway, looking for the room with number thirteen, as Grey had directed. She finally found it. She entered inside and was welcomed by the silence. It felt like a different part of the building.

There was a white bulb, giving light to only the area hung above. The bed was visible, and the chains as well. Lyla couldn't understand but tried putting herself together.

“Take off your clothes,” she heard Grey's voice from the darkness. He walked into the light.

His shirt was unbuttoned to the last, revealing his chest and tattoo. He stared at her, waiting for her to delve into action as he commanded.

“Didn't you hear me?”

“Grey..this is an occasion,” she tried reasoning with him.

“Take — it — off” Grey broke his words as he inched closer to her. Her hands began to tremble as she felt his skin brush hers.

“Grey please, can we wait till we get home?”

“I said take it all off!” he barked at her. Lyla tried getting a hold of herself as she reached for her pants underneath her gown. Why was he doing this? Of all places? Why does he have to treat her like she's nothing? 

She felt his breath fanning against her neck. Cold shivers ran down her spine. He held her arm and pulled her closer to her ear. “See you at home then,” he said. 

Lyla's heart jumped back to restart as she drove her pants back up. She grabbed her purse and hurried out of the room. She didn't know where she was going, but she just knew she had to get far away from him.

She found an open office and badged in, locking the door behind. Luckily there was no one in. 

She squeezed onto her chest. Some files fell off the table as she grabbed them for support.  

Finally, she could feel her breath return to normal.

She bent over to pick the files up. As she gathered them together, she froze at the sight of a picture. 

She recognized that face so much. It had a striking resemblance with the only picture big herself she had when she was little. She picked it up, only to discover there were many more.

What were her childhood pictures doing in the Blackwoods mansion?