Diana
"So what are your plans for Valentine's day?" Alice asked and I flinched snapping out of my thoughts.
"What!!?"
"Sheesh, what kind of luck is this? The first friend of the year I actually make is actually a clueless bastard in all accounts. Seriously? Are you sure you are in the 21st century?"
"Where else would I be?" I asked taking a sip of my tea my gaze focused outside on the many people rushing to work.
"You are hopeless, you know that."
"I prefer ignoring majority of what doesn't involve me."
"Even Valentine's day?" She asked and I pursed my lips frowning a little.
"Is there any significance to the celebration?" I asked and she looked at me as if I was a fool but I decided to turn a blind eye. "To answer your question, I'm not sure. I don't think so."
"You're not sure? Not even joining the others in the school's Valentine fair?" She asked and I shrugged wondering just how these people could afford spending all that money every year.
As far as I knew they really do make it a Fair despite the so called rules on PDA on campus. From putting shops with little trinkets to couple themed games and events and ending a three hour break before a school dance set for the evening. Come to think of it, I did hear them planning for this weekend and Alice's topic of the week had been on the proposal going on in school, at least the dramatic ones. Sigh, I never did think I'd be at this point, with a 'boyfriend' of sorts as the day approached.
"Most of my days and holidays have always been spent with Jaime. He might came down here," I said and she spat out her drink the drops missing me narrowly.
"You are spending the day with him!?"
"I said might. I'm not sure," I said and she didn't bother hiding her disdain.
"For someone smart, you are pretty much an idiot. Why on earth would you ditch your boyfriend on the day many couples wait for year after year?" She scolded and I bit my tongue unable to respond as I fell into a daze.
Ryder. We hadn't seen each other for the last couple of days since Heather walking in on us. Well, if you don't consider that he'd driven us to and from the mansion that day. The rest of the weekend was a blur. Due to Wilder's persistence in pleading me to stay for the rest of the week in the hall, I'd agreed. On the second day of my stay, as the next party followed and cleared, he came some time after I fell asleep and left before I woke up. Though I was sure I wasn't meant to know, I was trained to be vigilant of my surroundings. On the third day, I came to learn that the family normally stayed on the west wing of the house, on the opposite side of the many rooms. Most guest bedrooms and living spaces on the ground and first floors. The brothers had theirs on the second, the parents and other seniors on the third and on the fourth a massive gallery belonging to their late mother where Wilder took me to as he gave a grand tour. Since they were moving to the west wing, I was placed in one of the four doors on the second floor. To my surprise, all the rooms were suites. All two-bedroom with a living space and a kitchen in each. And so were all the others in the third floor. This definitely gave me a peek into their wealth after a brief explanation. Apparently the massive house was part of their mother's dowry. Built it from scratch with her own savings and gifted to her two sons after her passing or so my intel told me. On my fourth and fifth days all I had managed so far was to glimpse at him from afar.
Whenever I considered to approach something would come up and most times by the name of Heather made it her mission to be around him 24/7 and I decided I needed a break, hence coming to Alteir. I'd taken some days off but even if I was here the old couple wouldn't let me work and I called Alice out for breakfast. Being here, now I realized, was a mere excuse so I wouldn't go back any time soon. Of course I could just leave but my conscience wouldn't let me even when I had to endure Wilder's pitiful act of cheering me up in the name of I could die of anything but sorrow and grief because of a certain hothouse. However, it's no doubt that we got over what hurdle we had between us, not there was one and now we were sworn soul sisters, or so he calls it. Though at times the nasty voice at the back of my head never fails to flare up reminding me that the only reason we get along so well is only because with Heather around we can't seek or give the attention we desire.
"It doesn't matter. Even if I decide to stay all day in bed, it doesn't matter. It won't kill me," I said signalling the end of the conversation ignoring how she pursed her lips in annoyance clearing with more to say.
"What if he wants you to celebrate with him?" She asked after a long pause of silence and I frowned. Now I was really sure she was interrogating me. But for whom? For her own conscience or for a second party?
"Do you know that for sure?" I asked and she hesitated for a while.
"Of course. You two are dating..?" She said and I snorted passing my gaze over her indifferently as I finished my cup.
"Sure. We better be leaving. I'll see you tomorrow."
"You going to the memorial service?"
"Yeah, how did you know that? I thought it was a private affair."
"Not anymore," she said passing me her phone and I could feel myself frown as I reached for my own. "Just put up now."
She said and I cursed turning on my phone only to find Wilder calling me. He never calls me. That bad, huh, I thought bidding Alice a goodbye as we made our separate ways to our cars.
"Have you seen the article?"
"Yeah. Has he seen it yet?"
"About that. Not yet. He drunk himself to sleep last night, but I'm just about to tell him," he said and I stopped short of opening my door shocked by the two pieces of information he just dropped on me.
"Then why call me first?" I asked bewildered as I snapped out of my daze and I could hear him sigh on the other side of the phone.
"Honestly, of all the people we're acquainted with, you're probably the only one with the greatest chances of preventing him from killing someone."
"Got it. On my way."
"And Diana, thanks...for staying. Even when you didn't have to."
"Yeah sure."
It wasn't much but somehow after the call I was in a slightly better mood than before despite being wary of what I'd find. Massaging my sore temple lightly, I started my way back only to find a red flashy Maserati that was obviously custom made and with a gold inscription of her name on the side parked behind an all too familiar figure arguing with a guard and I could feel my eyebrows twitch and twist for a brief moment before I spot the endless number of males and females in black suits spread out as far as I could see behind the gate and I frowned. It seemed things were not as easy as I thought them to be. I let out a sigh turning to look at the guard approaching me.
"State your name. Your business and who you are going to see," he said his voice brisk and curt and I looked him over indifferently.
Looking on closer he was the guard dealing with Heather before and had obviously just us me to escape from her clutches and I couldn't help but feel the slightest tinges of pity for the guy. He was just doing his job but had to deal with Heather this early in the morning. Being in a position where I had first hand information about the worst they go through if something goes wrong in their bosses' houses, I could sympathize and I tried not to give him a hard time.
"I'm sorry miss but that's the same excuse the miss over there gave. It doesn't matter whether you left last night or this morning, or how long you've been staying here. As long as it's a plausible reason then you can enter," he said a strange tone to his voice.
They say courtesy goes along way. It had paid but now I'm sure he had more reasons to perceive me worse than he had. I did not dare to correct him. No doubt it would give an even worse impression as I let out a sigh. People never liked pretentious people and I doubt saying I was a girlfriend, rather a to-be girlfriend, would help. If I did and they believe just how many self proclaimed girlfriends would those two have? My only option was to call the house or the either of the brothers. But just how far was this memorial thing going to be taken?
"Why is there a sudden increase and change in guards? I could have sworn I didn't take a wrong turn into Washington," I muttered in annoyance reaching for my phone and seemingly the guy had heard as his lips twitched curved upwards.
"Most likely due to the event tomorrow. It is said to host some prominent figures in the political and business arenas all around the states," he replied and I couldn't help but feel that was a rehearsed speech that was mildly toned down to penetrate this teenage mind and I could just tell what was running through his mind. Some major bootlicking was going down tomorrow. "But miss, if you had a pass you could be allowed to enter."
"Pass?" I muttered helplessly. It would probably be easier if this were a VIP room in a club. It would be much easier to sneak into. But this, I'd never even heard of a pass being used here, I thought realizing that Heather who was trying a little too much not to be caught eavesdropping was in the same state of confusion as I was.
Just as I was about to call, another guard shot out from the security booth signalling for the guard to walk over and he shot me a polite smile before walking over as a series of mumbling ensued and I didn't miss how he paled as they both shot me nervous looks and I watched the exchange slightly bewildered before he came back.
"I apologize Missus not recognizing your name and plate. Here is your personalized pass. You can proceed," he said nervously passing on a black card. In gold inscription: Diana S. Fallen Star Manor.
For a long while, I stared at the card, more specifically the 'S' at the end. I'm pretty sure they didn't accidentally blot out the word Peter in Peters and they definitely didn't know of my family name Santiani and for a moment an inexplicable fear roused deep in my chest before I realized he was still waiting for me to start my way in.
Putting the card away, "I didn't catch your name."
"Matthew Lillard, Missus. I apologize again," he said obviously trying hard not to lose it.
He might have not expected me to ask, though I wasn't pretty sure why he returned freaked out, even though I was sure someone had called from the house it was still lost to me why he was. Realizing trying to comfort that he wouldn't lose his job would not help, I turned to restart my car before my gaze fell on the female glaring daggers at me.
"What about her?"
"Do not get involved Miss. She's not to enter at all costs," Matthew answered in a gruff tone and she looked madder than she was before.
"I bet you're happy now," she snorted and I looked at her confused.
"I'm going to have to ask you to leave Miss or we'll be forced to use brutal force," he said and I lit a candle for her inwardly as she shrank suddenly.
It couldn't be that easy if they were threatening to use force and it left me confused. What had happened in span of when she left last night and this morning? I wondered as my words dried in my throat. Shooting one last look at them, I started my way in much to her dismay. I had the nagging feeling she expected me to help her in. Even if I could go past the fact that she wasn't exactly the nicest person to me or that we were enemies of sorts when it came to Ryder, it was already beyond me. I wasn't going to play mistress, no that I had the power if I tried.
Loud voices welcomed me into the house when I got in through the main entrance of the western wing as I made out Ryder's voice. At the moment the only thing I could liken him to was a wounded beast. Despite the harsh words ricocheting from him he sounded angry and in pain. Clearly senior Stone had made it here before I did.
"You shouldn't talk to him like that. He's your father," a new voice and my heart sank. Please don't tell me that's what I think it is.
"Who are you and why the hell are you here? To even think you can tell me what to do?" Yep, he's really mad.
"She's right though," I said entering the dining room where they were gathered and all gazes turned to me as Wilder beamed a smile at me and he stared digging in the bags I'd brought with me.
The male was tall, it was clear even when he was sitting. Brown hair, immensely green eyes, sharp nose and eyebrows and obviously the famous Stone poker face. Clearly good-looking for a middle-aged guy and that apart from his sharp features they took more after their mother. Beside him, a mature looking lady, if you can call her that. Heavily made up, hair so straight, luxury dressed that you could tell she was obviously dressed the part as a female companion to such a big fish in the business world. It fitted her well, I'll admit but she seemed more arrogant than anything and from the shining diamond ring reflecting the light on the hand hooked through his, things were obviously not looking good. But being honest, and I would assume Wilder would agree, she seemed more likely to be found in a porn site tagged under MILF. But obviously I wasn't one to point this out so blatantly.
"Who are you?" The male asked but I didn't spare him a glance.
"At least give him some face, he's your... uh, father. Just use lighter words next time. But on the plus side we could always make a dummy with his face on it and you can punch it to your heart's relief," l said and from the corner of my eye the said person watched me stunned before it seemed to hit him and he stood abruptly knocking his chair down.
"You.."
"Don't even think about it," Ryder seethed glaring at him and he stopped short casting me a wary glance before seemingly deciding to take another approach which wasn't likely to give results and I wasn't going to witness because the next minute Ryder was marching towards me before he lowered himself and hoisted me onto his shoulder.
"Hey what are you doing? Put me down you barbarian!? I am wearing a skirt. Ryder!?" I yelled out but it seemed to fall on deaf ears as a chortled laugh reached my ears and my head snapped to the sound only to find Wilder grinning cheekily at me and I glared at him only for a brief moment before he was out of sight.
"Oh, and you guys are going to be late. The Shameless People Convention is just right around the corner. Just take a walk to your car, drive out of the gate and drive as far away as possible..." Logan's voice faded away as we walked further and further away and I remained stunned my reluctance to be carried diminishing slowly.
"Uh.. aren't you mad at me anymore?" His voice suddenly broke my train of thought and I almost jolted in shock before his words sank in. He ..wanted me to be mad at him?
"Why should I be mad at my courier? He's just helping me."
"How did I change from a barbarian to a courier?"
"Ha! So you do admit you are a barbarian?" I said smugly and I could picture his lips twitching for a brief moment before I felt a smack on my ass cheek. "Ray!?"
"I'm not a barbarian."
"Sure, but that's because you have a behavioral mixtures of a barbarian and a caveman?"
That entered another smack, this time on my other cheek as I scolded him.
"Don't even think about it. Remember babydoll, what you do down there I can also do up here?" He said freezing me in place, disarraying any thoughts I had of revenge.
"But what you do up there I can also do down here," I argued proudly crossing my arms and he was silent.
"Are you really sure you want to go down that path?" He asked quietly and I stiffened before cursing at him in my mind.
Way to take me to heaven then drop me down to hell!? I wasn't that confident on my own, not without an alcoholic confidence boost, I thought hunging my head in shame and he chuckled realizing I was not going to give him an answer. Just as I was about to air my displeasure, he entered the familiar hallway and I pursed my lips as I stared at the familiar door. I remembered standing there wondering if there was anyone in the opposite room, only to discover ruthlessly that the rooms were soundproofed. Hence my spending time with Wilder. 'Living luxuriously' he called it. Not that I agreed but it was pretty much lounging around in the compound and movies and video games over drinks later.
But now this marked the first time I had stepped in here, or rather I was carried in here. The suite was clearly minimalist and simple, something that I didn't exactly expect. With its dark and rich tones the leather seats, the minimalist arrangement and a kitchen that could probably be described as a chef's wet dream, it all screamed masculine and yet there was still something wrong with that statement. Like it wasn't all that and yet it was at the same time. I wasn't much of a home enthusiast but even I could tell that this had to be one of the most luxurious homes I've ever seen, I thought reminded of Alice's explanation on just how much one had to pay to rent the home for events and it wasn't always necessarily that you'd be allowed to even if you had the money. You needed to book months earlier and have high hopes on fate that the family would be in a great mood to rent it out. It made sense that the people didn't know the brothers own it. If they did people would make a show of pushing their kids towards them. It didn't exactly happen that way. Makes me wonder how Tony got the permission. Distracted by my thoughts I didn't realize he had entered one of the rooms, till I was dropped on the neatly made bed with an exception of a carelessly tossed black shirt and I couldn't help but rub my back.
"How rude. Just because it's soft doesn't make it hurt any less," I grumbled under my breath wearily before he returned to my field of vision and kneeling between my wantonly spread thighs he had me pinned down on, hands above my neck and I looked at him astonished.
"Y-You... what are you doing?" I asked but the male didn't even spare a glance at me before I felt a soft material wrapped around my wrists and my jaw dropped even lower.
Was that a Hermes scarf?...Was it really..useless to be used to enact on...fantasies? I wondered aggrieved as he tied the ends of the scarf to the bed before he moved away and sat cross legged by my feet looking at me intently and I couldn't help but feel squirmish at his gaze.
"We need to talk," he said his voice an octave lower and I wasn't sure he knew he was doing so as dread filled my stomach at the same time as I flushed for getting the wrong idea. But now I was successfully confused.
"What does that have to do with the reason I'm tied up?"
"One, I don't really trust you not to make a move on me," he said seriously and I looked at him shocked. But thinking on it, I would probably do something like that if it would distract him from it, even if it would momentarily, I thought before I chuckled.
"Would you blame me?" I asked and he looked startled for a brief moment before he glared at me but despite his feelings, his body wouldn't lie. His cheeks took on a rosy blush and his lobes even redder. The cute abashed expression on his face made me want tackle him and pinch his cheeks. I would probably kiss him senseless after, I thought shamelessly before a cloth hit me in the face. Another scarf.
"Get that stupid grin off your face," he said and I immediately wiped it off but as soon as I looked back at him, I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.
"What made you think I couldn't make a move on you without my hands?" I asked amused, not letting my words sink in before I stretched my foot onto his lap to find the swell of his crotch in his pants.
Guess all those years of feigning to take ballet classes before skipping off for training with my dad once she left were finally useful for something after all, I thought watching the look of disbelief showing on his face before he closed his eyes for a brief second and grabbed prisoning them in place, probably so I wouldn't do more when I realized I had another foot. But it was already too late. Between stroking his crotch gracefully and the small nudges with my toes, little Ryder was already woken from it's slumber.
"You.." he started opening his eyes but he trailed off a look of helplessness flashed in those pools full of desire and a myriad of emotions clearly reflected in his eyes and face and I was filled with a rare sense of accomplishment. Even if it was probably for the wrong reasons.
Despite all that had happened between us, all those passionate kisses and moments when we almost crossed the line, this was the first time he didn't seem all that in control. Even when he opened up to me a couple of days ago, he was still in control of his emotions. Or after my house was burgled, the sense of helplessness I'd picked up had been from his words and the reluctance to part with me. Now other than what had happened when I found him in the pool, this was the only one time he wore his emotions on his face and I was surprised. Maybe it was because the memorial was fast approaching or that it was the frustration bordering onto anger towards his father's actions but I could clearly see it he was tired of this, I thought as numerous thoughts rushed through my mind and an idea flashed immediately. I suddenly knew what do tomorrow. But for now,...
"So, you have my hands tied up my legs bounded, more so on your bed.."
"Are you stating the obvious?"
"No, I simply want to know what you're going to do next," I said blinking innocently at him and he snorted probably catching onto my implication.
"I'll just have to stuff your mouth so you stop spouting nonsense," he said with a wry smile and I grinned.
Asking why he would do that when he said we were going to talk would have probably been the normal retort for his statement, but I was in no way normal.
"So, what are you going to stuff it with?" I asked and he stiffened for a brief moment looking at me in shock and despite me chastising my inner naughty bitch I couldn't help but pass my eyes over his crotch knowing I'd taken teasing to a whole other level. Who could blame me really?
In one moment, I was looking at his flushed face and the next moment the world turned dark as I heard him getting off the bed and moments later a door slamming shut and I finally chuckled softly when I heard the shower running and I turned my attention to getting myself loose but I clearly underestimated him. Even if I could untie myself I needed to see the complicated knot first to guide my fingers and probably a few hours given my arms had began numbing. I could wait a few more minutes, I thought before deciding to take care of the shirt. I liked his scent but I still needed to breathe.
After a torturous half an hour of freeing my sight and wondering if I had taken things a little too far as drowsiness began to attack me, he finally came back freshly showered and seemingly calm. I didn't try to provoke or tease him again as I ogled his shirtless self clad in black sweatpants, letting his tan skin glow in the morning light. Walking over, he merely took me into his arms and sat me on his lap and freed me from before massaging my arms till blood started flowing the right way. He put me down for a brief moment before returning with a first aid kit cleaning and bandaging the wounds on my knees before picking me up once more. He didn't ask how I got them and I didn't ask how he knew I had them. I didn't doubt that he already knew where I'd gone this morning and I leant against him even long after the prickling feeling in my arms stopped. Feeling incredibly loved from all the little forehead kisses, I willingly let myself rest against him.
"Did you fall for it?" I heard him ask when I was close to falling into slumber. "Her little tricks? Did you? Were you jealous?"
He asked in a serious tone as I looked up at him. It was not angry, not amused or proud. It was more like he just wanted to know with a tinge of expectation. Would saying yes stroke his ego or make him think I didn't trust him on what he said? Or did he expect me to say no? No doubt that would definitely wound his ego.
"Yeah, I was," I said quietly. He didn't smirk or smile. Apart from a certain skip of his heartbeat nothing else changed. "Despite her intentions, whether good or bad, she was still taking care of you in her own way."
"I've never seen her in that way and I won't start now. I'll make sure she won't bother you again."
"I believe you but that's not what I meant. Even if an emperor loves his empress wholeheartedly, he still has a harem of concubines and consorts. He cannot control it, he's simply required to have one. He may think he doesn't need them, does not dare bed them or let them sire his children but every one of them is always waiting to take the empress' place. Women are naturally petty creatures, we cannot control it. We just have to find a way."
"Are you saying I'm your emperor?" He asked and I could feel my eyebrows twitch as we looked at each other before he smiled pecking my lips. "I understand what you mean, my Empress."
He said and I refrained from hitting him. All I wanted him to understand was that even if we were to be together, he wasn't entirely mine. I couldn't stop people from coveting him. There would be more ladies to fancy him. More even more beautiful than I was. They would try to take my place and we couldn't do anything about it but just endure.
"You don't have to worry about her. She won't be coming near here any time soon."
"Sure, but no doubt she's planning my downfall for leaving her at the gate," I said sleepily and to my surprise he snickered seemingly amused. "You are evil."
"But she can't get to you while I'm around," he said vaguely and I understood that I must have missed something but I didn't dare ask for the details.
"Never say never. You might have done it in your best interest but it's a matter of how she perceives it. As I said she's not my rival but I'm hers. I may have been envious of the years you've known each other but I would never attack her. But the moment she begins attacking me, I won't hold back," I said well aware I was close to start speaking gibberish as he put me down and placed me under the covers still in his embrace.
"I know. I know. You are the kindest of souls."
"No, I'm the darkest of souls."
"Sure, you are," he said patting my head as I closed my eyes snuggling into him.
But what if he knew how much that was true? Would he stay? Would he still dot on me and pamper me even if he knew didn't want him to spend do much on me? What if he knew I won't always be there? Would he pick up one of those concubines and consorts to dot on and pamper?
Feeling his fingers caressing my cheek, all those unanswered questions were lost in my exhausted mind.
"Don't ever not talk to me again. I thought I was going to lose you. Go to sleep, my confused little kitten..."