On the same night as the event, twenty-year-old Anthony took hushed steps through the corridors and down the staircase. He was a master of slipping out unnoticed, but tonight, he was spotted by Gregory, their old butler who was leaving the dining area.
Gregory had served the family for years, watching Anthony grow from a timid child to an entitled young man. He had seen countless antics and lies spun by the young master, and tonight, he'd already braced himself for more.
The butler's bushy eyebrows furrowed, wishing he'd stayed inside and never seen Anthony leave in the first place. "Where are you off to this late, Master Anthony?" Gregory asked, his voice causing Anthony to pause in his tracks.
After a second or two of hesitating, the young man spun around with an innocent grin across his soft, handsome features, "Oh, just spending the night at a friend's place, Greg. We have a group project". He wasn't sure how believable the lie was but knew the butler well enough. 'This old crone just needs a story to tell my mother in case something bad happens to me'. His eyes narrowed knowing Gregory wouldn't dare to stop him.
He was right. The old man knew his place.
Anthony's mother was in the hospital, and she would be returning home in a day or two. Due to her illness, she was always in and out of the hospital, leaving her assumedly 'obedient and well-mannered' son in the care of the mansion's staff.
The butler nodded reluctantly, letting Anthony pass. "Be careful, Master Anthony", he said with a sigh, turning away as the young man shut the large glass doors behind him.
Outside, Anthony clicked his tongue and his expression dropped to abject disgust. If not for the fact that he was still financially dependent on his family, he'd have moved out to live however he wanted. The last time he'd mentioned it, Jason beat him up, warning him to remain at his mother's side unless they'd cut off his allowances completely.
"Cocky bastard always acting like I don't own half of the inheritance". He mumbled, digging both hands into the pockets of his black designer hoodie as he strolled toward the multitude of luxury cars parked in the driveway. He had his pick of the lot, but tonight, he was in the mood for the only model that was off-limits.
It was his late father's newest Mercedes, the last car the old man had purchased before kicking the bucket. Whether because it'd been purchased for his mother or just for the sake of spitting Jason—he was hell-bent on taking the vehicle.
Anthony had a habit of flaunting his wealth, consequences be damned. He started the engine, its purr resonating through the quiet night as he pulled out of the gates.
Driving for over half an hour, he finally reached the designated hotel, one his family had no connections to. There, he parked the Mercedes and made his way into the building.
After giving a room number at the reception desk, a call was made and he was given the go-ahead into the room. An older woman, her figure draped in provocative red lingerie, rose from a plush chair. Her bare feet seemed to glide on the tiled floor as she approached Anthony with a sultry grace.
The young heir met her eyes, his back against the door as she wrapped her arms around his shoulder. "I missed you, Tony", she pecked his lips.
Anthony's face heated up and he wrapped his arms around her back. "I missed you more", he tried to kiss her but she shifted her face in time so his lips only reached her cheek.
"You didn't attend the auction?", her tone was disappointed as she hoped he'd take her along.
He rolled his eyes, "I'd rather not see my brother and more old people".
She chuckled, breaking away from his grasp to make her way toward the edge of the room, "I didn't know you took me for an old lady".
"What? No—never!", he protested, moving to grip her elbow. "I haven't been able to get you off my mind, so much that I've started seeing you in my dreams", he laughed at the words as she turned to meet his eyes. "I want to make us official and take you wherever I go. I'm starting to feel like you're embarrassed because I'm younger than you...". He trailed off, brows furrowed at the idea.
The redhead sighed. "Anthony", her hand moved to cup his cheek. "I love you, but I'm scared that your brother will try to break us apart if he finds out about us. You know how he is". She faked a worried tone. "He scares me".
"He wouldn't dare!", Anthony growled, holding her hand firmly against his cheek. "You already chose me over him, he needs to know that. We love each other".
She shook her head, "He's dangerous, the way he used to abuse me and—", her voice cracked as she held back tears.
Anthony's jaw clenched in anger as his hands curled into fists, his nails digging into his palms. He stepped closer to her and grabbed her shoulders. "Hey! Look at me!", he shook her till their eyes met, there was pain in each's gaze. "If he ever tries to hurt you, I'll kill him. I've known you long enough and you're kind, sweet and the most perfect woman I've ever met", he hissed as his chest heaved angrily.
"But what if it's too late by then? He's stronger than you", she sniffled.
"Then I'd just have to get rid of him before making our relationship public". He kissed her forehead as one of his hands trailed down to rub her swollen belly. "The baby too".
Her eyes widened but she managed to regain composure almost immediately before faking a laugh, "You plan on making the baby public?".
"Yes". He leaned in to kiss her.
"B-but you're still a student", she broke the kiss slowly, wanting to finish the topic first. "Won't the press say I seduced you?".
"Then we could get married and—mmhm", he trailed off when she kissed him back.
She'd heard enough nonsense from him to last the next few weeks, but she couldn't believe how head over heels in love with her Anthony was.
It would only make things easier if he continued to do as she said.
Her hand moved to help take off his hoodie and Anthony lifted her up to drop on the bed. Her eyes met the bulge in his jeans with a smile as he climbed on top of her for another kiss.
"Mmhm, I love you, Tony". She mumbled.
"I love you too, Diane".