AN HOUR EARLIER...
WILLIAM...
"She's asleep?" I asked, going through her file, when my assistant silently stood beside the sofa.
"Yes, sir. Doctor Mila already checked her and gave the necessary medications." He replied devoutly. "It seems, she has gotten ill from getting soaked in rain and over stress."
"Hmm..." I closed the file. Learned whatever is needed.
My assistant, Aiden left the private hall silently, knowing well when to leave me alone.
Leaning on the sofa, I glanced at Elizabeth's file once more. This one was the 529th file in the last five years, credibly the least.
I am certain not to rummage through anymore.
I was a bit surprised by her return though. Never thought she would make it this far.
Either she was too generous, or a fool to marry a vicious-looking man. Whatever the reason was, there was no going back for her.
I won't let her, not after finding her five years of prolonged search...
"Master..." Meredith's voice interrupted my stumbled thoughts.
"Yes?"
"Do you want me to shift Miss Swann to another room, Master?"
"No need, Meredith." I declined and stood up.
Her gaze averted respectfully as she stood quite aside and I went upstairs to my room.
Pushing the door carefully, I entered the dimly lightened room.
Since I fabricated a parapet around me and blocked the fake light of society, darkness became my only ideal partner.
Although the reason was different at the moment, not to disrupt this young woman's peaceful slumber.
My gaze noted her gracious features carefully. Her Midnight hair was slightly touching her soft but alluring face.
Hmm... Divine, she is.
Does she know she was a little seductress to me?
my hands itched to caress her innocence and I gave in to my desire. Bending down, I slowly removed those hair strands away from her slightly frowned face.
Slowly lowering my head, I inhaled her deeply. The same scent of wildness captured my senses once more. I could not stop myself from leaning more and nuzzling her neck.
Five long years and I starved to smell her one more time. Turned the entire England upside down in search of this particular scent.
Thanks to her, now I own each perfume brand in the country and savour old and new perfumes I come across in life, not to mention sniffing those 528 women each night, hoping that she would be the one lying next.
Every time I was left despondent till tonight.
When I first entered the room to inspect, I was sceptical about going near her. She was the most timid one to this day. I almost changed my mind to let her go without further inspection, when her alluring scent ignited that night within me. Once again, after five years.
How would I forget this odour? One that becomes my solace.
Amid losses that obnoxious night, it was the only prospect of me thriving back to life and subduing the immense anguish in me.
Her raw and unique scent was engraved in my empty soul, accompanied my weakened heartbeat through the darkest phase of my life...
********
AN HOUR LATER...
"Miss Swann was dropped to her place safely, sir," Aiden informed.
"Hmm..." I hummed, slowly blowing my cigar. Vigilant by heart, fearing my presence might not risk her comfort.
Aiden lowered his eyes, "You're right sir, an insider leaked the news about Miss Swann. It's a maid. She did it out of greed and immediately accepted her guilt in the inquiry."
"Fire her and check her detailed background," I spoke calmly.
"Yes, sir," Aiden replied.
"The news should not be published." Apparently, she is my responsibility now.
"Maya is taking care of it," Aiden replied.
"Shift her grandfather in the VIP ward," I stated next. And so her beloved one.
"I will inform the hospital, sir."
"Hmm." Dropping his cigar in the Ash tray, I walked toward the full-length mirror at one corner. My gaze dubiously watched the damaged surface.
Sometimes, even I felt disgusted looking at these features. In five years, only a few times I had seen myself in the mirror this way.
How did she agree to be my bride?
The door was knocked again, and Meredith entered with a black box in hand.
She came close beside me and slowly removed the burnt part of my face. Soon, revealed a gorgeous feature that pleases the eye, including the fake lens. Narcissistic enough, yet I am aware of my handsome appearance.
"Master, you are engaged with Miss Swann now. Do you still want to wear the mask?" Said Meredith.
I looked myself through the mirror once, before turning to Meredith. With a nod, she placed the mask on my face.
"An ugly, emasculated man with weak vision, won't be prioritised, nor his wife. I am only a charitable fund for my brothers which will lead me to my ultimate aim. Slowly, up to the hilt."
"Yes, Master." She stepped back.
I turned to the mirror again, back to my regular ungracious state. "She should not know until it's time."
"She won't, Master."
After a while, I received a call from my grandfather. One glance at the collar and I accepted the call,
"Dada..."
"Heard you've found the bride successfully this time?" Edger Moore was suspicious of the news.
"Yes, I did." I was not at all surprised by the question. Expecting this call.
"Hmm..." Dada Edger nodded. Admittedly, His doubts were still not cleared. "Why don't you bring her for the dinner tomorrow? She should meet her in-laws first."
"I will." I agreed. I was discreet and distant with my reply. "See you tomorrow, dada." I hung up before looking out at the night sky.
I survived the accident though lost the sparkle and ease, I had in my younger days which hurt Grandpa the most. After all, he lost a grandson and I lost my brother that night.
Hopefully, a bride beside me will appease his old worried soul somehow, at least for now, till my act of revenge slowly demolishes the pride he invested in holding this family and business together...