The mother and daughter-in-law duo were getting along really well. Rachel often looked for Lilith for a week. Finding any reason, she could spend time with the young woman. Lilith had her plans set in motion. It was easy to do. There was no surveillance in her room, and even if there was, it didn't hinder anything since she never spoke of her work in the house.
It had been a week now she'd stayed here, even if she shared a bed with Evrin, they never exchanged any conversation. He'd read a book, and she would be texting her friends. Soon, it was the long-awaited day for her to meet them in person. She wore a beautiful olive green silk dress. The sweetheart's neck was held up by straps that were tied behind her back with an open back that dipped down to her mid-back. The long gown had slits up to her thighs on both sides, paired with heels to match. She had her wavy hair let down and wore a short necklace with a small emerald stone pendant with a bracelet and watch to match.
Her phone rang on the study table just as Evrin entered the room. He watched her as she turned around towards the phone and answered it.
"I'm ready...yes, I know. Uh-huh. OK....ok, I'll be right there."
"I didn't know you were going out."
"Am I not allowed to?"
"Go wherever you want," he said as she stepped into his personal space.
She didn't intend to back up, so now he stood inches away from her. With heels, she reached his chin. Looking straight at him with not an ounce of fear or distress, knowing that even if he tried, he couldn't stop her.
"But if you ruin my or the Wolfram's name then—"
"Then there's absolutely nothing you can do."
"You have no idea what I'm capable of."
"Don't try to scare me. I come from a family full of snakes that won't hesitate to devour one of their own. Your threats are child's play to me."
"You think you're so smart, don't you? But let me tell—" He grabbed her wrist, squeezing it to cause her pain.
"Oh! Ms. Quince, what a pleasant surprise. What brings you to our room?" Evrin was surprised to hear the name and stepped away from Lilith as if they were having an affair.
"I'm...I'm sorry I didn't mean to interrupt," Alice said hesitantly and glanced at Evrin.
"Nonsense, come in, please. I'm sure my husband would be glad to have your company besides I have plans of my own. Bye."
"No, Miss Wa—" Before Alice could say more, Lilith grabbed her phone and purse as she strutted out without looking back.
"What a strange woman..."
"Is there something you want, Alice? Is everything ok?"
"I should be asking you that...come here."
Alice dragged him out of the room in the same direction Lilith went in. They watched Lilith in a tight embrace with someone they almost mistook for a man.
"That...that woman, isn't she Ms. Melissa Rose? Wasn't she in that magazine you read?" Alice asked as if she wasn't already aware.
"The sole heir to the Rose Cosmetics Company," he said while keeping his expression stoic.
"She's even more charming in person," Alice said, sort of star-struck.
Evrin watched silently as Melissa's hand rested on the exposed skin on Lilith's back and how it slid down as she guided Lilith to sit in the car. The woman took notice of him and grinned, walking to the foot of the door.
"It's unfortunate we meet this way, Mr. Wolfram, but congratulations. I'm sorry I couldn't attend the wedding."
"Indeed, it's a shame, and thank you."
"You are my dear friend's husband, so if you ever need my help, don't hesitate to reach out," she said to him.
She glanced at Alice, who hid behind Evrin. For now, it seemed like she was not a threat to Lilith, so Melissa would do nothing but watch.
"I'll keep that in mind. So where are you taking my wife?"
"If she hasn't told you, then you aren't important enough to know, I'm afraid." Melissa had this grin on her face like she'd won something, and it poked Evrin the wrong way. He did his best to not let it show.
"I'll drop her off safely, don't worry, Mr. Wolfram. Take care, little birdie." She tilted her body a little to get a better look at Alice, who smiled back at her.
With that, she got into the car and drove off. He knew exactly how to feel. Disgusted. She was a slithering snake, a devious and seductive woman who'd do anything for power and money... even cheat right before his eyes. Compared to her, Alice was a saint. He looked at Alice, who hid behind him, and anyone could see the love in his eyes.
"Don't worry, Alice, I'll take care of you." He didn't realize he was holding her hand, but all he could think was how soft and small they were in his.
"I'm sorry Helios, this is all because I'm too inconsiderate... you're married now and I'm sure Ms. Lilith must feel upset with me." Alice let go of his hand leaving his palm feeling cold,
"Oh Alice, you're just too nice. She doesn't deserve any sort of-" Alice cut him off.
"Please Helios...be nice to her. She hasn't caused any problems."
"Alright, I'll try, but I want you to stay away from her. She's...I don't trust her." He said walking beside her into the mansion and up the stairs.
"...Evrin Do you think the rumour is true...that she's in love with you?"
"It's just rumors Alice don't bother with it. Just go sleep."
"But... maybe if it's true, then she's jealous, so she's trying to get you to be jealous."
"Well, it's not working."
"But she-"
"Alice, please...I don't want to talk about her more than I have to. Just go to bed, goodnight."
Alice went to her room and he shut her door once she'd gotten under the covers. He went to his room, one he shared with Lilith. So much was different in his room, his bed, and most of the room had a lavender scent tho it was subtle it was new. The empty dresser had jewellery and a few makeup items on it. A hairdryer was tossed on the side of the bed, and the walk-in dressing room had clothes scattered on the floor. Nothing in this room provided any valuable information about Lilith's true intention.
Meanwhile, Melissa was watching Lilith's expression closely. Lilith, who could feel it, finally spoke.
"I'm fine, Mel and their decent people."
"That's what you used to say about your family."
"I know, but their different at least Mrs. Wolfram is...for now."
"I heard she's nice even to strangers, but I'd be careful. We all want you to be happy, Lithie."
"I will be but not without taking my beloved family down first."
"We know and the look on their faces will be priceless when they find out about everything you've been doing."
"True... but for everything to go smoothly, I also need Helios to cooperate with me."
"He won't be easy to convince. He doesn't like you, at all."
"I would too if I was marrying someone with all the rumours I have."
"Which aren't true."
"You mean entirely true."
Melissa frowned at the words reminded of the past, of things she's witnessed and the helplessness she felt through it.
"Too soon huh...alright, I won't bring it up again. Don't get upset, ok?"
"I'm not..." Melissa took a deep breath to calm down, and Lilith placed her hand on Melissa's shoulder and rubbed it to comfort
her.
"Tonight's meant for celebration, hey look at me...I'm perfectly safe and unharmed."
"The moment anything happens I want you to tell me and this time I'll get you away, I promise."
"Mel." Lilith looked at Melissa with worry.
They were pulling into the driveway of the hotel, Melissa brought the car to a halt and turned to Lilith.
"Promise me. Please Lilith, I..I can't... no. I will not lose you too."
"I promise. You'll be the first to know. Now, can we get going? We're blocking the entrance." Lilith knew Melissa's worry was not unfounded.
If the roles were reversed she would have done and said the same.
"Oh right...ok. Let's go." Melissa took another breath before they drove inside the restaurant and had a valet park it for them.
Lilith held Melissa's arm as they walked inside, the staff greeting the two of them with enthusiasm as they walked past the lobby towards the restaurant. Inside was a private dining area where the rest of her friends were seated. She felt a Hugh weight off her shoulders as she saw them, the mere sight was enough to comfort her. They all had a group hug before sitting down.
Lilith had limited opportunity to make real connections in a world that saw her as a powerful force that they couldn't wait to control. Melissa was and always had been
her friend, they grew up in very different households. One with love and the other with hate.
Melissa was a wild kid when their family used to be very close to each other. Until her mother passed away and Melissa was not allowed into the Viper house once her father remarried. That didn't stop them from being friends throughout university and even as adults. Restrictions were imposed however, her texts and calls were monitored and so were who she met and when so they had to be very careful. Melissa was her only contact with her other friends.
"It's finally nice to see you, Lilly." A tall man with beautiful features and long red hair. His eyes were as beautiful as the ocean and his skin the colour of dark coffee. A face so distinctive and unique that a mere glance would make one envy and admire.
"Addy I missed you too" She didn't waste a minute giving him a hug. He was Aiden Orion ex model and the CEO of NUDE magazine.
She looked so tiny next to his large body, she loved his hugs the most. It felt like she was hugging a fluffy bear, they met in business school before he was scouted as a model. He did complete his education despite his busy schedule and it was something she envied about him.
They all sat down and ordered what food and drinks they wanted before catching up with Lilith.
"Lithe this is your new phone and is your laptop secure?" Asked a woman sliding the phone across the table.
"It is, I had Melissa disguise it as a gift and sneak it into Wolfram's car."
"She managed to pull off something like that. I'm surprised."
"I'm hurt is that how you see me Sara? I thought you loved me" Melissa teased.
"Don't you dare touch me!"
Sara Gomez a police officer working in the cyber cell unit, who had the scholarship to be in the same school as Lilith, was picked on for being poor and less than Lilith was the one to threaten others to stay away from her 'target' while everyone thought she bullied Sara, Lilith took care of Sara even went as far as to pay her mothers hospital bill and refused to take money from a friend. Sara swore loyalty to Lilith in her heart and was willing to do anything to help her.
"Why don't you guys fuck already? I'm so sick of this game y'all are playing." Samuel said
Samuel Sequeira a Doctor, runs a small clinic. Frequently visited by Melissa after one incident where she was attacked and his clinic happened to be the nearest one. She showed up several times and despite his prickly appearance she got close to him. Tho Samuel looked ordinary his unique ability allowed him to see the inner workings of the human body in a way only machines could.
"No way! I thought you were on my side, Sammy!" Sara said as she kept Melissa's face away from her own but could not stop the iron arms from holding her close. Samuel's eye twitched at the scene, he didn't know why this sight annoyed him so much.
"Forget who's side he's on. Can we focus on the task at hand, making sure Helios Wolfram is on our side or at least out of the way?" Said another woman sitting next to Sara, tapping her nail on the table to get their attention.
Rosina Khan was the Vice President, of a company that appeared from nowhere 6 years ago and quickly climbed the ranks to be the no.1 sought-after agency where actors and various entertainers wanted to join. It started with their first girl band Midnight Express, the immense success followed by a boy group Vixens. They put out hit after hit and became the ideal company with the ability to make stars.
Rosina is very important to Lilith as she is the one who represents Lilith and narrates all her decisions to the company. Rosina was the daughter of the nanny who helped raise Lilith, the two grew up together and Lilith sponsored her education after her stepmother fired the nanny as a way to isolate Lilith. Rosina was older than her by 5 years so the two were like sisters, Rosina was a sister that Lilith actually wanted. Instead, she has Olivia.
"Helios is very guarded and who'd blame him, Ever since mother's death Vipers have played many underhanded games to steal private documents and the unforgettable incident with His uncle…I'd have the same thoughts he's having."
"We do get that but we have to do something." Sara said
"What if you're nice for a change?" That statement earned Aiden a glare from Lilith and a kick under the table from Melissa.
"I'm trying but he's very stubborn and guarded. Not to mention his brother is such an insufferable bastard."
"I heard, he used to be a complete player but he's fallen completely in love with some girl." Aiden was trying to remember the name but Melissa spoke first.
"Her name is Alice Quince and not just one but both brothers were competing for her affection. I'm sure once our pretty little lilac snake sinks her fangs into him, she's all he will think of." Melissa said half serious.
"I'm not sinking anything in anyone, I'll figure something out to handle Evrin, for now Sara I need to know all of my family's movements, who they meet and where they go. Everything. Now that I'm not there I worry that Ms Stepmother will try to mess with Wolframs."
"I've got them covered don't worry." Sara
"Rosa I'll be coming to the office starting next month. Have you looked into the locations that are nearby for a new office?"
"I have. I'll send you the information tomorrow and we can go on site to check them out."
"Great. Also, I'd like it if you'd personally deliver documents that need my signature directly to me. If you need a house closer to me let me know I'll buy it."
"That would be nice. Starting next month we can carpool."
"I miss driving so much, I can't wait to work freely without having to hide it."
"Finally I can relax a bit, you have no idea how many of them ask me who you are."
"I plan to reveal my identity at the Award show next month."
"That hopefully gives you some time at least." Aiden asked
"I should be able to reach some common ground with him."
"I'm sure you'll figure it out but enough of all the drama. I have some news to share."
Aiden said lifting the glass of vodka mixer.
"I will be launching a special hair care line with Melissa, we're throwing a launch party next Sunday."
"Oh my god!! We better be getting free shit! I'd do anything for hair like yours." Sara said
"Congratulations" they cheered for the duo.
They spent the night eating, drinking and chatting away, all of them getting drunk like never before. Some tears were shed over memories and drunk flirting. Melissa had to call a driver to come get her and the others did the same. Lilith contemplates calling her husband but opts for a cab instead, she doesn't want to get yelled at lectured or insulted in public because he hates her.