parsley heart missed a beat. Then, carefully, she crept up the stairs towards the bedroom… and froze.
"Babe, am I pleased to see you." She heard stephan say. "It's been a fucking awful day."She heard a girl coo and comfort."My fiancée – your sister – she left me... She left me, Valerie. Fuck." He sighed. "And then – ha! - my uncle decided not to invest in my company. I feel like an idiot." She heads the bedsheets shift. "I don't know what I'd do without you, babe. I really need you right now." There was kissing. parsley eyed through a crack in the door."Why did parsley leave you? She's such a nice girl…" She eyed him. "Always the obedient one, that one, and terrified of crossing you," She joked. A throaty laugh. "What did you do?"He grunted. "Nothing. The girls an idiot: Too dumb to figure out how the world works, and it drives me crazy, like, how?" He huffed. "I don't want to talk about it.""I'm sorry." She soothed, throwing her arms around his neck."You're so sweet; the gentlest, most thoughtful and considerate… I love you.""What about –""parsley?" He growled. "I hate her." He spat. It was cold and malicious and stung deep in Savannah's chest. "She walks around like she's a princess like she's so god damned special. What has she done, eh?"She held him closer and whispered into his ear. "And what about me?" She stretched out on the bed, exposing the length of her body, and reached around and tugged on him.He groaned."If I let you have me now – do whatever you wanted - would that cheer you up?""It would," he nodded, gazing at her pearly white breasts."Then why don't you marry me?" She asked, propping herself up on one shoulder. She was working hard on him now, parsley saw. Her eyes fixed on his. She was beating furiously on his manhood so that he fell back and let out a sigh.He came across them both.They lay motionless for a moment before Devin spoke up again. "I didn't have a choice in marrying her. It was my grandfather's idea, years ago, to bind our families. And if I go against him, I lose everything. And I can't lose you, Valerie." He lifted her to his lips.stephan bit off a gasp and covered her mouth.It was her sister, Valerie. She was having an affair with her fiancé.The fact seemed ridiculous, but now she could see her face through the gap, and it was Valerie. Her long blond hair was spilling down over her shoulders, locked in his arms… Valerie had come here to comfort him, she realized. She wondered for how long she'd been comforting him.Again, that swell in her stomach, the familiar anger rising in her throat. She wanted to tear herself away, but she was stunned into stone. Then, suddenly, stephan was on top of and inside of her Valerie. A hand clamped around her throat, and he thrust himself hard inside of her. She moaned, dug her nails into his shoulders.That was enough. parsley shock turned into indifference. On survival. She needed to get away from this place, so she ran. Down the stairs, out the house and into the driving rain; to the end of the street; under the oak trees and past the parked cars and the wide red-brick houses until the road bent around and came to a colder sack.She fell onto all fours, gasping for breath. She wasn't sure if she was tired of having a panic attack. She sat on the curb, feet in the gutter. She was soaked to the bone, and her hair hung like seaweed, dark and tangled, her eyes red and bloodshot. A jagged smile spread across her lips. What an idiot, she thought, kicking off her shoes. What a stupid, stupid girl you are. How could you even consider giving him another chance?She'd been prepared to forgive him for the night previous, for her uncle and family, but now? No way. She shook her head, Of all the girls, she thought, it had to be sister Valerie. She laughed into the air and then quickly returned to crying.Her mind raced. Everything was starting to make sense. That's why Stephan sent her to another man. He wanted me gone! He'd been seeing Valerie for, how long now? She couldn't place her finger on when they'd become cold to one another, but it must have been a while ago. It didn't matter. He hated her, that much was clear.She got herself up, looked left, then right, and struck off home.At the same time, across the street.The black Lamborghini quietly stood in the darkness.In the driver seat, Mark said: "Ms. Schultz seems to have come from Mr. Yontz's house."Ryan eyes gleamed, gazing at parsley as she huddled along the curb."Follow her." He ordered.The rain kept falling.parsley didn't notice the sleek black car shadowing her, its headlights dimmed and engine running quite under the thunder of rain.And then, somehow, the rain fell even harder. It felt like the ocean itself was being dropped on top of her, a great waterfall crushing her with its immense weight. She wasn't sure if you should keep walking or start swimming. By now, the cold had crept up her fingers, along her arms and legs, and into her chest. As she passed another junction down another quiet street, she felt her head spin. She steadied herself against a tree for a moment, but quickly, everything turned to black.She fell into Ryan arms. Mark shielded them with a large umbrella as she was put in the back of the Lamborghini."Hospital?" asked Mark, "She has a fever.""Beverly Hills." Ryan voice was low and deep.The car pulled out like a sword from a scabbard and sped away into the night.***Early in the morning, in the bedroom.She stretched out; soft sheets. Bird song gently floated into her bed."Hmm…"parsley moaned, opening her eyes. The room was large and furnished in browns and golds. Where am I? She thought, stretching her arms out.She sat up and stared.She suddenly remembered Stephan and Valerie, and then collapsed in the rain. This wasn't any kind of hospital that she recognized. It's too quiet for starters, she thought. And I've never seen a hospital whose walls were gold.Looking down, she saw her long naked legs twisted in bedsheets. She jumped up, out of bed. And am I wearing… a men's shirt? What the hell?Her head started spinning again. She reached out for the bedside cabinet, steadied herself before knocking off a vase.It smashed onto the tiled floor, shards of glass everywhere.The door opened.A middle-aged woman with tied back hair leaned around the door. parsley could see her politely gazing at her half-naked body a moment before registering the glass everywhere. "You're awake!" She beamed. "You're already looking much, much better than when you came in last night. I told them. I said, 'it's just a slight fever. Give her some time in bed, and she'll be fine.' I told them, and you are. Heavens, you look well."The woman wore a pretty floral dress that swung about her heels. She was old, parsley could tell, but she had aged gracefully. Her face radiates warmth."Who are you?" Asked parsley, suddenly remembering to cover herself, dragging the bed shot around her waist. "And how did I get here?""You're safe, that's what matters, dear." She got a dustpan and brushed out a dresser. "You should get back into bed, and you're still not well enough to be walking about. Especially with all this glass!" She joked, getting to her knees to sweep it up."Where am I?" She asked again. "I would really like to know.""As I said –"This was her moment. The woman let out a gasp as Savannah vaulted over her. Then, a stab of pain in her foot as parsley landed. Fuck! She forgot about the glass. Or didn't really consider it a problem in the scheme of things. She hesitated for an instant, turned to see if the woman was following her (she wasn't), and slammed into something hard. She recoiled several steps and looked up to a dark face, sneering down at her.She screamed.He'd somehow found her and kidnapped her. He was going to kill her. She needed to escape."You—let me go!" Cried parsley, as his powerful arms constricted her.She raked her nails across his face, and he cursed loudly. Regardless, he lifted her in his arms and dropped her into the bed."Don't -" He warned, pointing the finger at her.She froze like a deer in headlights.He slowly sat down on the sofa in the corner of the bedroom, cross-legged: "Lilly.""Yes, sir." Said the maid, Lilly checked Parsley feet. Luckily, there were only cuts to her feet. Judy hurriedly disinfected the cuts and bandaged them. Then she left the room.The atmosphere of the room cooled down. But Parsley didn't feel like the storm had passed, more that she was in the eye of it. "I…Why am I here?"She had figured this was his house already, or at least one of his houses. This guy was rich. Mega rich. That somehow explained why Stephan gave her to him, she guessed."I saw you faint outside Stephan ap
stephan ground his teeth. Women fell over themselves to be with him. And now parsley thought she could just dismiss him, like some stray dog?"What?" He spat. "You can't leave me."parsley glanced at Valerie through the window, "I wouldn't want to get between the two of you," she said quietly, turning back to the garden.stephan nodded slowly and then barked a laugh. He slung his arm around her waist and pulled her in tight. "Now listen to me. I own you, you frigid cow." His voice was a sharp whisper in her ear, and his hand-dug into her flank so that she yelped. "If it weren't for my grandfather, who insists that I marry you to avoid 'gossip,' I would happily leave you. I hate you, do you hear me? I mean, why would I want to marry an orphan girl who always looks so miserable?" He crooned another laugh. "Don't ask too much from me, parsley. The wedding will take place as planned next month. After that, you stay out of my way, and I'll do the same. But if you don't agree… ?" he shrugge
Mr. Sterling—" The guard protested."Was I not clear?" He said, stooping into the car."Actually…It doesn't have to be..." She squeaked, suddenly guilty over the whole thing."Are you always so kind to those who hurt you?"parsley buttoned her lips.The car drove up the gravel drive to the villa. parsley got out and followed him inside to a spacious living-room-slash-office space with a glass wall at the far end and a cream leather couch. Minimalist bookshelves and a desk in the other corner with a globe nearby."What's up?" Ryan asked casually, walking the length of the room.He had poured a glass of wine (he hadn't offered her one) and was now sitting on the sofa rigid and stern like he was about to discipline her. The sunlight streamed through the window behind him, somehow amplifying his charismatic and elegant demeanor. Like a sexy Jesus, she thought. Laughed, swatted the idea down, and sat down in the armchair opposite him.parsley wrung her hands and squirmed in the armchair. "
Stop," said Ryan, raising a hand.Mark then said, "Sir, it's your father's sixtieth this weekend. It's at the Ritz. Your younger sister called me just now, asking if you'd like to go.""Tell her I'm busy," he sighed. "And arrange to have a gift sent, something big and expensive."Mark hesitated for a moment, "Since you returned to Los Angeles, you haven't been back to see your family. This time…""That's enough." Ryan interrupted stern-faced. It was getting dark out, and he could see the phosphorous street lights were flickering on, one by one in the distance. "Pick up, parsley, and drive her home."Mark bit back his tongue and nodded, went to leave.Lilly hurried over. "Oh, you know the poor relationship between Mr. Sterling and his father," she hissed. "why keep bringing it up? You know it only makes him upset."Mark forced a smile, "I just want to know why. It feels like there are secrets everywhere with this family, and I know none of them."He'd been Ryan private bodyguard for tw
Fuck you, Valerie." She said, the words coming out like sparks from a furnace. "How long has it been, huh? You and Stephan, your secret 'meetings,' how long!" In the last part, parsley growl through clenched teeth, and Valerie momentarily recoils.Valerie had known that parsley had discovered them. Stephan had told her as much the day before. And good innocent parsley would keep feigning ignorance, and she'd thought, only she wasn't… not anymore. Then remembering this was her house, her parents, and that she was the older one, she loomed upright and began fighting back. "At least I'm loved, parsley. At least I'm wanted by him. Something you'll never know, you leech. You parasite! You think he wants to marry you, so you can bleed him dry? Ha!" she barks. "You stupid girl.""What the hell is wrong with you? I really, really, don't care. If you want to become Valerie Yontz and marry the idiot, be my guest. But I'm guessing he's using you the same way he's used me." parsley sighted, pity
stephan parked in front of the hotel. It was crowded with people in pretty dresses and dark suits, and they were slowly making their way inside to the main hall. There was a marble fountain, and several parked cars outside, and stephan stopped as close as he could to a red car. They got out, and stephan took parsley by the arm and introduced her to his mother, Hannah. It was her red car."Hello, my dear!" she said, flinging her arms around them both. "stephan, you look so handsome! And so pretty, parsley!" She smiled. Took a swig of wine."Are you already drunk?" Asked Stephan."No, not yet. A few wines, that's all." She waved at Norah, Dalton, and Valerie behind them, struggling with the car door. "The Schultz's. The perfect family." She said, as they finally joined them and kissed Norah and Dalton on the cheeks. "Thank you so much for coming. It wouldn't be the same without you."Norah blushed. "It's a pleasure."" She snorted and placed a steadying hand on Norah's shoulder as she l
stephan hissed into her ear, "you heard the man. We'd better get to it soon, eh? Was I thinking… tonight? If you're free, that is?"She elbowed him hard in the ribs, but he didn't back off. "Remember what happens if you mess this up for me. Be nice now, and later tonight, you can be as naughty as you like." He grinned so wide she worried his ears might drop in. She bit her bottom lip hard, so hard it drew blood. If Mr. Sterling didn't come soon, she knew, then she would have to sleep with his guy.Then, quickly, the room grew silent. It was like the oxygen had been sucked out of the room. A fork clattered; a mother silenced a child; a wine glass chimed. Then, shoes hoofing on the marble floor, growing louder, each stride resonating purpose.A man entered, tall and handsome in a charcoal grey suit. Chest out shoulders back, hands in pockets. Such elegance and confidence that he commanded the attention of everyone there. parsley's eyes fixed on him and realized that figure. It was Mr. S
parsley let out a guttural growl and gnashed out her words. "You! You who slept with my sisterstephan turned scarlet, his jaw clenched, and fists were clenched white. He was raised above his head, ready to strike, like a hammer on an anvil.parsley flinched. Waited for the blow to land… but it didn't come.Stephen's hand was frozen above his head, where it was locked in a vice-like grip. Stephen stared maniacally at his uncle, Ryan, whose jaw, wide and sharp like a spade edge, was clamped shut in a repressed rage."You would dare hit a woman in front of me." Not a question.stephan's temper quickly cooled; his shoulders dropped, and his mouth started to form words that sounded like an apology."Remember who I am, stephan, and know that she is now with me." He let go of stephan's arm and took parsley's hand, whispered to her, "Do you want to go back inside, or would you rather leave?"parsley shook to the core, felt she had no choice but to cling to his arm as he led her to the backse