CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

Sharon's eyes pleaded with all the emotions they could visibly muster

A million thoughts raced through her mind. There were more than a few ways Luca could ruin her, and this happened to be one of them

If her father found out he would do things, bad things

She had worked too hard to keep her secret identity secret, and Luca was about to lay waste to her hardwork

His thumb drew circles inside her mouth. Why he put it there was a mystery to her.

Why she let him put it there was also a mystery to her. One thing was certain. Luca was the one with the strings.

And he pulled them whichever way he wanted

He enjoyed it, tormenting her. Like it gave him some sort of sick pleasure. He didn't even spare her a glance. He let reality hit her slowly

More disturbing was the fact that Luca didn't go straight to the point. He discussed business, which was normal

As they were now directly involved

But he enjoyed prolonging her pain

“Mr Gray, I was thinking about something”

Her heart skipped a beat.

He pulled out his thumb from her mouth and Sharon had the opportunity to speak

In those few seconds, what she said could either save her or quicken her doom

But she was silent

“If you're not busy later today, I'd like for us to have dinner”

“Oh that'll be fine, we'll make it”

Luca hung up the phone

His eyes darted toward Sharon

“You won't be so lucky next time”

He slipped his phone back into his pocket

“Your parents are going to be here at 6:30

For dinner. Be on your best behaviour”

As he was about to walk away, Sharon grabbed the hem of his shirt

“Thank you”

She said, almost in a whisper

He pulled her hand away roughly and smoothened his shirt

Then he continued walking

But just before he was out of earshot

He whispered

“You're welcome”

******************

Clarette was the servant in charge of food.

The same woman Sharon had put in trouble when she borrowed her uniform

That was good news for Sharon

She would build a relationship with her, and use the opportunity to poison Luca

Since discovering that the bottle of poison was still in her possession, Sharon made it her mantra

To look at the bottle every morning and tell herself what she needed to do

And remind herself of all that Luca was doing to her

So she wouldn't stutter when the opportunity would avail itself

Sharon glanced Into the kitchen through the door which was slightly ajar

She counted three chefs and four servants, Clarette included

She needed to master their schedule, and build a sort of relationship with them. That way, they wouldn't find it suspicious if she randomly decided to serve her husband's food herself

Right?

Sharon casually walked into the kitchen and greeted them cordially

Like it was something normal

They were engrossed in their work, but they seemed delighted to be recognised by her.

“Clairette right? I'm still sorry for what I did to you that day, no hard feelings right?”

“No Ma'am, I— I wasn't angry”

Clarette blushed.

A small smile crept into Sharon's face

“You know I've always wanted to cook. It's a shame that a woman of my position can't even flip pancakes

I’m— really ashamed”

All of them could hear her. She wanted them to hear.

Because in the future anytime she came into the kitchen, they would assume she was learning to cook

Also, If Luca had any chefs stationed there just to spy and report to him, they wouldn't report anything suspicious

“Well, you're always welcome to come here anytime. It's your house Young mistress”

A chef offered her some fried chicken wings and she gladly took it before skipping out of the kitchen

Stage one of poisoning Luca asshole Pavilochenki completed!

While she was walking out the door, she saw a familiar face

“Arman”

She said with chicken in her mouth

She sounded like a child

“I see you've made some new friends Young Mrs Pavilochenki”

“Why wouldn't I? The house is a nightmare and I have no companion. You don't want to be my friend either”

Arman let out a loud cough

“Luca would skin me alive if I said more than a few words to you”

“Well it sounds like something he's capable of doing.

Tell me, does your boss get this insecure so easily?”

Arman smiled

He used his right hand to indicate something on his lips

Sharon didn't understand

“You've got some residue on your mouth”

“I don't give a fuck” She wiped it off quickly

“It's not like I'm kissing anyone anytime soon”

She poured

“You didn't answer my question Arman”

“You'll just have to ask him yourself Young mistress”

At that moment, Sharon became aware of Luca's presence.

He had witnessed their whole conversation

He heard everything!

“Get dressed, your parents will be here soon”

And with that, he left.

Sharon played with the silverware.

She was wearing a loose black evening dress and her hair had been made into a bun

She folded her napkin, and unfolded it

Then folded it again.

Her nervousness was too obvious to be unnoticed

It was just her parents, just her father

Well it was the man who had made her cower, made her feel small and insignificant her entire life

It was the man who her mother almost poisoned because he treated her like shit

It was the man who co contracted her marriage

It was Hillary Gray, and she was going to have dinner with him

The only fantastic thing about it all was that she would get to see her mother, she would get to hug her, and tell her she missed her.

The bell rang

And Sharon instantly got up

Not that there weren't people to open the door, but because she wanted to hug her mother so dearly

Her footsteps echoed through the house as she ran down the stairs

And she saw his silhouette

Then her eyes met cold brown eyes

But she couldn't see the warm green eyes she hoped for

Her mother never walked through that door—