Different Shades Of Grey

CHAPTER EIGHT 

Emily

Black. Grey. Black. were the shades scattered across the Crest Mansion backyard.

After the downpour, the only activity the guest could engage in was to come out onto the carpeted backyard of the Crest Mansion, which stood on top of the rocky outcrop with a magnificent view of the estates below.

I was assisting the house maids in dishing out drinks to the guests scattered about in twos, some were huddled in groups, while some walked around in expensive stilettos on the carpeted ground, each one of them decked out in their best outlandish costumes whispering to one another.

I wondered if it was even right to wear such expensive shoes and classic ties to a funeral when the dead were, well…too dead to notice.

I handed champagne to one of the guests who then asked why she wasn't given the famous muffin. 

"Go join the line if you want one," I replied with a snide remark and ignored her shocked expression.

I was enraged because, amongst all the guests only half of them shed a sincere tear, some were here to secure an investment in the company while some were here for the good champagne.

I made my way into the now-empty living room, where only a few, genuine mournful people lurked around the large living room. I had never seen so many people at a funeral like this before. 

As I entered the foyer I stopped at the sight of Sebastian in-between Sophia and Celine.

Sophia was inconsolable when Robert was being lowered to the ground. They were huddled by his side as if they were drawing from a fountain of courage that brought healing to their wounded soul. Sebastian just held them and whispered some indistinct words, kissing their forehead while he had the bravest expression, he was like a black stallion running into a battle. 

I wanted to freeze that moment. I had never seen Sebastian so vulnerable yet so strong.  

I made my way to the kitchen, which was far from prying eyes. Then my eyes met with Felix, he was descending the stairs and I was at the foot of it.

"Don't you have something to say to me?" his deep voice resonated throughout the space.

I hissed under my breath for failing to make a quick getaway. I slowly turned to face Felix, who was now standing at the foot of the stairs, right in front of me looking impeccably dashing in a black three-piece suit with his hands tucked fashionably into his trouser pockets. I want nothing to do with him, I don't want anyone getting the wrong idea. The faster I come up with an excuse, the easier it will be for me to get away from him. 

"Mr. Jones, do you need something?" 

His brows rose in mock amazement.

"I see, so we're playing it like this eeh?"

Pardon me, we got off on the wrong foot and I haven't had the chance to apologize." 

I wasn't going to fall for his tricks, I had spent too much time with Sebastian to not learn. 

"I thought we got along pretty well and…"

"I apologize for my rudeness, I'm not the image I portrayed last time."

"Now you're rude." He stated. "this could be fun if we played a little bit."

He stepped closer in my space, I held the tray in a tight grip between us to create some sort of boundary as he continued to back me to a corner. 

"You don't want us to be seen together do you?" 

"I have no reason to because we just met," I replied in a clipped tone. 

"I didn't expect such fierceness, you have changed. I have to admit that I like it." 

He smirked and my skin crawled in disgust.

God, I hate him. I watch his finger slowly raise and trail down my cheek. I jerked my face away from his touch.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"What?" he laughed humorlessly as he stuffed his hands back into his pockets. 

"I heard you want all the Crest to yourself, I might as well get in line, don't I? I also heard an interesting story about you and Sophia's Father," he said with a mischievous grin plastered on his face.  

I felt disgusted at the tone in his voice. He was nothing but a good for nothing. 

"You know what?" Emily interrupted

"You'd have to earn the Crest name, it's not for jerks like yourself, if you would excuse me I have chores to attend to."  

Felix's jaw tightened at my words. I turned to leave but he grabbed my arm, the impact made me lose balance. 

"What is going on here?" 

I had never been so glad to see Sebastian before, Felix was starting to scare her. 

"I don't see how it's any of your business Seb," Felix replied with a false smile, his expression lethal. Sebastian steps closer, he looked haggard yet he was still looking as dashing as ever.

"Doesn't look like it isn't my business, that's my assistant right there. If you don't mind, unhand her." 

I jerked my arm and Felix reluctantly released me, I tried to hide how flustered I was. 

"I see you took this the wrong way brother in law, we were just getting to know each other. No bad intentions, I promise," he smirked. 

"Doesn't seem like it though." Sebastian steps closer, his hand tucked in his pockets. "I don't remember seeing your face or accepting you in the family, who are you? Emilia?" he turned to me. 

I cleared my throat, "He's Felix Jones, Sophia introduced him as her boyfriend on the day of your Father's–" 

"Stop," he cut me off, "Then you should be where my little sister is, not hovering over my assistant, it seems to me you have misplaced priorities here Mr. Jones," 

Sebastian's tone was lethal, Felix was struggling not to falter under his burning gaze. 

"I assure brother in law that my priorities are straight and we're more acquainted with–"

"That's for me to find out. I should tighten security."  

Felix's jaw tightened as Sebastian turned to go. But he stopped and said,

"And don't call me brother in law, I don't form unnecessary bonds with strangers. Asher, meet me in my study at five," Sebastian instructed and walked away. 

"Okay, sir." 

 I went up the stairs and walked past Sophia's room - whose door was ajar, curiosity made me peep inside. 

Sophia and Theo were standing in the center of the room in an intimate embrace. Sophia was sobbing into his shoulder as he whispered words of encouragement to her. I sighed at the scene, Theo and Sophia have always been close, but I wondered when Sophia would recover, or when everyone would heal from Robert's death. He played an important role in their lives that could never be replaced or reversed by anyone. 

Sebastian's room was joined with his study, away from intruders, just as he liked it.

I gently knocked once on the door; Sebastian hated it when I knocked twice, so I waited, finally, a hoarse voice allowed me in. 

The study was bathed in darkness, the only light in the room was from the reading lamp.

Sebastian was standing behind his desk, back turned toward the large window, he had discarded his suit, and his long-sleeve shirt was rolled up.  

"Do you know Jones?" he asked in a hoarse voice.

"I…I don't understand-"

He laughs humorlessly as he downed his glass of scotch. I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. I didn't like where this conversation was going. 

"You both look rather cozy back there, Emilia" he turned and I almost gasped at how bloodshot his eyes were. He was drunkenly depressed. He leisurely walked around his desk and approached me.

"Do…do you perhaps need something?" I stuttered.

"What did he say to you?"

"Who are you referring to?" I swallowed thickly, I know what the situation earlier might have looked like to someone looking in but for some reason I desperately wanted him to believe that nothing was going on. 

"Of course, I needn't ask, you were gold-digging again." He murmured. 

I struggle to hold my tongue before I say  something I might regret since I was the only sane person. 

"Perhaps, we can talk when you're calmer." 

He laughs humorlessly, "always telling me what to do," he murmured. Sweat glistened on his forehead.

"You think I don't know what you're up to? I know what I saw. You know, if you don't have respect for yourself or your job, at least show respect for the man you claim was like a Father to you at his funeral and–"

Just then he started gasping, he held his chest and stumbled backwards, he quickly turned and tried to make it back to his chair, but he was unable to move, he just stood there and held his heaving chest.

I stood still as I watched him breathe like a buffalo fighting a lion in a dusty field. For a minute I thought 'he's getting what he deserves' but it looked bad. I didn't know what was happening and I was alone with him and didn't know what to do to help. 

A part of me wanted to watch him wheeze until his lungs gave out. 

When I came back to my senses he was thrashing about, trying to grasp any surface so he could support his weight. 

I quickly supported him from falling over by grabbing under his armpits, but he struggled to jerk away from my touch, the impact caused both of us to violently fall back, Sebastian's weight pushed me back onto the hard edge of the table, I winced and a surge of anger and pain coursed through my waist.

"You're going to hurt us!" I cried.

"Let…let me go," his hoarse voice tried to speak amidst his harsh breathing. 

He jerked away from me and leaned forward on the desk. He fell on his knees and leaned his back on the wall.

"Call Theo." He rasped. 

His eyes bulged and sweat trickled down the side of his face.

"Just shut your mouth and try to breathe through your mouth!"

He gave me a weak glare but complied with my instructions. 

"Good, I have no idea what I'm doing but try to focus on rational thoughts and count from one to five repeatedly in your head." 

But his chest began to heave faster, he was starting to scare me, I should have listened and called Theo.

He gripped his chest with his hands as if trying to rip his heart out. I started unbuttoning his shirt, his eyes watered as his breathing start to even out. 

"There, just breath."

"Darn, that old bugger…" He mumbled.

"What?"

"How could he just die?" 

A lone tear trickled from his right eye down his cheek. My heart broke at the pained expression on his face.