Chapter 28

Zayden

I watched her through the rearview mirror. She seemed a bit quiet, too quiet for the Lillian I know. She seemed distant and too lost in her world.

We were on the way to the house I had promised her. I had sent a driver to get her things from Aiden's place. She had insisted she went by herself but that part of me that hated the idea of her being with Aiden refused.

I wanted to show concern. She had said the difference between me and my brother was that he cared more than I did.

That was a huge blow to my ego but I wanted it to change. So here I was finding it hard to ask her if she was okay.

I sighed in frustration. Caring for people was exhilarating.

" Mrs Ace, are you okay?"I finally said.

She remained silent, staring out the window. Her face was a bit pale.

I slowed down and then honked. She jumped a little, eyes searching her surroundings.

" I asked a question, Mrs Ace," I said again.

Her eyes widened, they were dull. I didn't like it. She wasn't her usual bubbly self.

She faked a smile." I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention."

" You seem distracted, are you okay?"

She nodded, forcing a smile. They didn't reach her eyes.

The rest of the ride was in silence; whatever thing was making her downcast, it would only worsen after I showed her what I had in store for her.

Half an hour later, I pulled over at the garage. I watched as she mouthed an 'oh' and got out of the car.

A smirk appeared on my lips as I could never get enough of just watching her.

" Mr....Zayden, What's this? " She grasped, her cheeks turning red.

I walked over to the front door with her behind me." Your new house!"

She shook her head, taking a step back." You said I would get a house."

I nodded." And this is a house."

I could practically see the smoke coming out of her nostrils.

" If I remember correctly, this is your house. Or are you moving out so I can move in?" That fierce glint was now back in her eyes.

I opened the door, asking her to come in. She hesitated but eventually stepped in.

"I live here; I promised to give you a house, so here it is."

She opened her mouth to say something then closed it back, biting down on her lower lip.

I had to force my eyes away from her lips before I did something stupid.

"You're comfortable living with Aiden, but you're not with me? Is that it ?" I asked, impatiently waiting for her response.

She rolled her eyes." I sense jealousy, Mr Kent. We had a deal, even if I still don't know what's in it for you, but you said you were going to give me a house!"

I nodded coolly." And this is the house; you have it all to yourself. House help comes three times a week, so you don't have to worry about any chores. It's perfect, isn't it?"

I could see the hair on her neck stand erect, her pretty blue eyes brimming with anger. Just the way I want it.

" No, it's not! You....you can't stay here."She breathed, her voice rough.

I closed the distance between us. I noticed that she tends to think poorly when I'm too close to her.

"I promised a house and you have it. I'll have no more questions." I traced my fingers on her chin, stopping an inch from her heart-shaped lips.

I watch her quiver, satisfied with the reaction I got from her.

"I'm not accepting this, not until you tell me what you want in return." She voiced, her eyes meeting mine.

Now that dullness was gone, replaced by a fiery blue colour.

" I want you." I let my hand fall to her slender neck." I want to keep you." I traced the place where her pulse was and wondered how it would feel to wrap my hands around her neck.

She trembled at my touch, lightening up a fire within me." I'm not a property." She retorted.

" I never said you were, Amorcita." Her big blue eyes stared back at me." Breath, Lillian."

She stepped back, her cheeks reddening." you want me? What does that even mean ?"

I smirked." You'll find out soon enough."

I grabbed my suitcase." The butler and driver will arrive soon, they'll help you settle in. Do whatever you want, it's your house now."

" Where are you going?"

Grabbing her hand, I placed a kiss on her knuckles." I have a meeting with my father, and the review for the presentation is out."

She grasped." How did it go, did it get accepted?"

I shrugged." That's what the meeting is about."

She pouted." I'm sure it'll get accepted."

I suddenly had the urge to graze my lips over hers, gods! I have been so horny this past few days that it hurt.

I had lost control of myself since that day she got drunk and spent the night at my house.

I found myself inching closer and closer till our heads were touching. I saw the resistance in her eyes, but she didn't pull away.

" I don't go back on my promises, Mrs Ace. If it gets accepted, then we're going to Paris." I told her, placing a kiss on her cheek.

"Why...why are you doing this?" Her voice was barely a whisper.

"Doing what?"

" Why are you being nice and generous? I don't have anything to offer, so why are you doing all of this?"

I frowned but immediately replaced it with a chuckle." I already told you, I want you."

I don't know why she thought she had nothing to offer but I want everything she could give.

I stepped away from her and headed towards the door."I'll see you later, Mrs Ace."

The ride to the office was quick, I got a call from Helena saying my dad and boardroom members were already waiting for me.

I met Aiden in the hallway leading to the boardroom.

That usual smile appeared on his face as soon as he saw me approaching.

"Manipulating her to live with you won't make her want you. Nobody wants a psychopath!" He chuckled.

I didn't have time for his rants."Playing the wolf in sheep clothes didn't keep her with you. She's moved out from your house; I know it hurt your ego, but deal with it."

His jaw ticked."What if she finds out what you did? Who you truly are behind this handsome mask." He phrased.

I paused, turning fully to face him."Fuck off!"

The raging urge to punch him was eating at me but I controlled it. I was already used to his words; not the first time I'd heard it.

He wasn't fazed, stepping up to me like the idiot he was." I know what you're trying to do, it won't work. Accept the fact that you'll be alone for the rest of your life, mother would understand that."

And I lost it, within seconds, I had slammed his head on the wall. Just like the coward her was, he only had strength in his speech.

I snarled, watching blood trickle from his head. "Don't you ever mention mother again or you'll lose your ability to speak."

He laughed." I just hope you don't bang Lillian's head on the wall and end up killing her just like you did to Mother."

Violent uncontrollable rage ripped through my entire being. All I could see was red as memories flashed through my eyes.

My hands trembled from a mixture of anger and guilt. I remained rooted in place trying to clear my vision and heavy breathing.

Aiden got up, wiping the blood stain from his skin." Yes, you should feel guilty because the only reason you'll not be in the asylum is because Dad has little faith that you're still human." he patted my shoulders.

"Know your place, Zay; as for Lillian, I'm telling her the truth. I like her too much to let her fall for a monster." He gnarled, a sly smile dancing on his lips.

For the first time, I panicked. I don't care what people think of me but lillan is not anyone. I ignored the part where he said he liked her; Aiden was full of tricks, and I wouldn't be surprised if this was one of them.

I'm not in love with her or anything but I sure as hell want to keep her. She had captivated this tiny part of me I had thought had died.

" Is that a threat?" I asked, my voice cold.

He shrugged, ignoring my question." I won't be in the meeting with you guys today, don't want to watch my brother's downfall."

And then he strolled off. I suddenly had a bad feeling.

I sighed heavily as I approached the door.

Stepping in, my father and the board members were already seated and a heated discussion was going on.

The room fell silent as my footsteps echoed. I couldn't help the chill that ran down my spine, but I kept my face blank.

"Zayden". My father called, dropping his pen.

"Yes, father ?" I took my seat, ignoring the eyes that were staring at me.

He cleared his throat, his stern eyes finding mine." We've made our decision."

I crooked a brow." About what ?"

He paused for a moment, silently communicating with the other members. The atmosphere was now three times colder.

He sighed, removing his glasses and placing them on the table." You'll be stepping down as CEO."