Chapter 29

Lillian

Staring at the billion-dollar painting on the wall was becoming boring. I had unpacked, not that I had much to unpack, but I had arranged the little I owned.

Noah, the butler, had helped me unpack and made breakfast, too. He said he would be here till evening.

Sighing, I got up from my position with a new resolve. I'm not going to sit here and sulk over some shit that happen years ago and let it ruin my present.

According to Jade, I'd better make good use of my today than brood over yesterday. I have a life to leave and my traumas wouldn't stop me from doing that. My life is finally falling into pieces. Even if it feels like I'm entering the lion's tummy, the adrenaline rush is pretty relaxing.

I exited the room to take a tour around the house. Since this was now my house, I might as well do what I liked.

I made a mental note of the changes I needed to make.

First, the colours were beautiful but dull, reeks of loneliness and depression.

The walls were devoid of any decorations apart from a few paintings.

The balcony was devoid of flowers, and finally, the kitchen was so not my style.

Noah came up behind me a minute later. He should be around mid-sixties from the mass of white hair on his head and a bit of wrinkled face." Is there anything you would like, Miss Ace?"

I squinted my brows, scanning the cupboards and shelves. There was a lot of groceries, too much even.

" You come only three times a week, right?" I asked.

He nodded." Yes, Mrs Ace."

"Please call me Lilian." I smiled at him.

" Doesn't the vegetables and other groceries go bad ?"

He nodded." We'll through them out and do a clean up when we're on duty."

I grasped." You through away food! Why have so many if you're going to through them out?"

Zayden was wasteful. I never throw my food away, not even a grain of rice.

"Master doesn't like his kitchen empty." He spoke.

I scoffed." Does he even know how to cook?"

Noah cleared his throat hiding a throttle." He barely knows how to hold kitchen knife."

I had to laugh." Then the days you don't come, how does he feed."

He shrugged." I'm not aware of that, Lillian. He only ordered that we come here three times a week. He's not the type that likes company, that's why I'm surprised he brought a lady here."

My face flushed." So, Noah. You're going to help me make some changes in the house starting from your next duty."

He sighed." I don't think the Master would like that. You might have to take permission from him first."

I scoffed." Oh, he will like what I'm going to do."

If Zayden thinks he's the only one being manipulated then he's got another thing coming.

I spent the next hour preparing lunch and making some adjustments in the kitchen. A lot of things were out of place. How can cutlery be a mile away from the cooker?

His kitchen needed a woman's touch. When I was done, I took a shower and returned to the living room.

I was not in the mode to watch TV, so I picked up my box, the size of a laptop.

I hadn't opened it since I left the orphanage. Claire said to let go of my past, I'll have to relive it and accept it.

Just as I was about to open it, Noah appeared again.

"You have a visitor, Miss."

I furrowed my brows."Visitor? No one knows I live here."

"It's the Master's brother, miss. He asks to see you."

I jumped on my feet the next minute and ran to the door.

There he was, standing tall, wearing a black three-priced suit." Aiden, what are you doing here?" I grasped lowering my voice, while scanning the environment for Zayden's Mustang.

He flashed a smile." I'm here to see you." Grabbing my hand, he placed a kiss on my knuckles.

" You could see me at the office tomorrow," I replied.

He sighed." I'm missing you already, my house is so empty, and I miss your cooking."

I waited for that bubbling feeling and for the butterflies in my stomach to flutter like they always did whenever Zayden was near me but they didn't.

I had to force an awkward smile." Aiden, come on. This is Zayden's house; he'll get mad if he sees us together, especially at his house."

He raised a brow." Are you dating my brother?"

My face flushed." Well, no."

"Then he has no right to get mad if we are together." He stated.

I bite down on my lips. " You don't understand, it's complicated. I owe him a lot so this is the least I can do."

He scoffed." So you're just going to let him control you? Let him dictate who you should and shouldn't spend time with?"

I sighed again." He's not controlling me, this is just......"

He grabbed my hands gently." Lillian, if you wanted a house, you should have told me. My brother doesn't do things for free. And his terms are dangerous."

I swallowed, that familiar tension growing in the pit of my stomach again." I know, and I didn't want a house, he offered it."

His eyes widened, a worried expression on his face." There's always a price attached when you bargain with the devil."

I snorted." Zayden is human not a devil."

He smirked a dangerous glint in his eyes." Trust me when I say he is. You haven't seen the worst of him yet, and when you do, it will be too late. That's why I'm asking you to come back with me. I'll get you an apartment and all you need."

I swallowed, weighing my options. I just made a deal with Zayden, and backing out so soon will only make things worse, especially if he finds out his brother was involved. I'm not about to witness another fight between them.

" I'm sorry, Aiden. I've already made my decision. Thanks for your help, though; it meant a lot." I phrased.

His shoulders slumped." You like him don't you?"

I frowned." No, I don't."

He stared at me for a little more than he should." A piece of advice, don't fall too deep, or you'll end up getting hurt. I've told you before, Zayden is dangerous. He's not someone you should love, he doesn't deserve it."

My nostrils flared." Everyone and anyone deserves to be loved. You shouldn't say that about him, he's your brother!"

I don't know why I was defending him but whatever dispute they had had been rooted deep, probably from years ago.

He chuckled." Look at you taking his side. You don't know him, Lillian; you don't know who you're defending."

" There's a first time for everything, and I don't judge people based on other people's opinions." I retorted.

He shrugged, finally giving up." Well, just in case you realize what you're getting into sooner or later, you can always run to me. I'm always ready to help."

I raised my chin." I won't need your help."

He sighed.". Fine, fine. Let's not ruin the mood. So, are you not going to let me in?"

I sighed, throwing a look Inside and then back at him." What if Zayden returns?"

"Arghh, stop mentioning his name!"

I rolled my eyes."it's his house and I don't want the both of you to slit each other throats."

"He won't be back till probably five, and I left my car a few blocks away, so if he comes, I'll simply sneak out." He grinned.

I shook my head." Only one hour and then you'll be gone."

He displayed his white set of teeth as I let him in." Agreed, we should watch a movie. I have one horror in mind, you'll love it."

" I only watch horror movies at night."

His shoulders slumped again, he looked like a child as he sat comfortably on the couch.

We ended up playing video games, something I hadn't done in years because I couldn't even afford a PS5.

Then we ate and talked and laughed a lot that we lost track of time. I tried prying into his childhood but he swiftly evaded it.

" Okay tell me why you hate each other so much," I asked Instead.

He smacked his lips." It's complicated; you won't believe it if I told you."

" Tell me, I'll believe you."

He grinned." I'll tell you soon enough".

" But....."

I was interrupted by the sound of a car engine and honking.

I immediately sat up, panic flooding my veins.

" It can't be him." Aiden grasped, getting to his feet and grabbing his suit jacket.

Noah walked gracefully towards the entrance." The master is back."

I held my breath, my heart beating so loudly in my ears. I could already imagine the look on his face.

Shit!

Shit!

Shit!