Chapter 45

Lillian

 

   I couldn't bring myself to go to the office, instead I returned to the mansion.

Another advantage of marrying your boss, you get to decide when to and when not to go to work.

" Are you sure you'll be okay on your own, I could stay over. Nico wouldn't mind." I could see the genuine worry in her eyes.

Jade had followed me to the mansion, but I was sceptical about letting her in.

Zayden's father was a pain to deal with.

I gave her a small smile." I'll be fine."

She sighed." We should tell the cops."

I shook my head, my blood still thrummed from the adrenaline rush.

" Prison can't hold him, he's been there before," I told her.

She looked extremely worried and I did not want to burden her.

" It's okay, Jade, I'll be fine. I have the whole mansion to myself and a couple of house help."

She still didn't look convinced." I'll call to check up on you. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me."

I nodded, hugging her." I will."

She frowned." I mean it, Lilly. You're not a burden, don't think you are."

Tears clouded my eyelids." I love you."

She made a face." I'm not gay."

I chuckled before waving her goodbye, watching the cab drive out of the parking lot.

I turned and headed towards the mansion.

  No one was home; only the house helps. I spent the rest of the day catching up on movie series I had missed because I couldn't afford a television.

Zayden didn't come for dinner, he didn't come to the mansion at all. I overheard his father yelling at him on the phone to come that evening but as usual, he takes orders from no one.

  The following days were the same: he didn't step foot in the house, We didn't call or text each other, and I didn't go to work either, mostly because I helped in planning the engagement and I had to try out dresses with jade for the next couple of days.

    Zayden finally came a day before our engagement ceremony and he only did so because we had a photoshoot to attend.

  That scowl was back on his face. He ignored me the whole way to the studio.

I sighed, guilt still weighing down on me." Zayden, can we talk?"

He remained silent.

" Zayden, can we talk?" I repeated this time louder.

He took a left turn." What?"

I clenched my teeth. His tone was cold." I'm..... I'm sorry."

His fist tightened around the steering wheel."About what!"

I swallowed the lump in my throat." For my outburst the other day, I just overreacted."

He nodded." Yeah, you did."

I rolled my eyes." I'm being serious. I wasn't thinking straight at that time."

He scoffed." You weren't thinking straight when you accused me of violating you?"

I turned to look at him." What were you expecting me to think? I woke up naked!"

He hit the brakes so suddenly that my head almost made contact with the glove box.

" Christ! It's not the first time I've seen you naked, We come this close to fucking. If I wanted to take advantage of you, I would have done it the night you got drunk!" His voice thundered through the air.

I flinched at his tone." I was fully clothed and then the next second I opened my eyes, I was naked. How was I not supposed to have second thoughts."

  His eyes found mine, hostility laced in them." You were having a goddamn seizure! I was simply trying to follow the doctor's instructions."

I felt awful. He was trying to help but I was too busy judging him.

" I said I'm sorry! It just appeared to be in that aspect." I didn't realize I had raised my voice.

" Why do you always think the worst of me?" For the first time, I saw another emotion in his eyes; hurt.

I'm an idiot!

" Zayden..." I said softly.

He didn't look at me." You know what, we should keep our relationship strictly business. Don't call me by my name. Keep it formal!" 

I felt my chest tighten, my heart squeezed behind my rib cage.

He turned off the ignition, pulling out the keys. I then realized that we had arrived.

"Zayden wait! " I called.

He paused midway from getting out of the car." By the way, The next time you skip work. Consider yourself jobless."

And he shut the door, leaving me inside the car.

  My eyes were beginning to sting so badly. Of course, he was hurt. Why else would he stay away from me for days?

I got out of the car and walked into the building.

The photoshoot was going wrong. Mostly because he kept frowning. We haven't been able to get a good shot for almost thirty minutes now.

The photographer groaned." Come on, give us some spice. You are both getting married for crying out loud."

I put on a smile; I had been smiling for so long that my lips hurt.

" Smile a little if you want to get out of here," I whispered to him at my side.

He only glared at me, his frown deepening.

" Go closer, you're too far apart." The photographer yelled at us.

I saw Zayden's jaw ticked. He was losing patience.

I shifted closer till our shoulders were touching.

" Put your hands around her waist, make it look natural." He added.

Zayden resisted but eventually grabbed my waist roughly. I turned, placing a hand on his chest and flashing a sweet smile.

" Yes, that's better." The photographer praised." Make it more romantic, this is going to be the wedding photo."

"Isn't this romantic enough?" my legs were beginning to hurt from the tight straps on my cone heels.

I was wearing a black gown. It had a high slit on the left thigh and a very low neckline that exposed a generous amount of my cleavage.

Jade chose this dress, she said it would make any man go crazy. Well, except for angry Zayden.

" You two should kiss, it's perfect for a wedding photo." He urged, setting up his camera.

My cheeks burned; it's not like we haven't kissed before, but this would seem awkward.

The photographer sighed again." Kiss! the sooner you do, the sooner we all return home."

I glanced at Zayden, waiting for him to make the move, but he remained still.

I straightened my back, I'll take matters into my own hands then.

Stepping in front of him, I placed my hands behind his neck. His eyes burned into my soul, still with that same frown.

I almost backed out, his gaze was terrifying.

I brushed my lips against his, kissing him softly.

Now, there was something I noticed about Zayden. Aside from occasionally staring at my boobs, he was a horny bastard.

Just a few touches here and there and a quick peck, he'll lose his senses. Right now, I think I just reset his brain because the next second, he tilted my chin, deepening the kiss.

He wasn't gentle, almost like he had been starved.

  " Perfect, just a little more. I need the best shot." The photographer's voice was lost in the background.

He kissed me back roughly,electricity running up my spine and back. His hands encircled my hip as he delved deeper with his tongue.

I released a low moan when I felt him squeeze my breast. I broke the kiss instantly, completely embarrassed.

" Don't touch my boobs in public!" I gasped, shifting away from him.

  He was breathing heavily, his mouth slightly parted.

He turned away from me realising that he was staring, the frown back on his face.

" Relax dude, you'll have her all to yourself after the wedding." The photographer joked.

Zayden snarled." I'm done here." And then he stomped away.

I whispered to the man." Try editing some of them."

He shook his head." Oh, no. I've got the perfect one."

He showed me the photos and I gasped, my face turning pink" Delete that, don't enlarge it."

He captured the photo of Zayden squeezing my boobs.

He grinned at me." The photographer decides what photo is best."

I would have stayed and argued with him till he deleted it, but I was scared Zayden would drive off.

I joined Zayden in the car soon after. He tossed a scarf at me as soon as I entered the car.

I raised a brow." What's this for?"

" Cover your breasts, it's distracting." He gnarled.

I nearly laughed but kept it in and simply did as he said.

   He started the ignition and was about to drive off but hit the brakes.

I looked up at him." What?"

He was staring ahead." That car."

I looked in front of us. There was a car a few blocks in front of us with its headlights on." He's in the wrong lane."

Zayden sighed." I can't turn here."

We were packed at the side of the road and supposed to move straight ahead till we got an opening to turn, but the Jeep renegade was blocking our way.

Zayden honked but the car remained in place. The headlights still blazing, making it a little bit difficult for us to see ahead.

Terror began building low in my chest. I strained my eyes, trying to get a clear view of the man behind the wheel.

The only thing I could make out was a rose tattoo on his hand clutching the wheel.

" Zayden." I shrank back, fear gripping my entire being. " Just move backwards."

He groaned." Fine!"

The car's ignition roared, and I flinched, my mind racing with a million terrible thoughts.

Zayden scoffed." He finally decided to move?"

I clutch his hands on the wheel, my whole being shaking in terror." Drive! Zayden, let's get out of here, please."

He hesitated but hit the reverse gear." Okay." He turned around, trying to watch out for cars as he reversed.

The car opposite us suddenly started moving at a steady pace at first but faster the next second.

Panic step in immediately." Zayden! " I cried, my hands shaking terribly.

" What the fuck is he doing!" Zayden cursed, turning the wheel so that he could get away.

We weren't fast enough; his Jeep Renegade was faster.

  I heard the screeching sound of tyres, smelt the smell of burning rubber, the sound of shattering glass and the weightlessness of our car as it spun out of control.

  The next minute, everything was a blur. Pain shot through my body, and my limbs felt like they were on fire.

I couldn't see, couldn't breathe. I could only hear faint voices in the background. It sounded like zayden.

  I tried opening my eyes, but they were incredibly heavy. Maybe I'll just leave them closed for now.

The darkness engulfing me felt nice,the metallic smell of blood filled my nostrils. I'll just sleep for a while.