The feeling of disappointment doubled as my stomach churned and ached signalling that I needed to eat something. I hadn’t had anything to eat since yesterday morning which also led to my passing out.
After drinking the tea, Martha -the lady who waited on me- ran a bath for me. I felt a bit better after the bath but needed to eat something as soon as possible before i’ld pass out again.
While Martha cleaned up the room, I went downstairs to see if I could wipe myself a breakfast sandwich at least. Surprisingly, another maid was waiting for me down the stairs and led me to the dinning table.
Apparently, everyone had already had breakfast and left for their daily business, but a second breakfast table was prepared for me. I couldn’t help but stuff my face with toast and bacon as I was very hungry. I also had oatmeal with it and a glass of orange juice. It was really satisfying but lonely, just like back home.
Though, I often had breakfast with my mom, she only reads the newspaper article while she eats and I just try to round up my work from previous day as I had my meal. We don’t really talk even though we are almost always together, be it in public or at home.
I wondered what Markian had for breakfast, if he always had breakfast with Sophy before leaving for work or not. Were they really a happy couple? Would he and I ever have such a relationship? I wondered.
I stretched my hand to grab the newspaper across the table. I was sipping the glass of orange juice when I saw few articles about Markian, that made me choked on the juice.
I reached for the other newspapers and glanced through them swiftly and each one I look at I’m left bewildered.
Times daily: Young widowed billionaire speaks up about rumored marriage.
Daily Dose: Castlehill Chairman speaks on the rumor about his remarriage.
Guardians: Markian Winfrey says that the rumor of his second marriage is only but a rumor.
Vice ET: Late super model Mrs Sophia M. Winfrey’s husband, billionaire Chairman of Castlehill tells public that he loves and respects his wife so much. Remarriage is not yet a matter for discussion to him.
Fabulous Entry: Handsome Billionaire and Heartthrob CEO of Castlehill chooses to remain single as to honor the memory of his late wife.
Suddenly I felt sick to my stomach, i was going to throw up. I was sweating like a horse in pursuit, I needed to breath.
The maids attending to me were cautious enough to stay at a safe distance and would not intervene unless asked to. I got up but got a sharp pain on my forehead like I was being hit on the head with a plank.
I stumbled and was about to meet with the ground when a sturdy arm grabbed me from behind my waist and pulled me close. When I opened my eyes, they were met with desert brown eyes and furrowed brows in a worried expression.
Daniel stood stiff not moving as my body crashed and rested on his, we were literally conjoined to each other. I could feel is heart beat intensify and the smell of his cologne engulfed my nostrils.
What was he doing here? I thought he left last night. When I felt him stifle, I realized I was holding onto him too tight, so I tried to regain my balance and let go of him. When he was sure i was steady he let go of my waist.
Well, that was embarrassing especially with all the maids sending little glances at us. “Are you alright?” he asked concerned.
“Yes, thanks for the save. You are here? I thought you left yesterday,” I asked trying to lighten the mood. The last thing I want was to be asked why I almost fell down few seconds ago.
“I was going to leave after breakfast. Met with a bad hangover this morning, I must have drank too much last night. So since I pretty much grew up here in this mansion I have a room upstairs, that was where I crashed last night. Hope you don’t mind?” he asked courteously.
Why would I mind? He practically grew up here, so if he has a room upstairs, who am I to say if or when he uses it?
“Why would I? It’s your room afterall” I replied casually. I mean the man heard me confess my feelings to the world the other night, he was going to help send me away yesterday on Markian’s orders and he just saved my ass few minutes ago, so speaking to him formally is just a bother.
“Breakfast?” I asked as I stretched my arm to the dinning table. “I’ld also ask the maids to wipe up a hangover soup for you if you want” I included.
“Oh, no, don’t bother. Breakfast would be enough. Have you had something to eat Mrs. Livy?” he inquired formally.
I guess he isn’t getting the idea yet. “Yes, I just finished a while ago. And there is really no need to be so formal with me. We are family now, ain’t we? So, you can just call me Livy.” I spoke directly.
Thankfully, he nodded in agreement and started to dig into his breakfast. He was exciting to look at when eating, like he had no worries at all.
He soon noticed I was staring and slowed his pace. “Do you have plans for today?” he asked.
I haven’t really thought that far, so I shoke my head. “I would be busy today, so why don’t you call Heather. I’m sure she would be very happy to hang out with you. But if she can’t, then give me a call. You’d be my excuse for escape today.” he said winking at me.
He seems like a cheerful person and very easy to flow with. Even though I’m not sure why he keeps helping me and would really want to know more about him, but I needed to discuss Markian with someone other than him. He might not understand since they’ve been together since childhood.
“Yeah, I think i’d give her a call.” I replied with a smile.
As I stood and was about to leave, he grabbed by phone from my hand and typed in his number. He called his phone with my phone and got my number, he was going really fast I must say, but it didn’t bother me at all.
He asked me to call him whenever I needed to talk or complain about anything, he assured me he was going to be all ears even if I needed someone to transfer aggression towards. That last bit made me laugh so much that for a brief moment there I forgot my predicament.
***********************************
Luthel Ind
“What is these?” Markian asked while staring at a small box wrapped as a present.
“Your wedding present from me to you. Go on, open it” Judy ordered.
Markian had gotten a personal call this morning from Judy to come to Luthel Ind. immediately. She was the last person he wanted to see, but somehow he convinced himself to go meet her and know the reason for the urgent call.
Maybe, she had seen today’s news article and wanted to get an explanation from him. He meant every word he said to those reporters.
To him, whatever had happened yesterday was just a big joke and nothing more. Judy and Livy could try their best to make whatever plans they think would help them win him over, but it would never work. He had made up his mind about Livy’s status in his life and nothing was going to change that, nothing.
As he finished unwrapping the box, he opened it and found a key inside with an address. There was also an envelope inside the box with two flight tickets to the Caribbeans for a honey moon experience. He looked at the box and the envelope with the tickets in amazement.
“That is the key to your new home, it’s a $16M mansion in Prior Lake. Not very far from the city although far from the Winfrey’s mansion, but you are starting a new life so the farther away from your parents the better. And those are plane tickets to the Caribbeans for your honey moon for 2 weeks. You’re welcome” Judy concluded.
“Thank you, but I don’t think I would be accepting any of these. I’m not interested in leaving my family mansion, and I’m certainly not interested in going on a honey moon trip for 2 weeks.” Markian refused outrightly and continued,
“I know your game Mrs. Luthel, the construction contract with the Hongkong Denles is coming in two weeks. Without me around, Luthel Ind. would have a big leverage to put up the bid of contract to the highest bidder. You don’t let go of your grudges easily and I know you still want to set an example with Castlehill, but I would not let that happen. Castlehill is under my supervision, so you’ll have to go through me to touch her. And I’m determined to bag the Hongkong contract weather you like it or not.”