“That’s because I had scores to settle with Stratford. Uniting the two families was the best way to get them but because of your insensitivity, Nelly left you and fled. Now, you stand here and claim that you love her. You better respect yourself and stay out of my business. That girl is a potential threat and must go!”
“Grandfather? What has Stratford done to you?”
Easton didn’t need to answer him. He only gave him a look one would give a fly that fell into his food.
“Fine. Do whatever you want grandfather, but please, no harm should befall her. She’s the only woman I love. I only failed to realise she was the woman I wanted when we were still married. She saved my life in the past and I vowed to love and cherish her as long as I live.”
“Past, I like the word, past. She saved your life in the past. It’s bygone. Let it remain in the past.”
Aria who was getting uncomfortable in the closet stretched her legs to allow circulation of blood. In the process, she made a noise and Ivan who was as alert as ever quickly turned in that direction.
“What’s that?” he asked Easton.
Easton cursed within. That little brat had better not give him away.
“Is there a problem?” he returned the question, feigning ignorance.
“I heard a creaking sound in the wardrobe. Who’s there?”
“Common, I guess you heard wrongly. Let’s continue with our conversation, don’t be distracted by trivial things.”
“No, I’m sure I heard something. But it’s fine.”
Easton nearly heaved a sigh of relief but that silly girl in the wardrobe had other thoughts. She heard it when Ivan asked who was in the closet, because he said it loudly. She figured that Easton would still have his way with her if the visitor left. The best thing to do and the only way to save her self was to make her presence known to this stranger. A second thought struck her.
”What if the new man was the same kind of person as Easton? What if she was engaged in a threesome?’
She quickly shook the thought off and decided to try her luck.
Ivan was already at the door, he was about leaving when that noise came again. His hands which were on the door handle became suspended in air. Without another word, he walked in strides to the wardrobe and pulled it open.
Aria could not believe her luck. But there was something about this new man. He was terrifying, cold and emitted this powerful aura that made people cower in fear. She lowered her eyes, not daring to look into his eyes.
“What are you doing here?”
His voice was firm, cold, domineering, yet, it was sexy.
“Come out!”
Ivan turned and looked at his grandfather. Easton looked away immediately. Ivan put two and two together and understood what was happening.
Why was Easton making out with kids his granddaughter’s age?
Ivan said nothing more. He didn’t want to interfere, he turned and walked away. To his greatest surprise, the girl clung unto his leg and pleaded,
“Please, help me.”
Easton could not contain his anger anymore.
“You slimy bastard! Scram!”
Aria turned and ran away as fast as her feet could carry her.
“Drop her off in town,” he ordered Ivan. The younger man walked out without saying a word. He was disappointed in his grandfather.
“Hey! Stop there!” he called out to the fleeing girl. Aria froze. She wanted to keep running but his voice was full of an authority that made her stop instantly.
‘Has Easton sent him to bring her back inside?’
Ivan motioned her to come with his hands.
“Get in!” he instructed. He turned on the ignition and drove off. No words were exchanged through out the ride. The only sound was Aria’s stiffled tears. At a point, Ivan got uncomfortable with her sniffs.
“What the hell is wrong with you? Why are you disturbing my peace?”
“I’m sorry. It’s my dad. He…”
“Hush! Shut up. I didn’t ask you to explain. Just keep your bloody mouth shut. One more sound and I’ll throw you out!”
This was enough to keep her silent for the rest of the journey. She feared being dropped in the middle of nowhere. When they got into the city, Ivan pulled to a halt and said nothing to her. Aria understood immediately. Ivan was a man of few words. She got down and said thank you to him. He ignored her and drove off, raising a cloud of dust.
Aria looked around and recognised where she was.
“Phew! This is quite a distance!”
All these years, she had always been taken to the villa on blindfold. This was the first time she saw the road leading to the place. She was surprised when Ivan didn’t make a move to blindfold her through out the journey. Now that she was out, she slowly made her way to the road. She needed to get a taxi to her father’s house. It ailed her heart that her father was no more. The tears fell down her face in torrents, blinding her vision. Everything she had done for Easton for so many years was for the sake of her father, but now, he was no more, killed by the very man she did everything for.
Ivan continued driving.
“Grrrrngggg grrrrrrngg!” his phone rang, interrupting the silence in the car. He didn’t want any disturbance but when he saw the caller ID, he was forced to take it.
“Hello? Daisy.”
“Ivan..” she called and broke down in violent sobs.
“Daisy? What’s the problem? Talk to me why are you crying?”
“I…I..” she tried to speak but the tears would not let her. Ivan pulled his car to a halt and asked again,
“What’s the problem now? Speak. Are you at home? Should I come over to the house?”
“I just saw something. Yea, Ivan please…”
“Alright. I’ll be there in few minutes. Just hang on and stop crying. Ten minutes and I’ll be there!”