~Zion’s POV~
Lucas drove me home, and I was greeted by my father, Javier, and his wife, along with my grandparents, on the patio near the pool. I walked up to them but stood far from them. I had no time for my handsome face to be slapped again today. There is no way, no fucking way. I’m getting 3 slaps today. They all looked at me as though I owed them something so important. I stared back at them. I refused to be slapped today. Not happening!
“Where is my granddaughter?” I stared at the woman, asking about her granddaughter as though I wasn’t her grandson, but I knew better. If I didn’t answer them, they would start making trouble for me. So I thought of the best way possible.
“Lady Archer was with me. I found her late last night, so we decided to sleep at the hotel. She said she wanted to go shopping alone, so I let her go. She will be back soon.” I said that and started to look at their faces. They don’t look convinced at all. I then dragged my eyes to my cousin, pleading for him to help me, but I knew better. Javier enjoys it when these people scold me. Then I continued, “If you don’t trust me, I can call her for you and tell her that you people are worried about her.” I said that, dipping my hand in the pocket to reach for my phone. I took out my phone, but something fell out of my pocket. When my gaze fell on the item that fell from my pocket, my eyes went wide. It was my wife’s sinful thong! How could this sinful thing decide to fall in front of my family? I suddenly wanted the ground to open and swallow me. Shit! I have never been embarrassed like this in my entire life. Before I could say anything, my driver, Lucas, made the matter worse.
“That, that belongs to Lady Archer!”
Fuck me!
I turned my gaze to meet those of my family. They were all beaming and obviously speechless. I saw them leaving the patio one by one, and it was now me and Javier. That bastard. He probably couldn’t wait to laugh at me. He patted my shoulder.
“What happened, cousin?”
“My wife is playing games with me. She walked into my suite and left this sinful thing in my hand while I was asleep.” Javier burst out laughing.
“Well, cousin, at least you know she didn’t dump your sorry ass. Let me go inside.”
I stood on the patio and asked Andrew if her phone had been switched on, but the man said no, the phone was still showing the last location it was the last working.
Lord Archer: Maya, why are you doing this to me? Can’t you at least come home so we can talk about it? I’m really frustrated right now. This is torture. I know I messed up, and you didn’t deserve to see that. Please come home to me. Please come home so we can talk about it. Do not punish me like this, my love. I can’t go another day without knowing you are already. Please.
I added a pleading emoji and sent the message to my wife. I looked like shit. I headed to the bar and took out a bottle of my favorite whisky. I headed to my room and started drinking. I couldn’t afford for my family to see how miserable I was. I told them I was with her. If they saw me like this, they would know I haven’t seen her since. I drank all my sorrows away.
*******
It was now 4 PM when Maya decided to switch on her phone and called Lucas to come and fetch her. Lucas didn’t waste any time. He rushed to the mall, and when he arrived, he was shocked at the bags Lady Archer was carrying around. He started to pick up the bags and Sophia wanted to help, but Lucas stopped her and told her he would take everything inside. Thank God I brought a limo because if not, I don’t know where I would put all this, Lucas thought to himself. While he was done, Maya and the two other people were already inside the limo. Lucas knew that Lady Maya hated being treated like a princess. She wanted to do some of the things herself. That is one of the reasons Lucas likes her, as she is not one of those spoiled brats who would be ordering him around. Lucas got into the driver’s seat and started the car, heading back to the mansion. When the car arrived, Maya opened the side of her door and came out before Lucas could help her, and she went to the other side of the car to open the door for Emma and Sophia.
“Lucas, can you please help me take these bags to one of the guest rooms? I would like to see Grandma first.” As she was about to head in, Grandma Rose rushed to her and gave her a bear hug.
“You really scared me, child. Don’t ever do that to us again, you hear me? Why didn’t you tell me what happened yesterday? You know I’m always one call away.”
“I’m sorry grandma, I will never do that again. I promise.” Grandma Rose kissed her brows and rubbed her tummy. Then she looked at her with so much concern, “It’s okay grandma, the baby is fine.” Then the woman smiled and caressed her cheeks once more.
“Oh, my. I didn’t even notice you brought people with you. Where are my manners? Welcome, dear.” Grandma Rose said that as she kissed Emma’s cheeks and hug her, then did the same with the little girl. Emma smiled awkwardly and nodded her head. She didn’t know what was going on since Maya didn’t tell her where they were heading.
“Oh yes, grandma.” Maya looked around and saw one of the helpers and called out to her, “Please take them to Lucas. He would know what to do.”
“Alright, Lady Archer.” Emma’s eyes went wide. Is this the Archer mansion? If they are calling her that, it means the girl at the park is Lord Archer’s wife. She couldn’t believe that the girl who was freely playing with them and was so humble could be a billionaire. She almost cried. Most billionaires don’t even come to parks like the one she was at. Emma almost cried as she was rendered speechless that someone from the Archer residence would pick up a nobody like her and clean her up. But she would ask Maya later why she told them to call her Maya and not by her title. The Archers were royalty. Emma followed the helper. While Maya went with Grandma Rose to her room, she noticed that Grandma Felicia and Gabriella were also in the room.