Chapter 7
I watched the setting sun as we drove in tense silence.
As Draven’s car pulled into the driveway, my eyes widened in shock.
In the distance sat a modern masterpiece of warm dark and light toned stone, the strong, clean lines blending in with its surroundings.
The use of large glass walls softens the edges of the house, embracing the nature outside.
Holy crap.
Draven’s car stops, two large wooden doors greet me as I exit the car.
A sweet older gentleman stands by the door, impeccably dressed in a suit, his smile warm as he greets me.
“Good evening, Miss Katie,” the older gentleman greets me, “my name is Kingsly, I manage the household, it is a pleasure to meet you young Miss.”
A soft smile graces my lips, some warmth helping me hold back my turbulent emotions after my talk with Drevan.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Kingsly,” I said, holding out my hand in greeting.
Kingsly’s smile widens, his soft aged hand warm in mine, “you truly are like Sir William described."
“I am?” I asked, surprised.
I’ll admit I’m kind of curious about what William said.
“Indeed, you are Miss,” Kingsley said, opening the door for me, not elaborating further.
Stepping inside the house was like stepping into another world.
All clean lines and the latest tech. Not a spec of dirt or clutter on the polished silvertone oak floors.
“Wow,” I said in awe, noting the open floor plan, the huge windows overlooking the infinity pool, and the vast gorgeous patio.
The view was even more breathtaking as I didn’t notice we had driven up onto a vast hillside.
“It’s quite breathtaking isn’t it,” Kingsly said smiling at me softly, “would you like a tour Miss Katie?”
“I would love one,” I said, smiling softly before catching a glimpse of Draven walking off, further into the house.
Our conversation hit me all over again, my mood souring.
“But I’m a bit tired, could I perhaps trouble you for a tour some other time?”
“Oh of course my dear,” Kingsly said, his face warm in understanding, “it will be no trouble at all.”
He motions off to the left of the entry way, the opposite direction of where Draven had disappeared to.
“Please follow me,” Kingsley said, walking down the hallway, “ I’ll show you to your room.”
I smile softly at his kindness. It had been a long day, hell it had been a long week.
But the last two days had really done me in, hell, the last few hours too.
I couldn’t wait to be alone.
Kingsley opens a large door at the end of the hall, stepping inside I find myself once more in awe at the place.
“Sir William, made sure your room suited you perfectly,” Kingsley said warmly, “ he even asked your mother about what things you liked.”
Tears pick my eyes at the overwhelming care and detail William put into my room.
“Everything is perfect,” I said softly.
“Good, Sir William will be so very happy to hear that,” Kingsly said, beaming, “I’ll leave you to it, please don’t hesitate to find me if you need something.”
Everything was lovely and it was very sweet of William to do so much for me but I didn’t feel happy, I couldn’t.
Without giving the rest of the room a glance I flicked off the light and clambered into bed, burrowing into the covers before the flood gates opened.
Bitter tears stung my eyes as sobs wreaked my body under the protective barrier of the comforter.
Despite keeping it together throughout the car ride, and the arrival here, I was anything but calm.
Draven’s words stung like hot coals raking over my skin. His words just reminded me of how big the gap was between them, in every aspect, not just in social standing.
I furiously wiped at my never ending tears, trying to force them to stop but failing every time.
Mom has finally found happiness, she doesn’t need to worry about anything anymore, she can live till her heart's content.
Which means I just need to work harder. I need to study my ass off, find a good job and get the hell out of here.
The following day, I found everyone already sitting down, like one big happy family.
Grabbing the seat next to mom, I took a sip of the orange juice already poured in front of me.
My eyes were sore, swollen from crying so much, despite putting a cool wash cloth over them when I got up.
I had hoped that no one would notice, but Adrian of course had to be an ass.
“What’s got your eyes so swollen today Katie?” he asked, smirking amused, “Did you get dumped?”
I glare at him, flipping him the bird before silently, grabbing toast and some eggs.
Draven sits there in silence, his face cold as stone.
After breakfast, I quickly toss on a new uniform I found in my room.
Making a mental note to go back to my dorm to pack up my stuff soon and let Cathy know that I won’t be her dorm mate anymore.
I’m walking toward the door, already calculating how much a cab would cost to pick me up from here.
Simultaneously, making plans to grab my car back from the old house, I guess.
“Katie,” William calls out from behind me, walking over, “I’m glad I caught you before you left.”
I give him a questioning smile.
“Everything okay?” I asked awkwardly, still uneasy with all this change.
“Everything is great,” William said, smiling brightly on his handsome face.
“I just wanted to tell you that I’ve asked the driver to drop you off at school today.”
“I can send Katie to school,” Adrian interrupted, cheerily, like it’s the best damn idea he’s ever had.
I try not to grit my teeth and roll my eyes in front of William as Adrian waltzes over to us.
God I wanna punch him so much.
“We can talk,” he goes on, really laying it on thick for his dad, "deepen our new brother, sister relationship.”
“No-,” I start, determined to shut down whatever bullshit plan he's masterminded when William’s voice over shadows mine.
“That’s a great idea,” William said, relieved that at least Adrian is trying to build a relationship with Katie.
Dread and barely contained anger boil under the surface as Adrian throws his arm over my shoulder, dragging me to his car.
Of course he has the latest Bugatti parked out front.
Opening the door for me, he ushers me in, even trying to buckle my seatbelt. I smacked his hands away.
“I can buckle my own seatbelt,” I said, pushing him, “quit your crappy little cliche games Adrian.”
“You have some egg on your face,” Adrian said, ignoring what I said.
I glared at him.
After a second I turn to check my face when Adrian closes the distance between us, buckling me in.
My breath catches, my nerves on edge at how close we are, when Adrian suddenly laughs.
“Gotcha,” he said, laughing, his eyes filled with wild amusement.
Pissed, I shoved him away, swinging the door closed in his face.
I sat back, arms crossed as he pulled out of the driveway, opening the window to get some much needed air.
As the car speeds down the road, my hair bowing around me, I begin to relax into the silence.
“Theres a bug in your hair,” Adrian said, smirking.
“Screw you,” I said, not to fall for it.
I touched my hair to fix it, when my hand touched a bug.
Shocked, I inadvertently grabbed Adrian’s arm, scared.
His chuckling brings me back, realizing I plastered myself against him, I feel my face flush in embarrassment, I tried to sit back.
But Adrian wouldn’t let me, pulling me as close.
“Why so nervous?” he asked, amused, “it’s not like we aren’t already intimately familiar with each other.”
“Knock it off,” I said, glaring at him, bringing up them sleeping together, “you're not my boyfriend, so back off.”
“Who made the first move?” Adrian asked, pissed off, “who crossed the line first?”
I can feel my anger boiling over.
“Stop the car,” I demand, furiously, needing to get as far away from this asshole as possible.
Adrian pulls over to the side of the road.
Without a word, I’m out of the car, storming away, I only get a few feet before Adrian’s hands grab me.
He dragged me back to his car, I fought against him, but I couldn’t get free, which just pissed me off more.
The rest of the drive is silent, I’m beyond ready to be away from Adrian.
Sighing in relief when we arrived at the school gate, embarrassment sank in at all the surprised looks people kept throwing at me.
Exiting the car, I had hoped to make a speedy getaway.
Only to bump into Draven and Rebecca of all people.
