Ch. 3: Elder Gray

She moved around some other shops until she was satisfied with her choices. Afterwards, she made her way back to her room and locked the door behind her. From there, she made her way to the bathroom and took a shower. Leah stayed in the shower quite a while; she felt like she needed this hot shower. In a weird way, she felt all of her pain melt away briefly. She washed her hair, her face and her body, of course. After being in the shower for what felt like an hour, Leah grabbed her towel and walked out into the bedroom and put on some lotion.

She sat down on the king-sized bed and thought for a minute. It was now 230 in the morning. She pulled her long black hair into a soft bun and walked into the kitchen as she was hungry. Since it was a suite, they had a few things available to her, otherwise, she would have to order room service. When that thought occurred to her, she sighed softly and walked to the phone near the couch. Picking up the phone, she dialed the number for the front desk to order room service. She was greeted, with a warm tone on the other end of the phone.

“Front desk, this is Joanne, how may I assist you?”

“Hello Joanne. I was looking to order room service.”

“Of course ma’am! What can I get you?”

“Can I get some shrimp and crab alfredo with an order of stuffed mushrooms and your finest cheesecake please?”

“Of course ma’am. It’ll be up in about 15 minutes.”

“Thank You.”

“You’re very welcome ma’am. Have a wonderful night!”

“You as well.”

Leah hung up the phone and waited for room service to arrive. In the meantime, she grabbed her phone that was stuffed inside her pajamas and looked at the screen. On the background, there was still a photo of her and Jason on it. She sighed deeply and paused briefly. After her brief pause, she reluctantly changed the photos of her lock and home screen, so that she no longer was face to face with her hurt; whether it be distant or up close, she wanted no relations to the matter.

As she scrolled through the numerous photos in her phone, one by one, she deleted them. Ignoring all of the notifications on her phone, she continued to delete the photos of her and Jason. She hated him for the rage and the pain that he placed in her heart. She knew that she would make her entirely family and Jason pay! But she still didn’t know how. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, her hurt came from a deep place. Just then, there was a knock at the door.

Knock, knock. “Room service!”

Leah perked up upon hearing that it was the dinner she had ordered for herself.

“Just a moment.”

Leah opened the door and made way for the gentleman who was wheeling her dinner in on a cart. She then thanked the kind young man and closed the door to her room, once again. Leah went over to the cart that contained her dinner and removed the silver cloche and took a deep inhale. They had even given her some bread to go with her pasta, a complimentary salad and some toppings for the cheesecake. She grabbed the cutlery and began eating her food.

Despite the pain in her heart, she hadn’t realized how hungry she was. Once she started eating, she didn’t stop, not until she was done. After 20 minutes, Leah had finished eating and put everything away. Since it was room service, she placed the cart near the kitchen, so that it would be out of the way. After she put everything away, she turned off the lights in the suite and went to the room to get some sleep. When she got to the room to lay down, she put her phone on do not disturb, placed it on the charger and began to drift to sleep.

*** Meanwhile After Dropping Her Off ***

What is wrong with me? Why did I become so impulsive and adamant on helping a woman, whom I never met before? Could she be—no, I’m just being paranoid. I couldn’t just leave immediately after sending her off to the hotel and I couldn’t pin point why that was either. I instructed Peter to wait behind for an hour or until I felt she was safe enough. We ended up staying there for 3 hours, we were about to leave when I noticed her figure walking into the lobby.

“Wait, Peter.”

“Yes, sir.”

Her eyes were so swollen and puffy from what I assumed was her crying. She was about to walk into one of the shops, but turned back around… Did she forget something? There was a man eyeing her in the distance. He was tall, no taller than me. He was about 5’10”, light complexion, similar to hers. He was clad in a brown suit with brown shoes. He had one hand in his pocket as he spoke to her. I’m not sure what their conversation was about, clearly, however, she seemed to be very uncomfortable.

I should storm my ass in there right now and make her feel comfortable! Taking a deep breath, I calmed the overwhelming urge to help her and the fury I felt and kept watching their interaction. He seemed to be smirking for some reason, but she turned around and walked away back into the elevator. He walked out of the front door with that same stupid ass smirk on his face! How I wish I could slap it off of him right now, but I don’t really know her and yet, she’s got a hold on me. But why?

In an icy tone, Derreck spoke.

“Drive”

Peter gave a small nod to the man in the backseat and drove away to the family villa. As they made their way back, a phone began to ring in the silent car.

Who could be calling at this hour? He felt around for his phone, once he did, he glanced down. Upon realizing who was calling, his expression darkened. Frostily, he answered the phone.

“What?”

“Derreck, where are you? It’s late and you should be back by now.” Derreck scoffed and replied icily.

“I’ll be there soon. Anything else?”

“I don’t know why you insist on talking to me like I’m some stranger! I’m your mother for crying out loud!” She was irritated from her son’s response and cold tone.

With a mocking, frosty smirk, he replied.

“Are you sure about that? If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up now.”

“Derreck—”

Before she could say anything more, the call was disconnected. She stared at her phone with rage. Why was her son being so aloof and why is he so infuriating? She stomped her way into her husband’s study and settled the rage that was evident in her eyes. Slowly, she knocked on the door to the study and walked in after hearing his reply.

“Derreck isn’t home yet. Shouldn’t you give him a call and find out where he is?”

“Derreck is very busy recently. I’m sure he’ll be home within the hour. If he is to take over the company, he will have to be out most nights and doesn’t have time to sit at home all day and night.”

“Why do you—”

Elder Gray gave his wife an icy glare. One that said “don’t question me and don’t overstep your boundaries.”

“Linda, you may be my wife, but he is my son and I deal with him how I see fit. Don’t go sticking your nose in places it doesn’t belong. Remember, you are married into MY family, NOT the other way around. If there’s nothing else, you can leave.”

The rage was once again evident in Linda’s eyes, but she suppressed it, gave her husband a forced smile and walked out of the study without another word. She wanted to give him a piece of her mind, but she knew her place. As much as she wanted him to enforce her position in this family, he was her husband and she dared not go against what he said. Linda made her way to the kitchen and made herself a cup of tea. She placed a kettle of water on the stove and waited for it to whistle when it was ready. As she placed the kettle on the stove, she heard the door open and close. She knew it was her son, so she walked towards the door with a small smile and welcomed him in.

“Derreck, you’re finally home. Would you like some tea?”

“No, where’s my father.”

“In the study, of course.”

“Thanks.”

Without another word, Derreck made his way to the study on the first floor and knocked.

“Enter.”

“Dad.”

“Derreck, come in son.”

Hartley put down his work and turned to his son who was walking in the study. Derreck closed the door behind him, locked the door and walked over to a chair that was across from Hartley. He took a seat and began to speak.

“Dad, Gray Enterprise is seeing an influx of cash flow. Everything is progressing the way we thought it would. In no time, we would be able to migrate overseas to expand our clientele. When that time comes, I would need to hire someone or train someone to take over that company, so I can focus on the one here.”

“We can begin the process of hiring a new Executive, however Derreck, it is time for you to begin settling down with a wife. Now, I know how much you dislike this conversation, but you need a woman by your side and to create an heir to eventually take over. I’m indifferent whether or not I would have a granddaughter or a grandson to take over, but this is something to consider.”

“Yes father. I will find someone. As long as you allow me to do so on my own and not force any suitresses upon me. Allow me that freedom, at least.”

Hartley took a deep sigh before responding.

“Very well. I will allow you a wife of your choosing. You are one of the most, if not the most, eligible bachelor in Aurenda. You have women throwing themselves at you all the time, how come you never chose any of them?”

“I don’t want a wife that throws herself at me. I want a wife that wants me for me and not for the title either. Just someone to love me, especially when I need her the most. I don’t want a marriage that has to be beneficial or contractual; I want a marriage that is rooted with love and has a solid foundation.”