LUCY POV
Hours later, we touched down at Atlanta International Airport. A chauffeur awaited to pick up Will and I.
With Will in the passenger seat and me in the back, no words were exchanged.
The surrounding air in the car was very tense and uncomfortable.
Soon we arrived. The butler opened the car door, and I stepped out and mouthed a thank you, flashing him a small smile.
"I'll get some maids to take your luggage in, ma'am," he informed me, and I nodded.
Will stepped out, slightly trailing behind me. He was in full work mode, but maybe a bit too seriously?
No, I shook my head. I can't afford to fall back into that. My thoughts have been centered on this man for a while now, and it's not healthy.
I shifted my gaze and stared at the gigantic house before me. The design was a work of art.
The marble and gold finishing, the intricate details were one of a kind. Despite the luxury, I felt sick to my stomach.
My mind screamed for me to flee, but I couldn't. A lot of things would be at stake. Mum raised me better than to be a selfish woman.
I breathed out through my mouth. I rubbed my sweaty palms. I tried to pull myself together. After a brief moment, with my chin and shoulders straightened, I walked into the living room.
I gasped a little, not too much that could be embarrassing. Seeing the interior reminded me of how wealthy they are.
Because Will had never been this close to people, I looked back at Will with worried eyes.
He seemed calm. He was calm. I could tell he put in so much work to hide the discomfort in his eyes and body language, but I noticed.
"Are you okay?" I asked but quickly bit my lip when I realized what I had done. We agreed to keep things strictly professional, or was it just me?
"You're welcome, ma'am, Lucy. You'll be staying with Master Grey. Please come with me," the man from earlier gestured for me with his hands.
Will followed suit as we all climbed up the stairs. We soon stopped in front of a black door and knocked.
I creased my brow, confused. Why was he knocking if Grey is not even around? Or does he have a secret wife that I don't know about?
The door opened, revealing Grey. He stood all dressed up formally. My gaze remained on him. I couldn't believe my eyes.
"You can go," he said as he dismissed the butler and Will. But Will was hesitant to go, so I had to nudge him.
Left alone, we both entered the room. "What game are you playing, Grey?" I asked, frustration lacing my voice." You really left me stranded while you were back home?"
"Don't start," he grumbled. "Get dressed. We'll be having dinner soon. Dad hates tardiness and lateness," he added as if he was talking to a child.
I wanted to talk more. To vent out my anger, but it wasn't worth it. Constantly reacting to everything they do would only prove that I am weak, which I'm not.
I ignored him and walked away. Thirty minutes later, I emerged from the walk-in closet, wearing a midi mesh gown.
Grey was no longer in the room when I returned. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
It was almost 6:00 p.m. I hurriedly finished my makeup and exited the room. I expected to see Will standing beside the door, but he wasn't.
As I headed towards the stairs, I heard whispers. I approached the place and saw Will typing furiously away on his phone.
He sensed my presence and kept the phone in his pocket.
"What are you hiding, Will?" I couldn't help but ask.
He smirked. "I'm not hiding anything, besides I dare not hide my girlfriend. That would be unfair to her and I truly care about her."
"Oh, I see, and why would you talk to her during duty?" I pressed further.
"Well, I care and love her too much not to check up on her. Honestly, you should learn to mind your business though" he chipped in and I nodded and descended the stairs.
I keep slipping back into feelings that should be buried. It's no longer funny. It's pathetic. What is my problem with letting him go?
Did I mention that Will had hurt me in the past? Because no, this was the final straw. The shards of my heart that I tried to be careful with shattered further.
Now everything makes sense. He has a girlfriend. He never stood a chance.
By the time I got to the dining room, everyone was seated. "I'm sorry for keeping you all waiting," I apologized, but no one answered me, which made me look stupid.
"Talia?" Cullen suddenly called out, and the lady who was dressed extravagantly across me, whom if I remember correctly is Nic's wife , replied, "yes papa"
"Have you taught Lucy the rules of our family?" he asked in a deep voice.
My heart pounded against my chest. Am I about to live my life like a captivate? I clenched my fists as I shifted on my seat uncomfortably.
She stared at me with an amused face. "No, papa. I thought to give her time to settle in" she blinked rapidly.
"Make sure to do that as soon as possible. She needs to adjust to this lifestyle," he concluded and the bitch smirked.
"Of course, papa"
I stared at all of them with my nose flared. Why are all of them like that? Grumpy and rude. And what does he mean by adjusting to the new lifestyle?
I'm not from a poor background. As if he read my mind he added, "It's important to learn the family rules, Lucy," he said, chewing his meat, and I only nodded to whatever it was he said.
The unnecessary rules, the tension.. None of this felt like home. I don't belong here. When I thought the matter had died down, Talia decided to open her mouth.
"I agree Papa, with our family rules, Lucy won't be unruly." She said and everyone acted like it was fine
I looked at Grey, and he was eating like he hadn't in years. I bit the inside of my cheek and then I was thinking about home, my parents.
He glanced at Will for a moment before he continued munching on his food. "This is your longtime bodyguard?" Cullen asked, without looking up.
"Yes, sir."
"Your parents speak highly of him," he said, but his tone hinted at suspicion rather than acknowledgement.
I was waiting for Will to thank him for the compliment, but he didn't. He was extremely calm but to me it felt like the calm before the storm.
Will's eyes zeroed on Cullen, but not in a good way. His eyes were unreadable.
Cullen's phone buzzed, and within seconds, his face was red with anger. He grabbed the plate and smashed it on the floor heavily. I could tell he wanted to do more but controlled himself.
Not because he wanted to but maybe because of my presence. They still don't see me as family.
"Nic, Grey, come with me," he ordered and they all stood up and left.
Talia chewed on her food without a care in the world, and Will, there was a non-existent smile there.
"Sort whatever it is that happened. Nothing must happen to my allowance" she murmured.
Is this really about money or something darker and deeper? Things keep getting complicated and confusing for me and it's draining.