Chapter twenty-one

RAIN 

Looking at the contract in my hand, my face slowly twisted into a smile. I finally had Ayanna again. In this dark world of mine I finally found something bright to hold onto. 

"You're smiling boss. It's unlike you," Mason mumbled tilting his head with an amused look on his face as he studied me like he was seeing me for the first time.

Who could blame him, I'd always had a menacing scowl or kept my expression blank. But lately I find myself having a different expression, I smiled and even laugh though most times with Ayanna. She was like an angel pulling me out from my dark abyss. And though I knew someone like me could never be free of a place like that, I should let her go. Yet I couldn't. I didn't want to. Like a leech I held onto her brightness knowing fully well I I'd taint it with my darkness. I was that selfish. I didn't care if she belonged to another, if she was married. I still wanted her. With every fibre of my being. 

"This is insanity, you're coveting another's man's wife. You've become insane boss."

I look at my reflection one last time in the mirror, spraying my cologne and nodding satisfyingly at my appearance.

"I've always being insane Mason and it's not coveting if she doesn't belong to him. She never did or their relationship wouldn't crumble like a fragile little wall," I said after turning in his direction. There was this sinister look on my face. One look at me anyone could tell I was deranged. I wouldn't say it's entirely my fault though. After all insanity runs in my bloodline.

"Reschedule all my appointment for tonight. I have a date with Ayanna," my expression brighten again as I mentioned her name. 

"Boss, the old master wants to have dinner with the family you're expected to be there."

An unpleasant feeling surged through me at the mention of my family. They were more of an enemy than a family_ thorns in my path. Nothing about them was warm or pleasant.

"They can have dinner without me," I replied curtly, before turning to leave. Mason trailed after me, his footstep echoing lightly on the floor. "If you miss dinner with them, they'd start to pry about why you did and if they discover, you went out on a date they'd look into who the woman was. Things could get nasty."

He was right. Those people were downright nosy. However, I was in no mood to see their unpleasant faces or sit in the same room as them to have dinner. I'd certainly have indigestion. Or die from poisoning.

"I trust you to come up with a good excuse like you always do," I said as my chauffeur drove up to me. "Or better still, get grandfather to reschedule dinner."

I was in the car before he could utter another word. "Drive,"I told the chauffeur, checking my wristwatch. It was already 7.pm even so it was already quite dim. My heart raced at the thought of seeing my sweet Ayanna tonight. Though I saw her last night. I was always anxious whenever it came to her. Not like I hadn't been in a relationship in the past. Most times they were fleeting. The women I was with were only with me for fame and money.

Technically Ayanna was too. Nevertheless when it came to her I didn't care if she used me. I was willingly to be her puppet. I was willingly to do anything for her and willingly to do anything to be with her. That was how far gone I was. 

My thoughts came to a halt when the chauffeur pulled up in front of Olivia Bradford's house. Ayanna still insisted keeping our relationship hidden and even though it irked me, I had to do it just so she wouldn't change her mind, not like she could anymore. She'd already signed the contract.

A contract she barely even read or she would've seen that there's was no backing out for her. That this thing between us was for a life time and the only thing that would end were the lives of those in our path.

I already had so much dirt on Alexander Coleman. However, I wouldn't expose them yet until I got him to do what I wanted.

My heart pounded heavily against my chest as I stood before the door. Like I said before this wasn't my first relationship but this was the first time I was in love. This was the first time I was this immensely obsessed.

Taking a deep breath, I rang the door bell. Though there was no reply, I caught the faint click of heels echoing from within the building. Not long after the door swung open and there she was, looking like my deepest desire come to live.

My breath caught in my lungs as I stare at her in the beautiful red dress that hugged her perfect figure. Long black Hair cascading down her shoulder like waves. While her eyes glinted like the sun itset.

"Shall we," she muttered shyly. It was then I regained myself, nodding and handing her the flowers I got her.

AYANNA 

I had this feeling like I was being watched as I sat across Rain. However when I look around, all I saw was empty chairs. Since Rain booked the entire place for dinner it was just me and him, and the waiters. 

Maybe I was being paranoid. After all, I've been on the edge since the accident. And I know I told Rain I was staying at Olivia's house because I didn't want him to pick me up at my house and risk us being discovered. But in truth, I was scared of my husband. My brave act at the hospital completely crumbled once I returned home last night to find him there. I was terrified he'd tried to kill me again. That he might just stab me in my sleep or poison me or maybe lock me in a refrigerator until I freeze to death. He could even bury me in our backyard and plant beautiful lilies over me, that way no one would suspect after all they'd be too busy admiring the beautiful lilies.

I knew Alex might get suspicious, since I was acting distant yet I couldn't bring myself to pretend no matter how hard I tried. 

I flinched as I felt a light touch on my hand, regaining myself. I looked over at where Rain sat, he had this keen expression as though trying to decipher what was on my mind. The reflection of the light cast over his handsome face made him look incredibly appealing.

"Are you worried," he said gently setting the glass in his hand on the table. "You have me. I'll shield you from whatever danger."

I opened my mouth to speak but not no words came out. 

"Give me a minute," Rain say after a while. He was gone before I could mutter a response and didn't appear until after a while.

He had taken off his suit, while the black long sleeve shirt he had under was rolled up at the sleeve revealing his claw tattoo. His hair was also slightly disheveled. As my eyes trailed over his body, a silent gasp escaped my lips when I caught sight of his bruised hands and a small cut on his neck.

He smiled when he caught my gaze. "Since you don't seem quite invested in this dinner, I have something else that would make you feel better."