Stay with Me by Awesomekristii (e reader books .txt) 📗

“Okayish… tell me how about you? And the cooking classes? How are they going on?”

“Delilah, hun, I can’t even describe the mess my assistant had created last week in the camp we are holding in the town next to us as Spring fest.”

“Oh no, I hope they are sorted out now.”

“yes, they have, luckily.” She sighed and I could imagine her gentle smile as she said, “Now tell me the real reason for ringing up this old lady in here?”

“N-no… It’s nothing like that… I was just checking up on you.” I almost stuttered, feeling bad that my main motive to call her was to seek help.

She laughed through the call, “Don’t hide behind the bushes. I know you well, you have already called me thrice this week so it’s ‘nothing’ why you called me up.”

I sighed, knowing there was no going back. “Damien is really upset with me…”

“Why? That boy can never keep up with his tantrums. He shouldn’t be blinded not knowing what gem you’re.” It made me feel so bad when I admit it was the other way around. I made the mess in here.

“It's not his fault, Grandma. It’s me. I….” I swallowed not knowing how she would take the news, “I read through the diary of Zelena, I found in the library and he got to know that and after that… he had been…” I sighed not knowing how to complete that.

“Zelena…” I heard her faint whisper through the call before it went silent, and I almost cursed myself to death at the idea of saying this to her. She wouldn’t like someone prying into her family matters. “Did you read her story?”

I gulped, feeling my throat tighten up, “Yes, I did.” She sighed, and it was a few breaths later that I heard her say. “It's not your fault, sweetie. You have all the right to know about her, about his past, about his sister.” My hand shook as I heard her say, I had somehow or the other had almost guessed that.

“Sister?”

“Yes, Zelena was his sister. I don’t want to disclose his past to you, Delilah since it’s his story to tell but I can only tell you, she was the blood daughter of our family.” My mind reeled with the newfound information. I couldn’t grasp the words, almost feeling my inside in chaos.

“He loved her dearly. Like his own sister. When she committed the suited it was too much for him. It had been previously too when he was the first to get to know after she lost her child. Five years ago, the Blacks saw the worst of their nightmares. Everything going downhill, from family to business.”

I couldn’t answer her back, questions blasting inside my head like a siren, telling me there has always been so much depth in his past, I had never dived into to know anything.

“Thank you for telling me all these, Grandma. I will try to get in touch with him.”

“Sure, sweetie. I hope you two clear all these messes up soon. I couldn’t see you two being in any feud, after knowing happiness for him is only you. I had seen the joy, the care, and the compassion in his heart for you, dear and I know you feel the same. Just know, he couldn’t bring himself to talk about anything he had buried inside him. He couldn’t bear anyone knowing the darkness he had locked, and the secrets of his sister and his.”

“I will, Grandma. Take care.” I dropped the call, feeling more of heartless nonsense now. How could I do that? Read something he didn’t want anyone to know. How could I?

It took every willpower in me to not walk out of the door and his life. I didn’t deserve him, not when he had always respected my privacy with my past, and I, being the nonsense one, just grabbed his past, he was locking without even asking whether he was willing to or not.

••••••••••

Knew there was nothing I could do by staying back at home and mourning over myself and my stupidity and there was no way I was going to give up on him. If he didn’t want me anymore I would know that, but I wouldn’t go down without fighting for it when it means so much. Our love. To me. And Us.

Conner was the driver, Damien had assigned for me and he was quick on his feet when I walked out of the house. “Where do you want me to drop you, madam?”

“Just call me, Delilah.” I smiled at him, “Can you please drop me at Damien's office?”

“Sure.” He was quick to get into the driver seat which I settled in the back. My heart thumped against my chest not knowing how Damien would react when I would be there.

Swallowing down my growing anxiety, I looked out of the window, resting in my hands, the lunch I cooked for him.

By the time we reached there, I bid Cooper goodbye and dismissed him, even though he urged me to stay and wait for me. I made my way inside the office, walking through the glass door and coming in front of the receptionist.

A pair of black glasses settled on her nose, as she looked up from the screen and gave me a professional smile. “Yes, How can I help you?”

I smiled back at her, “Hi, I’m here to meet Dam- I mean, Mr. Black.” She nodded looking back at the screen.

“Do you have any appointments?” I gulped, shaking my head. Neither do I have any pass nor an appointment.

“Then madam… I’m sorry-“

“Can you check in the list allowed to visit? I think I have my name in there.” She nodded and pulled out the stack of papers before taking a paper and eyeing it up. “Can I know your name?”

“Delilah.” She ran her eyes before nodding to herself.

“Yes, Mam it’s there. You can go inside.” She smiled again, and after giving her a nod I walked towards the elevator. My heart thumped so hard against my chest as I stood outside his office door. Before I could open the door, I heard him speak a little louder.

“No, Stev I can’t. I have to go to New Orleans by tomorrow morning. I don’t even know how long it will take there.”