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Night fell and the manor was a blaze of lights. Richly dressed guests filled the grand hall, their pearls and diamonds glittering in the golden candlelight, and more were arriving every minute. In the ballrooms, an orchestra was playing a jaunty waltz as the guests twirled underneath the chandeliers. Wine flowed freely and glasses tinkled as laughter and conversation filled the air.
Cam and Leo stood to the side with Noel watching as the dancers paused to exchange partners.
‘It’s all so breathtaking, isn’t it?’ Noel said dreamily as the orchestra picked up another tune. ‘They are so beautiful. Like fairies from another world.’
Leo snorted. ‘Hardly.’
‘Oh, but it’s true. And for me this is practically another world. I wish I knew how to dance like that.’
‘Well then,’ Leo said, straightening up. ‘If you want to learn I can teach you.’
Noel gave him a doubtful look. ‘You?’
‘Don’t dismiss him so quickly,’ Cam spoke up. ‘He’s actually very good. One of the best in the 52.’
Leo’s chest puffed up with pride. ‘I’m yet to meet the person who can outdance me. Come on, don’t worry it’s easy once you get the hang of it.’
Noel glanced at his outstretched hand. After a bit of hesitation, he took it and allowed Leo to draw him close.
‘Now, place your hand on my shoulder… not too tight… a bit lower… there you go. I’ll lead and you follow. And one, two, three. One, two, three… keep your feet closer together. Eyes up, look into my face. One, two, three…’
Cam watched in amusement as Leo glided Noel up and down the length of their wall. They got a few stares, but most people didn’t pay them any mind.
After a while, Leo led a breathless Noel back. ‘Not too bad for your first try. You kept tripping because you were nervous, unlike Cam who has two left feet. We can try again later if you want.’
‘No thanks,’ Noel breathed out. ‘I don’t think I’m cut out for this.’
‘Not with that attitude,’ Leo chided. ‘How are you going to be ready when your Prince Charming comes to sweep you off your feet?’
‘Speaking of Prince Charming,’ Cam drawled, highly entertained. ‘Isn’t that Paul?’
They turned to see Paul enter the ballroom beside his parents. The light of the chandeliers threw his jawline into sharp relief, and he exuded regal confidence as he stood beside his royal parents.
The dancing ceased as they entered and a few women flapped out their fans to fan themselves heavily, their chests rising with excitement. The king smiled graciously and gestured for the music to continue.
The dancing picked back up and everyone’s attention drew back to their conversations. Paul glanced around the room and when his eyes lighted on his friends, he bent his head to whisper a few words to his parents. They nodded and he broke away, moving towards them.
‘Looks like he’s just in time to sweep you off your feet,’ Cam whispered, appearing suddenly by Noel’s ear.
Noel jolted. ‘What are you talking about?’
‘What’s going on between you two?’
‘There’s nothing going on. Now stop talking about it, he is almost here.’
Cam didn’t look convinced, but he backed away just as Paul arrived. ‘This isn’t over yet,’ he promised.
Noel rolled his eyes at him. Paul gave them both a curious look. He attempted to raise his hand in a greeting but found that Leo was already clinging to it for dear life.
‘Pijo, I want a date. Get me a date, pijo,’ Leo whined, tugging his arm at the end of each sentence.
‘Why can’t you get one yourself?’ Paul peeled him off with some difficulty. ‘And how do you expect me to find one?’
Leo beamed. ‘With your princely charms, of course! Let’s go, we can be each other’s wingmen.’
‘I don’t need a date, Leonardo,’ Paul said exasperatedly. ‘Neither do I want one.’
Leo looked crushed. ‘But why?’ he moaned. ‘Think of all the things we could do. We could go on double dates and stuff.’
Paul glanced at him in amusement. ‘I’m too busy to go on dates. Taking care of you is a full-time job. Between making sure you don’t kill yourself and studying for school, I’m surprised I have time to breathe.’
Leo huffed. ‘You don’t have to take care of me. I’m not a kid.’
‘Yes, you are. You’re my cute little kid,’ Paul said, rubbing Leo’s hair affectionately. ‘Who’s a good boy?’
‘Not the hair!’ Leo protested in dismay. He ducked away from Paul’s hand. ‘It took me ages to get it right.’
Noel glanced at him. ‘Ages? But it looks like you just rolled out of bed.’
‘Exactly! The ladies love that.’
Cam and Noel snorted in disbelief. ‘Which ones?’ they said in perfect unison.
Leo scowled and jabbed a finger at them. ‘You two are gay. You don’t get an opinion. Tell them, Paul.’
Paul shrugged. ‘I kinda agree with them.’
‘You’re bi therefore your opinion is only half valid.’
Paul chuckled. ‘Look, there’s Jayden. Maybe you can get him to side with you.’
Leo’s face lifted. ‘Jayden, Jayden,’ he called excitedly, waving him over.
Jayden turned at the sound of his name. He looked around, and after seeing Leo’s excited wave, he made his excuses to the people he had been standing with and left to walk up to them.
‘What?’
‘What do you think of my hair?’ Leo asked without missing a beat.
Jayden glanced at it. ‘It looks stupid. Why did Cam let you walk out of the house like that?’
Cam and Noel dissolved into fits of laughter. Paul kept his composure for Leo’s sake and patted his arm comfortingly.
‘I mean it’s Jayden. What did you expect?’
Leo however, refused to be discouraged. ‘He is also gay so his opinion is invalid.’
‘Being gay does not make me blind but apparently straight people suffer from that affliction. One of the girls I was with seems to share your opinion on that scraggly mess.’
Leo’s face lit up. He looked over to where Jayden had been standing a few minutes before and caught the eyes of a girl who blushed and looked away when their eyes met.
He grinned. ‘Target acquired, I’m going in. Don’t wish me luck, I won’t need it.’
They watched as he passed his hand through his hair one more time before walking over. He stuck out his hand, and the girl giggled before taking it, allowing Leo to lead them to the centre of the dance floor.
‘Well, would you look at that?’ Noel commented, impressed.
Cam however, did not share his sentiment. ‘I’m never going to hear the end of it now.’
Jayden turned to Paul. ‘Is Samuel here yet?’
‘He got here with his family a few minutes after I did. Last I saw, he was chatting with a few prefects from school at the entrance hall.’
Jayden nodded and was about to leave when he caught sight of a figure from the corner of his eye.
‘Do me a favour and look for him for me. And when you find him, don’t let him out of your sight.’
He didn’t wait around to get a confirmation. He darted quickly through the crowd, neck craned as his eyes scanned the moving bodies swiftly. He was certain he hadn’t imagined it, and sure enough, he found him standing at the foot of the marble staircase. There was a glass of champagne in his hand as he spoke quite animatedly to someone Jayden couldn’t quite place.
He drew up beside them. ‘What are you doing here, Rutherford?’
Azrael looked up in pleasant surprise. ‘Oh Jayden, there you are. You remember Olivia, don’t you? She was the vice president during my tenure as school president.’
He barely spared her a look. ‘Excuse us.’
Olivia glanced at Azrael who gave her an apologetic shrug. ‘He’s not quite domesticated I’m afraid. If you could spare me a few minutes, I’ll come find you after I’m done with him. Then we can continue our fascinating conversation.’
Olivia gave them both a weird look before walking away. Azrael shook his head sadly. ‘That was quite rude of you. What do you have against poor Olivia?’
‘What are you doing here?’
Azrael looked surprised. ‘What an odd question. You invited me.’
Jayden frowned. ‘No, I didn’t.’
‘Yes, you did.’ He tapped his finger against the glass as he hummed thoughtfully. ‘If memory serves, the invitation read: The Mills family would be pleased if you could honour our home with your presence at our annual Christmas ball. You’re a member of the Mills family, are you not?’ He beamed and spread his arms wide. ‘So here I am to honour your home.’
‘Get out.’
Azrael tutted in disapproval. ‘You’re not being a very good host at the moment Jayden. What would your mother think?’
Jayden stepped closer. ‘You have never attended any of our gatherings, Rutherford. Why now?’
Azrael let out a guilty sigh. ‘Pardon my poor attendance, but they were all dreadfully boring you see.’ He paused and a slow smile snaked its way across his face. ‘Tonight, however,’ he whispered. ‘Promises to be filled with unimaginable pleasure.’
Jayden’s gaze sharpened. ‘What exactly do you want?’
‘What do I want?’ He shrugged. ‘Who knows? However, I expect you are about to find out.’ He looked pointedly behind Jayden’s shoulder. ‘Isn’t that your mother? I think she’s searching for you.’
Jayden frowned but didn’t take his eyes away from him. His mother breezed up to them, her silk gown swishing softly in her wake.
‘It’s a pleasure to see you again, Mrs. Mills,’ Azrael greeted, his charming smile already in place. ‘You look radiant as always.’
Victoria glanced at him in surprise. ‘Oh, Azrael was it? You’re Rutherford’s son. How is your poor father? I haven’t seen him at any of our soirées for years. Not since the accident.’
‘He’s forging through as best as he can. George and I do what we can to help but it doesn’t seem to be enough. He misses mother terribly you see.’
Victoria’s face filled with pity. ‘We all do darling. Your sainted mother was a rare kind. She was the noblest of us all. It’s not the same without her. Do give him my regards, and if you and your brother need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask.’
Azrael’s eyes filled with gratitude. ‘Thank you, he would be pleased to hear it.’
‘I’m afraid I must now steal Jayden away.’
Azrael stepped aside. ‘Of course, he’s all yours.’
‘I promise to bring him back soon. I hope you enjoy yourself while we’re gone.’
He flashed them a brilliant smile. ‘I always do,’ he replied. He gave Jayden a wink before turning to walk away.
Jayden watched him go with a growing feeling of unease.
‘Come dear,’ Victoria was saying. ‘We have been summoned by your father.’
Jayden’s head shot up. ‘What? Why?’
‘I don’t know. His message was very cryptic. I suppose we’ll find out soon enough. Shall we?’
She lifted her gown with a dainty hand and proceeded up the marble staircase. Jayden followed behind her, his unease growing with every step they took.
The light and music of the ball faded behind them as they walked deeper into the manor. Victoria led them down a carpeted corridor, and soon they were standing before the door to his father’s office.
The room was dark, the only light coming from a low fire that burned languidly in the grate. His father was at his desk and thick heavy curtains covered the window behind him that looked out into the yard.
‘Sit,’ he gestured to the seats before him.
Jayden’s jaw set defiantly and a refusal was already halfway out of his mouth but he was stopped by a gentle touch from his mother. Victoria shook her head softly, and he allowed her to guide him gently into one of the chairs. She took the one beside him, and they both waited expectantly.
Roger looked up, and the expression on his face immediately set Jayden on edge.
‘How long?’
Jayden and Victoria glanced at each other in confusion.
‘What do you mean, dear?’ Victoria asked.
His father ignored her. He looked directly at him. ‘How long did you think you could keep your relationship a secret from me?’
Jayden’s blood ran cold. He schooled his features and asked impassively, ‘What relationship?’
‘Do not play games with me. I know everything.’
‘I have no idea what you’re talking about.’
‘Oh really?’ His father’s voice was eerily calm. ‘Should I go and speak with him then? What was his name again? Samuel?’
Jayden’s eye twitched involuntarily. It was subtle, but his father’s sharp eye caught it. He nodded and leaned back against his chair.
‘So it’s true.’
Jayden’s fists clenched by his side. ‘There’s nothing-‘
‘Enough!’ His father’s fists landed heavily on the desk causing him to jolt. Roger’s gaze was apoplectic with rage as he glared at his only child. ‘We welcomed him into our home, we let him dine at our table, he slept under our roof and what does he give us in return? He corrupts my son!’
Jayden’s fists clenched even tighter, cutting the skin in his palm. ‘He didn’t corrupt me.’
‘He seduced you then? Or were you the one doing the seduction? Do I need to write an apology to his parents? Do they have any idea that their beloved Samuel is as lecherous as my own disappointment?’
Jayden shook with unconstrained anger. ‘Insult me however you want but do not bring him into this. You have no right to even speak his name.’
Roger scoffed in disbelief. ‘I can’t believe you still have the guts to defend him. It’s your fault such filth entered my house in the first place.’
Jayden’s eyes blazed with fury. ‘Do not speak about him like that!’
‘I will speak about him any way I see fit!’ his father roared, shooting to his feet. ‘I will not listen to you defend that… that boy.‘
‘And I will not listen to you insult him either!’ Jayden was also on his feet. ‘That boy, as you call him, is a hundred times the man you will never be.’
Father and son stared each other down, their form shaking with fury. Roger closed his eyes and sat back down.
‘Enough. I am tired of fighting with you. Obviously, you will never change. Henceforth, he is no longer welcome here, and I forbid you from seeing him ever again. You will be betrothed tonight, and when you come of age, you will get married. This is for your own good and for the security and stability of this family.’
Jayden laughed. He laughed until his form ached but there was no humour in his laughter. His laughter disappeared as suddenly as it had begun. He looked dead into his father’s eyes.
‘Listen to me, father, and listen well. I am not going to be betrothed, I am not going to stop seeing him and if I do get married, it won’t be to some girl you pick for me. It would be to the man I love, and there’s nothing you can do to stop me.’
His father matched his gaze calmly. ‘We’ll see.’
Jayden stormed out, slamming the door so forcefully behind him the paintings on the wall shuddered with the impact.
Victoria stared at her husband. ‘Are you happy now?’
‘You are not innocent either.’
Victoria’s gaze turned wary. ‘What have I done this time?’
‘You knew.’
It wasn’t a question and Victoria didn’t deny it.
‘I did.’
‘For how long?’
Victoria lifted her chin defiantly. ‘Since the beginning. I daresay I knew it even before they did.’
Roger’s anger flared up again. ‘This has been going on with our son and you didn’t think I should know? What’s worse you continuously turned a blind eye and allowed it to go on.’
Victoria swelled with indignation. ‘Oh, so it’s our son now? I didn’t know you cared.’
‘Don’t try and turn this on me. You were the one who stood idly by while our son corrupted himself.’
Victoria gasped in disbelief. ‘I stood idly by? Do you know Roger, I am sick of your shit. I am sick and tired of it. After that incident years ago, I was the only one who kept an eye on him. I was the only one who kept making the effort to talk to him. I was the only one who tried to reach out. I was the only one who tried to be there for him no matter how many times he turned me away. Me, the one who stood “idly by”. And what did you do? Nothing. You did nothing except make it worse. Do you want to know why I continued to allow it?’
‘I’m not going to sit here and listen to this.’ He got up and tried to leave, but she shoved him forcefully back.
‘Well, too bad ’cause you’re going to hear it anyway. I let it happen because for the first time in a long time, my son was happy.’ Victoria’s voice cracked. ‘Last month, I walked by his room and I heard him laughing. I stood there for an hour just listening to it and I couldn’t remember the last time I heard my beautiful boy’s laugh. And it hit me, we were the reason why he hasn’t laughed in a long time. And that boy, as you call him, gave that back to him. For that, I would forever be in his debt.’
Roger opened his mouth furiously to protest, but Victoria didn’t give him room to speak. She shook her head firmly.
‘No, you don’t get to talk. Like you, I also don’t understand it, and I don’t even know if it’s right, but do you know the difference between us? I am trying. I am making an actual effort to figure all this out. I am not burying my head in the sand like an ostrich in the futile hope that if I ignore it, it will all go away like a bad dream.’
Her eyes filled with pain as she looked directly at her husband. ‘It is not going away, Roger, and it is not a dream. This is our reality, and we need to face it as a family. And I am so so tired of being the only one who tries to keep this family together.’
She closed her eyes and took a deep, long breath. She smoothed her gown and stood, her mask sliding back into place.
‘If you’ll excuse me, I’m afraid I’ve left our guests unattended for far too long. I hope you’ll think about what I’ve said.’
She inclined her head courteously, and with a swish of her skirts, she was gone. Roger sat back and stared stolidly into the fireplace. The fire had died down and only glowing embers remained.
A door in the corner slowly creaked open, and a figure stepped out tentatively into the room.
‘You heard everything?’
Valentina bit her lip uncomfortably and nodded. ‘I told you it was true, and don’t worry, your secrets are safe with me. If you give me a chance I would be able to help you.’
‘So you keep saying,’ Roger replied dispassionately. ‘I do wonder, however, how you plan on keeping your promise.’
Valentina shuffled her feet nervously. ‘Forgive me sir, but it would be best if you don’t know.’
‘I see.’
He stared at the glowing embers for a while longer before getting to his feet. ‘Very well, if you are able to deliver on your word and get Jayden to agree, I will betroth him to you, and someday you will become mistress of this manor and matriarch of the second family.’
‘I don’t do this for money or power,’ Valentina rushed to explain. ‘I am in love with Jayden and only want to help him.’
Roger swept her with a cold gaze. ‘I do not care about your reasons, neither do I care about your methods. Do whatever you must just get my son back to me.’
‘I will not fail you. You can count on me,’ Valentina promised.
‘We’ll see,’ was all he said before walking out.
Valentina was finally alone in the room. She let out the breath she had been holding and slumped into one of the armchairs by the fireplace.
‘An interesting family, are they not?’ Azrael whispered in her ear.
She nearly jumped out of her skin. Her heart thumped furiously in her chest as she turned to glare at him.
‘Stop doing that.’
Azrael hummed noncommittedly as he traced a delicate finger down the side of a glass decanter. ‘This is a good collection. Do you think they’ll mind if I have a taste?’
Valentina ignored the question. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘My dear, how could I possibly miss such an exciting affair?’
‘How long were you here?’
‘Long enough.’ He poured himself a glass. ‘Ah, Merlot. Very supple, but my tastes tend to lean towards the more earthy blends.’
Valentina was growing impatient. ‘Put that down.’
‘Shouldn’t you be more worried about how you’re going to keep your promise? I gather that though Mills senior would not mind that I helped myself to his quite excellent vintage, he may not take too kindly to your failure.’
Valentina glared at him. ‘That’s supposed to be your job. You should be there right now getting him to agree so that our betrothal can be announced tonight.’
Azrael was amused. ‘So impatient to tie the knot. With such a scheming mind, one would think that you, of all people, would appreciate the value of patience.’
Valentina reached out and snatched the glass from his hand. ‘I have had enough of you. I’ve already had one fish escape my net, and I’m not about to let another go, so get your ass out of that chair and get the job done this instant.’
Azrael regarded her lazily. ‘I am not one of your pets that you can command at a whim.’
There was a cold edge to his tone, but Valentina was not frightened. She stuck her chin out and said, ‘I can and I will.’
Azrael’s eyes flashed. ‘You presume too much. What makes you think I cannot kill you right where you stand?’
Valentina matched his gaze. ‘We have a deal.’
‘Do you think that I’m bound by such silly words?’
His voice was so cold that Valentina shivered involuntarily. However she held her ground.
‘You will not harm me. We both want the same thing. You need me.’
Azrael’s eyes glinted briefly before filling with mirth once more. He stood up and gave her a mocking bow.
‘Forgive me, I shall go and fulfil your orders at once. As you so rightly put it, our interests are fortuitously aligned.’
For now.
AUTHOR’S NOTE:
👀
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