We rode in silence the rest of the drive. I was speechless after his last comment. Call my boyfriend? Was he serious? And tell him what exactly?
"Yeah hey Will, Devon here, yeah so we will have to break up now. Oh why you ask? Well you see I was bought and now 'belong' to this other guy, who is I guess jealous of you or whatever. So yeah, that's all! Okay cool. Bye"
I felt my heart flutter faintly when I thought about what he had said last night in the midst of our passionate... Whatever it was. 'Or I'll beat his ass and make you mine.' I shook my head and quickly replaced the feeling with anger while clenching my fist. I stared hard out the window, realizing we were coming to the end of our travels as we pulled up a very long driveway, similar to my own.
I couldn't help my eyes from widening when my eyes saw the house... Mansion... Castle? That was coming in to sight. It faded when I heard Lincoln smirk, but I was still in shock. What I saw was indescribable, I was used to luxury homes, hotels, vacations, but this was like all that wrapped in to one home. It had to be 10, no, 12 rooms. Surrounded by all kinds of trees, 6-car garage, a guesthouse, guards posted several places around the property, and that was just the front of the house.
The car came to a stop by the front door and another man in a suit came and opened the door. I awkwardly got out and stood there staring at the mansion as Lincoln got out of the car and walked passed me.
"Let's go." One of the suits said. I gave him the side eye then slowly followed in through the double doors into the grand foyer. It was as spectacular as the outside, if not more. The ceilings were easily 20 feet tall, cascaded by a beautiful, golden chandelier. Up to the second floor was a double set of stairs, coming together in the middle and also creating a beautiful doorway to one of the livings rooms below.
"Follow me." The suit was at the bottom of one of the set of stairs; Lincoln had already gone somewhere else. I really couldn't wrap my head around any of this. I looked behind me to see if I could run, but as if reading my mind another guard stepped in front of the door, arms casually draped as his hands came together in a fist.
I turned back and followed the first guy up the stairs and to the right, followed by a series of twists and turns. This place was a maze. Finally we came to a large door in what I imagined was the right wing of the house.
"Here you go. Stay here until your things are delivered. Someone will bring you food." He said matter-of-factly.
"Ok." I pushed open the door and quickly shut it behind me, leaning my head against the wood and taking a deep breath.
I turned around and once again was shocked at the beauty of this house.
What in the hell does this guy do for a living?
I tried to remember what he said the other night, but nothing specific was coming to mind. The main focal point of the room to me was the giant floor-to-ceiling-window with a window seat. I gave a slight sigh of relief when I saw it; I love window seats.
Standing at the door, the king-size bed was to my right, the window was directly in front of me, and to the left was a double vanity sink. To the right of that was a door to a massive walk-in closet, and to the left of the sink was a door leading to the rest of the bathroom. It was like my own little oasis. I could feel my unease start to settle, if this was the place I had to stay I would just never leave. Then I realized the lack of a kitchen and I got a knot in my stomach again. I had no idea how this was going to work, was it like prison? Just brought a tray of food and forced to eat it while locked in my room? I had so many questions that seemed like they would never be answered, I was out of options at this point. At least that's how it felt.
Suddenly there was a knock at my door, I jumped away as it started to open and several maids and men in suits filed in with suitcases and suitcases of things. I realized in a moment that they were my things. They all unloaded and just as quickly as they came in they left, leaving me with my bags and the foreboding silence.
The thing about me is that I am that person when staying in a hotel will unpack their whole suitcase and fill the dresser, closet, etc. But this time felt different. I stood there staring at my bags for what felt like an eternity. Do I unpack? Is that admitting defeat? Should I just make myself comfortable while I can?
Again overwhelmed with questions. I decided to unpack, if nothing but to avoid the anxiety that would come from being in a room with a bunch of bags blocking everything. I took the bags to the closet one by one. It was big enough to fit all 3 of my large suitcases with space to spare, I was quite shocked. Inside the closet were several large inserts, places for hanging, an entire section for shoes, and anything else I could want or need. Yet it all came with a bitter sting because clearly, I did not choose to be here.
I dumped everything out of the bags and made piles in which to organize them, shirts, jeans, sweaters, etc. Once sorted I began to fold or hang accordingly and it was about 2 hours later when I was satisfied with how everything looked.
Everyone in my life knew I was a clean freak, so having at least this made me feel a little better. My attention was drawn to the bedroom door when I heard a knock, I didn't move to answer it.
"Hey open the door!" Some random person demanded. I decided to stay in the closet, they no doubt had a key and would get in easily, but I also had no intention of making this easy considering the situation.
I heard the door open and a few people walk in. I walked out slowly and crossed my arms.
"Can I help you?" I asked unwavering.
"Didn't you hear us knock?" The guy asked.
"I did." I replied. He gave me a look.
"Uh, ok. My name is Duke, this is Ambrose, and Spencer. If you need anything just ask one of us."
I nodded. I really wasn't in the mood to speak with anyone.
He scratched his head and stood there awkwardly, "well can I get you anything? Food? Drinks?"
"I'm fine."
"Er- ok. Well Lincoln should be around soon so make yourself at home."
"If it's all the same I'd rather NOT see or speak to him." I replied shortly.
Duke was about to say something when another presence entered the room, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit with perfectly styled hair. Lincoln.
"Sorry to disappoint princess." He winked and I glared. "This is how it's going to be." He was loosening his tie and handing his jacket to one of his minions. "You do not leave this house, you do not interact with the outside world without permission, trying to escape is futile. I have guards surrounding this property as well as 24 hour surveillance." He made eye contact with me as his voice got more serious, "and under no circumstance do you entertain the notion of being with another man."
I practically laughed out loud and I could see his surprise, "what do you think this is, the 1800's? What makes you think I won't call the police? What make's you think I don't walk out of here with you being taken away to prison for human trafficking and enslavement!? You do not OWN me! I am not your PROPERTY!"
He smiled as he looked down to the ground then back at me, "if that's how you feel Miss Williams, then please by all means," he moved out of the way of the door and raised his arm to show that he was allowing me to go.
I was confused, but was not about to let that stop me. I grabbed my handbag and stared him in the eyes as I walked passed him and out of the bedroom, a smile plastered on his face the entire time.
"But I would not advise it. Your leaving would put your father in a rather large... Predicament."
I froze, my back towards Lincoln. How could I have forgotten about that? That's how he got me here in the first place. I turned towards him and crossed my arms.
"So what is it exactly hmm? This "debt" you have against my father. He is a legitimate business man, I have no reason to believe he has had any dealings with the likes of you" I seethed.
"Much has changed in your absence. Your father... Didn't deal with your mothers passing as well as he may have led on"
"Don't you DARE speak about my mother!" I got close to him; fully intending to land a punch on his pretty little face, however I was met with two strong hands holding back either one of my arms. Lincoln slowly walked towards me.
"I don't think you're ready to hear who your father really is... So why don't you leave that rock unturned for now." He smirked.
"So blackmail then? That's what this has resorted to. You think I won't leave to protect my family."
"Won't you?" He cocked his head, "door's always open Devon, just remember your beloved father will lose much more than just his business and money if you do." He turned and walked away, his posse following him as I was left alone in my doorway. "Join us for dinner if you wish!" He hollered back at me. I returned his invitation with the slamming of my door.