Chapter song:
Silence by Nf.
••☆••
GRAYSON TOWER.
A gentleman in suits, carrying a brown envelope, rushed inside to the gardens where Lady Scarlet was seated.
"Good afternoon, lady Scarlet," he humbly said.
"Yes?" she replied.
"Here, like ordered." he said ,handing over the envelope.
Lady Scarlet immediately opened it. Getting out the pictures of Darnel, Marieh, and all their friends, the club pictures inclusive.
She held out the picture of Darnel and Marieh walking together while at the Academy laughing .
More pictures of Darnel and Marieh at tarven, on the swings, and in the lake with the crew around .
The other of Marieh and the girls up at the stange dancing , more of Marieh with Amir dancing at the dance floor.
Other of Darnel with the pink haired girl being extremely intimate.
"It's true that they spend time together. the only thing is that her friends are around as well ." The gentleman reported.
"Is it just for show?" Lady Scarlet asked.
"No, I have been watching them. Their relationship is growing each day." the gentleman reported.
"Good," she said.
" i thought he had stopped seeing this brat," Lady Scarlet angrily said , glaring at pink haired girl.
" he had stopped ," the gentleman stammered.
" Then what is she doing her. Handle her quietly, " Lady Scarlet ordered.
" Yes ma'am," the gentleman replied.
"Who is this?" Lady Scarlet pointed at Amir.
"He is Marieh's best friend," the gentleman reported.
"He is Amir Adams, a son to Charles Adams, the brother to Miss Nancy." The gentleman added.
"Amir Adams," Lady Scarlet repeated then continued to go through the pictures, with every one of them being accompanied with details.
She then reached the picture of Babi kicking Darnel in the woods.
"It's hard to tell what they were talking about, but as you can see , they were having an argument." The gentleman reported.
"Babirye," Lady Scarlet thought to herself.
"Anything more?" Lady Scarlet asked,
The gentleman went through the pictures, showing her the picture of Nathan carrying Babi on his back.
"She is very good friends with him, they've been best friends since childhood. Nathan's father was her late father's friend." He reported.
"Very good," Lady Scarlet thoughtfully said .
"Now properly organise the feast." She
ordered.
"Yes ma'am," he said, immediately walking away.
Lady Scarlet remained going through the pictures, analysing each and every one.
*
Nosooner had the sun set when Matt's van pulled over on the Grayson grounds.
Matt came out with his girlfriend Kim, Kalvin, and Amir followed.
"Nathan is already here." Kalvin said on seeing Nathan's car already parked.
"Meaning Babi and Neacky are here too." Kim said.
Nervously trembling, they stood outside, gathering the guts to go in.
They had heard of the tower, talked about it , and seen it from a far, but never had they come that close to it. The place itself was intimating.
Amir's attention was then taken by the arriving black range rover. The driver opened the car door, Marieh stepping out .
They all deeply sighed more worried the monent they noticed Marieh's changed character.
She was more graceful and perfectly put together a side they had never witnessed.
Marieh glanced at them once, then turned being arshed in entering inside the tower.
Another gentleman came towards them .
" This way," he said very direly.
The home atmosphere was scary, and the house stuff were so stern like they had never smiled before.
They all looked at each other then then followed the man inside .
" Do you have any idea why she called for us?" Matt asked the gentleman.
The gentleman didn't respond, which made them get even more scared.
They walked inside, looking at every single detail of the house.
The place shone like heaven, which would be nice but not when it's the devil awaiting inside.
" they are here," Neacky shakily said.
As much as they had arrived earlier, none of them had the guts to enter inside the hall where the feast was arranged.
Babi nervously paced, had Lady Scarlet discovered that Darnel and her had something going on.
" Marieh," Amir asked.
" she is already in with the mother," Babi replied.
"Neacky..Babi...you guys " Miss Nancy called in surprise on the hall doors being opened, and she stepped out .
" All along, you were lady Scarlet's guests," Miss Nancy said in worry.
" we are just as surprised as you," Babi said .
Miss Nancy deeply exhaled, staring back in the hall , the doors still opened for them to get in.
" mom," Neacky nervously called , more like a plea.
" they are waiting for you . Be careful of what you say." Miss Nancy softly said.
Now that they were there , and being waited for, there was nothing Nancy would do but give them a piece of advice.
Together, they stepped inside and were mesmerised by the beauty and indulgence of the hall.
A long candlelit table stretched beneath a canopy of pendant lights, the setting gleamed with gold rimmed crystal, polished cutlery, and porcelain plates rimmed in delicate floral motifs.
The scent of roasted herbs, fire-grilled meats, and warm bread mingles with notes of jasmine from the flowers around.
Soft instrumental music hums in the background from cello and violin. Deep, red, white, and various kinds of fancy wine bottles at the table.
Carefully plated dishes, figs with honey and burrata, seared lamb with rosemary jus, wild mushroom risotto, grilled peaches with mascarpone.
Lady Scarlet, at the end of the table, flashed a smile standing in welcoming them, and that took away from the beauty of everything.
How elegant she looked in her a line gown yet ,still not helping, they were more frightened.
"It's a pleasure having you at my humble home," She smiled.
What about her home was humble?.
At the table were Marieh ,her mother, Mrs McCall , Celine, and Vanessa.
Hardly had they sat when the doors behind them were opened.
An elegant lady dressed in a red A line dress majestically stepped in and slightly behind her were two study boys in suits.
Each step they made was powerful and called for attention.
Behind them were two ladies and three gentlemen who were their personal assistants.
Esther , right on time," Lady Scarlet joyfully smiled.
The McCalls stood up bowing to them .
"Oh.."
Babi and friends nervously and unsurely bowing to them.
" Good evening, my lady." William and Gilbert, with at most respect, greeted lady Scarlet.
" How happy i am to have you here ," Lady Scarlet replied.
" Good evening." William greeted his friends
" Good evening, "they humbly replied.
" What are you waiting for? Have a seat," Lady Scarlet said to them all.
Queen Esther and Mrs McCall sat opposite each other .
Prince Gilbert sat next to the mother , Marieh sat to the mother too, and then Amir followed the rest dispersed themselves at the table.
At once, their phones buzzed silently .
From under the table, they got out their phones .
' by the time we are all here ,Lady Scarlet has already made enough digging on every one of you, she knows enough so be super honest , don't stutter , don't dare be nervous, only reply what she has asked .'
The message read from William.
They all read it but were not helping but make them even more nervous, Amir looked at Marieh very worried , and so was Babi .
Lady Scarlet knows enough , what exactly did she know , how far deep had she known .
They all wondered.
Babi's eyes at the door, somehow hoping that Darnel would come in .
Them being here gave them a small glimpse of how William, Marieh, and Darnel lived.
"Mm.." Marieh softly cleared her throat, trying to clear her thoughts that had run wild, reminiscing of how Amir's wet tongue licked her vagine lips in this tensed moment.
" The silence . Are you all nervous," Lady Scarlet asked softly , finally breaking the silence
They all looked at her ,all trying to smile a bit, but the cheeks were too stiff to go up .
Lady Scarlet giggled , she was enjoying herself.
" I was told you're so fun to hang out with . Did they decive me, or am it too scary?" Lady Scarlet asked.
"Scary you," Queen Esther chuckled.
" Indeed ,why would you be scary?" Marieh replied with a smile .
" If not, then let me catch on the fun," Lady Scarlet said, widely smiling .
" i am eagerly waiting too,"Queen Esther smiled.
"Mrs McCall told us a lot about how nice it is to be around you all," Queen Esther said.
"They are," Mrs McCall testified.
The girls could testify to how sweet Mrs McCall was to them, yet there , she, too, had worn the wolf's skin, becoming someone's else.
"The food is getting cold , dig in," Lady Scarlet sweetly said.
"Thank you," they replied.
" it's delicious," William smiled on tasting the food , he had sat at the other extreme end of the table.
"Wonderful," Lady Scarlet said
" Not for Darnel though," William commented loudly.
Lady Scarlet and Queen Esther giggled .
" You know him too well . Good thing he won't be joining our feast," Lady Scarlet said .
Babi almost choked on soup she was swallowing.
Everyone else became even more uncomfortable and terrified by her statement.
William frowned ,unsettled by the statement.
" Are you okay, Babirye?" Lady Scarlet, with concern, asked on her coughing.
The maid rushed to pour her a glass of water, Babi immediately gulped down the water and then turned looking at her with a slight smile.
" I am okay , thank you," Babi said .
Their eyes all turned to the door. A beautiful blue-eyed young lady with her hair neatly tired up , a black leather jacket, a turtle neck top that protruded through the jacket.
In jeans and black long boots stepped in.
" A feast," she loudly exclaimed.
" Elna, what are you doing here?" Lady Scarlet asked, not pleased by her presence.
" Hush tone, mother , this is my home, that's why I am here." Elna arrogantly replied.
" The volunteer event you are supposed to attend," Lady Scarlet stated.
" I was just leaving, then I discovered that the maids are so busy in the left wing . You are having a feast while the rest of us are preoccupied with work, " Elna said .
Lady Scarlet exhaled, trying to keep it calm.
" Then please show my guests respect," Lady Scarlet said .
" Oh dear , where are my manners?" Elna widely smiled.
In total silence, the whole table stared at her , waiting for what she had to say.
" The feast looks boring," Elna stated after scaning the table.
"I am sorry, I dropped my manners somewhere as I rushed here . After I collect them ,I will come back and pay all of you some respect, " Elna arrogantly said, then majestically marched out.
" Elna," the mother called.
She stopped at the door, turning to look at her mother.
" Enjoy your boring feast, but that event you're telling me to attend better be interesting with some nice-looking men," Elna said unbotheredly and continued her way out.
The room was then filled with silence after her closing the door again .
All their eyes back on their plates.
"I am sorry about my daughter," Lady Scarlet said.
" aren't all daughters like that , " Marieh's mother said, sounding like a joke.
"I can't relate," Queen Esther said, and the three of them laughed.
The fact that Lady Scarlet and Queen Esther hadn't addressed anything to them made that group of friends more worried in anticipation of danger.
*
Darnel tiredly walked from his humongous study room to his room , bare feet, in his grey sweatpants and a white undershirt.
He fell face flat on his bed, groaning in exhaustion.
Hardly had he shut his eyes when Elna opened his bedroom door rushing in.
" What are you doing?" Elna asked in panic.
" Elna, please not now, I am so tired, let me rest," he cried wearily. Elna sighed in disbelief.
" You have totally no idea what is happening in the left wing," Elna stated .
" Do I have to know?" Darnel asked , not interested
" Mother organised a feast," Elna said.
" Then let her enjoy ,I want no part of it," Darnel said
" William , Marieh and a bunch of other guys. Am not so sure, but the two twin girls that I definitely saw in Miss Nancy's pictures in her room are also there," Elna said.
Darnel hurriedly sat up, looking at the sister now so curious and invested.
" What are you talking about?" Darnel asked
" they are like 11 kids mom is feasting with . Why do you think she kept you busy? " Elna asked.
" You must be kidding me," Darnel said, angrily rushing out of his room.
Darnel didn't bother to organise himself or put on something decent he ran as fast as he could to the left wing.
Elna hurriedly followed, keeping up with him.
" You're not allowed in here, sir. " the gentleman guarding the door said.
" Bullshit ...how dare you," Darnel angrily said, pushing him out of his way .
He angrily and desperately swang the doors open, stepping inside the hall.
Everyone's eyes turned, looking at the Darnel fumingly stepping into the hall, and relief surfaced to Babi and William.
Darnel slowly stormed in , getting more annoyed by the sight.
They all looked at Darnel from head yo toe, unanaylsing how messy he looked.
Darnel looked at Babi ,to William to everyone else at the table, then finally to the mother .
Elna majestically walked past Darnel, taking her seat at the table with a proud smile.
" Elna Grayson," Lady Scarlet loudly called, banging the table.
" What?" Elna ravingly asked.
"I am levelling the play ground, you always told me to be fair," Elna said, sipping some of the wine in front of her.
" You can't be here, Darnel, especially looking like that," Lady Scarlet said calmly.
Darnel giggled angrily.
" what the fuck are you doing " he calmly asked the mother .
" watch your language and go back to your chambers " Lady Scarlet said more like an order .
"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING " Darnel angrily burst .
His roar really startled everyone around. They all sat up right, none of them making a move ,one would believe they had held their breathes as well .
Miss Nancy instructed all the maids to hurriedly vacate the place.
" What does it look like, a feast with my guests?" Lady Scarlet said.
As much as she wanted to sound calm, it was very clear she was angry.
Darnel then noticed the envelope placed at the table in the corner next to Lady Scarlet.
Darnel hurriedly reached for it and checked it . In anger, he threw the pictures down.
" You went ahead to stalk me , Again," Darnel angrily shouted.
" DARNEL!!!" She banged the dining table in anger, standing up facing him.
" Watch your tone , show some respect, and leave this place," she shouted.
" You must kidding , you should have known how I would react when you organised this crap without my consent," He shouted back .
The door was opened, Sir Philip marching furiously.
" Darnel , where are your manners she is your mother," Sir Philip asked loudly , in anger.
" Mother , you say," he angrily exhaled
" Yes , she birthed me but didn't raise me . Mother credits should go to Miss Nancy, and this is the nicest I can be thankfully go how well I was raised," Darnel shouted.
Lady Scarlet raised her hand to slap him in the face, but she stopped midway, her hand shaking . She couldn't.
Darnel didn't flinch to her urge to want to slap him .
" I have been really trying to comply with all your requests but you don't appreciate my efforts," Darnel angrily said.
" calling them here is for the good of you and every Grayson," Lady Scarlet said.
" Then you would have informed me in the first place , then you wouldn't have stalked and dug about them," Darnel yelled
" you being angry right now , throwing a fit right now justifies for my actions , what is it your hiding, what is it about them that I don't know that scares you I will find out " lady scarlet shouted.
" If there was really nothing, then you wouldn't act the way you're doing right now," she added.
" You don't get it, don't you? " Darnel angrily asked .
He breathed out, looking at everyone at the table .
He breathed in deeply , struggling to contain his anger.
" Fine ,then let's dance to the tune your music," Darnel calmly said.
This was even more frightening than the angry him.
He turned, looking at everyone at the table.
" Forgive me, father ,for my disrespect towards your wife," Darnel humbly said .
Sir Philip deeply exhaled.
" Alright, then please schedule this fest another pleasant day. I am sure this has been enough drama for the night," Sir Philip said.
" I agr....."
" No , " Darnel interrupted the mother from speaking.
" Now that they are here , let's proceed, forgive me for my ill manners," Darnel said .
" Darnel," the mother called.
He moved to the extreme end of the table ,pulling the seat next to William opposite that of Babi .
" I didn't invite you at the feast, and not when you're dressed like that," Lady Scarlet said .
" William is my best friend, has seen even worse, Babi , Nathan, Kalvin, Matt, Vanessa, Kim , Neacky, Amir , Celine are my friends, after showing them my ill manners am sure nothing shocks them now," Darnel informed.
"Queen Esther is like a mother to me, Prince Gilbert is like a brother , Marieh and Mrs McCall are typically family ,Elna is my beloved sister, so nothing to worry about " Dsrnel said.
Lady Scarlet deeply exhaled, taking her seat .
" it's okay, love," she smiled at Sir Philip.
" may you all enjoy your feast," Sir Philip said, then walked away .
" Miss Nancy, take up a seat ," Darnel considers you his mother, " Lady Scarlet said.
" I am just a maiden, my lady," Nancy said humbly.
" Miss Nancy is more learned to know where to stop and to respect others , don't you agree, Darnel," Elna loudly asked .
" Never wrong." Darnel smiled at Elna.
Babi and Neacky deeply exhaled, not appreciative of how small their mother was made to shrink despite all her sacrifices to this family.
Babi stared at Darnel, whose eyes were down , he was beyond angry and trying to hold it in.
" Miss Nancy, please tell the maids to come in , am starving," Elna sweetly said to miss Nancy.
Miss Nancy looked at Lady Scarlet in a way of asking for permission.
" Go ahead," Lady Scarlet said.
The maids came in serving Elna and Darnel are plate.
" What a feast , I am hoping you enjoy what I organised for the rest of the night," Lady Scarlet said calmly.
" we shall , now that Darnel is here too," William smiled.
Gilbert scowled at William. He had been silent the whole night , only scrutinising everyone at the table.
" So it's not surprise to all of you that Marieh and Darnel are engaged. " Lady Scarlet asked .
Amir and the rest froze , this was clearly news to them.
Amir swallowed hard, fidgeting to hide pain in this new discovery. Marieh deeply exhaled, feeling the pain, too.
She didn't intend for Amir and the rest to find out like this
" yes , they informed us right when we first met Darnel," Amir surprisingly replied so calmly .
William and Darnel stared at Amir , who bore a soft smile on his face .
" she slept out last night, I was filled with worry till Darnel called me to inform me that he was with her," Mrs McCall said .
" we trying to our best mom," Marieh patched in.
" But it's high time we took it slow," Darnel said.
" What?" Lady Scarlet reacted.
" I mean , Marieh and I are over trying to get along , being on the some page , going for the dates , trying to put in this effort , we should take it slow " Darnel unbotheredly said.
" Darnel," Lady Scarlet called.
" no ,it's clear you didn't appreciate it, that's why you put up the stalkers, calling all our friends here just so you clearly see it with your own eyes but hey I don't blame you, why would you trust us especially me " Darnel said .
" I get that it was too good to be true , " Darnel added.
" What are you trying to get across?" Lady Scarlet asked .
Darnel giggled, not replying to her mother .
The food was brought at the table, and everyone began digging in .
" i have a lot about you, Amir," Mrs McCall said.
" I hope they are good ones," Amir said
" That your Marieh's best friend," Lady Scarlet said.
" Kind of Babi is Marieh's best friend," Amir said .
This had been the first time Amir denied and said he and Marieh weren't best friends.
" it's beautiful for them to be best friends , a great foundation for when Babi will then serve Marieh as her head maiden." Lady Scarlet smiled.
Babi rested her fork down on her statement. She got extremely uncomfortable with the conversation.
" i am sure Richard would be so proud, Neacky is pursuing ballet and Babi following the mother's legacy," Lady Scarlet added .
Neacky immediately lost her appetite, placing her cutlery down, none of what she was saying was pleasing to hear, especially about Richard, their late father .
Miss Nancy bent down her head, not pleased by Lady Scarlet's annoying conversations.
" Babi, don't yo....."
" it's Babirye," Babi interrupted Lady Scarlet.
" Excuse me," Lady Scarlet said.
The whole table was amused by Babi's tone , all staring at her.
" My name, it's Babirye Adams Mcweesly," she said, skipping her middle name, calm yet anger displayed in her tone.
" Stop calling me Babi , I respect you, but I don't think we are close enough for you to call me Babi," she said very dire.
" Choose from those," Babi asserted .
Babi's fear and extreme respect for lady Scarlet went out the window the moment her started speaking bullshit.
A smile popped up Elna's face .
Lady Scarlet didn't expect that from Babi, and neither did she like it but still put on a smile.
" I am sorry, Babirye, " she said
" Thank you," Babi said
Lady Scarlet giggled a bit .
" You never changed. you're still as tough as you used to be when you were young," Lady Scarlet said.
" I was thinking of bringing closer Darnel and Marieh's wedding," Lady Scarlet said, breaking the little silence in the room again.
Darnel giggled hard, looking at his mother.
" Don't you just over flutter yourself, mother," Darnel laughed.
" And please, don't test my patience, am sure you wouldn't like it," he warned.
" I am not ready either," Marieh said.
" it's just a thought," Lady Scarlet said, holding Marieh's hand gently .
" Are you just cute when you're quiet or you more handsome when you talk?" Elna suddenly said to Matt .
" he is mine ,my boyfriend," Kim butted in immediately.
This brought some little laughter from everyone at the table.
" What a protective girl you are , can't we wager, that...." Elna said.
"No , it's a bet lost . How dare I compete with a goddes like you?" Kim said .
That tickled chuckles out of everyone.
" You think I am a goddess, then how about I steal you from him cause darling, i need a protective lioness like you," Elna said ..
" Are you that blod to snatch her right in front of me?" Matt said .
" she is too confident," Darnel said.
"I like confident girls, snatch me instead," Kalvin said . Chuckles filled the room .
" I am more into her," Elna said, pointing at Babi .
" What if she is taken?" Nathan asked.
" So am I, but we can mingle." Elna widely smiled.
" she never settles, don't fall for it," William said .
They were all laughing , the air in the room then lightened.
Babi's concern was more to Darnel. Despite his laughter here and there , that was just a facade.
Babi removed her shoes and moved her legs, touching Darnel's feet with hers , gently soothing him
Darnel gazed at Babi quite astonished, and her head was turned to the other acting to direly engaged in the chit chat at the table.
A little smile popped on his face .He pushed his legs forward, not making her over stretch hers, entangling their legs as her toes to gently caressed his feet , in way of trying comfort him.
" Excuse me," Amir quietly said on the napkin he was using falling .
He pushed his chair gently backwards and bent down to pick it up .
Amir eyes popped out , with a confused frown on his face, his eyes landing on Babi and Darnel's feet under the table .
He definitely wouldn't believe his eyes , but they weren't deceiving. He had seen right .