“What child?” she questioned, not bothering to stop what she was doing.
“How long have you known Kairus?” That time she paused.
“Since he was a young boy. I worked for his parents.”
I licked my lips and brought my bottom lip into my mouth. “And as a kid? Was he..?” I let my words trail.
Lillian turned to face me. “You need to worry about cleaning and not digging into matters you have no business worrying about.”
Maybe she was right, but I couldn’t leave it alone. I wanted to know more about Kairus, but I was sure it wouldn’t be from him. He was a twisted, cruel man. But I doubted it was because he was born like that.
“The scars on his face….”
“Let sleeping dogs lie, child! Mr. Navarro brought you here to clean and do what he tells you, not to ask questions that have nothing to do with you. If Mr. Navarro heard your questioning he wouldn’t be happy about it and we both know you don’t wantto be on the receiving end of his wrath. Finish your sweeping then leave me to my cooking.” She dismissed me without another word.
I bit the inside of my cheek and looked down at the pile of dirt. I knew asking Lillian about Kairus was a long shot. She wasn’t my biggest fan to begin with, but she had made it clear she was loyal to him.
I quickly finished my sweeping and left the kitchen. I looked behind me and turned to go to the hall that led to the library. Kairus was locked in his office. Since he learned of me sneaking out he’d been working from home a lot more, barely allowing me out his sight. Oddly enough, he hadn’t taken my phone away or he hadn’t realized I had it.
Once in the library, I went across the room to the small nook and took a seat on the large plush chair.
Pulling my web browser up, I entered Kairus’s name. I knew there was a lot of speculation about him and his last name. From what I heard, he didn’t have any family left. I scrolled the articles talking about him being tied to organized crime leaders and about his financial business. What caught my eyes was the one about a murder-suicide.
Clicking it, I scanned the page and my heart fell and my stomach twisted as I read the words. Pressure built behind my eyes as I blinked back tears.
According to the article, Kairus’s mom had stabbed his dad in his sleep twenty-seven times before slicing his throat, then slit her own throat. That part was awful and sick, but that wasn’t the worst part. The part that made my chest tighten and fill with sorrow was that seventeen-year-old Kairus was the one to find them.
Bile built in the back of my throat just picturing the scene. I bit into my trembling bottom lip. It was no wonder Kairus was so cold and mean to everyone. Going through something like thatso young would affect anyone. I continued scrolling the page, but it didn’t give any more information than that.
The rumors surrounding Kairus’s dad were just as bad, if not worse, as the ones about him. They said he had no heart, that everyone knew not to cross him. After reading the article and knowing that, it made me wonder even more about exactly how Kairus grew up and what he went through.
I jumped up from my sleep after hearing Kairus yelling. I looked around confused until I remembered I was in the library. The book I was reading rested on my lap. I yawned and rubbed my eyes, not even remembering falling asleep.
“Where is she?!” I heard Kairus shout.
“Shit.” I hurried up. I laid the book face down on the table near the chair I was sitting in to save my page and hurried out the room. I gently closed the door behind me and rushed down the hall only to find him in front of the front door.
“Kairus!” I called out. He spun around. His dark eyes peered into me and his lips pressed together tightly.
Stalking toward me, he grabbed the front of my shirt, yanking me into him. “Where were you? Never mind.” He gave me a once over. “We have somewhere to go. Go shower and get dressed. Put the dress on your bed on and meet me in the foyer in two hours.” He released me.
“Where are we going?” I called out after him as he started for the steps.
“Don’t worry about it, just do as I said. You wanted to leave the house so bad, here’s your chance.”
“What if I don’t want to leave anymore?”
“The fact that you think you have a choice is comical.” He paused and looked over his shoulder. “Oh and you better be as behaved as you are for the muthafuckas that pay you for dates.”
My eyes widened hearing him reveal my secret. I wasn’t sure how he knew I worked for Elite, but a man like Kairus had ways to get answers.
Kairus started up the steps and I tugged on my bottom lip. Even though I wasn’t sure where he was taking me, I was excited to finally be able to leave this house willingly.
I stared at myself in awe as I gazed at my reflection in the mirror. The dress Kairus had delivered to me was a one-shoulder cut with metallic fabric that hugged my body securely. The top of my back was open. It stopped mid-thigh and the champagne color shimmered under the light. It was beautiful and the gold heels and accessories complemented it well.
I’d grabbed my flat iron from my house so I straightened my hair for the first time in forever. My honey blond tresses went to the middle of my bra strap and I finished it with a side part.
Turning around, I glanced over my shoulder with a smile on my face. The only time I dressed up was when I was working and that didn’t count because I was putting on an illusion asBelle. Tonight, where we were going, I was Azeira. That made my stomach flutter as if a bunch of butterflies hatched from cocoons and invaded my insides. The last thing I expected was for Kairus to invite me somewhere. Maybe I was getting ahead of myself but seeing myself all dolled up made me feel special. The last time I was this dressed up for something other than work was prom.
