Bought my Life

5. Truth Hurts

***Her***Hastleton Villa***Friday 3 Months Later

When I woke up in the morning, Lara was putting some new clothes away for me. “Good morning, I have been assigned to your service by Lord Hastleton; I was asked to attend to your every need. I am just putting away the new clothes” “I would like to see Marcus,” I asked. “Farewell miss, I will notify William, his personal assistant, right away. May I suggest a bath, getting dressed and breakfast in the meantime. Your bath is ready and your therapist will be here in about ninety minutes,” she adds before leaving the room. Marcus has a personal assistant… I never realized I knew almost nothing about his work. Lara comes back after a few minutes, “Lord Hastleton will see you at one o’clock for lunch,” she says. “Thank you Lara, I would prefer to wear something blue today, please,” I asked . “As you please,” Lara replies kindly. After I got dressed, I had my morning therapy with Dr. Chianti; at least now it wasn’t just going to be drawings...

“Miss, I wish to remind you of lunch with Lord Hastleton at one o’clock in fifteen minutes” Lara announced. After my morning routine, I took a moment to refresh myself, I was nervous and anxious to see him. I took a seat on the sofa waiting for him; I heard a knock on the door, Lara answered the door. “Lord Hastleton,” she says; as she opens the door wider to let him in. I will have to get used to having a maid at my service, my family only ever had a housemaid. “Ivy!” He says joyfully; “I heard you wanted to see me… I thought you might like to have lunch in the garden today” He puts his arm out for me to grab and he leads us to the garden. “I would be delighted,” I answered as I grabbed his arm. Marcus walks graciously; he cannot help to stare at me.

***Narrator***Hastleton Villa*** Friday

She was wearing a light blue dress with yellow flowers printed; the skirt of the dress was flowing. But the bust and the waist were nicely fitted; she wears a white lace long sleeve cardigan on top of the sleeveless dress.

He brings her to the gazebo where lunch is served under covers on a glass table. Marcus pulls a chair for Ivy then sits down beside her. They stare at each other, “You said you wanted to see me?” Marcus breaks the silence. “Yes, I wanted to see you because I already miss you and I also had questions about my purpose and my life here… I am bored Marcus, I truly need something to occupy my time,” she answers. Marcus removes the covers on the plates. “Have you decided to stay?” He asks painfully, he was afraid she would say no. “I need to see my parents and family; but I am seriously considering staying,” she replies. She never felt taken care of, like she did with Marcus; her parents although noble never cared for her the way they cared for her siblings.

“I have sent some agents to investigate what happened and why haven’t your parents sent a statement about your disappearance… When we get the answers I need from them, we will go together,” he says as he kisses her hand. “Would you make me stay?” Ivy replies. “No, but I really wish you would choose to stay and I am going to be prepared... So what would you like to do with your days?” He asks her to change the subject. “You tell me what you want to do and I will make it happen…” “I would like a violin so I can practice, and also I want to finish my degree,” she replies. “What were you studying,” he asked. “I was studying agriculture and design,” she answers. “Impressive, I will see what I can do... Is that all you want? Ivy, I mean it when I say anything…” he says softly. “Marcus, I appreciate it but I don't need anything else; I will let you know when I do,” she says smiling. “I am sorry, Ivy, I know I can seem impatient at times but I want to give you the world and above everything I want you to be happy, especially with me. Today when you requested to see me, I thought you had decided to leave; I was broken-hearted to the thought of losing you,” he answers.

“Marcus, I asked to see you because I can’t wait to spend time with you, I want more of you…” Ivy says. “I am sure we could arrange something; although I am trying to wrap up all transactions so I can go on a vacation with you…” he replies. “You are preparing a vacation for us?” Ivy is surprised. “Yes Ivy, I want to spend a month with you; I need time to make you mine over and over again.” He smiles. Ivy gives him a look that says everything; she wants him, that twinkle in her eyes couldn’t lie. “Marcus, you are making it difficult to resist you, I want to kiss you and caress you all night long,” she says as she bites her bottom lip softly. “Oh Ivy, the things I want to do to you… I can’t even start talking about how you arouse me,” he replies.

“Lord Hastleton, your next meeting is in 30 minutes, in your office at the Villa, should I remind you in ten or twenty minutes?,” a young gentleman says. “In twenty minutes, William, I want to spend as much time as possible with Ivy. In fact I would need you to revise my schedule to spend as much time with her as possible…” Marcus replies. “Understood, Sir,” William says as he walks away.

“Marcus, I don’t know how but you make me happy; you don’t have to worry about that,” Ivy tells him. “Come sit with me, my love,” he stands then helps her up her chair. He then guides her towards a swing in the garden; it was large enough for them to sit side by side. Marcus holds her against his chest as the swing rocks them. “This is lovely Marcus, I had never noticed it before…” Ivy says. “I got it installed two days ago; I thought we would enjoy it together.” He replies. “Marcus, I am sure we will,” she says.

“Lord Hastleton, sorry to interrupt but it is almost time for your meeting,” William says. “Tell them I will be five minutes late; I want to accompany Ivy back to her room,” Marcus replies. He gets off the swing and helps Ivy up; Marcus grabs her hand and starts walking towards her room. “Lara is waiting for you in your room; she will organize your schedule to your liking… I will see you for dinner, sweet Ivy,” she loved how he whispers her name. He pushed her against the wall by the door of her room; he pulled her chin up to make eye contact with her before kissing her deeply. He lets go of his embrace “I will see you later; I am already late,” Marcus says as he walks away leaving her breathless.

He always left her wanting more… she walks in her room and Lara is at her desk; standing in front of it, waiting for her with a smile. The iPhone he gave her was sitting on the desk with papers. “Welcome back Miss, if you want to have a seat we have a few things to go over before IT helps you set up your phone” she says. When she sat down she noticed that there are many applications for the agricultural and design program. “I mentioned this to Marcus like twenty minutes ago,” she said surprised. “Mr. Hastleton had these prepared when he found out a few days ago that you completed the first year of the program… he asked me to present these options to you today. Every form is filled out for you, you just need to proof it and sign it if you would like,” Lara explains.

“You don’t have to worry, Mr. Hastleton is a good man, he will do just about everything for you, Miss; he truly wants you and your happiness,” she continues. “Tell me about you Lara, how did you end up working here?” She asks her. “I am not sure if I should say, Miss,” she answers. “Well now you must tell me before I make up some scenarios in my mind,” Ivy replied. “My mother died leaving me with next to nothing but astronomical debts; Lord Hastleton rescued me when I tried to kill myself eight years ago. He paid my debts and gave me a job; he paid for my education then promoted me to personal attendant. I owe him everything I am…” she explains. “I am sorry to hear that… I didn’t want to bring up bad memories,” she replied. “It is fine, Miss, it was a long time ago,” she answers. “Can I ask you how Marcus was with his previous wife?” I ask out of curiosity. “Unfortunately, I would need Lord Hastleton’s permission to break our confidentiality agreement about his personal life,” she says casually.

***Narrator***Hastleton Villa***Sunday

“When are we going to Hamilton Valley?” Ivy asks Marcus as they were walking in the garden. Marcus hesitates, “I am not sure I want to take you there…” “But you promised” she is upset and about to walk away when Marcus grabs her hand. “I sent some of my men to find out what happened… you know what, let’s go to your room, I want to be in a private place where you can be seated and comfortable when I tell you,” he says.

She is in shock but she follows him back to her room. They sit together on the edge of the bed and she looks at him waiting for explanations. “What I will tell you is unbelievable,” he starts… “You have been declared dead, there was a memorial and there is even a gravestone with your name on it…” he says. “My family thinks I am dead?” She says on the edge of panic… “Actually it is worse… Your father negotiated to have you married to this rich banker Sam Wicks. After you rejected him twice, he started putting a lot of pressure on the payment of outstanding debt. Wicks agreed to remove the same part of the debt he was going to give for marrying you if your father disposed of you… He plotted to have you killed to erase some of his debt; your father hired those five men to assassinate you.”

She couldn’t believe her father would discard her over money. “This cannot be the truth, my father is a soft loving man! This is a misunderstanding,” she is outraged. “You don’t know your father as a politician and ruler… he is far from soft or loving… Hamilton's domain is quite in debt; your father has lived lavishly on borrowed money. In fact we found out that he is not your father but your uncle; his sister, your mother died from a heart defect complication when you were sixteen months old. Your parents took you in because you had no other relatives… We are still investigating who your birth father was. The only thing good about these events is that these men sold you instead of killing you…” she could see how painful these words were for Marcus.

“What else did you find out?” She asks. “Not too much more to say, but Mary is your distant cousin… Your grandmothers were sisters, it could explain the resemblance,” he says, hoping it won’t make her too upset. “I can’t believe it, I am related to your deceased wife… how did your men find out all this? Is it even a reliable source?” She asks. “Sources have been counter verified multiple times… I wish I was lying… I do have some pictures if you want to see them,” he replies. “How long have you known?” She asks. “Four days…” he replies. “If I didn't ask, when would you have told me?” She looks at him darkly. “I wanted to tell you days ago but when you were happy, I couldn’t bear to tell you news that would make you upset”, he pauses, “Forgive me, sweet Ivy, I am a weak man especially when it comes to you.”

She is mad and also sad, she wants to run away but she also wants to bury herself in the embrace of his arms. She pushes him on the bed and lays her head on his chest, he holds her waist with one arm and runs his free hand through her hair. “Oh, sweet Ivy, I don’t deserve you,” he whispers. “I was going to ask your father for your hand… but he wanted you dead. I don’t think I could face him,” Marcus continues.

After a moment of reflection… “Marcus, if my father wanted me dead… I think that he has given up the right to give me away for marriage,” she says. He looks at her intensely in silence, “oh, sweet Ivy, you would make me the happiest man in the world.” He answers. He kisses her softly, but the kiss becomes passionate; she lays on her back inviting him to mount her. He climbs on top of her to kiss her deeply holding his weight on his forearms.