The tiger queen

Goodbyes and hellos

I was met in the hall by Sophie holding onto Ava on her hip. "LILA!" Ava called wiggling out of Sophie's arms and running to me. I scooped her up and hugged her tight to my chest next thing I know Sophie is hugging both of us. This is my happy place. I wish I could take these girls with me. I'm going to miss them. I hope Markus keeps his promise on letting me see them. We hear a throat clear and turn to see Markus. "LILA ARE YOU READY? YOUR RIDE IS HERE TO TAKE YOU." Markus said. My ride? I questioned. "YES YOUR RIDE. A CAR WAS SENT TO PICK YOU UP TO TAKE YOU TO YOUR NEW HOME." He didn't even come to get me himself? That's kinda rude isn't it? I thought to myself. I decided to hold my head high and say yes I was ready. I gave ava one last hug and kiss as I handed her over to Markus. Next I gave Sophie a hug and kissed her head and told her how much I love her. Lastly as I was about to say goodbye to Eliot, Lane walked in and rushed me to the door. As I walked out the door I saw a black limo parked in our driveway. Well that's flashy I said not realising it wasn't in my head. Lane looked at me like she was going to explode. Then I realised the smirking driver standing on the other side of the car. "LILA YOU WILL BE HAVE YOUR SELF SO HELP MY GOD IF I HAVE TO COME GET YOU OR WORSE HE RETURNS YOU I WILL KILL YOU WITH MY BARE HANDS". Lane said in a whispered voice so the man didn't hear but I had a feeling he heard her loud and clear. As he immediately came around the car and took my arm from my "mother" giving her a side glance. I could have sworn I saw his eyes flash something but it must have been the sun light. "MISS.JOY PLEASE TAKE A SEAT IN THE LIMO WE HAVE A LONG JOURNEY AHEAD OF US." the man said as he guided me to the door and opened it. I thanked him as he shut the door and he walked to the driver's side and got in. As we pull away I see Sophie and ava bolt out the door sobbing running after the car. It broke my heart to see them like that. This wasn't your choice I reminded my self over and over and I cried so hard I thought my eyes might fall out. I must have fallen asleep because I woke to the man's voice. MISS. JOY IM SORRY TO DISTURB YOU BUT WE SHOULD BE ARRIVING SHORTLY. he said in a friendly manor. I then realised I was so worked up I never asked his name. I'm sorry I didn't ask your name earlier I said. "NAMES JEORGE MISS. JOY. " He said. O please call me Lila no need to be formal it makes me uncomfortable I said. He apologised and said he will call me Lila from now on which made me relax a little. About 25 minutes later we pull up to a set of black gates that look to go into a closed community. On either side of the gate had 2 huge men with guns. All 4 men looked like bodybuilders. I could feel the strength radiating off them. George said hello to the men and joked around a little before they opened the gate to let us go in. Once inside we drove straight through to the middle of the hidden village and in the centre was the most beautiful huge house I have ever seen. The house had white walls that went on forever, beautiful dark oak doors with gold finishes, and rounded marble stairs leading up to them. George came to my side of the limo and opened my door for me and I blushed. I wasn't used to all this pampering. I grabbed my bag and he guided me up the stairs. "LILA I'M SURE YOU HAVE QUESTIONS AND I WILL GLADLY ANSWER THEM ALL. BUT FIRST LETS GET YOU SETTLED IN. I WANT YOU TO EAT AND REST. I AM GOING TO SHOW YOU TO YOUR ROOM AND HAVE SOME DINNER BROUGHT UP TO YOU. THEN I WANT YOU TO REST AND I WILL COME COLLECT YOU IN THE MORNING IS THAT OK WITH YOU?" I looked at him confused and slightly surprised. He was being so kind to me I wasn't sure how to act or what to say. I just nodded and hoped he understood. He seemed to get the hint and we started into the house. He opened the doors and we stepped in and I was in awe at the beauty of the house. On the left and right was a beautiful dark oak staircase. It made half circles on each side and attached to a landing that looked to have a hallway on either side of it. George nudged me and I realised I had been standing there with my mouth open for gosh knows how long. I apologise and he leads me up the stairs and we take a right when we reach the top. We walk to the end of the hall and he opens the door on the right and says that this is my room. I walk in and I just about faint at the pure beauty. In the middle of the room is the biggest bed I have ever seen with 4 bed posts that go to the ceiling. It also has a soft pink mesh curtain that hangs from the ceiling in a tent shape. I walked around the room looking at the items, on the left of the room were 2 doors and on the right was a living area with a fireplace. I went to the first door and seen it was a closet twice the size of my room at home. The other door was to the bathroom inside was a double sink in front of a mirror that was lined with dark oak. There was a shower with 3 heads and a seating ledge and a bathtub that could fit at least 2 people. Ava would love it. I walk back into the room and George is patiently waiting for me to be finished looking around. He looks like he's looking off into space but when he realises I had entered the room he says dinner will be up in 5 minutes and asked if I needed anything else? I told him he has already helped me way to much and I was more then fine. I thanked him and he opened the door just in time for a young woman to bring a tray in with a metal dome on it. He says his goodnight and closes the door behind him. The woman then tells me dinner is spaghetti and garlic bread and that she also saved me a brownie for dessert. She then introduced herself as Annabelle Anna for short. She continued talking for about 10 minutes non stop before she stopped herself and apologised for talking too much. Apparently she does that when she meets new people. I told her that was OK and I enjoyed it. I told her it reminded me of my sister and I told her alittle about Sophie. She then excused herself saying she had some cleaning up to do cuz it was her turn and she had to go. I finished up what I could of my dinner and crawled into bed feeling exhausted. I fell asleep almost instantly the bed was so soft. I woke in the dark feeling like someone was watching me. I decide I was going to go sleep in the tub feeling more secure and safe in there reminding me of home. When I woke up the next time it was about 4:30 am when I usually wake up. I got out of the tub and got ready for the day. I put the black pants and white blouse on not having anything else to wear. And pulled my hair up into a messy bun hoping that it won't fall out or look weird. I was putting on faint makeup when I hear a knock on the door. It was still early. I wasn't use to anyone being up at this time but that must be George. Come in, I say and he does. "GOOD MORNING LILA I HOPE YOU SLEPT WELL?" He asked. I did thank you for asking but why are you up so early? "I asked. I ALWAYS GET UP THIS EARLY NO POINT IN WASTING THE DAY AWAY." He replied. "LILA MAY WE SIT?" He asked. Yes of course I replied. We sat in the living area, me on the edge of the chair anxiously waiting for the conversation to come and him relaxed on the sofa, not a care in the world. "DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR SHALE I JUST INFORM YOU OF WHAT I KNOW?" He questioned. I thought for a second and replied. I will ask you my questions and if anything is left you can tell me? I asked timidly. He nodded and said to "ask away". Ok I said blushing and asked my first question. What is my new masters name? I asked. He replied with Samuel Tigarouse. I looked at him shocked. I knew this man he was in some of the magazines Sophie had given me. He was one of the wealthiest men alive. Why would he want a nobody like me? I ASSUME YOU HAVE HEARD OF HIM BY THE LOOK ON YOUR FACE? He said looking amused. Yes of course! I may have lived under a rock but he's famous, I replied. GOOD THEN YOU KNOW HE IS A VERY HOW DO I PUT THIS? He said while scratching his jaw. CLOSED OFF MAN. He finished looking satisfied. Yes I do I replied feeling that blush come back. Samuel Tigarouse was very "closed off" from what I read knowone knew much about him other then he had lots of money. He had never been seen with a woman or man for that matter other than a driver or assistant. He had always gone to social gatherings alone. Knowone knew of his childhood or where he went to school, not even his favourite food or colour. They called him cold and calculated because when he made a business deal he was very straight forward. He didn't take others feelings or reputation into account. Every woman wanted him in bed and every man wanted to be him. He was a God among the people. Markus and Lanes behaviour over the last week all made sense now. George waited patiently for me to rearrange all my thoughts before he continued. HE'S A GOOD MAN LILA I PROMISE. HE TREATS US ALL WELL. MOST OF THE RUMOURS ARE FAKE HE JUST CHOOSES NOT TO DEAL WITH THE PRESS. He said calmly like he was trying to suppress anger. I just hope he was right. Lane almost killed me and she was a tiny woman. What could a house of man do? I have another question I said sounding just as shy and I felt about it. I WILL ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE LILA GO AHEAD. He replied. I took a deep breath and said what I had been thinking about since Markus told me I was bought. Did he buy me for my vir virgin virginity I asked, almost choking on the last word. George's eyes went wide like saucers and this time it was him blushing. NO ABSOLUTELY NOT SAM DOESN'T BUY YOUNG WOMAN FOR THEIR VIRTUE. HE BUYS US TO SAVE US FROM THE LIFE WE HAD. Us? I asked confused. SAM BOUGHT ME 10 YEARS AGO I WAS HIS FIRST. HE HAS SAVED 50 PEOPLE SINCE THEN. SOME STAY TILL THEY ARE BETTER OTHERS CHOSE TO STAY HERE IN THE PA I MEAN VILLAGE. He said. I didn't miss the pa he had said but chose to leave it. Wow guess he's not as cold as people say he is I said looking at the ground feeling guilty. WELL IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY MORE QUESTIONS RIGHT NOW SHALL WE MEET HIM AND HAVE BREAKFAST? This time it was my eyes that were sacers. Right now? I asked, my voice squeaky and high. He laughed a strong belly laugh at my reaction. "YES RIGHT NOW SWEET LITTLE ONE HE WON'T BITE AT LEAST NOT YET." He said with a soft chuckle. I looked at him nervously but stood after he did. He walked to the door and gestured for me to follow. I did and we made our way down the stairs and threw a second set of French doors under the landing of the stairs. They matched the entry doors directly in front of them. I could hear laughter and chattering of pleasant conversations on the other side of the doors. George pushed them open and everyone went silent.