Under the Layers

6: The Search(I)

Levi got back from work and took off his uniform. He sat on his desk, all he could think of was work. Shiloh had given him the pieces to the puzzle, what was left is to find the remaining and put it all together.

He looked at the photo on his desk. It was a picture of both him and his mother. Same platinum hair, same baby blue eyes, same smile...anyone who saw him was like looking at his mother.

You'd know what to do in these situations, wouldn't you? he thought. I miss you.

He was seven when she died and all he had left was his father who didn't see eye to eye with him. He decided to carry out his mother's legacy and become a detective, of course his father disagreed with the plan since he was going to be the heir to the family's business.

A maid gave him a glass of wine and he let the strong flavor go through his throat.

"Mr Rhodes," a man tall in stature, in a black suit and receding hairline and silver hair was at his door.

His eyes meet the man's brown eyes, "Jerome, what brings you here?"

"Your father requests your presence."

What? My father? he wondered to himself. His father didn't usually pay attention to Levi, how much more call for him.

"You must be mistaken."

"I'm afraid not, young master," the butler arched his back, causing his chest to elevate even further,"He has something urgent to discuss with you."

So it was true.

He put down the photo, "I will be on my way."

Levi made his way down the halls and up the flight of stairs that seemed to never end. He stood facing the door to his father's study and exhaled deeply. He gripped the door handle and pulled open the door.

"Father, you asked for me?" he lowered his head facing the wooden floor.

"Indeed I have," Elon's hands were clasped together and his eyes were narrow, "Levi, Isabelle Montgomery is getting engaged today."

"I have heard the news, father."

"Look at me in the eye."

He instantly obeyed. His father hated it when he looked down when in a conversation. To him it was a sign of disrespect and cowardliness, and Levi wanted to prove that he was none of those things.

"We both have been invited and Lady Mallory is going to be present in the ceremony. I need you to be on your best behavior tonight."

Levi nodded.

"You may leave."

That was it? Not even a "how was your day" or "are you feeling alright?". He opened the door and left.

His father had been trying to get him married since he turned nineteen and he is now twenty five soon to be twenty six later in June.

I guess he is really that desperate, huh? he thought.

He had been introduced to many noble families over the years but never the Mallorys. Everyone knew their story. Lady Mallory was the chief of the AIC and had married three men. Two forced, the other out of love.

Their family was highly influential so nobody could mess with them.

He had declined all those women and he doubted that his father would let him refuse her.

The night of the ball, Levi dressed in his black suit and knotted his tie. He looked in the mirror and prepared to kiss his old life goodbye. No more freedom, no living his own life. He would have to fulfill his duties and continue the family line.

He was going to be trapped in a loveless marriage like his parents and that was the last thing he wanted.

☬

Shiloh had her maid Megan wear a blue dress and black shoes for her. Her hair was adorned with silver pins and a cherry red color was smeared neatly on her lips.

She joined her mother and father in the automobile and watched as she drove past their castle.

People use these events to find a suitor for their sons and daughters, which was part of the reason why she did not want to go to the ball in the first place.

After her debutante ball, she went to college to study criminal justice and graduated at age twenty four and she started with her job as a private investigator.

At the ball, they watched as the chestnut haired woman slipped his ring in the groom's hand and he slowly put the ring in his wife's ring finger.

The crowd cheered them on as they took out their hands to show them the rings.

After the engagement, she stood by the buffet and took a glass of wine. The flavor had a slapping bitter taste that made her gag.

What in tarnation is this? she pursed her lips in disgust.

"Shiloh, what are you doing?"

Of course, she paused in her movements. She lifted her gaze to face her step father, Oliver.

"I'm just watching the party," she responded dryly.

"You should be dancing. Look around, there are many men who would be willing to dance with you."

Shiloh reluctantly obeyed her father's orders and took a man's hand. He seemed to be her age and had muscular features and red hair.

She kept it up and let out a smile that was far from genuine.

Just keep this up, Shiloh.

She twirled round in his arms and stepped on his toe. He gritted his teeth in pain.

"Oh, I am deeply sorry," she said, half smiling then let out a pitiful expression, "I must be a little rusty."

"No, it's alright."

They kept dancing for a while and she slowed down in her movements.

"Excuse me, I have to relieve myself," she slipped out of his grasp and left.

Shiloh climbed the stairs and snuck past the maids and butlers that were busy handling the needs of the nobles at the ball.

Ah, that's better, she placed a hand on her chest out of relief for she hated every minute of tonight.

She wanted to seize the opportunity to go to Adam's office and continue her investigation.

Her parents wanted her to forget about work and be more extroverted like her fellow women. She was extroverted enough, at least according to her standards.

I'm sorry mother, but I can't obey your instructions, she thought as she opened the door.

The office was dark with a few fluorescent lights that did nothing to brighten the room.

She got out a torch and searched the shelves, desk, drawers to get a hint of who Adam's buyer was.

She decided to check other places in the office and she felt a sense of uneasiness.

Why do I get the feeling I'm being watched?

She saw a moving figure that appeared to be a silhouette in front of her eyes and she got out her sword from her boot and pinned him to the shelves with his face pressing against the edges of the books.

She placed the cold blade on his neck, preparing to slit his throat.

"Hey!" he muffled and attempted to wiggle himself free but she was stronger than he thought, "Hey, it's me!"

She let go of him and gaped, "Lout?"