Keylas secrets

Hidden in the attic

Keyla

I stare up at William, who just checked my whole body for injuries. He is thorough, and I am surprised that he cares more about me than my own parents. He looks at my lips and then at my eyes, and I can't help but do the same. What am I doing?! If I don't stop this, he will kiss me. "Can you help me up?" I ask to break the moment and because he is standing in my way. He nods as if understanding the hidden meaning behind my words and helps me up. I walk over to the mirror and look at the damage. Half my face and hair are covered in red paint. "Hope the paint goes away in water." I say to myself before turning to look at the room. It is a disaster! I look at Will and say: "I am sorry! You came knocking, probably needing something. What can I help you with?"

Will looks at me with a smile I don't understand. "I dont remember anymore. Go take a shower and try getting rid of the paint in your hair and on your face. You do not want to scare the children when you pick up Melody from kindergarten. I will clean up this room now before the paint gets dry." I want to protest, but he gives me a look that says I should listen to reason. I know he got a point and that I won't be able to do it all before I have to pick up Melody. I walk to my own bedroom and fix myself in my own bathroom.

When I am done, I go up to the gest room where I fell earlier. The room looks cleaner now than it did this morning. That is kind of embarrassing! Where is Will? I see the ladder is back in place, and then I hear footsteps over my head. Oh no! He is up on the attic. Everything I don't want people to see is up there. I practically run up the ladder. "What are you doing up here?" I ask. Will is standing with an old clock in his hands. "I was done cleaning up the room and figured I should help you look for rats. The good news is that there is no trace of rats up here, and the sound you probably heard came from this clock." I look around me to try to predict his next words. "And the bad news?" I ask a bit timid. He looks at me right in the eyes as he pulls up a photo of me and Amanda at our job. The words 'CEO' and 'Owner' clear on our desks. "I figured out you are the owner of 'Daisy' and the notorious 'Iron' that all businessmen know about and learn to fear. That makes you the billioner you are rumored to have seduced."

I take a deep breath. I can't believe he came to town yesterday and already figured out one of my secrets. I turn around and walk down to the kitchen. I can hear him following behind me. I busy myself with making coffee while I think about what to say. "You should be proud of your accomplishments! You have done an amazing job, the whole town should know that. They should be pricing you, not making bad rumors about you. That picture should be on the wall and not stuffed away in the attic!" William says. I turn to look at him. I lift my shoulders in response and give him a cup of coffee. He looks at me like I have two heads, but except the coffee. "What would you think would happen if the whole town knew? I will tell you! My parents and sister would demand that I pay for all their expenses. Everyone in town and their friends with a dream would come to me asking for help, and I would be the dream chrusher because I can't help everybody. Melody and I wouldn't be able to walk around freely without bodyguards shadowing us. We also would need protection around the house against burglary and unwanted guests. That is not the kind of life I want to give Melody!"

Will looks like he is thinking hard. It's probably not as easy to understand since he is a millionaire and doesn't have that kind of trouble, but being a woman with a lot of money is different. People expect you to be more charitable, and if you are not, then you are a b***h and should be taught a lesson.

Will looks up at me from where he is sitting on the chair: "I guess there is a lot more that you have experienced here that I don't know about. Still, you can't expect your secret to be a secret forever! Some day, you may have to meet up as the 'Iron' on a business meeting or in media. This is a very small town. If people actually follow your trail instead of believing in all the rumors, they might figure it out." I smile at him: "I don't expect to keep my secret forever, just until Melody is in college or something. When she is old enough to understand and can protect herself, then I can reveal my secret to the media. Until that day, I have a businessman ready to play 'the Iron' if ever needed. I also have the perfect excuse to travel to the company from time to time. Since I am an independent designer and still submit my drawings sometimes when I feel they are needed and my best friend is the CEO. Nobody looks twice at me when I enter the company. My CEO and CFO know who I am and will call me if they need anything. Melody is having a good childhood here as long as I keep my secrets. We might have to move the day they are revealed. All the people who know my secrets are very close to me. You are the only loose end at this point." I raise my left brow as I wait for him to tell me what he will do with the information.

He holds up both his hands in surrender. "I wouldn't tell anyone. Nobody would believe me anyway. I am just processing this information. I thought I was successful! Here you are, branded the black sheep of the town, and you are actually more successful than anyone I know! Now I know the truth, but I can do nothing to help your reputation."

I am not used to people caring so much. I have Amanda and Matt, but they are more practical and do not talk to deep about this. Since we want to keep it a secret, it is best not to mention it too much. I almost get tears in my eyes when he says he wishes to help. I take a deep breath to gather myself and drink my coffee to busy myself from meeting his eyes. Get a hold of yourself, woman! You are not weak! You will not cry! You will not fall in love with this man just because he is nice to you and wishes you well! He probably thinks of me like a little sister in need of protection. I already have Matt playing the big brother.