Tainted Heart

Chapter 4

Lily and Liveta's bond didn't end at friendship, Liveta was betrothed to Lily's older cousin brother Jerome Drue alias Jerome Silva whom her father had taken in when his parents died at the hands of an enemy. Ever since they both had been closer than siblings until he began aspiring to join the military which he later did and rose to ranks quickly due to his talent and athleticity and so became lieutenant commander in his company.

"Liiilyyyyyyyyyy" Liveta screamed at the top of her lungs causing Lily to panickly stumble out of bed and rush to her as she jumped into the general chambers from the stairs like a monkey would swing of a tree , her eyes met a familiar figure standing by the sun rayed window, the light gave his figure a beautiful silhouette as he stood in his military uniform. " Jerome" she muttered in disbelief, as she landed on her feet, her long her landed after her as though suspended in air

. She slowly took notice of the silver and navy blue pin on his chest, it said 'Lieutenant General'. Lily took notice of the other officers who had gathered around the him and Liveta as she approached them, all of them with confused expressions.

"Is there something the matter Miss Lily?" The General asked her while staring directly at his beloved sister. Lily was surprised that he could even hear her over the deafening silence of the room. "No sir" she stuttered "Nothing Sir, just uhm.. I was going down to get some breakfast but I heard Liveta screaming for me." she lied. "you look like you just woke up from sleep my little liar ", he teased while giving her a kiss on the head, he walked toward the door and beckoned for her to follow him. As she followed behind him, he gave her a wink which made her blush slightly. He then stopped before entering the dining hall, "I'll be back after to continue our conversation". " Alright " she said as she looked at her brother in admiration and awe "he's grown to be a fine man " she thought out loud ,"he's buff too " liveta said with the most seductive look in her eyes "and he's all mine" she added falling on her knees while grabbing her chest as though shot with an arrow,Lily giggled as she saw her best friend acting in that manner,"I'll go have my bath" Lily said leaving Liveta to day dream in the general chambers.

Damson on the other hand had already heard about his soon to be brother in law's return from his minions, and in that instant a clever and sinister plan came into his head ,something under normal circumstances would be inconceivable , he planned on using his sister's wedding as the perfect cover for his plan ," My sweet little Lily, if only you hadn't humiliated me, you wouldn't have to face my wrath" he said as he laid more bricks to cement his plan.

The wedding was in a few weeks and Lily and Liveta had to get their dresses tailored and their accessories made but well they had servants to do it all. "Do you think we should get the girls dresses made? It's getting close to the time." Liveta asked Lily as they were putting away dishes after lunch, she had just got done with washing dishes as Lily was doing the drying.

"Why? What about yours?" Lily replied. Liveta shook her head and shrugged her shoulders as she put away the last plate in the rack,"You know we need to make sure we are presentable for our guests" she reminded Lily. Lily rolled her eyes,of course she knew, she just didn't understand why Liveta was bringing it up. "of course we'll make the maids look pretty " Lily reassured Liveta , who nodded and smiled back at Lily as she wiped the counter with a cloth.

After cleaning everything from the table they returned back to the sitting room where they found Jerome waiting for them, he was holding a bouquet of red roses in one hand. "Hello there ladies, here is your dress" as he handed it to Lily "and this is for you mlady " as he handed the bouquet to Liveta, her eyes lit up in delight as she looked at Jerome with loving shyness and said "Thank you", " Well well" Lily butted in "Your cheeks are bright red " she said nudging her brother in a playful manner , "Lily come to the general chambers we'll have a meeting with the wedding planners " Jerome said leaving Lily to her antiques.

As Lily walked into the chambers she saw all focus was on her,as she made her way to her mother's side, "what's going on mother?" Lily asked in curiosity ,

"we'll know soon" her mother whispered back, " I'd like to award the wedding planning contract to Lily Silva" Jerome announced, Lily hung her mouth open in disbelief,"we gave it much consideration " her mother noted .

"But,why me?" Lily asked, " your talent is very known in the city,and i found out it was you that planned and organized the annual event if our founding this year, and you did a splendid job" Jerome praised,"But i can't do it alone" , "not to worry i asked Damson Kingston to be your assistant, Lily could feel her blood biiline boil."

Lily couldn't believe her ears she wanted nothing to do with that stupid hickey. Lily turned away from her brother and stormed off towards her bedroom slamming the door shut behind her.

After making sure nobody followed her she took a seat at her vanity mirror, brushing her long hair. "How could they not trust me with such important responsibility as picking my own assistant, they could have chosen anyone but Damson" she said with anger seeping through every word. "Anyone but Damson " she said as she broke down in tears.