The Landon Billionaires (7 stories)

CHAPTER EIGHT: FREE TO LIVE

One week later, Dem was feeling like the phoenix reborn. Except for the brooding boar who lived with her but even he was not enough to diminish her excitement. For the first time in her life, she was enjoying her freedom. Freedom primarily from her oppressive father and perfectly groomed mother whose social ambitions had suffocated her true nature. Freedom from the artificial boring routine of shopping and socializing, from always doing the right things and from always saying the right things. Freedom from the conceited men relentlessly targeting her as the next notch on their bed post in hopes of acquiring her riches.

Freedom - she hoped - that would ultimately allow her to be herself for the first time ever. She was enjoying herself. London allowed her to roam free in the streets without her disguise and without being the perfect princess. Whenever she had traveled before, it had always been under media coverage since her parents never wasted an opportunity to prove her worth to the world.

If she was honest, and there were very few people in her life she allowed herself to be honest with, she was finally living. Like a normal person. She had sold some of her precious belongings and had donated some of her clothes to charity before her departure– there were so many she did not even need. When her secretary had disapproved, she had sacked her without any qualms since she hated the presumptuous idea of having an advisor when she did not need any. It had been wasted money anyway and she’d needed the cash so as not to burden her already perturbed husband. Not having a secretary had turned out to be a deliverance since she felt like a totally different person.

The only cloud in her silver lining was Chase Landon, her husband. On the first day they had reached London, she had felt a connection to him, which was almost silly considering that nothing had changed for him. During the past week, he was avoiding her like the plague and had not once complimented her on her culinary skills.

When she had prepared breakfast, it had been something so easy for her, and she had basked in his admiration. Therefore, she had taken upon herself to demonstrate her cooking expertise by organizing feasts fit for kings for the following lunches and dinners. Chase had been adamant in his ruminating self though, and finally, Dem had left him to sulk on his own.

Since she had struggled all her life to make herself acceptable, it was challenging to let go of the habit, in spite of the fact that it was not difficult for her to adapt on her own. That too was a habit of a lifetime. The only thing that mattered was that he placed no restriction on her whatsoever. If he did not approve of her actions, he never said anything and ignored her pointedly. That was how Dem had learnt to do things on her own.

First things first, she had applied for a course in garden design – something she had been dying to do since she was fourteen. She had also joined a cooking class on Thursday afternoons, wanting to explore her hobby. Without her parent’s knowledge, she had done a bachelor’s degree in fine arts during her frivolous “heiress” days. They still did not know she had perpetuated her education, and she had gone to great lengths to ensure that the Californian University did not disclose the information.

Now she was looking forward to enrolling in a Master’s programme and had been selecting the courses required. The only problem was that she did not know for how long she was going to be in London. So, she was not signing up for course who was going to last more than months. In the past, her trips had lasted for a few days only and since her father had sponsored them, she had no say whatsoever. When she had attempted to broach the subject the night before, Chase had looked at her like she was a pain in the a*s refusing to give her a concrete answer.

Not to be discouraged, Dem had decided to meet with the Dean to know if it was possible for to uptake only some modules instead of completing the postgraduate degree. Maybe she could take up only relevant modules like botany or painting which would help her enhance her inborn skills.

“Demetria?” someone called as she took a corridor which led to the Dean’s office, and she closed her eyes in dismay. What were the odds that someone would recognize her here? At a university?

Reluctantly, she turned around, taken by surprise when she saw who it was. Eva Landon. Chase’s little sister. Fancy seeing her here when Chase had not even mentioned that his sister was in London. Dem felt piqued at the knowledge that she knew nothing about him while he could so easily read through her.

“Eva?” she greeted, wary as the young woman hurried her stride to join her.

“Are you here to visit me?” Eva queried, and she sounded so ardent that Dem felt bad to disillusion her. How could she tell her that her brother was a first-class bastard who kept everything including himself from her?

“No, I’m sorry. We just came to London a few weeks ago...” she trailed unwilling to divulge the information about her real purpose here. It was inevitable that Eva would tell her brother and Dem dreaded his reaction. Anger? Scorn? Disbelief?

“Wait a second. You mean you’re staying in London? I thought you were here for a trip! My brother had not even informed me of his stay. Want an insensitive jerk!!” Dem had to suppress a smile at the woman’s outrage. Not that she disagreed with her. Some of the emotions must have reflected on her face.

“I bet he didn’t even tell you that I’m studying here,” she gasped when she got the confirmation at the sordid pout from Dem. “Chase is getting more and more barbaric. I wonder how you can live with him,” Eva was saying and to Dem’s surprise, she looped her arm round her and walked beside her like it was the most natural thing to do.

As her sister-in-law babbled about how obtuse her brother could be, even making amends for his behavior, Dem found that she was liking her. Eva was an extrovert; someone obviously comfortable in her own skin who enjoyed her own personality. Dem found herself almost envying her.

“I’m so glad we’ve met. I was so sorry to not even get to know you before the marriage. I know it happened in a rush with my parents insisting on going away on their cruise. Now, tell me. What are you doing here?” she asked gently with mild curiosity.

It was a harmless question, Dem informed her that she wanted to enroll in a few courses without revealing too much of her situation. How was she supposed to tell her that she was not even aware for how long she would be staying in London?  It seemed that Eva was unsuspecting as she rattled on about her options of modules and so on.

By the time she had finished, Dem’s head was whirling with so much information and even Eva seemed a bit tired of her long speech. It did thankfully include fruitful information since she grasped that there were a few stand-alone modules that were available for the semester, and it was better if she joined them.

Dem made a mental note to check the modules when she reached home, praying that there were a few about painting; she was having some problems about a few techniques lately. Life with Chase was proving to be the getaway she had always needed. It was almost time for her cooking class when Eva suggested they go back to the house together, Dem had to apologize saying she had another commitment.

“Ohh, that’s too bad!” her sister-in-law pouted making her feel bad about refusing her.

“Why don’t you join us for dinner tonight?” she suggested instead and felt better when Eva beamed at her. Then Eva faltered, the light dying from her face. Dem had trouble following her since there were so many emotions etched on her face.

“I almost forgot! I am going to a party with some friends tonight,” she exhaled her disappointment sharply in an exalted breath.

Dem had to smile at her childish reaction. “Doesn’t matter. You can come any time you want. Here’s my phone number – just text me or something before coming.”

Overexcited, Eva looked like she wanted to jump on her neck to hug her, and Dem feared that it might be too overwhelming. In self-defense, she darted apart a little to avoid being mugged while Eva only grinned at her reaction, not at all offended.

“Sorry I can get a bit too much. It’s just that I’m so glad to have finally met you. Chase is going to hear from me tomorrow. I swear!”

Dem could only look forward to it. It was payback time. So, she conveniently forgot to mention the next day that Eva was joining them for dinner. She could hardly meet her guest in sweatshirt and baggy pants – an attire she had been sporting for the past week.

So, after preparing dinner, she donned a little Valentino black mini dress which was both casual and light. She applied a light make-up, doing only her eyes since she loved wearing the Smokey effect when she wore black.

“Where the hell are you going dressed like that?” Somebody barked at her as soon as she reached the kitchen, and she flinched at the harsh tone. It was not that she was used to her father using such harsh baritones, but it had been a while since somebody had used it on her.

“I beg your pardon?” she said in her most superior tone. She was not going to back down. Not after he was refusing to bond with her. If he wanted to treat her like a stranger, she was fine with it, however she was damned if she would give him the upper hand to dictate her acts.

To his credit, a flush appeared on his cheeks, and he appeared a bit mortified at his intrusion. In much the same way she had read stress in his eyes for the past week, she realized for the first time how tiring it must be for him to sustain all that pressure.

“You look hot,” he said almost to himself as if the words had been forced from him. He wasn’t even flirting with her. It was like he was in pain. She felt something powerful. For the first time in her sorry existence, she felt like a woman. It was not the usual s****l game so many had played with her; it was a sincere compliment which went directly to her heart.

She grinned and felt her heart constrict. It was happiness she was feeling. With that man. “You don’t look so bad yourself,” she dared giving him the appraisal. Casually attired in a khaki chino, he was wearing a white tee-shirt today. Instead of the usual black. Even though she preferred him in black, it did nothing to diminish his s*x-appeal.

An involuntary tug tore at the corner of his mouth, and he shifted on his feet with his hands in his pockets, the action bringing her attention to his crotch. “So, where are you off to?” he asked furtively, and Dem got the feeling that he was trying to be casual when he really wanted to know where she was going. She decided to play with him.

“On a hot date,” she replied popping a green olive into her mouth from the salad she had prepared. “I have made you dinner, and I will be late. Please don’t wait up for me.”

Chase looked at her for a while, wearing a stunned expression before a broad grin slashed his face. “Seriously?”

Dem nodded stealthily now. Why the hell was he grinning for? Did he think so low of her that she would not be able to date anyone? Pissed off at having her gameplay thrown at her face, she tried for an insouciant pose.

“I have invited someone over. Do you think you could make yourself scarce?” Dem was almost wishing she had invited someone over now. Why was she lying?

Then the inauspicious look on his face was worth the hassle. His grin disappeared, and he frowned, looking furiously fierce in concentration. Unaware that she was watching him from under her long eyelashes, he gnawed worriedly at his bottom lips, and asked the most bewildering question.

“What kind of man do you date?”

“What kind of question is that?” she asked indignantly shaking her head playfully and paused when the doorbell rang. Eva, her hot date was here.

As suspected, Chase did not even bother to make himself scarce, which was exactly what she’d wanted. Trying to hide her glee, she threw him a coquettish look. “Why don’t you open the door for me?” He was intrigued, she could tell.

“Eva!!!” he greeted in panicked surprise as he opened the door, and his sister promptly walked in without even acknowledging his reply. Well, she had her exclusive way of making her anger apparent as she immediately started to ground her brother. During the whole time, Dem stood innocently near them reveling in the way Chase had no chance to put even a word in. Once in a while, Chase threw a desperate glance in her direction, to which she returned with bland looks – the very copy of what he’d treated her with during the past week - like she had no idea what he wanted. All the while, she was thoroughly enjoying herself.

It took thirty minutes for Eva to calm down – thank God she did not use foul words. By the time she had finished, she was exhausted, and Chase looked humbly admonished. However, the hooded glances he kept sending to Dem told another story altogether. It was a promise for retribution.

“Why have you moved to London?” Eva finally asked as she straightened up from the sofa. “Why the hell are you living in a cottage?”

Dem was quick to intervene. “It was my idea actually. I wanted to be close to country life enjoying the peace for a while.” She did not want Chase to feel coerced to talk about his problems to his sister; he could do it when things got really out of hand. He sent her a grateful look loaded with meaning.

“Yeah. You guys didn’t even have a proper honeymoon,” she muttered and fired another reproachful look at her brother who cringed in embarrassment at her unacceptable intrusion. Even then, he stayed quiet, and Dem was riveted.

She would never have associated Chase as being a family man, yet she knew his submissive reactions were droll just because he was humoring his sister. It was so endearing that she found she liked it. In fact, the more she learned about him through his sister during dinner, the more fascinated she became about him. She discovered new things about him that she would never have even doubted. Like he loved food. Like he had five brothers. Like he hated doing things without a purpose.

She found that she liked the close relationship between the siblings. Almost envied it. Something she never had in her life. A closeness to someone who would never judge her, someone who would scold her without having to mince his words. She would not be offended in turn since she would be so secure in the love that person would have for her.

A wistful yearning burned in her chest – something she was used to, and she excused herself almost invisibly while they were engrossed in each other. Feeling foolish tears prick her eyes, she turned to do the dishes but was interrupted by Eva followed by Chase. They insisted on helping her and chatted together bringing her into their weird conversations until she no longer felt she was intruding. Eva made her feel like her opinion mattered. She made her feel like she was important to her brother, and Dem wanted it to be true. She wanted to be part of his world like Eva was.

Swallowing a lump, she used her best weapons to hide her real feelings and thought she was making a great attempt since Eva continued her ramblings. A mere glance in Chase’s direction though made him stop brusquely in the middle of restoring the dishes back like she had actually voiced something out.

His raised eyebrows asked her a silent question. What’s wrong? Discreetly, she shook her head averting his eyes. That man was psychic. That was it! The connection she felt between them. The unspoken and creepy understanding they had of each other.

When Eva finally left, Dem made a subtle sprint towards the stairs but stopped abruptly when she felt a strong grip at her elbow. Longing for her escape, she inwardly recoiled at the interaction which she knew was going to happen. The judgmental conclusions he would make. The scorn he would adopt.

“Why didn’t you tell me that you had invited Eva for dinner?” he asked gently instead and applied a little pressure on her arm until she faced him.

Dem was still avoiding meeting his eyes, and she shrugged in response trying for her usual composed demeanor. She felt Chase shake her. Lightly at first and then forcefully until she looked him in the eyes, her expression a stoic as ever.

“Come back!” he drawled. “I don’t want the robot. I want you back,” he said forcefully and despite herself, Dem looked at him in wonder.

She cleared her throat. “I don’t understand what you mean.” She was deliberately ignoring the way he was making her feel and her thoughts were a welcome distraction. As feigning anything with this man was impossible.

He scoffed. “What happened in there?” he asked, thrusting his head in the direction of the kitchen which reminded her of the first time they had met. It was a habit of his, she supposed.

“Tell me,” he repeated in a low voice, and Dem was surprised to feel his breath on her forehead. Sometimes, she wished he’d leave her alone instead of trying to psychoanalyze her. “Why are you so sad?”

There was something in his voice. A strange huskiness as if he shared her pain. He could read her like she was an open book while she could swear Eva had not even detected the tiniest bit of melancholy in her expression. Almost against her will, she leant closer to him, her head touching his jaw. She felt his lips brush lightly against her hair. So lightly that she did not know whether it was a kiss.

“You’re lucky to have her,” she whispered finally in an almost inaudible breath, swallowing down the tears which threatened to fall, looking away again.

“I know,” he replied easily instantly, understanding the meaning behind her simple sentence. She was expressing the resentment of not having someone close in her life, something that Dem had somehow known he would comprehend.

Then he brushed his lips against her forehead. “For you to have someone that close, cariña, you must give a piece of yourself as well,” he murmured so tenderly that the one lone tear brimming over her eyelid trickled down her cheek.

Stunned, she looked back at him, denial hot on her lips. She did share herself with others. Suddenly she realized how true his words were. Even during the earlier conversation between brother and sister, she had been a passive observer. Commenting only when she was asked to without giving any of her real intake.

Gulping down the bitter taste of self-critic, she looked for a way to hide her expressions only to find that there was no need to hide. Those stormy grey eyes looking back at her held no condemnation. No mocking pity. Only gentle compassion. As if he knew everything about her.

Involuntarily, she felt a fierce emotion grip her heart. An emotion which was close to awe. For this man. Who stood so close to her and was sharing her grief. Who held her when she would have crumbled down in her usual hiding. It felt so much better in his arms. To be held. To be comforted.

So she dropped the mask. She let him see her real self. Her insecurities. Her vulnerability. Her misery. Her loneliness. Her fears.

His only reaction was to bring her close for a hug. A hug which erased her pain and gave her something to lean on. The warmth engulfed her as she closed her eyes to take in the strong cologne she had come to associate with him. To take in the rollercoaster sensations which threatened to destroy her. However, which at the same time, soothed her.

Could he be her salvation?