24

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

GABRIELLE

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I ran the brush through my hair quickly, the dye was beginning to wear off, the roots were their usual golden color.

I kept the hairbrush on the dresser, from the corner of my eyes, I saw the white gold band, the two small diamonds at the center twinkling at me. As though reminding me that I had only a few hours left. I had taken off my ring the day Lucian left, maybe it was a little way of showing defiance, especially after what he had done to me.

I selected a white gown with red flowery patterns, all of the clothes he bought for me were dresses, not even a single pair of jeans. I supposed that like my father, Lucian also believed that women were supposed to look and behave ladylike.

I walked out of the room, closing the door behind me. My journey was short, soon I found myself inside the library I had discovered only yesterday. The shelves were piled up with different books, I could already tell that this would become my favorite part of the house.

I spent minutes deciding on which book to read, the next item I picked up was a magazine.

I was surprised to see Lucian's pictures on the front cover.

He was dressed in a completely black suit, probably as dark as his ugly soul. His frosty grey eyes met steadily with the camera.

I felt a slight shudder, even through the photo, I felt as though those intense orbs were glaring straight at me.

I read slowly across the headline. He was described as the son of Victor Castiel. I've heard father mention Victor Castiel a few times while growing up. He was the head of the New York Familia before his death, and Lucian had taken over from him.

The magazine called Lucian Castiel a renowned businessman who took over his father's business and was at least worth hundreds of millions of dollars and owned several estates. I bet they knew nothing about the bloodshed that came with that amount of wealth. In the next several pictures, he had several girls beside him, all of them looking striking, I wouldn't be surprised if they were supermodels, some of them had smiles across their faces. I guess they had no idea that they were posing beside a predator who could tear them apart without a twitch of his eyes.

I stared at the icy eyes of Lucian one more time before allowing the magazines to drop on the wooden tiled floor. It was childish, but I felt slight satisfaction when I stepped on them quite a few times.

I spent some hours in the study before Anya entered inside, informing me that it was time for lunch.

I felt dread pool in my stomach, her words served as a reminder that Lucian would be arriving in only a few hours. On the brighter side of things, I finally learn about Derek's whereabouts.

I had been slightly surprised to find out that Lucian had a separate room from mine, but then it did explain the absence of his clothes and other belongings. Over the past few days, I had tried to gain access to his room and office in search of clues. It had been futile because only Lucian had access to these places. Not even the workers were allowed to clean there without his supervision. As much as I dreaded this return, It was the only way I could find any information concerning where he had kept Derek.

I followed Anya downstairs. Geoffrey was already dishing out meals. He beamed when he saw me.

He was the cook in this place, he was past middle-aged and had worked here for over forty years. He lost his wife years ago and had no children except a nephew, Fred, who also happened to be one of Lucian's men.

I had expected all of Lucian's men to be evil just like him but had been proven wrong.

Geoffrey and Fred were surprisingly very nice to me, or maybe it just had to do with the fact that I was their boss' wife.

They were the only persons I've gotten quite close to in this past few days apart from Anya.

I had spent most of my time outside the house as well but never had been allowed outside the gates. Of course, the men had been polite when informing me that I couldn't leave, but I knew it had everything to do with obeying their boss' given orders.

In one of my private walks around the mansion, I had been surprised to see a garden, I didn't take Lucian for one who trimmed flowers or cared about plant life. he could care less about humans like him, to imagine that he would care for plants was laughable.

I finished eating and thanked Geoffrey. My next destination was the garden. I greeted Fred as I walked past, he gave me a nod. I've noticed that even though he spoke nice and politely, he seemed always reluctant to speak to me.

The rest never spoke to me at all, but they always appeared out of nowhere each time I ventured too close to the gates.

A quiet sigh left my mouth. I completed the walk to the beautiful garden.

it reminded me of the ones mother grew in our house. In fact, the flowers present were the same.

I inhaled deeply, roses and lavenders had always been my favorites, I always found relaxation in the freshness of their scents.

I opened the locket like I did every day since Lucian went away. My chest constricted painfully at the small photograph of Derek and me. Happiness radiated from our smiles. It almost seemed like centuries ago.

I heard the sound of footsteps and jumped, I turned around nervously to see that it was Anya and let out a breath of relief.

I was still grateful to her for the contraception pills, she was an angel that fell from above. She had confessed to me that she and Derek were long-time friends, and while Derek had worked for my father, she had for Lucian and had been scared to approach me from the beginning because she thought, I would give out who she was to Lucian. Her presence provided hope to me, it was the only reason Lucian had not completely shattered my soul.

"He's coming back today. " I brushed a flowed with my knuckle.

"Where did he go? Did he have some business? Do you know what it's about? "

I stared at her for some moments, this wasn't the first time she had asked me this, I've already told her that whatever Lucian does was none of my business.

I doubted he would tell me anything even if I wanted to know. Growing up, women in our family were never allowed to ask questions regarding the business. I also had no interest, I had learned from a young age that my father killed people, which had been terrifying enough.

"I'm asking all these because of Derek, what if he has gone there to meet him? "

I also had thought about that, that what if the business Lucian meant was visiting Derek?. He had promised not to hurt Derek as long as I fulfilled his two conditions. Willingly or not, I had fulfilled them... At least one because there was no way I would get pregnant, not unless I completely didn't have a choice. I didn't know Lucian well enough to know if he was a man who kept his promises, but I prayed he wouldn't hurt Derek until I find a way to rescue him.

"He only said he's going away for business, that's all I know "

Anya wore an unhappy look, I was disappointed as well that I couldn't be of help.

"No worries, we can still find out his whereabouts." She flashed me a hopeful smile.

"He is coming back today, there had to be files containing information about Derek, you are the only one who can do this."

I was willing to do anything for Derek, but still, my heart was heavy with panic, what if I get caught by him snooping around his files?.

"We don't know which is which, I'll advise that you take a quick picture of all of the documents you can get your hands on, we will then check for the useful ones."

Was it just me or there was a sudden glint in her eyes? The look was gone before I could decipher it.

I waved it off, she was helping me free Derek, she was the only person I should trust in this whole place.

If I were to take pictures, I would need a phone for that. I didn't bring my cellphone to this place, the times I've talked to my mother in these few days was through the telephone in my room.

"I can do th..." I paused in my statement when I saw Fred approaching. He stared from me to Anya, and then back to me again.

"Do you want to say something?" I spoke nervously, praying he hadn't heard any of our conversations.

"The boss is back, he is requesting your presence. "

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