Boxed Set: At the Billionaire’s Command – Vol. 1-3 (12 page)

With his nose buried in my hair, Daniel murmured,

"Let’s get dressed, you have to have a look around."

The room gave onto a very long, light gallery; on one side was a line of enormous arched windows almost touching each other and on the other side was a granite wall dotted with doors. At the end of the corridor, a white stone lancet arch led to a monumental sculpted wooden staircase.

At the bottom of the staircase, in a room which had to be an entrance hall, I saw Ray come to meet us.

"Hello Ray!"

"Hello, Miss."

"Julia, Ray will take you to the kitchen for some breakfast. Then, have a wander around the house as you wish, but I forbid you to go through this door”- he pointed to a door behind the staircase- “do you understand?"

"I thought you were going to show me round yourself…"
“I’ll join you a bit later. We will go and see the park together. But right now I have to take care of something."

"What kind of thing?"

"It doesn’t concern you, Julia", he answered, scowling to stop me asking questions. "Go on, I’ll see you later."

Daniel firmly instructed me to leave the room, pointing towards the exit. Ray was ahead of me. I took a few steps, then turned round. Daniel was still in the entrance, watching me walk away and no doubt waiting until I could no longer see him before he disappeared god knows where.

While eating a copious breakfast, I asked Ray what was behind the door I was not allowed to go through.

"It leads to one of the wings of the château, Miss."

"But what’s in that wing?"

"Best not to try and find out, Miss."
I wouldn’t get any more from him, but I was willing to bet that Daniel had gone through that forbidden door.

When I had eaten my fill, I went off to discover the castle. I passed through a living room, a dining room, an office, a panelled library with a mezzanine level and a ladder… All these rooms were excessively large but homely. There were no trinkets or flashy objects, just a few select items: paintings, a few sculptures, vases filled with flowers, Oriental carpets and functional objects. No lampshades hung from the high ceilings, but pretty lamps were dotted around. The materials of the curtains, armchairs and cushions were all in warm colours and hues. And most of the furniture (there wasn’t much of it) was remarkably original and beautiful. I admired the skill required to choose items that created such a warm and personal ambience. I felt comfortable here, but I was getting a bit lost, it was a real maze!

The weather outside was so beautiful that I decided to interrupt my explorations and I went out to see what the château looked like from outside.
Sterenn Park was a huge estate, like those that can no doubt be found in the south of England, the kind of houses you imagine from reading the descriptions of properties in Jane Austen novels.
I had never seen a château like it. It was built from granite, with no attempt at symmetry, and was remarkable and surprising. The central, rectangular main part contained a large number of windows (that was the location of the gallery which led to the bedrooms). To its right was a wing which formed the corner of a front courtyard. At the end of this wing, a huge round tower had been added, almost devoid of windows. At the left extremity of the main section there was a small chapel. Carrying on from the chapel was a second wing which led towards the back of the château. The residence had been built overlooking a valley and was surrounded by forest. Beneath it was a large lake and, a bit further along, a river snaked its way between the trees. There were no other buildings on the horizon, just lush, undulating nature. The setting was absolutely incredible and seemed to come straight out of a novel.

I ventured a tour around the buildings. At the back, I discovered a vegetable garden, a rose garden and a garden filled with cluttered flower beds, benches and low tables. I walked further along the walls, letting my gaze and my thoughts wander, when suddenly I thought I saw a shadow move in the wing running along from the chapel. I looked for somewhere I could observe more closely without being seen. I saw a small bush, bent down, inched my in and got into position. Through a window I could make out two figures, that of a man, standing and bustling about and that of a woman, sitting down. I recognised the man… it was Daniel.
But who was the woman he was hiding? Why did he not want me to see her? Did he have the nerve to bring me under the same roof as his wife?

Daniel’s shadow was moving, seemingly towards the chapel. Damn! He was going back towards the entrance! I left my viewing point and ran back to the front of the château. I just had time to get my breath back before Daniel found me.

"Ah! There you are! So do you like the interior?"

"Yes, a lot."

"Ready for a walk in the park?"

"Ready."

We went down the valley towards the lake. It was a long walk from the house. There was a long path, which we walked down almost without speaking. Daniel asked me a few questions about my visit and I gave monosyllabic answers. When we reached the bottom, near the river, amidst the trees, he took me by the shoulders.

"What on earth is wrong with you? Are you sulking? Is it because I left you on your own for a while?"

"I saw you."

"Who did you see? What did you see?"

"You and that woman you’re hiding."

"You’re just a dirty little nosey-parker. I told you to keep away from that part of the château."

"I didn’t do it on purpose. I saw you by accident. But that’s beside the point… I’ve had enough of your mysteries and your rules. Are you keeping your wife prisoner? And you didn’t want me to discover her?"

Daniel’s mouth twisted into a grin.

"You’re jealous."

"Absolutely not! I’d just like you to stop treating me like an idiot, or a child, or I don’t know who; I want you to stop acting so secretively."
Daniel was now smiling broadly.

"Yes you are, you’re jealous. Look, you’re blushing."
Then he suddenly became serious again.

"The woman you saw is my sister, Agathe. "

"Your sister?"

"Yes."

"And she is shut away here?"

"Her health is not good."

"What’s wrong with her?"

"Julia, I have no intention of explaining the details to you. You know my sister lives here, let’s leave it at that. I am asking you not to try and see her and not to mention it again."

And without even waiting for me to react, Daniel pulled me towards him and kissed me with a greed which required no comment.
I wrapped my arms around his neck. Our mouths remained sealed together, while his hands ran down my back; he lifted up my skirt and cupped my butt in his hands, squeezing them as he pressed me against himself; I felt the bulge of his penis against my crotch.

"Hold on to me."

Daniel picked me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist. The pressure and the rubbing of my breasts against his torso and my sex against his through the material were extremely arousing. In less time than it takes to say it, I was overwhelmed with lust. His jerky breathing, the dampness of his skin and the force of his kisses revealed his own desire.

"Daniel! Daniel!"
A woman’s voice shouted in the distance.
Daniel froze.

"Daniel! "
The cries continued.
I unwrapped my legs from his waist and put my feet on the ground.

"Who’s that?"
Daniel took my arms from around his neck and grabbed me by the wrist.

"Let’s go."

We climbed back up the valley at speed. A woman was coming towards us. As soon as Daniel recognised her, he stopped immediately.

"My mother,” he said between his teeth, letting go of my wrist.
I stayed next to Daniel, immobile and panting, my face still flushed from our interrupted frolics and my clothes crumpled.

Daniel’s mother was rushing towards us like a Fury. She stopped in front of her son and pointed at me without looking at me.

"Who’s this girl?"

"Stop that right now."

"I’m asking you who this slut is!"

"Mother, that’s enough."
Was that it?! Was that all that Daniel Wietermann could say to his mother? No exclamations? Nothing to defend me?

Daniel’s mother turned towards me brusquely:

"You! Pack your bags and get out of here! I advise you not to go near my son."
Daniel’s mother was looking daggers at me; I searched for an explanation and some protection in Daniel’s eyes, but Daniel was staring at his mother furiously. We were locked in a blind triangle.
I was not sure what astonished and scared me the most, whether it was the lack of help from Daniel or the degrading comments and threats from his mother, but I’d had enough. I ran away as quickly as I could towards the château.

"Julia!"
I could hear a hint of despair in Daniel’s shout, but not his footsteps behind me. I was leaving and he wasn’t trying to catch me.

Once I reached the top, I continued running to find my things and Ray.

"What’s happened Miss?"

"Ray, Could you take me to the nearest station?"
He told me that he would have to make a phone call before he agreed. I understood that he needed Daniel’s permission. And clearly Daniel did not say no…

In the car, Ray said:

"There’s no question of taking you to the station, Miss. Tell me where you want to go and I will drive you there."

My mind was in such a whirl that I didn’t even know where I wanted to go.
To my parents, yes, the best thing to do would be to go to my parents.
I must warn them I was coming. I looked for my phone. As I rummaged in my bag, I came across a crumpled piece of paper. I unfolded it. On it was Vincent’s number.
Or perhaps…? Why not.

Leaving New York, I had no idea where I'd end up. It’s been two days since my flight landed, and I'm still in the same situation…Where's the ambulance taking me? Where's Daniel leading me? And now, where's Ray driving me? It’s been two days since my flight landed, and yet I'm still not 'home'. How can I feel like I'm home, when everywhere is strange, when I don’t recognize anything? I'm in a sort of no-man's-land, a suspension of space and time; I'm constantly moving, drifting, waiting. When I first arrived in Sterenn Park, I really believed I was welcome. At last, I thought I could relax. But here I am on the move once more, on a road leading who knows where.

"Ray, just drop me off at the nearest station, don't worry, it's fine. I’ll manage."

"I insist, Miss. I’ll drop you off exactly where you wish to go. No matter how far it is."

"Really, Ray, don't bother."

"Those are my instructions, Miss." He pauses, then goes on: "And don’t you worry, it’s no trouble at all."

By saying 'those are my instructions', Ray probably thought that he'd chosen the wrong words, that upon hearing them, my immediate reaction would be resistance; that I might imagine he'd much rather be doing anything other than driving me around. But Ray’s kindness is matched only by his thoughtfulness, and he didn't want to unsettle me. That’s why he added that he didn't mind going with me, that he was happy to do his duty.
To take me
exactly
where I'm going, of course…That way, Daniel will know
exactly
where I am…
Why worry that something might happen to me on the way? Just why does he want to know where I am? When he's the one who damn well let me go?

What if I joined Vincent in Paris?
My parents have no idea that I've come back early, and I have no desire to explain why to them. Even if I only skimmed over my adventures, I can just picture their reaction! My mother throwing a fit, hysterical and obsessed with contacting Daniel. My father brooding, ruing his decision to let me go to America and cursing whoever's hurt his 'little princess'. In short, one worshipping Daniel, the other despising him (which of course, would only fuel the underlying animosity between them), and neither understanding. I love my parents dearly, but I can still view them lucidly and critically. They only see things in the context of their own histories, outlooks (embittered) and their (ultimately narrow) lives.

And besides, I'm bound to find some comfort in Vincent. He was so considerate towards me, his presence was so reassuring! Though we'd only met a few hours ago, he didn't leave me in my hour of need. And for that, at least, he's endeared himself to me. Not that I'm overwhelmed by his good looks or captivated by his aura, or that I share the feelings he seems to have for me...But he might improve on closer acquaintance; maybe to know him better would enhance his appeal other than as a friend...Vincent would take care of me, would help me move on. Right now, I think that's what I need. Someone whose kindness and warmth will envelop me.
Not to mention that Vincent could introduce me to his friends and show me the city. That way, after getting to know my way around, I won't be so lost when I move to Paris in September.

No, dreading my parent's reaction and choosing Vincent not for who he is, but for what he could give me, just doesn't seem right. I've a feeling I would be meeting up with Vincent for the wrong reasons.
Do I need to replace one man's presence with another's? Am I only viewing Vincent in comparison with Daniel Wietermann? Because he has qualities I really wish Daniel possessed?
I'm with Vincent
: would that not be a kind of vengeance? To get my own back on Daniel, I'd throw myself at someone else?
I'm with Vincent
: it wouldn't be about him, but against Daniel. Daniel's still the one at the centre of my obsession, who's eating me up.
I'm with Vincent
would amount to using someone dear to me to ease my pain, to spark off Daniel's jealousy (who knows if it can still catch fire...). It really wouldn't be fair to Vincent, it wouldn't be right. I'm too fond of him to act that way.

No, the best would be to go to my parents and come up with a credible reason for my return. After all, they're far less likely to believe the truth than anyting I could make up!
I want to go home, to sleep in my own bed.

"In that case, Ray, if you could take me to Tours..."

"Very well, Miss. Do you have family there?"

"Yes, my parents."