Darkest Deception (Deception Series)

7

“You will go to this dinner, and you will let Darci sweep you off your feet. It’s the only way for us to get invited to the parties your father couldn’t get into,” my mother says.

I flinch.

She wasn’t always like this. Once upon a time, she loved me and my sister and was an amazing mother. But living within the high walls of the oppressive Torre mansion has led to many depressive episodes. While I was working at the company with Dad, Aurora would come over and stay for a few days to help her through them, and when she slept, I would constantly check on Mum to make sure she was all right.

I monitored the food the staff prepared to ensure it was made to help her keep her strength. My efforts were silent. When Mum got better, Aurora never came back. She got out at the right time.

When Mum was well, it was my role to go to parties with her, ones she attended to escape the confinement of the mansion. I got used to it, but I was still a mere puppet for both of my parents.

Then Dad’s death happened, and Mum’s mental health took another hit. The minute she saw Aurora in the house, she dropped the blame on her and Remo.

I had seen Remo come out of the house the day of Father’s death and had a feeling he had something to do with it, but there was no evidence, so I never pressed it. Remo wasn’t the only dangerous man my dad had made deals with. Aurora left that day and never looked back. That was months ago. I used to see her regularly at family dinners, but now I don’t.

There is silence in the house now.

Maddening silence that leaves me desperate for any kind of distraction.

“But why?”

Leysa, my mother, whose blond hair is just like mine, turns her sharp eyes to me. She wears a classic white dress paired with a sparkling diamond neck piece and matching heels.

“Why wouldn’t you, Ambrose? You let Glamorous slip between your fingers, and now we need a different way to keep us afloat. You couldn’t do it, and you’ve almost cost us everything in the two months I was gone, so now let me handle this.” She walks past me and breezes through the front door of our house.

I follow, my glittering gold dress trailing behind me. It has long sleeves and dips low on my chest, showing a hint of cleavage. I’ve paired it with my diamond necklace and earrings, my white Louboutins, and a thin anklet.

“How are you finding this dinner?” Darci mutters in my ear, his cold breath fanning my neck.

I lean away and sip my water as I try to smile. God, I hate this.

“Why?” I drawl, looking at him.

He smiles.

It’s a charming smile. He could be the epitome of class and money, with his million-pound watch, designer suit, and slicked hairstyle.

“If you weren’t enjoying it, I’d have to try harder to keep you entertained, wouldn’t I?”

I don’t understand what he means until he drops his hand on my thigh under the table. I freeze.

My eyes sharpen in warning, and my grip on my glass tightens. I want to throw the drink in his face. I glance at Mum. She has noticed, but there is that look in her eyes that tells me to not fuck it up and just deal with it. Darci’s parents in front of me are completely captivated by Mum’s conversation.

I can’t do this.

Why the fuck is he touching me like he has any right?

I wrap my fingers around his, then rip them off my thigh and throw his hand back to him. He raises his brows.

“You touch me like that again, Darci, and you won’t have a chance at passing on your DNA.”

For a second, I think he takes my threat seriously. Then he bursts out laughing.

“You are a fierce one.”

Yet men like Darci cannot handle a fierce woman when she keeps that independence. They complain about not having a compliant partner and try to smother her spirit.

Something tickles along my spine, then travels up my neck. The heat and intensity of it makes me sit up straighter. The chatter around me fades into a murmur as I realise it’s that same feeling I get when I am in my room near the balcony.

At night.

When my stalker is around.

He’s here.

He’s in this restaurant.

Awareness blossoms inside of me, and fear slithers around my heart in tight, painful bands. I press a hand to my chest and slowly turn around, scanning the restaurant. Nothing stands out.

Until my eyes fall on the figure sitting leaned back, legs spread wide, and the long legs out in front of him in a booth at the far back corner of the dimly lit restaurant.

The hoodie, the outfit, and figure. All of it is the same.

His hood is covering his head and face, but I can tell his eyes are on me. Fear chokes me, clamping around my throat with its sharp claws. He looks like he wants to murder someone. The glare is apparent even if I can’t see his facial features.

My phone pings, and my fear spikes.

With shaky fingers, I take my phone out of my bag and wake up the screen.

Unknown:He touches you again, and he will meet a cruel fate by my hands

A different kind of rush goes through my body. This is the first time my stalker has contacted me through text message. And it’s to threaten a man who was disrespectfully touching me.

“Who is it?” Darci tries to peek at my phone, but I shut my phone. My heart races inside of me as I slowly turn to Darci again. Trying to imagine what my stalker will do to him.

Will he cut his hands off for touching me?

Will he slit his throat for daring to disrespect me?

Would anyone even want to keep my pride and dignity preserved at all?

I haven’t done anything to deserve anyone’s mercy or kindness, and that thought alone has everything around me dimming as I force myself through this dinner.

“Ambrose is such a lovely woman. I think she is perfect for my boy, Darci,” Viviana says.

My mother lights up at the suggestion, but it makes me nauseous.

I don’t want this.

The feeling gets so intense that I need to leave.

“Excuse me,” I say politely and rise from the table.

I walk swiftly to the restrooms and barely keep myself from puking in the toilet. Darci’s wandering hands make me feel so disgusted.

I lean against the wall in the ladies’ restroom and close my eyes. I suck in long breaths and release them slowly until my heartbeat calms and my hands stop shaking. I quickly check my reflection in the mirror, then walk back out. Everyone is ready to go, thankfully. I grab my purse, my eyes flying back to where I saw my stalker in the back, but he isn’t there anymore.

No one has ever seen him before, nor have we caught him with any of our security cameras. Could he be a mere fragment of my imagination?

Could he be someone my mind created, pushing me to go insane? To tip over the last edge of sanity I have left?

The ride to the exclusive launch party of the new partnership between Anta Group and Fallum Corporation thrown by Darci Anta’s parents is just as suffocating. I keep my window open a fraction to let some cool air into the car. My mother’s presence, the thought of being in another event, the sight of people in the room, and the need to keep up a fake smile is all so exhausting.

My heart tightens with unease.

I take a shuddering breath in and let it out quietly. My hands shake, along with my chin, at the thought of putting up with Darci for the rest of the night.

My window gets shut just as flashes go off outside.

I jump when I feel a pinch on my thigh and look over to see Mum’s retreating hand and a firm expression on her face.

“Do not, under any circumstance, ruin this, Ambrose.”

I swallow thickly.

My door opens, and the flashes blind me. A hand reaches out, and I take it numbly, swinging my legs out, then placing one foot in front of the other as I exit the vehicle. I fix an unaffected, regal smile on my face as I wave and nod at the paparazzi, walking on the white carpet towards the steps leading up to Marigold Avenue . It’s an elegant venue, situated right on the famous Marigold Avenue, which houses only the most exclusive event structures. Invitations to events here are extended to politicians, mayors, influential Chief Executives, and even to the state secretary. Some even come from the royal bloodline.

The Anta family ranks just below the Cainn Group, with their influence and wealth exceeding everyone in this group. With their hand in technology, they are always in demand. Their share prices keep increasing, and that rapid growth is exactly what shareholders and investors look for. It’s been a quick, yet crazy, rise to the top for them.

What will happen if I reject Darci’s advances?

What will happen if I walk away and don’t attempt to make conversation with Darci?

Will it be the same as when I was in school?

Will I have to sacrifice myself once more for my family?

I have given up so much of myself for parents who had never cared.

Glamorous was my only avenue for escape, but even that has been snatched away from me.

Fuck Helia and Remo.

My eyes burn, and I blink away any trace of emotion from my face. My genial mask is firmly back in place when security greets me and guides me towards the grand doors of the venue.

The strong rose scent of my mother reaches my senses before I see her standing next to me.

“Follow me,” she whispers.

Her heels click on the white marble, and I demurely follow her, as I have been doing my whole life.

I remain by her side and dutifully greet each and every person she introduces me to, my mind numb, silent, and hazy as I see nothing and everything at once.

The shine, the flaunt of money, the people. It’s all a blur.

“This is my daughter, Ambrose.” She pushes me in front of them.

“Pleasure to meet you.” I greet each of them with a smile, then ask them about their business, their family, their favourite hobby. I have a file on almost every person in this room.

My mother and my father didn’t let me slack in this department.

The chatter is loud, and faint music flows through the room. I engage in all the pleasantries, aware that even if I wanted to, I wouldn’t be able to ask any of them for help. If something didn’t benefit them, they wouldn’t look twice.

Diamonds twinkle around throats, in earlobes, and around wrists, and crisp suits and beautiful dresses adorn the guests. I slowly move my gaze across it all, pausing on a man who is talking to the mayor of London.

He’s tall and has dark hair and sharp features. A calm expression rests on his face as he sips his champagne.

Remo Cainn.

I quickly look around him. Is Aurora here too? She’s never liked events like this. She wouldn’t be here, and I can’t see her.

Remo looks up, and I get caught looking. I tip my head before turning back to Talia Lonan, the daughter of one of the deputy mayors of London, Hayes Lonan.

“These events give me a serious headache sometimes. Do you feel that too?” she mutters, rubbing her forehead with well-manicured fingers and flashing the gold on her wrist. She’s dressed in an impeccable, fitted silver dress with a V-neck and thick straps.

She’s ten years younger than me, at twenty years old, but her beauty and elegance are unmatched. I like her. She’s always at every event I am invited to, but she is also a confident woman who I sometimes fear is too bold and daring for this society.

To be in this circle, one must hold a certain power within London. To be here is to be among the most elite. The most powerful families and political figures mingle, hide their fucked-up actions, and call it a day, knowing their colleagues will cover and vouch for them. Being a powerful and influential businessman or woman does not require a good heart. It usually involves the spilling of blood and a black heart.

It’s no surprise that Remo’s here, nor that we are invited to these parties now that Mum has made acquaintances with the Anta family. Even if it came at the cost of tying me to Darci. While Remo is here, we haven’t always been involved, which is exactly what Dad died trying to do. Funny how Mum is the one who got us here.

“It is. I don’t know how these parties are always this long.” I take another sip of my water, trying to keep my mind cool.

“Come with me. There is a small door leading out to the back. We can get some air before coming back in here.”

Linking my arm with hers, she drags me with her, weaving through the crowd, turning men’s heads everywhere she goes. Their gazes then take me in, too.

I can feel their hungry eyes, even if I don’t turn my head.

I think Talia is the only person here whom I can tolerate. She is quite fearless. She doesn’t throw jabs at me, doesn’t talk about anything other than light gossip, which just makes her easy to be around.

And I allow myself to breathe with her.

She pushes the fire exit door open, and we walk out. I let out a big breath, taking in the cold air. Light droplets of rain fall on us, and a soft gust of wind blows our hair.

“Thank God. I was about to die of suffocation in there.”

Talia playfully slaps my arm, chuckling. “Don’t be dramatic like that. I thought you would be used to this. You’ve been doing this for longer than I have.”

I shake my head at her words. She couldn’t be more wrong.

“So… I know I don’t usually gossip, but I heard a little something.” She turns her head towards me, leaning against the cool wall of the venue.

My gaze is on the starry night above me, watching the slow movement of the clouds making their way to cover the glow of the crescent moon.

“You and Darci…” She trails off.

I huff out a laugh. “I will do everything in my power to get that slimy shit away from me. You think I’ll tie myself to a playboy like him who has probably fucked half of London? No way.”

Talia laughs out loud, then quickly covers her mouth with her hand. Her wide eyes make me smile.

“Stop trying to act like a lady when you snort when you laugh.” I poke her.

She frowns at me, crossing her arms. “And you, miss, are acting like you will find a gentleman with this little attitude you always have. Have you ever been nice to anyone?”

Helia’s image flashes in my mind.

“Oh my God! What was that look?”

I blink, confused.

Her brown curls bounce as she shuffles over to me. “That look! Ambrose, did someone just come to your mind? Who is he? Do I know him? Is he inside? Who is it? Tell me,” she pleads, her big brown eyes wide.

“Stop. There is no one. And for your information, the last time my father decided to marry me off, the man requested Aurora instead of me at the last minute. You know I am the last person who wants to get married; not with what I am, the way I am.”

Talia bites her lips, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

She turns and looks up at the sky. After a few quiet moments, she says, “You know, sometimes I wish—no, I dream—of marrying someone, anyone, who isn’t a part of this whole… this… society, part of the elite. I can’t imagine myself marrying someone who is so greedy, so addicted to money. I just… He would never put me first, you know?”

I nod and move my gaze to the bushes in front of me. Something moves in the corner of my eye, and I turn to look to my right. Someone smoking against the wall farther down the building. The flame of a lighter flares to life, and my heart explodes in a pounding frenzy.

That… that stance.

It cannot be.

That note was just for the sake of it. Right?

“I think you, on the other hand, you may have a little bit of a hard time, but you’ll find yourself falling for someone who can easily handle your little mood swings; someone who sees you, who sees the struggles you hide, even from me.”

Memories of Helia countering my arguments come to mind. Then the image of the hooded figure takes centre stage.

“I know everyone in the building behind us, but no one in there will work for what we want, what we need, we might have to fight against the strongest forces in London to get what we want,” Talia comments with a sigh.

“Your sister married Mr Cainn, but I saw her, saw the newspapers and articles… She looks so happy, looking up at her husband with such love, such affection, and his eyes that are always on her.” She sighs dreamily, but my attention is still stuck on the smoking figure.

My throat tightens, my mouth opening and closing, unsure if I should tell Talia.

“I guess she lucked out to be tied to such a powerful man who has proven me a little wrong. The picture of him on his knees for her that leaked? I never thought love like that existed. Deep, beautiful love…”

He blows a puff out, drops the cigarette onto the ground, then looks up, as if aware that I’m watching him.

“Ambrose? Are you listening?”

He shakes his head once, then turns around and disappears around the far corner. Only then do I finally let myself breathe. The way he walks with such ease makes my stomach twist. His height and broad shoulders make my heart drum loudly.

“Ambrose?” Talia shakes my shoulder.

“Huh?” I blink and focus on her.

She looks behind me. “What is it? Did you see someone?”

I shake my head. “I thought I saw someone, but it’s nothing. Let’s head back inside before my mom realises that I’m missing.”

She nods but looks behind me once more before we head back inside.

Darci somehow finds his way to me, and Talia cannot hide her smile, aware of how much I hate this.

“Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?”

I smile, flashing my teeth, and shrug.

He leans in, his lips brushing my ear, and whispers, “You look hot, Ambrose. I wish I could take you out of here, right now, and see how you taste.”

I shiver and hope he doesn’t notice. “Not happening. There is nothing on this finger.” I raise my left hand and wiggle my ring finger.

He laughs, shaking his head. “It will by adorned with the biggest diamond that will blind everyone in the room, and then I will get what I have been promised.”

I catch Talia making gagging notions behind him, and I have to hold in a smile.

This stupid girl.

“I haven’t promised anything,” I counter.

The event continues, and it stretches long into the night. The speeches happen, and the crowd slowly starts to disperse after dinner, despite us already having eaten. And when I finally, finally, get to step out of the venue into the cold night, rain is splattering the pavement.

“I would love to see you again, Ambrose,” Darci whispers in my ear, then places a kiss on my cheek and heads out. He looks back at me over his shoulder, a wink thrown my way before he gets in the car with his parents.

The cameras catch this. They catch every moment, and I know my face will be plastered all over the tabloids tomorrow morning.

“Good luck with the press coverage tomorrow.” With an amused smile, Talia also walks away with an elegant wave.

“Good job. I think I can now sleep peacefully tonight knowing a wedding is on the horizon,” Mum states when we are home.

She walks to her room, and I go to mine, my mind numb. The blank walls of our house seem so much taller today. Darker and haunting.

Locking my bedroom door behind me, I step out of my heels and make my way towards my bed.

My bag drops out of my hand.

I clamp my hands over my mouth to stop a scream from escaping past my lips.

Standing in all his dark glory is my stalker. He’s tall, definitely over six-foot. His hood is down, and the angry curtains thrash behind him with the wind and harsh rain from the open doors of the balcony.

The drops falling into my room make me sigh; it will be a pain cleaning it.

The wind pulls at his untamed hair, and a trail of smoke surrounds him, the burning butt of the cigarette a glow in the dark. A cold sweat breaks out on my back, and my hands tremble. There is this unhinged atmosphere to him that makes him look absolutely terrifying. I fear if he were to reach out and demand to rip out my blackened heart, he could easily reach inside my chest and tear it out.

And no one would be able to stop him.

He looks like a reaper coming to collect my soul before its time.