Dark Layers Volume 2: Dark Layers (20 page)

"Elijah." I moan but he stops me with a firm hand signal.

"Anile, I have made plans for us today. I um -" he stops.

Holy crap he looks nervous. He's biting his bottom lip again - this cannot be good.

"I have brought you something to wear. You can change as soon as we are finished but I do want you to wear it."

"Finished where?"

"It is a surprise." He smiles darkly.

"Elijah." I say, elongating his name.

"Please Anile, for me." He leans a little closer, he's trying to exude intimacy, and use his pheromone as an obeying mechanism. Does this man have no shame? Now he's trying to bloody dress me!

"Fine. But what if I don't like the clothing you have brought for me?"

"It should not matter. I like it." He nods all too pleased.

Well Mr. Important, as long as you are happy!

"Fine, show it to me." I roll my eyes. I hate gifts - especially surprise gifts.

He takes my hand and pulls me down onto the sofa with him. He leans over the back of the sofa and grabs a huge dress box. It's red, shiny and so pretty.

"A dress? I do not want to go anywhere fancy, Elijah."

"Just open it." He smiles, still looking nervous.

He places the box on my lap. I stroke the soft material - this box probably costs more than usual clothes! I lift the lid to find a stunning scarlet red suit. It's a skirt suit and it's just beautiful. I pull it out of the box.

"Size eight. How did you know?"

He smiles and winks at me - oh wow, that is sexy.

"I know everything I need to know about you."

"Huh." I huff, not annoyed, intrigued.

"Okay, I like it," I smile warmly at him. I would actually wear this kind of suit.

"I knew you would Princess." He looks pleased.

He rests his hand on my knee. Hmmm, Darks flu! I take a huge breath while trying not to let Darks flu take over my system.

"Are you not wearing a suit?" I ask.

He's dressed in black jeans with a black V-neck T-shirt. Of course he looks good and delicious - he always does - but I am not wearing a suit alone; how odd will we look together?

"I will get changed to - don't worry about me; go get ready." He says firm while grasping my knee tightly.

"Where can I shower?"

"By your greenhouse there is a room to the left. It is a bathroom, you can shower in there."

"Okay, thanks."

"Anile, tie your hair back. I'll meet you in the car and please hurry, we are on the clock." He says with narrowing eyes.

Tie my hair back? Is there no end to his demands?

He's still gazing at me. His eyebrows are so thick and demanding, raven black; they frame his blue eyes so perfectly.

I rise to my feet, as does he.

"Hurry, or I will come and clean you and dress you myself." He flashes an all winning grin.

"Okay Sir." I give him a salute sign.

"Good girl." He whispers.

He gazes at my mouth while gently running his thumb down my cheek. His lashes are so long and black like his hair - his eyes are so powerful and alluring. His touch is not okay right now; I need to get ready - I need to remain alive!

He releases my face and hastily leaves the living area. I quickly gather my dumb struck brain and scurry off to the bathroom.

While passing my greenhouse., the overpowering scent of flowers fills my nose, hmmm - that is heaven. I open the solid oak door to the bathroom and I'm met with steam. I think Elijah must have showered in here; why didn't he use his usual shower? Surely he has an en-suite?

It's a stunning bathroom - it's an Italian design. No bath strangely but the shower that fits across half of the wall could easily fit ten people. The walls and floors are as one - grey Marble with hints of white.

I walk into the damp shower and pull down the huge chrome leaver. This is definitely too big for just one man.

I quickly get naked and step back into the warm misty shower. The water is refreshing; hot and soft. I quickly find his shower wash and apply lots of it, hoping his scent will linger on me. It is not his spicy scent sadly, but it's still beautiful and smells of Jasmine -
copycat.

Once I'm clean, I dry myself quickly and change. Sophie didn't pack me any makeup apart from my lipstick - I know Elijah told her to forget my makeup; Bastard. I tie my hair back as Elijah requested and quickly make my way outside, but not before I spot his aftershave on the counter top; hmmm. Chanel
Allure
. I pick it up. It's wet from the heated steam of the bathroom. Before I even register what my fingers are doing, I'm spraying it all over my clothes. I inhale deeply and it catches in my throat - I shouldn't have sprayed so damn much. It does strange things to me; my tummy quivers involuntarily. I feel naughty; I smile in the mirror - the look of lust, I laugh. 

I emerge from the house, dressed in red. This suit is just stunning; the skirt is pencil fitted with a small slit at the back; the jacket is a peplum cut - perfect for my small frame. Strangely I cannot see the Bentley. I gaze around Elijah's huge stoned driveway but I cannot see him.

Beep, beep.

I peer to the left of me to find Elijah perfectly sunk into his red Ferrari.

"Oh dear God." I gasp. I am not a flashy person and that car screams money! I slowly walk towards him as he steps out of the car.

"Wow, you look beautiful Anile."

"Thanks." I blush while lowering my head.

He walks to the passenger side with easy grace. He opens the door for me.

"In you go Princess."

I sink into the cream leather -
leather!
I laugh. This car is a piece of artwork. It's so modern and expensive. There are buttons everywhere apart from the passenger dash - the dash is also dressed in leather. Ugh!

"Ready?"

"Well I don't know because I don't know where we are going."

"You will see - it's a gesture I hope you will love." He smiles, "Anile."

"Yes?"

"Are you wearing my aftershave?"

Oh God. I cringe. I cannot even look at him, I'm so damn embarrassed!

"Well? You know I do not repeat myself."

"Um, yes." I say sweetly, eyes fixed out of my window.

"Yes, I look and smell good on you." He says proud.

Phewww!
I descend into the plush leather further, relieved, happy and also nervous. He pulls out of his driveway and starts making his way to our surprise destination.

"Anile, why do you not have a car?"

"Um, I thought moving to London that I wouldn't need one. There are trains for every destination - you know."

"Hm, would you be okay about me buying you one? They are practically a necessity these days."

"No, no, no. Please don't. I can, I can buy my own car - but thanks."

"But what if I want to?"

"Elijah, that will be it for us if you buy me a car - I mean it." I narrow my eyes at him. I will live up to my word if he even tries to buy me a damn car!

"Okay, how about this, I'll lend you one of mine." He steals a quick glance in my direction. I do not catch his gaze; I again stare out of the window.

"How many cars do you own?" I ask surprised because he said 'cars' and not 'car'.

"A few. I have a nice Mercedes that you would look good in. It's dark silver, all the extras, and it is fully loaded with black leather." He jokes.

"Ha, leather." I joke with him. He smiles, he looks so damn happy - it makes me happy.

"Can I get it sorted for you Anile? I would feel a lot better if you had a car and did not have to keep riding the underground train."

I huff, knowing if I say no, a punishment might follow.

"Okay, I'll borrow it until I buy a car - how about that?"

"Deal."

He picks up his phone and dials someone.

"Elijah, it's illegal to speak on the phone while driving." I gasp.

"Princess, I can do what I like.
I make the law.
"

I frown, wondering if he's right.

"Amin, could you have the Mercedes ready for tonight please mate?"

Mate! I want to laugh. I have never heard him speak so... common!

"Thanks mate, see you tomorrow." He shuts the phone down and I cannot contain myself.

"Mate; that is the funniest thing I have ever heard you say." I laugh.

"He is a mate, and a good one too. I would like you to meet him - he is my oldest friend."

I smile fondly - meeting the family and friends faze.

"I'd like that." I say.

WE PULL INTO
London. It's quite busy, understandably so. It's so sunny and warm; spring is in the air. The parks are bright green, the flowers are fresh and captivating, and everyone is happy due to the Vitamin D overload.

Elijah drives into The Dorchester Hotel's car park and happy memories fill my mind. Once we are parked, he rushes to open my door. I get out nervous and stand beside him.

"Shall we?" He asks, holding out his arm for me to link with him.

"Can you now tell me what's going on?" I ask, linking arms with him.

"You will see in only a few minutes, Princess, be patient." He smiles while looking down at me.

He leads me into the hotel. It's so beautiful here, grand and vast and smells of Lemons and Citrus fruits. The floors stretch far and beyond - stunning shiny cream marble with hints of dark beige. The reception desk would rival the damn Queens house! - it's a high polished mahogany with gold trim. The Greek columns are cream with golden ties around every carved symbol - they are so tall. There are public tea areas with comfy floral seats and large mahogany coffee tables. It's busy - the butlers are wheeling gold baggage carriers that are full of expensive suitcases. Louis Vuitton, Bric's, too much money spent in my opinion just on luggage.

He walks past the reception desk and into one of the ballrooms. Holy hell! This room is even nicer than the reception! The walls are pastel blue, like a dolls house. The wooden panels on the bottom half of the walls are also blue and fit for the Queen - again! Surely she owns this place? I giggle to myself. The tables are round and dressed in cream silk cloths - lighter cream cloths are tied nicely around the chairs with oversized bows on the back. There must be about fifty tables! You could easily fit three hundred people in here. The floor is the most shiniest floor that I have ever seen; dark wooden oak - I think - and it goes on forever.

I frown when I clock tons of reporters all turn with their cameras. There is around twenty of them, all crammed in a small gathering area that is separated by a golden bar walkway.

"Elijah, what the hell is going on?"

"Please make your way over by the top table area." He addresses all the reporters and motions them with his hand.

I feel panicky, like I'm literally going to pass out. I try to pull my arm back from Elijah - trying to escape - but he grasps my hand and pulls me closer to him.

"Elijah, please. I cannot breathe."

He turns to face me. He hunches down to take a good look at me.

"Breathe slowly. You are just panicking Princess." He tenderly strokes my shoulder.

I gaze into his eyes. I take one breath at a time.; in and out, in and out. My heart rate still continues to rise.

"I cannot do this." I say, lowering my head.

"Cannot do what?" He asks.

He clutches my chin with his other hand and pulls my face up to meet his eyes. I have a horrid feeling that he is going to propose or something - and I don't want him too!

"This - I cannot do whatever you are about to do! Please tell me why we are here? I don't like surprises or grand gestures Elijah; they make me uncomfortable."

He closes his eyes in defeat. He looks really hurt.

"Elijah, I'm sorry." I say in a weak voice.

"Go and take a seat. I just have to inform the public of my divorce and I will come back to you Princess."

I close my eyes and release a huge breath. My pulse slows and my brain starts to accept oxygen again - thank God! My legs are like jelly so I don't move to find a seat, I practically nosedive into the seat
right
next to me. Elijah storms off - he's not happy at all. He rises to the top table platform. It's cream, a nice pink shade of cream stepping up onto two platforms.

His suit is extraordinary - figure hugging. It's a three piece navy blue pinstripe suit; he's matched it with a crisp white shirt. He has a white handkerchief in his left pocket and his cufflinks are just beautiful - diamonds, I think. He looks like a gangster. His raven hair is loose; his eyebrows are full and his mouth is open. He starts his announcement with a deadpan tone. His face is impassive - understandably so. Here comes calculated Elijah.

"Thank you all for coming. I would like to announce my divorce before you all start publishing selfsame stories on Jezebel and I. The divorce was a mutual agreement."