Dark Layers Volume 2: Dark Layers (9 page)

"Angel, Sweetheart, I don't often make a habit of repeating myself because the consequences of my anger are not pleasant. You need to leave."

"Oh, eh, okay." She stutters.

She turns on her heel without so much as one more word. How does he do that? My mouth is agape. He turns back and stares at me triumphant.

"Fine, you win. Now untie me." I say defeated.

He glides over to me and unties me quickly. I rub my wrists. They are red with my struggles.

"You play dirty." I snap.

"I play to win Princess - I have to when you are the prize." He cocks his head to the side.

I look down at my hands. I'm upset. "Were you really going to let her kiss you?" I whisper.

"Yes." He says.

I look up quickly - I'm shocked, utterly shocked. He stares impassively.

"Elijah, you will not kiss me. Why were you going to kiss a complete fucking stranger?"

"Sometimes we have to suffer in order to achieve." He says motionless.

I frown, "you do not have to suffer because of me. This is not a battle field Elijah."

"Everything worthwhile is not without battle, Anile."

"Whoever told you that is speaking shit." I snap. But I wonder, is he right?

"Breakfast?" He says, completely out of the blue.

I huff - two can play this game. I'm officially unhappy - not mad - just unhappy.

"I think I'll pass on breakfast, but thanks." I'm sure not to use the word 'no'.

"So, what do you want to do?" He says, hiding his hands in his pockets again. He looks so gorgeous, poised - how the fuck can he look this way and be so bloody damaged?

"We should finish our conversation."

He closes his eyes in pain. His body immediately stiffens. "Anile. Jezebel and I are over. There is nothing more to discuss. I want you - is that not clear?," He frowns, "how I can have you is still a mystery to me but I will work out the fine details over time."

Cheeky git! How dare he assume he can decide when he wants me!

"You may want me but it does not mean you are going to get me! I am not sitting on the bench until you are ready for me Elijah!" I snap at the audacity of him, "actually, I am pretty hungry. I'm going home. I need to arrange a date for breakfast." I joke, knowing damn well it will piss him off - or I at least hope it will.

He shakes his head but doesn't look defeated.

"See you tomorrow, Anile." He says motionless.

He turns away from me and starts to walk back down the alley. What the hell? That did not go to plan!

"Elijah," I call out.

He turns, smiles at me with his smouldering eyes and carries on walking away. I stand stupefied - I was expecting him to fight me to the death on my idea of having another date for breakfast - especially after what has just happened! He gave in to easily, something is not right.
Maybe he wants to play fair?
Hell bloody no!

Childishly pouting, I head home.

On the walk back, I think over what Elijah has just done. That is a dangerous game he's just played. He sort of reminds me of my father - in a smart way. That reminds me, I need to go and see my father; a visit to him is inevitable - especially now he has fifty thousand pounds of Elijah's money that I need to get back! I *sigh* in frustration. I need to speak to Derek and arrange a weekend away - I need a break from all this.

My phone rings and I have a feeling it's Elijah. I answer without looking at the screen in desperate hope.

"Hello?"

"Hello - is this Anile Gooden?"

"Yes - how can I help you?" It's not him. I mentally sag.

"Can I call you Anile?"

"Yes. Who is this?" I say curious.

"It's Piers Morgan. I would like to interview you regarding your relationship with Elijah Darks. Could I arrange this with you?"

"Whoa - what? Why?" I ask like an idiot.

"Well, I have compelling photographs of the two of you together last night - Elijah has you over his shoulder in a debatable position - the public want to know if you are in-fact a couple?"

"No we are not!" I snap.

"I see. Do you have any comments regarding Elijah's position of power?"

"What does that mean, I mean, what do you mean?" Okay, now he has my full attention.

"His family are very influential over the public and throughout the media regarding politics and law. Castor Darks owns one of the biggest Media companies - Illumination Media - and Elijah Darks owns one of the biggest Law firms in the world - Darks Lawyers - do you have an opinion on the matter? Or would you like to express why you think they are in such power? In your own words please, Anile?"

"I have nothing to say on the matter."

Things regarding the Darks family are getting bolder and bolder; soon it will be virtually impossible to try and ignore something that is completely in my face!

"Is it true that you are a virgin and that you saved yourself for Mr. Darks?"

"What the hell! Who told you that?" I snap breathless. My throat tightens with embarrassment and my eyes water.

"I cannot provide you with the source of my information Anile. Would you like to make a formal statement?"

Ohhh - he has done it now!

"Oh yes, I would like to make a statement - on the record. Your mother did a lousy job raising you to believe it is okay to intrude into a woman's personal life. Your father clearly asked you to follow in his footsteps - and as for my opinion, fuck you!"

I slam the phone down absolutely fuming. Who the hell does he think he is? And who the hell sold my fucking virginity to the media? Elijah has to sort this now! It's not just my problem!

I text him with hasty fingers, slipping and sliding all over my phone.

To: Elijah

Elijah! I have just had a reporter! On the phone! Asking did I save my virginity for you'! How the hell did they find out that I am a virgin? Who have you been speaking to?

From: Elijah

Just leave it with me Princess. I am just about to go into an important meeting, I will call you later. x

To: Elijah

No Elijah, I want this sorted! This is out of order. I want to know who you have told - otherwise you can forget the job! And I thought you were not busy, you asked me to breakfast - you have only just left me?

He doesn't text me back. I literally growl in frustration. I get home and I spend hours pacing in anticipation. Why is he ignoring me? Oh, this is getting so bloody silly now!
You can say that again!

I decide to put the visit to my father's off again. I will go and see him one evening in the week; I'm sure he's dying to know what the hell is going on. He keeps calling me but I refuse to answer - I cannot take another overbearing controlling man around me at this present time.

The rest of the day goes by in a blur of channel switching; endless amounts of tea and around twenty cigarettes - I must sound like croaking old Deidre off of Coronation Street due to the smoke intoxication burning my throat. Giving up on the T.V, I sit uncomfortably fidgeting, -annoyed, mostly at myself. How can one be so hung up over a bloody man? I want a reply, yes, but the way I feel is outrageous. I feel, nervous, jumpy, apprehensive, and to top it off – not so nicely - I cannot relax to save my life!
Thank God you don't need to save your life then!

I eventually drag my arse off to bed at around one a.m. - why? I don't know, it's not like I can sleep! I think I will manage all of three hours in total and then I will once again look like shit and drift around my office like a Zombie! The only thing keeping me sane is knowing Elijah will be at work tomorrow. I'm going to give him blue balls as a returned gesture for his ignorance!

I GET READY FOR
work like a ghost due to lack of sleep. There is still no reply from Elijah and it's sort of worrying me now rather than annoying me. He just doesn't seem like the type of person to ignore someone.

I leave the house without a thought of my clothes or even breakfast. I could be dressed in bright green for all I would notice, looking like flubber. The train journey is also a blur - people barge past me in a rush while I slowly and sluggishly pass through the crowds. I have too much on my mind to even acknowledge the pedestrians alongside me.

I enter Darks Lawyers, still in a foul mood. I hoped I would cheer up a little once I was here - I know Elijah will be here, but my mood has packed its bags and left with the sun - it will return when England has a decent summer!

I walk out of the cold steel lift, zombiefied, dreading Jezebel's damning eyes. I'm immediately stopped in my tracks, and now I'm officially awake! I mentally jumpstart my brain as I walk into the reception area because I notice Jezebel is gone, and Hester is standing comfortable at her reception desk with her own bloody name tag on it.

"Hester - what the hell?"

"I have been given a new job." She smiles with her beautiful all too red lips – the contrast of white and red sends a strange vibe down my spine.

"Where is Jezebel?"

"I have no idea. Mr. Darks will also not be here for a while Anile."

No!
My tummy curdles in anticipation. I want to know where he is! I smile, hoping to reveal nothing while I slip into my office. I get seated at my desk, tapping away in frustration. My office has not changed. It's still beautiful and opulent. Rich with the expensive cream swag curtains that desperately try to command the vista of London.; bold with the white and gold granite floor; and commanding with my beautifully carved dark wooden desk.

I stare where the Trojan Horse once was and to my amazement, it's smashed to pieces in a perfect pile on the floor. I quickly lean further over my desk to see it. I wonder if Elijah or Jezebel did that? I have to call Elijah - to ask about that damn horse and the situation regarding the press. I will not function if I cannot find out what the hell is going on!

I dial him and get his annoying yet strange answer phone.

"You have reached Elijah Darks. I cannot take your call due to unforeseen circumstances. Messages are only to be left if they are from interpersonal relationships to me."

What the hell does that mean? -
'interpersonal relationships'
. I fire up the Mac and search the internet but to my horror - I don't see anything on Elijah - I see a spread on me!

Anile Gooden

Criminal Lawyer in association with Darks Lawyers - the abstruse and controversial law firm that uses women to their advantage with less than two percent of male employees.

Virgin Queens First Case

Defending accused rapist
Timothy Allen

Heat rushes through me. I'm not sure if I'm embarrassed or absolutely fuming! I rack my brain to argue their opinion on the employees but I have to admit, apart from Elijah and his two partners who were at my interview, I have never seen another male employee here. Oh God, - I fold my arms around my head while I fall limp against my desk. I have to stop before I crash. I cannot keep thinking about all this. I have to call my father; if Elijah will not deal with this situation, I know my father will - he has too.

With shaky fingers, I find his number in my contacts list on my I Phone and press call. I try desperately to steady my breathing.

"Daddy?"

"Anile, I have been relentlessly calling you for days. Where have you been?"

"Daddy I'm sorry. I have been working and I have been extremely busy."

"Anile have you been reading the papers?"

"Yes, that is why I'm calling. How can I stop them from writing about me?"

"I already have your legal Invasion of Privacy documents released and signed by a Judge. That is why I have been trying to call you Anile. You need to sign the documents so we can submit them to every reporter that is running stories on you. Who has told the reporters of your virginity?"

My eyes spring open.

"Daddy, thank you." I breathe a huge *sigh* and deflate into my chair relieved that I can stop the press. "And you do not have to speak so formally of my virginity Daddy. I have no idea who has spoken to the papers because I do not make a habit of discussing my sexual status with people."

"Well someone is talking. You need to keep your private business to yourself in the future Anile; it is reckless behaviour and you should know better. I have seen the photos of you and Mr. Darks also, which is hardly compelling to force them in believing you are not in a relationship with him. I have had him on the phone paying off your student loans and I have had him on the phone this morning badgering me about your mother!"

Holy shit, my father has spoken to Elijah before me! What the hell?

"Why is he asking about mother?" I ask worried.

"Your guess is as good as mine. Remember Anile - loose lips sink ships - so please keep your private business to yourself."