Light to Her Darkness

Chapter 21

I was trying to chop the vegetables but miserably failed because of the violent shaking of my hand. And for the first time, it wasn't because I was alone in the kitchen. It was because I feared this man more than I ever feared Keith.

Keith was a danger to me. But Grayson... Grayson is a danger to my fmily. And I would die before I let anyone hurt my family.

I held the knife tighter and closed the fist of the other hand. But still, I couldn't calm the shaking of my hand. I felt the sweat beads forming on my body and my breathing escalating.

Goddammit.

I tossed the knife aside and joined my hands tightly. Trying to do anything to stop this. I hate feeling like this. I hate being anxious all the time. I hate it. Hate it all.

I released my hands, tightly fisted them, and banged them on the kitchen counter.

Stop. Fucking. Shaking.

I screamed in my mind whilst banging my fists on the kitchen counter. I brought my hand to my hair and started pulling it as I slid down on the ground.

Why? Why is he coming here? Why can't he just leave us alone? Would he harm me because I did the exact opposite of what he wanted? Would he hurt Adrian? Oh my god!

"What is going on?" I jumped at the sudden voice halting the trail of my thoughts. I looked up and saw Mrs. Walter standing in the doorway looking at me like I'm causing immense hassle around here. Like I'm a bratty kid she's tired of. I quickly rubbed my face with my palms and stood up.

"I'm - I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to look at me like-like that." my voice came out to be much thicker than it is as if I'm crying for hours. I cleared my throat,

"Excuse me." and left the kitchen hurriedly and rushed towards the bathroom on the ground floor.

I washed my face and patted it dry and walked towards the kitchen again. When I entered the kitchen I saw Mr. Walter chopping the vegetables that I left on the counter.

"You don't have to do that. I'll-I'll take over from here. Thank you so much for the help though."

"Looks like you need much more than help, Emma. Guest is arriving shortly and you haven't prepared a thing to serve."

That is because of my stupid fear for your guest.

"I'm sorry. I was feeling a little tardy today." I chuckled lightly and looked down at my still shaking hands. They were not violently shaking though, maybe because of the distraction of Mrs. Walter. Mrs. Walter took over the kitchen and told me what to do, for which I was glad of. I was in no condition to think right now let alone manage the whole dinner.

My phone beeped and I grabbed the phone from my pocket to check the message.

Adrian: UP. NOW.

"I'll be back in a minute," I told Mrs. Walter and rushed upstairs to Adrian's room. By the look of the message, he seemed mad. Why is mad now? Did I do something to upset him again?

Looking at the half-closed door, I knocked twice and entered the room.

"What's the matter?" my voice was still a bit shaky but hardly noticeable. He patted the space on the bed gesturing for me to sit beside him. After sitting, he kept the laptop aside and looked at me.

"Grayson will be here any minute now." his low voice brought chills to my back as I nodded and said, "I know."

"He's here for business. He might be my partner in the company but he is no friend."

I nodded rapidly. I know that more than you think, Adrian. "Okay? Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I need you to act like we're happily married. I need you to act like you still are in love with me. Would you be able to do that? Can I trust you?"

A pang of hurt slashed my heart at his words. I don't have to act to be in love with him. Because he is the only person my heart belongs to. He is the sole owner of my heart and it tears me apart that I'm unable to say him these words.

"If you hadn't asked me this I would've still acted that, Adrian. No one needs to know the reality of this marriage." I say looking directly into his eyes.

"Right. You could go carry on with your work." I nodded and stood up and before I took a step I said, "Adrian?" he hummed in response and I further added, "Would you do me a favor if it's not too much to ask?" His gaze found mine and his eyes narrowed,

"What?"

"Would you be at my side all the time today? I - I don't like Grayson very much. I'd rather be with you present in the room than be alone with him."

"Did he do something to you?" My heart melted when I saw the sheer concern in his eyes. There was an urgency in his voice like he was scared for me and it felt like a warm blanket on my cold body even if it was just for a moment.

"NO," I said a bit quickly which raised his suspicion as he stood up. His warm palm held my arm and though his hold wasn't tight I could feel the touch marring my skin.

"Then why do I feel like you're lying?"

I shouldv'e thought this through before I blurted it out like a stupid child.

I swallowed and started fidgeting with my hands. "No. It's nothing."

"It's never, 'nothing' when it's about Grayson. Tell me or I'll ask him." His deep voice voice covered with concern and a sliver of anger.

Why? Why did I have to ask? Why didn't I just keep my mouth shut?

"It's... It's nothing. It was just a long time ago when we had just started dating." I stopped and looked at Adrian. I have to distract him. He can't know the depths of how much Grayson has a hold on me. How he's using me like a puppet in his sick games.

"Go on. I'm listening."

"He - he didn't know that we were together at that time. So when - when I, when I visited your office to surprise you the first time, I bumped into him and spilled the hot coffee on him. He yelled at me in front of everyone. And after that, I just avoided him the - the best I could."

I was bad at lying and this was the worst timing to get caught in a web of lies I created for myself.

"Do you take me as stupid Emma? I've been insulting you since you've shown up in my life again. And don't get me started with Mrs. Walter. I am pretty sure she isn't coddling you either. So tell me, Emma, what is the real reason?"

"It's... true. Believe me. You have every reason to be mad at me. If I were you I would have treated me the same. And as far as Mrs. Walter is concerned, she cares about you. You are like a son to her. Of course, she will hate me for what I did. Whereas Grayson didn't have any reason to humiliate me. So yeah, I don't like him."

My eyes looking right into his as I spoke the words and ignored the loud thumping of my heart against my chest.

He looked at me like really looked at me for a few moments as if he was assessing my answer and finally dismissed me.