The Tycoon's Desire

Chapter Twenty Six

Sylvia

Fear and trepidation filled me as I still had no idea who had covered me in their jacket and why I was being dragged away. All I wanted to do was to go home at this point and clearly, it was not meant to be today. But surely couldn't the universe see just how far away I wanted to get away from this situation? From this man? Or maybe the universe could see that I was feeding myself this lie just to try and preserve what little dignity and sanity I felt I had left. I momentarily forgot about my panic as my mind decided to remind me all over again, in clear HD, just why I was even fleeing, to begin with.  Shamelessly, I began to blush in arousal, which quickly turned to anger and once again I was drawn to my present situation. I could hear, although muffled, a male voice that seemed familiar to me letting me know there was a security risk and I was being ushered away from the gate for my safety. Security risk? I wondered this to myself. Who on earth would want anything with me? Then I recalled Travis and his stupid alcohol-fueled evening the night before. Of course, the paparazzi would be after the hot new scoop which was that great big idiot. 

After a few more minutes, I was once again back inside the Charles' manor feeling a little disorientated from having been bundled around covered in a jacket. I opened my eyes only to find them meeting the concerned ones of Ben. This made me smile a little at the thought of his concern. Next, I met the eyes of Travis whose eyes I found to have a protective and hard edge to them which just confused me further. Lord knows I could not afford any more confusion when it came to this man, yet it only increased with each passing day. I was saved from trying to analyze further what his eyes meant when I felt little arms wrap around my legs. "Silver! Are you OK?" Naomi said with worry laced in her voice. She was just ever the sweetest child. I smiled and hugged her back saying, "Of course I'm OK. At least I am now after your lovely hug!" At this, Naomi giggled and the atmosphere in the room seemed to lighten up slightly. I then asked generally into the room what had happened and Ben started to explain but was rudely cut off by Travis who uncouthly said "The two of you must not have been careful enough in returning me here and stupidly got us followed by the press. Never before have they photographed another woman except Mum here and then it just had to be you!" he spat harshly. This took me back as I was completely unprepared for the venom that was in his tone. I felt the burning embers of rage begin to light, but before I could respond to him with equal venom, Mr. Charles Sr promptly dealt with his pig of a son by letting him know that had he not gone on his bender, they wouldn't be here at all and never to speak to me in that way again. This response left me feeling pleasantly delighted that he had been reprimanded and there was nothing he could do about it except to oblige. However, I was unprepared for the next few words Mr. Charles Sr had to tell me. "Now, as for you Miss Taylor, you will have to stay here with us tonight. As you can see despite our precautions, the press always find their way in and we wouldn't want them following you home and becoming a nuisance for you." Shocked was an understatement of how I felt after hearing those words. The house seemed to explode into a flurry of activity as preparations for my stay began, yet only I was numb and stationery. Would life continue being so cruel to me as to force me to stay under the same roof with this man I despised yet craved so much? It's only one night... I tried to reassure myself and surely that was nothing to panic about. Right?