shadows of deceit by author berryy

CHAPTER 5

With this Ryker stride out of the cafe where the driver was waiting inside the Mercedes Benz.

He slides into the back seat, feeling a sense of satisfaction wash over him as he reflects on the successful deal he just made with Lila. Just as the driver's about to start the engine, his phone rings, shrill in the silence. He glances at the screen, seeing Asher's name flash on the display.

"Ryker," he answers, his deep voice firm and commanding.

"Hey, Ryk," Asher's voice comes through the line, smooth as silk. "How'd it go with Lila?"

Ryker smiles, a small, triumphant smile. "It's done. She's on board."

"Excellent work, man," Asher says, his tone impressed. "I knew you'd bring it home. What are the details?"

Ryker leans back in his seat, his eyes scanning the surrounding streets as he fills Asher in on the specifics of the deal. "She is ok with the agreement and said that she will not make it easy for me so I guess I'll have to go with her rules next time so she doesn't eat me alive, ash." He said while joking.

"Sounds like a great thing" Asher says with a grin on his face and then his voice turns thoughtful. "And what about the...other aspect of things?"

Ryker's expression turns guarded, his jaw clenched. "I've got it under control, Ash. Don't worry about it."

There's a pause on the other end of the line, and for a moment, Ryker wonders if Asher is going to push the issue. But then his friend speaks up, his tone light. "Alright, man. I trust you. Keep me posted on any developments."

Ryker nods, even though Asher can't see him. "Will do. Later, Ash."

He hangs up as the car stops Infront of the castle.

On the other hand, as Lila left the cafe, she felt like she was walking into a nightmare. She had just agreed to marry a man she despised, to bear his child, and to live a life that wasn't hers. The thought sent a chill down her spine.

She hailed a taxi and gave the driver her address, her mind racing with thoughts of Varyl and the life she was about to embark on. She knew she had to be strong, for her brother's sake.

Lila walked into her empty apartment, the silence a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside her. She had just agreed to marry Ryker Cormac, a man she despised, and the weight of that decision settled heavy on her shoulders.

She wandered aimlessly, trying to distract herself from the thoughts racing through her mind. But everything, her little kitchen, her couch, her poster-filled walls reminded her of the life she was going to leave. Maybe it's my chance in life, she consoled herself.

She stopped in front of the window, staring out at the city skyline. She felt trapped, like she was losing herself in the process of saving Varyl.

As she stood there, her phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number.

         The arrangements are being made. Be ready in two weeks.

Lila's heart sank, recognizing Ryker's words. She felt like she was counting down to her own doom.

With a sense of resignation, she turned away from the window and began to pack her bags. She knew she had to be strong, for Varyl's sake. But as she folded her clothes, she couldn't shake off the feeling that she was losing herself, piece by piece.

As lila packed her clothes, her mind taced with so many thoughts.
What will happen to her? What will happen to varyl? Will she really be having his child? Is he going to torment her? Make her life hell?

She thought about Ryker, and the cold, calculating way he had presented his proposal. What kind of man was she marrying? And what lay in store for her in their future together?

The questions swirled in her head like a vortex, making her feel dizzy and disoriented. She had to force herself to focus on the task at hand, to push aside the doubts and fears that threatened to overwhelm her.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she finished packing. She took a deep breath, trying to steel herself for what lay ahead.

As she closed the suitcase, her phone buzzed again with the text.
     
     Be ready, driver will be there soon!

Lila's heart skipped a beat. Ryker again, no doubt. She felt a shiver run down her spine as she wondered what he had planned for her.
She knew she has lost the only chance to back out from this deal.
With a sense of trepidation, she grabbed her suitcase and headed out the door, into the unknown.

As she stepped out of her studio apartment, Lila was greeted by a sleek black car idling at the curb. The driver, a tall, imposing figure with sunglasses, got out and opened the door for her.

"Miss Lila," he said, his voice low and gravelly. "Mr. Cormac is waiting for you."

Lila's heart sank as she got into the car. She had expected this, but it didn't make it any easier. The driver took her suitcase and stowed it in the trunk, then got back behind the wheel.

As they pulled away from the curb, Lila caught a glimpse of her old life receding into the distance.

Maybe it won't be that bad...
She thought.

The drive was long and silent, the only sound the hum of the engine and the soft rustle of the wind outside. Lila stared out the window, watching the city give way to suburbs and eventually, rolling hills and countryside.

Finally, they turned up a winding driveway, lined with trees and ornate iron gates. The car stopped in front of the castle, its facade gleaming in the sunlight.

Lila's heart skipped a beat as she realized this was it - her new home, her new life. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead.

The driver opened the door for her, and Lila stepped out into her new reality.
The bare sight of castle sent a shiver down her spine. It will be oky with time... She thought as she walked inside, the iron gates swinging open once again.

At the main gate was standing an old women. Lila walked towards her.
"Mr. Cormac asked me to show you around miss Lila, I'm the head of the staff, Emily." she said without any empathy.
Lila steeled her spine and followed her. Emily showed her around the lobby, the living room, the dinning room, the kitchen, the terrace, the pool, the library, the home offices and all the other rooms like (cinema room, a bar room, conference room, the den etc.)
She stopped at the one guestroom and said "Mr. Cormac ordered to have you stay here before marriage"

Ordered my foot, thought Lila.

SOON TO BE CONTINUE....

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Enjoy the 5th chapter berries<3
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