by Mallory Fox
Nope. Two lines.
It’s positive.
Fuck. I’m going to be sick.
I close my eyes and breath, focusing on not vomiting for once… like I have been doing most mornings.
What am I going to do? I’m only sixteen. This can’t be happening. This happens to teenagers on MTV, not to a Darlington. Not to me.
Everyone will know. Everyone will find out.
Who the father is…
Choking back a sob, I dig my phone out of my pocket, texting our driver to come and pick me up from school and take me home.
Grams will know what to do.
I can’t do this alone.
Not this.
Definitely not this.
Chapter 10
Pearl
“I hear you’re going to try for Knife’s Edge.”
I jump out of my skin at the words. It’s the night before we leave for France and I’m in the kitchen making myself a tea while I pack, when Seth appears out of nowhere, asking things he should have no clue about.”
“Who told you?”
“Felicity did.”
Sighing, I motion a yes and carry on making tea.
“You know Levi Baudelaire isn’t good news, don’t you?” When I don’t reply, Seth comes right up next to me and gets in the way of me reaching for the sugar, “Did you hear me?”
“I heard you. Can I get some sugar? You’re in my way.”
“He’s a gangster Pearl,” he says, putting his hands on top of the jar lid.
“That’s not a nice thing to say,” I say, turning away from him, heading to the fridge to get a jar of honey instead,
“Owing him will make things difficult for the company.”
“It’s my company, I’ll do what I like.”
“It’s not your company yet, so no you won’t.”
“Fuck you Seth.” Now my blood is boiling. How dare he decide what I can and can’t do. Like he’s responsible for me or something. He lost that right a long time ago. Seth has forgotten, I call the shots not him.
“I’ll do what I like,” I say, “Like I did everyday before you came back from the dead.”
He grabs his coat and before he storms out of the house he turns to me. I can see in his face that I’ve severely pissed him off. Behind his eyes a storm rages. He looks me up and down, muscle in his jaw twitching like crazy, and then he shakes his head.
“We are not stopping in Paris.”
The family private jet is on the airstrip waiting for us when we arrive. Flick has packed for what looks to be a month so my driver, Henry, is forced to drag a whole collection of bags behind us, most of which belongs to one person.
Seth is already inside the cabin when we enter. The beauty of flying your own private plane means no waiting, as soon as you arrive you are free to saunter through security and passport control, boarding as soon as you are ready.
“This is the part I love most about flying,” Flick exclaims as she looks out the plane’s window as we take off.
I say nothing, preferring to keep my food in my stomach as we speed into the air. Seth, over the intercom, neither agrees nor disagrees. As the co-pilot, I imagine he’s too busy up front trying to keep us aloft.
I was shocked and impressed when Seth stated that he would be flying us, but also secretly glad he wasn’t going to be sitting in the main cabin. I’m also happy that the door to the cockpit is closed because if I have to see Seth controlling the plane, I might just freak out.
And after Seth’s ‘we’re not stopping in Paris’, we end up stopping anyway because it’s too late to change the charter and we need fuel.
Once we alight on Paris soil, Seth gives me a sour look and exits the plane first, leaving me and Flick to do what we want for a few hours. So Flick and I pretend to go shopping, well Flick does. I hail a cab to the Hotel De Verre right in the heart of Saint Marais.
When I walk into the grand entrance of the hotel, it’s like walking into a glass palace, crammed full of gorgeous antiquated furniture and extra tall, leafy plants. The ceiling at sunset alone is worth the visit. I check at the desk and find Levi waiting in a plush bar area for me. He sees me and beckons me over, taking his shades off as he greets me.
Gorgeous, but in an angelic way that Seth is not, Levi makes my heart warm just to look at him. I met him over the summer in Paris one night at a fashion show. I was intrigued by his aloofness and even now he makes me feel like he's not actually focused on me. His eyes dart everywhere else most of the time.
"Pearl, it's good to see you." He gestures for me to take a seat. "I must admit I didn't expect to hear from you so soon. You message was cryptic."
Ever since the hacking incident at the company, I’ve been extra vigilant about what I say in my emails and messages. If the Darlington security staff, the best in the world, couldn’t find one hacker, then i need to be careful. I'm pretty sure a blackmailer wouldn't be interested in what I’m planning for my end of year project but a girl can't be too careful.
"I wanted to see you in person Levi," I say, cutting to the chase.
He smirks and waves his hand at the bar, ordering us both a cocktail of some sort. He doesn't even have to speak, the bar tender knows what he wants. When the drinks are placed in front of us, we cheers and then take a sip. Pleasure before business in France, I must not forget that.
"So what's so urgent that you had to come all the way to Paris?'
"I need a favor."
He leans back, his grey eyes peering into my soul as he tends to do. You wouldn't think Levi was anything but a boy next door with his clean-cut looks and sexy french accent, but underneath it all I know Levi can be a monster.
"Oh, a favor? The great Pearl Darlington is asking for a favor?" The corner of his mouth twitches as he speaks. "What can I do for you?"
"Your hotel, Knife's Edge... when will it be ready?"
"It will be ready on time, as you know I like to meet my schedules. No delays."
"So Christmas?"
"Yes, December 20th is the opening date."
"I need to borrow your hotel for the 19th"
"The day before opening day. May I ask why?"
"Exclusivity, I need a location for my final year event and we get extra credits for originality. Knife’s Edge is unique. It’s the most original architectural structure to be built in the last decade.”
"Pearl Darlington wants to host an event in my hotel?" His eye brows shoot up.
"It would be great publicity for your hotel and opening night."
He laughs and cocks his head. "I don't fucking need the publicity. This tower is going to be the epitome of ground breaking architectural greatness, what else? If I let you have my tower Pearl, what do I get out of it?"
“What else do you need?" Everyone has a price.
"Nothing."
"There must be something you need?"
"I need nothing little girl, especially from you,” he smirks.
I take a sip of my cocktail, and glance around. He's right, there's nothing Levi needs or wants. He has everything like I do.
Like I used to.
"I'm not talking money," I say in a low voice.
"Oh? You're selling your body now?" The look he gives me is enough to make my heart race. A night with Levi wouldn't be awful, I’ve often wondered what he'd be like in bed.
"That's not on the table, but I can be your date if you need one."
Levi's laugh engulfs his entire body. "You offer me a date in exchange for exclusive first use of my tower? But you don't have the decency to ride my tower yourself?"
"That's the offer, take it or leave it."
The twinkle in his eyes makes me less uncomfortable, that Levi finds me amusing is better than insulting I suppose.
"Sure."
"What?"
"Why not, a date with the delightful Pearl will do wonders for my reputation."
I'm so surprised, I don't know what to say until he takes his hand and holds it out. In a room of busin
ess socialites such a gesture means a lot. I don’t care to shake hands with him but I can't ignore it, not without making Levi look a fool. And I've just agreed to go on a date with him.
After a second or two of hesitation, I take his hand in mine but he turns my mine over, palm side down, and strokes it.
I give him a wan smile. “So that's settled, we could arrange the date for the week after the event?"
"Pearl, I adore your courage I really do. But no, I want my date now,” he says, still stroking me.
"Sorry, no can do, I have a flight to Monaco in an hour,” I say, maybe a bit too haughtily. I honestly don’t know how to handle Levi, I really don’t.
Levi smiles like he knows what I’m thinking. “What's in Monaco?"
"A family wedding, my step mother's side of the family."
His eyes dance with excitement. "Perfect, a family wedding makes a lovely first date."
I frown at him. “That's not a thing."
He grips my hand in his tight, squeezing until it hurts. His silver grey eyes, like icy pits of hell, are unrelenting and unyielding. This is how Levi wins at every negotiation I’m sure. "It is now."
"You can't, you're not even packed.”
He shrugs, downing his Old Fashioned in one mouthful. "I will go with you now. Whatever I don't have my people can send to me… or I’ll buy it there.”
“There are no spare seats in the plane.” I’m grasping at straws now. Really I am.
“I do have my own plane Pearl. I’ll see you there. What hotel are you staying at?”
I roll my eyes. “The Chateau De La Mer.”
He grins.”Ah of course, a Montford hotel. Can you get me a room or do I need to stay in yours?”
I shoot him a dark look. “I’ll get you a room.”
Chapter 11
Pearl
The Montforts are all in the main atrium of the Chateau De La Mer when we arrive. I've not met all of my step-mother's side of the family but I know of them.
Seth introduces me and Flick to his cousin who is getting married, Emerald, as well as those aunts and uncles of his already in the room. After the pleasantries are over we make our excuses and retire to our room.
There will be dinner in the evening, and then the wedding will take place tomorrow at noon in a local chapel, finishing off in the hotel castle for the reception.
I am dressing for the evening meal when there's a knock at the door. It's the maitre'd to remind me dinner starts in ten minutes. Since is Flick is no where near ready when I knock on her door, I make my way down to the restaurant alone.
I'm just waiting for the elevator when Seth, dressed in a very lovely, dark fitted shirt and grey trousers, appears from within his room. He’s still in a foul mood from earlier and as he sees me the scowl on his face hardens.
But I don't miss his eyes roving over me from head to toe, taking in my black Prada dress. A backless, black velvet little number that I keep for those occasions when I don't have anything to wear.
"You look..." He doesn't finish. The lift doors open and we step in and turn around to face the front.
"Nice?" I ask him, a few floors have passed.
"I was going to say stunning."
Stunning. That one word and how he says it makes my heart skip a beat. But the blush that creeps up my neck, heating my face, makes me cringe inside. I open my mouth to say something about how he looks, but then the doors open and another Montfort steps in. They nod at Seth who inclines his head. Then we say nothing for the entire ride down to the restaurant which happens to be a beautiful outside terrace overlooking the sea.
Some fucker thought it would be hilarious to sit me on the table with the Montfort hotel staff who have been invited, while Seth and Flick are seated on a table closer to the bride and groom. Not that I care. The two security guards, the nurse, and three housekeepers I'm seated with are a lot fun to sit with as it turns out. I end up having a great time playing drinking games with them all evening.
I haven't heard from Levi at all so I'm close to thinking he may have changed his mind, when halfway through dinner someone from reception comes to let me know my guest has arrived.
Heidi, the nurse grins as I stand up. "Oh, has your beau arrived, Pearl?"
"Something like that."
“Oh I'm glad, a pretty girl like you should have a young gentleman to escort her to these occasions.”
"Why does she need a young gentleman to escort her when she can have me?" Stan, one of the balding security guards pipes up, making Heidi scowl while Jaida and Chloe, the housekeepers, burst into laughter.
"Ignore him, he's just jealous. Please bring your beau over and introduce him later, Pearl. Won't you?"
I tell Heidi I will and make my excuses to leave.
As I walk through the busy room, my eyes dart to Seth. I can’t help it. And sure enough, he’s watching me leave. I don’t stop though, or try to interpret what he’s thinking. I can’t. Now that Levi is actually here I need to figure what to do with him.
I promised him a date at the wedding but I can’t very well invite him as my guest, not when I’m not an official guest myself.
Maybe he’ll be content with a date tonight. I promised him one date not a whole weekend.
There’s also the fact that I didn’t manage to get him a room since the hotel is fully booked for the wedding. My plan is to bunk in with Flick and he can have my room.
I’m going through all of this in my head when glance up. There, outside the restaurant, leaning against the bar in the hotel atrium, looking damn fine in a blue, three-piece suite, is Levi.
He grabs me and kisses me on the lips straight away, taking away any choice I had in the matter. Not that I mind. Levi is a good kisser. He smells incredible, of citrus and smokey cloves. I could wrap myself around him and inhale his scent forever.
Post kiss, he releases me and smiles slowly, taking me in, gesturing for me to do a twirl.
“You are exquisite tonight, like a beautiful flower in my hand. Delicate and alluring.”
The boy knows all the right words to say. I can’t quite keep a grin off of my face. This might just be a fun night after all.
“So I was thinking we could go for a drink somewhere else?”
He raises a brow. “You want to hide me away?”
“No, but it’s not my wedding. I can’t just add you to the guest list.”
“No she can’t.” We both look up to see Seth striding towards us from the restaurant. A stern look on his face, glancing between me and Levi. I’m aware of how close I am to Levi and just for kicks, Levi pulls me closer to him so that I’m pressed up against his not-so-soft body even more. His arm around me, pulling me in tight.
“Ah Seth Darlington, or should I say Montfort? Which is it I forget?” Levi says, holding out his free hand.
Seth glares, ignoring Levi’s out stretched hand and stands over me with his hands on his hips. He’s slightly taller than Levi and he makes use of that fact by towering over us.
I find myself angry at him for being so rude. He looks like an idiot standing there, acting like my big brother when he’s never been that to me in his life.
“What do you want Seth?” I give him a cool look.
“I invite you here and you disappear halfway through to be with him?” His voice is raised now, getting louder.
What a load of bullshit. He invites me here and treats me like shit the entire trip, ignoring me, even seating me as far away as possible on a table filled with his family’s staff. It’s downright humiliating to say the least. But I don’t say any of this, I’m tired and admitting the seating arrangements got to me would be petty.
Seth is Seth, he probably didn’t even know the seating arrangements until we graced the restaurant.
I shake my head, pulling away from Levi so I can stand up to Seth, but not breaking contact. I feel a lot more confident with Levi’s hand laced in mine. I don’t fancy Levi, not like I do Seth, but he’s been more appreciative of me in one hour tha
t Seth has in his entire life. It’s time for Seth to realize that he’s lost.
“I’ve no idea why you invited me here. You don’t even like me…” I say, just as Flick appears, eyes widening when she sees me holding hands with Levi. “So yes, I’m leaving to be around someone who enjoys my company more, so sue me.”
I walk out with Levi in tow, leaving Seth and Flick to do whatever they please. When we get outside we wait while one of valets disappears and reappears with Levi’s car.
“What the fuck was that all about?” Levi asks, as soon as the doors close. He drives off at breakneck speed, waiting for me to answer.
“Nothing, sibling rivalry.”
“So it’s true? Seth is back and gunning for his seat on the board?”
When I don’t answer, Levi turns the music up and puts his hand on my thigh as he races along the coastline. I don’t brush him off. My leg is covered with my skirt and he probably thinks it’s comforting. It is a bit. I’m also grateful that he’s not trying to dig any deeper. I’ve also no idea where we’re going. As long as we’re anywhere that’s as far away from my step-brother as possible.
Next morning, my head is pounding and my mouth is dry as hell, from lack of sleep more than anything. A night with Levi demanded I keep my wits about me, so I switched to water at about 1am. I’m mentally preparing myself for a run in with Seth at breakfast, so I’m disappointed when it’s just me and Flick.
For once, Felicity is up before I am, eating poached eggs and tapping away at her phone when the waiter brings me to the table she is at. Her eyes practically light up when they see me.
“Oh my dear lord, I want to know everything. And I mean everything Pearl! I didn’t hear you come in my room last night. Where did you stay?”
I take moment to look at the menu and order an orange juice and omelette before giving Flick a tight smile.
“Sorry for the late message asking, I stayed in my room in the end.”
