"Alright, I better go," I shook my head, cutting her off before she told me way too much information and before Darius’s mood changed.
"Don't forget me," she said. I rolled my eyes again, waving as she chucked my bag in my direction. Darius got into the car as I walked up and once again I was surprised that he was taking the wheel instead of having a driver.
"Had fun?" he asked as I buckled up.
"Um yea. Thanks, by the way," I said. He gave me a weird look as he pulled out of the driveway.
"You do know you can do whatever you want, right? You aren't a prisoner."
The rest of the ride was quiet, not comfortable, but weird. Or maybe it was just me looking around the car focusing on everything to kill time. How come it didn't seem this long when Rose drove?
My eyes landed on his hands on the steering wheel.
"What happened to your hands?"
"Nothing," he said.
It didn't look like nothing. It looked like a huge gash, one that can possibly get infected. Was this from last night? Probably. I could feel guilt eating away inside of me. My feet started tapping nervously, and I wasn't sure if I should say something about what I had seen. Instead, I decided to keep my mouth shut.
"You should get it treated," I said.
"Later."
He pulled into our driveway and I smiled at the guards who I felt so sorry for. Doing the same job every day. Just as we stopped, the rain poured down.
"Crap," I exclaimed as I hopped out, and holding my bag over my head, I ran up to the door. I tried opening it but it was locked. I looked over at Darius, who casually walked up the steps.
"Open it," I said, motioning for him to hurry. He just laughed as his hands dug into his pocket.
"A little rain doesn't hurt anyone," he muttered. Yea, but that's because you are wearing a jacket I am not, and there is no way in hell you're ever going to lend me that, anyway. I should bring my own jacket next time. I impatiently tapped my foot as he slowly opened the door, as though to annoy me.
Then he announced, "I think I have the wrong key." I gave him a hard stare, which only made him laugh and shake his head.
"I'm kidding."
I rolled my eyes in annoyance and looked up to see the guards still standing at the gate, in the rain. There was a box by the gate, like a little office for them but somehow they were staying where they stood.
"You coming?"
I looked at Darius. "Huh? Oh yea." I stepped in, wiping my shoes on the carpet. I took them off and put them to the side so I don't leave stains on the rest of the floor. I looked up to see Darius giving me a weird look.
"What?" I asked.
"Nothing." He shook his head.
"Where are the umbrellas? Do we even have any in this place?"
"Yes, we do. Why?" he said.
"Where?"
He nodded toward the storage room.
"Here," I said, shoving my bag to him. I opened the storage room and searched till I saw two umbrellas. I grabbed both. Darius was already heading upstairs, thank god.
I waited till he disappeared out of sight before opening the front door again. I took a deep breath. Let's do this.
I let out a small squeal as the rain hit me hard on the back. It was like someone was pounding me. I could see the guards look up as I ran toward them, probably thinking there was something wrong. I even saw one’s hand hovering on his gun.
"Is everything okay, miss?"
"No," I said. "What's your name?"
"William, miss, and that is Carling."
"Well, boys, it's pouring. I don't know how you are doing it but here." I shoved an umbrella at each of them. They both exchanged glances.
"It's quite alright, Miss. We're used to this."
"We can't have people getting sick. Take it."
"Miss,” Carling said, looking worriedly at the door, “I advice you get inside so you don't get sick." Why was everyone so afraid of Darius? What’s the worse he can do? Then the image of last night struck me, making me shiver.
"I'll go once you take these."
After another moment, they both took it, smiling to show their gratitude.
"Thank you, Miss."
"Ivory. Just Ivory." Then I turned around and ran back to the house. Why do people need such long driveways? It was ridiculous. But then again no one knew someone like me would be running down the rain.
"Bloody shit cakes," I swore quietly, slamming the front door shut and shaking my head.
So much for not making a mess for the maids, I was practically leaving a mini lake in the house. I quickly headed upstairs and saw that the room was empty. Grabbing a change of clothes, I rushed into the bathroom and switched the hot water on.
I sighed when the hot water hit my chilling skin. I would have stayed in there forever but my fingers started to get wrinkly and I was getting a bit sick of all the mist and humidity.
After changing into a dry set of clothes, I stepped out and noticed Darius looking out the window. Shit, please tell me that window doesn't face the front. He turned around, wearing this blank look on his face.