CHAPTER 6

This was just too absurd especially since two weeks had nearly passed after Suzy's engagement to the President's son. Here she was trying to throw some air in her own territory. Was this kid possessed or what?

'Anne, bring some guards and escort your little aunt to her car before I do something to her.'

'Now you are using this girl to throw me out.'

'If you disrespect my baby again, I swear that you won't live to enjoy that wedding you putting on air for.'

'You think just because you have more money than the rest of us, you have the right to do this?'

'I have been too lenient on you Suzy, you continue to disrespect me daily and I will teach you a lesson.' she said standing up and lifted her hand. Before she could do anything Anne blocked her.

'Mother, please don't do this.'

'I have tolerated that bastard for too long, get out my way.' she screamed at Anne.

'Mother, please. I beg you.' Anne pleaded with her. She knew that whatever she was going to do was something that would cause a lot of damage especially to Suzy. While they were busy doing this another guest arrived.

'Violet!'

'What a surprise? What are you doing here?'

'I came to see you. Have you forgotten already?'

Oh. She was supposed to meet him today but she had already forgotten about it, thanks to Suzy who was now looking at Dylan with those smoky eyes. Was this young girl that lustful to the extent of having silly thoughts towards another man when she was about to be married?

'Mother!' Anne called her again as a reminder and she found herself dropping her down and even Dylan seemed to be relieved by that action.

'Are you Dylan Dark?' Suzy asked Dylan.

'Yes, I am. You must be Susan Grant.'

'You know me?'

'Who doesn't? You are Damon's fiancé after all. Everyone knows that.' Dylan answered in a way that sounded cynical. She couldn't help herself but smile; it looked like Dylan was trying to shut out her little sister.

'Oh. How do you know this witch?'

That little bastard just went aboard, she was about to lift her hand when Dylan rushed over towards her and did the unexpected. Something she never imagined or thought would happen to her or even let someone do it to her in this lifetime. She just froze as Dylan kissed her, she couldn't fight the kid. She felt powerless and defeated with every second passing as Dylan continued to rummage her lips with his. He placed his hand behind her back and stopped kissing her. He turned around to face her little sister and smiled.

'She is my witch, my woman and lover.'

'What? Her! It can't be.'

'Why?'

'Just look at her. She has a grown up child old enough to be your age.'

'So? What does that have to do with you? I don't give a damn about what you say, she is mine and you have no say in it.'

'Why are you fighting for her? What reasons do you have for liking her?'

'She is beautiful, rich and womanly. Just look at her, don't you think she is unique than any other woman. I would kill for her and die for her. Why? Because she deserves it. I love that weird white hair; to me it just shows how my woman is different and special from the rest like you who don’t have anything special to show apart from spending your siblings’ money and stepping on people who made you to be who you are right now.' Dylan said patting her back slowly and smoothly in a way to calm herself. No one has ever stood for her like that; though the words were sweet and touching she knew he was just saying it to put Suzy in her place. She looked at Suzy who seemed too dumb founded to say a word.

'Anne, please call Suzy's security detail to escort her back home,' Dylan said taking over as if he owned the place. Anne looked at her and she just nodded.

Just like her favorite magic trick, Suzy was escorted nicely out of the club tongue-tied without saying anything as if the cat had gotten her tongue. She finally found her match.

'That was.....' she didn't let him finish because she hit him that moment.

'Seriously, Violet!'

'You don't just go around doing that to people.'

'You aren't just anyone. For a moment you were my woman.'

'And now?'

'Still my woman?' he smirked. This little bastard was naughty.

'I wish I could just freeze you right now.'

'Don't ever do that again! That nearly scared me to death; I thought I was never going to move again.'

'You deserved it.'

'Are you okay?' he asked sounding worried.

'Okay with what?'

'Okay with your little sister saying all those things about you.'

'I'm somehow used to it. Wanted to teach her a lesson but the both of you stopped me. I should punish you greatly for that.'

'Didn't want you to do something you will regret for the rest of your life'

'The only thing I regret is trusting a wrong and dirty person but thanks to that person I am who I am now. So I have nothing to complain.'

'What really happened to you?'

'Why do you care?'

'Because I’m entrusting myself and my mother in your care.'

'Oh! There is still that, thanks to you I now know how you should pay me.'

'How?'

'Anne bring me my ball.'

'Just a minute.' Anne said as she disappeared from the room.

'Why are you bringing a ball instead of the contract?'

'My contract, my way.' Violet said as she moved towards the couch to take a rest.

'Give me something to drink and make something to eat simple. Only an hour left till the club is open.' Violet said to the server.

'Yes, ma'am.' he answered and began to get busy.

'I like how your employees listen to you.'

'If I was not paying them do you think that they would do this?'

'Don't tell me, you don't have any loyal employees!'

'I have. I'm just saying the reality. It's not like it is a secret about how people view me, even my family don't stand me.'

'I like you.'

'Is that why you kissed me?'

'Ah, about that. I ...........'

'Don't bother, the ball is here.'

Anne arrived with the crystal ball and she asked Dylan to sit since he was still standing.

'Anne go and check up on the food, I’m starving especially after that commotion.'

'It would be a surprise if you weren't,' Anne said smiling at her.

'You, put your hand on the ball.'

'Why?'

'We have to sign the contract Dee, you said you will do anything right?'

'Yes, I did.'

'Then do it.'

She watched as he put his hand on the ball and it lighted it. She closed her eyes and said a little mantra before she opened her eyes.

'Remove your hand now.'

'Yes, ma'am.'

At that moment a light beamed up and the contract showed up.

'There are both of our signatures, now I’m going to write the details of the contract. The consequences of breaking the contract are severe, bear that in mind.'

'Yes ma'am.'

She began to fill in the contract using her hand, it was easy as pie. Casting spells, moving things and illusions were part of her DNA. She finished writing and let Dylan read it out loud.

'Starting from today, Dylan Dark shall offer himself to Violet Grant till death unless Violet personally cancels the contract.' Dylan looked shocked and surprised after reading it.

'What does this mean?'

'It means if I call you and tell you to massage me in the middle of the night you will come and do so. I own your life now and you aren't allowed to die unless I permit it.'

'You must not be serious!'

'Ask my beloved daughter if I’m playing.'

Dylan looked at Anne who was arriving with a tray of drinks; there was no need for him to ask her because she seemed to know already.

'She isn’t playing. That's why she asked you over and over again and you agreed to whatever it takes. And here it is. You should be happy.'

That was her girl always on her side.

'What about my mother?'

'I always fulfill my end of the bargain, don't worry. For now, let's eat, we have a journey ahead of us.'

'We? As in I’m also included?'

'Yes, so shut up and eat.'

They have been in air for about an hour when the jet began to descend. Violet had been sleeping the whole journey. He had no idea where they were going; he didn't even bring his passport. Finally, the jet touched down and she woke up. When they set foot on land three cars were waiting for them, a white limousine included. She really had a thing for white even though her dressing today was a bit different than the ones he was used to. Violet was wearing shorts, vest and flat shoes, no jewelry. Her hair was just flowing all the way to her calves. Doesn't she ever cut her hair? He was instructed to get in the same car as her, as the other cars had bodyguards. The cars went on for about ten minutes when he saw a high wall. It seemed they have arrived. The huge gates opened and the cars drove in. He had never seen such a thing before. It was sort of unique even from Violet's mansion. Was this place hers? They got out from the car and were led inside. He followed Violet who went straight to a hall which was also filled with white furniture and had her picture on the wall. It seemed this place was hers too. How many buildings and places did this thirty-three-year-old woman owned and how did she turn up this way? He was so curious but asking questions was definitely a no.

'Take a seat anywhere you like,' Anne said as she took one of the seats. He followed suite and watched Violet taking the upper seat. The moment they came in, maids started coming in with trays of snacks and beverages. After the food was set, they all left the hall.

'Is this your place?'

'Yes, it's one of them.'

'You own more that this?'

'A girl needs some assets; don't you think?'

'You are probably the richest woman I have ever met. I can marry you in an instant.'

'Is that so? Then let's get married.' she said smiling, she had started.

'I....'

'Forget it. If you leave this room, you will find someone by the door. That person will take you somewhere, just follow him.'

'Okay,' he had learnt not to ask a lot of questions but to abide by orders until he set his eyes on his mother. He wouldn't want to be stranded in a place he doesn't know. He stood up and started walking towards the door. He saw the man who seemed to be waiting for him. He followed the man who took him out of the mansion and led him out. He was astonished by the scenery before him, it looked familiar. He had seen that scene when he saw his mother from that illusion hall.

'What is this place?'

'A heaven of some sorts or home.'

'You work here?'

'I live here; this is my home. You can say everyone who is here owes Violet their lives.' the man said.

Not wanting to creep himself furthermore, he dismissed any silly thoughts and just followed the man. After walking for about ten minutes he started seeing cottages, a lot of cottages everywhere. It looked like a village judging by the number of cottages he was seeing. He met a lot of kids running around everywhere, they looked happy and free. After walking for a while the man stopped in front of a house, it had a garden full of peonies his mother's favorite flowers. What was the real reason of coming here? He looked at the man who said this to him in return, 'go ahead. You will find your answers if you knock.'

The man left and he went ahead and knocked on the door. Few seconds later the door was opened and there stood the one person he had been longing to see for decades.

'Mother! Is it really you?' he asked still in disbelief.

'Oh my God. Dylan what are you doing here? Get in, quickly.' his mother said ushering him inside.

'How did you end up here? How did you find me?' she kept on firing questions at him.

'You are supposed to be happy at seeing me. Why are you doing this to me after everything I went through to get here?'

'I'm sorry; I was not expecting to see you soon.'

'Don't worry mother. Everything is fine. Give our son a hug eh.'

She embraced him in a hug so tight that he couldn't help it but began to cry alongside his mother. After shedding all tears they could, they wiped their faces and sat down holding each other's hands.

'Where are my manners? Let me get you some juice. Do you want something to eat?'

'Juice will do, ate a little at the mansion.'

'You were at the mansion?'

'Yes, I came with Violet.'

'Really? Then that's good. I will be back, let me go and bring some juice.'

When his mother left he began to scan the room. It was full of his pictures as if someone had been following him all his life. So she had been watching and looking after him from afar! He was happy to know that, all his bitterness started to fade away. She didn't completely forget about him, which was the best thing that had happened to him. It was like an early birthday present for him. She came back in the room with two glasses of orange juice which she placed at the table before she joined him.

'How have you been?'

'I will tell you all about it.'

'I'm all ears son.'

He never thought it would be a lot of fun to narrate his life like that; he left some details that would not be suitable to tell a parent. After all it was his personal life. His mother shed tears, laughed and smiled throughout the narrating that by the time he finished he was having his mother's glass of juice.

'I'm just glad that you are still healthy and living well. I would be devastated if something bad happens to you.'

'I have seen the pictures. How did you get them?'

'I just paid someone to take some here and there. I would be a bad mother if I don't have picture of my son growing up.'

'You should have told me. Do you know how much I suffered with those threats from father? He always used you and I didn't know what to do. If it wasn't for my friend who introduced me to the company, I wouldn't have been able to find you.'

'I didn't want you to worry about me. I wanted you to live for yourself, if I’m by your side I will only pull you down. I want you to have a life I couldn't give you. Your father and new mother can give you that so promise me to be a good boy and don't retaliate.'

'It’s too late for that. I already made a deal with Violet.'

'Oh. What did you agree upon?'

'I just need to help her with a few things when she needs help and in exchange your debt will be cleared.'

'Hope it wasn't something too big. I don't want you to owe anyone.'

'I'm a Dark mother, I can handle anything. How about you tell me how you ended up here? I saw you dying in the hospital.'

'It's a long story. You can say a miracle happened.'

'Tell me, Violet didn't tell me a thing.'

'That's the way she is. Leaving others in suspense is one of her specialties, but there is always a reason for that. We all learnt about that.'

'How?'

'Someone wanted to know the whole details and in the end he is currently in a mental institution.'

'Didn't Violet save him?'

'He suffered the consequences and once you make a deal, you won't be able to against it.'

'Wow. That's a bit scary. Aren't you scared of living here?'

'There is no need to be scare. We aren't slaves or anything but we have jobs, homes and family. This is a big island that has everything so we don't lack a thing. Should there be a reason to be scared?'

'An island?'

'Didn't you see that?'

'I guess I was buried in my thoughts to notice that.'

'It's quite big. I will show you around.'

'Okay. Even if you forget, I will remind you. Now tell me what happened back then.'

'I will start....’

His mother was sick when she left him with his father. She had the last stage of cancer so she was dying and didn't want to let him suffer because of that. So when she left him, she went to the hospital. Since the medication couldn't help her in a way one day it happened. She was dying and no matter what those doctors were doing it wasn't working. She was sure she died, because she felt pain free. She was in this darkness; it was so cold that she didn't know what to do. Suddenly a light beam of light shined upon her and she saw a woman in white coming towards her, with this she really admitted that she was really dead. She was definitely an angel coming to take her away but when the angel approached she gave this aura that didn't seem normal. The woman asked her one question which was, 'Do you want to live?'

She remained quiet and analyzed the question. She really wanted to live; she couldn't bear to leave him alone to people who didn't know him the best. What if they mistreated him or what if he got sick? She desperately wanted to live so she gave the woman an answer, 'Yes. I want to live.'

Because of that answer she received another question again, 'Would you agree to anything I say to get your life back?'

'Yes, anything.'

Because she answered, she heard the doctors panicking when she woke up. She was like a miracle; they were ready to take her to the mortuary when she woke up. Passing the unnecessary hospital stories, she went on to talk about when she left the hospital. Since she was given a new start, she was not going to remain in the hospital. The day she left the hospital she was shocked to meet the angel she saw when she died. She was human, then how did she manage to do that. She followed the woman who took her to the Dark's mansion and while there were there she saw him laughing and playing happily with his siblings and thanks to that she left. The woman asked her to do something for her that is how she ended up on this island. Her job previously was to look after the mansion but she ended up getting a new hobby which was designing. In the end she took the job of being Violet's designer and dressmaker, since she was picky about a lot of things. She was surprised that a young woman like that could have so much money and yet she didn't seem happy at all. She was both benevolent like a white witch and cruel at the same time, depending on the issue. From the past fifteen years she had seen a lot of things, people coming and leaving and so on. Each family has its own house and where you lived depended on the job you do at the island. There were so many departments at the island; some were responsible for the maintaining of the mansion as a whole even if Violet didn't spend a lot of time there. Some the gardens since they were plenty, the flowers tended there were sold all over and that was another income source for the island, they also kept sheep because of the fur they use to make Violet's coats as well as exporting some to reliable customers, cattle rearing and chicken farming, they also grew certain crops including fruits like apples, grapes and pears not forgetting fishing. In other words, the island was a huge corporation making millions every year which is why everyone who stayed on the island was a worker who had rights like any others unless they were bound by some contracts made prior their employment.

'So you are saying, you are the one who made all those clothes for her?'

'Yes. Your mother is good, right.'

'You are the best. But how did you find that talent, you never showed it before.'

'I guess when you are given a lot of opportunities and try everything; you can find something you good at.'

'Opportunities?'

'Yes. Everyone attends lessons of various calibers and through all those you can find something you really want to do. For those that can't they can be assigned to any department. For those who already have qualifications they can be given a post or transferred somewhere else. But the island is better, it’s quiet and beautiful.'

'You seem to really love this place.'

'If you live here too, you will learn to love it.'

'I'm really glad that you are alive and well mother. So now that I made a deal with Violet, will she let you go?'

'She will keep her promises but I can't leave. This has already become my home, if you want to see me I can come and visit you or you can come here.'

'Mother...'

'Except you, I have no one else out there. Here I am someone important, people want my clothes, and they respect me and know my talents. Out there I’m just me, a mother who abandoned her son, a mistress who people can talk badly about and I don't want this for me or for you. It's better that we have reunited and I will always be happy for you.'

'But I ......'

'I love you, son so much that I will do anything to see you happy but me going back there, I don't want that. I hope you can think about.’

There was a whole new world out there, he realized. He never thought he would encounter something like this in his life but the thought of his mother being alive and well made him have relief. He was thankful and resentful towards Violet but he was not able to do anything but just watch and see where it goes.

'By the way, does your father know you are here?'

'I live alone and there is no need to report my every move to him.'

'What about school then?'

'I don't have classes and it's not a big deal missing a few classes.'

'You shouldn't do that. Do you know how long you are staying?'

'I didn't ask. I know nothing; I will have to ask Anne or Violet.'

'She came with Anne?'

'Yes, she did.'

'Ever since she found that girl, she became a bit brighter and warm than before. That little girl stayed here for about six years, receiving all sorts of private lessons. There is nothing that girl doesn't know. She would have done something better but everyday she kept on mentioning how she wanted to work by her godmother's side. A lot of people envied their relationships and they still do. They make a nice pair even though the girl doesn't seem to know sorcery like her mother.'

'Sorcery!'

'Why do you sound surprised? By now you should know that something isn’t right with Violet. Whatever she went through as a kid might be what made her to be the way she is right now. And that is something you should never ask, no matter how close you may be.'

'Does that mean red is also prohibited here too?'

'Of course it is. And any sort of violence is prohibited. Whoever breaks that is personally punished by her; no law force involved and trust me it's not a nice thing to watch.'

'Did she ever punish anyone since you came here?'

'There were five cases and everyone is forced to watch. You will wish that you were dead than to go through that. I don't even want to think about that. It's late, I will prepare some dinner since it looks like you won't be leaving tonight.'

'Okay. It's been too long since I last ate the food you made.'

'I will prepare a feast for you, don't worry,' his mother said.

He watched as she stood up and walked towards the kitchen. He didn't want to remain seated so he began to look around the house before he went outside. When standing at the front porch of his mother's house, he could see the mansion. He wondered how Violet was doing at the moment. Why should he bother anyway? Rubbing the thought, he began to talk a walk letting the cool air brush his face. It was good to be here.