Chapter two: one by one Lorrain

Am exhausted, I've had such a long day and right now all I want is to take a long hot bath in my tub and relax. So, I give orders to Greg that I shouldn't be disturbed for the rest of the night. And then I hastily made my way to my room. Greg and I had arrived two hours later after the sun had gone down and he'd offered to make me food but I had denied. All I could think about at the moment was my encounter with the king. The man was so hot he made the world's hottest guy look like a fluke. And am pretty sure he had no idea about the kind of effect he had on women and to top it all off he was so arrogant he literally had no regards for other people's time.

"Selfish bastard, only knows how to waste other people's time." I mattered to myself as

I entered my room and shut the door. "Beautiful, sick, masochistic bastard." And just as I settled on the edge of the bed and began to take off my shoes my phone rang. And as if that wasn't bad enough an unknown number. I just hoped it wasn't some sick reporter or worse some sick person trying to pull a prank on me.

"Hello," I answered. The tone of my voice seeming to carry my tiredness.

"Lorrain?" I knew that voice anywhere. Sometimes I always wondered what I did so wrong that god punished me for every time.

"Yes, your majesty." I answered. Sounding annoyed.

"Am really sorry to disturb you at this hour but I really had to know." What? That you're a royal pain with a handsome ass yes, I think we all know that.

"What may I help you with, your majesty?" I asked not really planning to follow through with whatever the king had in mind.

"I had to know if you could forgive me. For being thoughtless and treating you as if your time wasn't important." I just sat there still unmoving. It was like the earth had stopped its rotation just long enough for me to feel it when it did.

"But why?" I really wanted to know why the king had the sudden urge to apologize.

"Because I was wrong and whatever I did delayed your appointment at the orphanage. And I really am sorry." Wow! This man never seized to shock me.

"I forgive you I guess." I said sounding bemused.

"So, you'll come live at the castle." All this just to convince me to live at the castle. I should've known.

"Why?" 

"Because I was so horrible to you last time. And I want to make it up to you…that is…if you'll give me a chance." I knew this wasn't right. I mean I'd been fooled too many times by now to think I'd learned. But I guess my mouth didn't because the next thing that came out of my mouth shocked us both. Maybe it was the fatigue that was getting to me.

"I'll move in a week from now." I said as I got up and made my way to the bathroom. 

"Great see you then." He said sounding pleased. Then he hangs up the phone.

I knew without a doubt that this man was up to something. But what? That I didn't know but I would have to find that out and soon.

I took a hot relaxing bath and I emerged feeling radiant from my bath. That night I slept to the sounds of the rain. I didn't know what it was about the rain that made me calmer and helped me relax. But I always felt more at peace when it rained.

I woke up feeling refreshed and having had a goodnight's rest. I quickly took a shower, brushed my teeth, got dressed and made my way down the stairs for breakfast. When Greg approached me. 

"Lorrain. Am afraid there's been a change of plans Antonio is worried about his safety. So, he wants you to meet at a public place." I stared at him, bored out of my mind.

"Where exactly?"

"He wants to have breakfast at a restaurant." I smiled in amusement.

"Tell him I'll be there." Greg nodded and left.

It had been so sunny I'd decided to where a blue sun dress and some flat heels. Coupled by a light shawl which I had used to cover my hair. And some dark sunglasses. I smiled as I made my way to the table, I'd spotted Antonio at.

And when I had arrived, he looked perplexed until recognition lit his face.

"Lorrain, I didn't know I was meeting you today." He said smirking at me.

"I know I wanted it to be a surprise. I missed you." He smiled taking me in as I took a sit right across from him.

"I did too. You know maybe after this we could go to my place to catch up." Hook, line and sinker. I always loved the phrase.

"I would love that with the way this week has been going. I needed a break sooner than later." He only gave me his flirty smile. And my god did I want to put a bullet to his head, right there and then.

We ate breakfast as he talked on about his businesses and how apparently. He'd been thinking about apologizing to me and us starting afresh.

"You're a gem. You know that" he'd said. While we were heading back to his place. "And if we were to merge our businesses together. I mean we could take Reshketh by a storm." I nodded leaning into him. 

"I wholly agree with you." I said putting my plan into action.

"You smell good. What scent are you wearing?" buttercup, the poisonous kind.

"Buttercup. A kind of plant species." Am glad we were in a limo. So not even the driver could over hear anything.

"I can't wait to get you home and strip you down." I smiled in elation.

"Me too."

And Antonio held to his promise. Because as soon as we reached his room. He pulled me to the bed and ripped off my clothes throwing them to the ground. Then he began to lick my skin and kiss me everywhere. Not leaving any of my skin untouched and I lay there letting him. Taking pleasure in the fact that in just two hours he would be dead.

A few minutes later I woke up and left. As Antonio had told me that he had an important meeting to attend and that he'd call me after. We said our goodbyes and parted. As I made my way to my next appointment with Russell.

And by the end of the day the news had been booming. Each one of them wondering how two men both died after being poisoned but no one knew how. Because Antonio was just fine when he entered the meeting but dropped dead an hour later. And Russell was just alright not until he fell asleep on his private jet and never woke up. The deed was done and none of the detectives could piece together what was happening.

And the only one left on my hit list was the king's younger brother Logan Kane.

 And I was going to make him pay more than the others did.

 One by one they all fell to the ground.

 7. Scott Reynolds. X

 6. Daniel Carnal. X

 5. Garret Stone. X

 4. Jack Hussein. X 

 3.Antonio Reeds. X

 2. Russell Robertson.  X

 1. Logan Kane.

I arrived at the castle a few hours later. I had waited a week before deciding to come to the castle because I had a lot of important issues to tend to. And the fact that i got into an argument with my little brother a few hours before I had arrived wasn't helping my mood that morning.

"Have the servants unloaded my things yet?" I asked Greg who had been walking beside me.

"Yes, but they're still getting your things settled into your new rooms."

"How long will that take?" I said as I went through my phone searching for messages.

"Three hours or four. Depends on their speed." I sighed. Silently wondering how boring my life had become.

"What am I supposed to do 'till then?" I asked Greg hoping he'd give a spontaneous idea. When I had arrived his majesty's personal assistant had told me he had been occupied with mountains of meetings. And 'it would be a miracle if he could welcome you personally to his home. So he sent his apologies and he would try his best to meet up with you in his free time'. I simply smiled at him and told him to tell his master that by the time he would be ready to see me I would be unapologetically busy. Then he nodded and left to fulfill his other duties.

"Explore. I guess." He said as he hastily checked his wrist watch for time. "I have to go. I have a few things to sort out on your security before I can do anything else I'll see you later." I smiled up at him. Greg was ever at work.

"But of course." I said imitating his English accent.

"Am serious. You're ever getting yourself into trouble and as your best friend and the man responsible for your security. I worry a hell of a lot." Those where the most words I had heard come out of him in a years. Greg wasn't the kind to keep to himself but he wasn't very talkative either.

"Well don't. I'll be fine Greg there's more security here than in a bank so I'll be just fine." I pushed him towards the west wing of the hallway.

"Fine. Just make sure to call when you feel threatened by anyone, including the king." I shook my head in exasperation and tapped the earpiece. That could hardly be seen over my thick locks. He finally gave in and walked away quietly.

I turned and began my grand tour of the castle alone. Paying attention to the details of the old walls and structure as well as the many tapestries hanging on them. I hadn't even noticed when I'd stopped and stared at the one that had caught my eye. It was a picture with a woman in a mostly red gown being waited on by a young girl. She had been in a banner and two creatures took their positions by her side. One appeared to be a unicorn the other some sort of lion and it read

The lady with the unicorn.

 By: franco-flamish.

 1400s

It looked so captivating as I stared at it mesmerized. Wondering what it could have meant.

"Wonderful isn't it." I jumped to the sound of the king's voice almost missing my steps and falling. But luckily, I had managed to steady myself on time.

"Your highness. It's rude to sneak up on someone." I said as I tried not to stare at his impressive build.

"I see, I might have scared you, my apologies Lorrain." I smiled mischievously trying to hide the shiver that had ran up my Spine when he had said my name.

"Oh, your majesty ever so polite." I said as I turned back to the tapestry.

"Please. Call me Damien." My smile grew. I had a game set in my mind.

"Am glad to see you're accepting the fact that in a few months, you'll no longer be king. Damien." I felt a flatter in my stomach as I said his name but I had decided to ignore it. 

If I had to be honest his smirk had turned into an irritated expression. I was like that with everyone. It was like I always knew how to push the wrong buttons whenever I had been in a room with someone.

"We'll see about that." The reply left me with a smug look on my face.

"A challenge. Ah. I love a good challenge that way when you go down, I'll make sure the floor is harder than gold when you fall from grace."

In that moment he had pinned me to the wall before I could register what was happening. His silver, enraged eyes boring into me. My skin burning like the earth's core where he touched me. And my other core responded in turn.

"Why are you so keen on angering me?" he asked as the sweet-warmth of his breath washed over me. Wrapping me in a trance. Why was this man getting to me?

"You look hot when you're angry." That caught him off guard and a new expression took over his face. His majesty or Damien was an open book of emotion. And I couldn't help noticing that my lips where only inches from his.

"Did you just call me hot?" he asked still staring deeply into my eyes. His pupils seemed to be searching for answers in mine. All thoughts of tapestries obliterated by his nearness.

"Maybe. Did I commit a crime?" the answer was yes but Damien didn't need to know that. "And even if I did. It's not like you could do anything about it." I was challenging him to act on what I knew he was also feeling between us. And for once I didn't know what the outcome would be.

"Do not challenge me miss Sullivan you hardly know me." He said but his voice had grown raspier.

"Or what? What will you do almighty Damien Kane?" I meant it as a joke but regretted it when I saw what he was about to do. He leaned down to my neck and slowly inhaled my scent. And that alone had stopped my breathing. It was a torture I had never experienced before and I thought it couldn't be worse. Not until he proved me wrong by nipping the skin on my neck drawing a groan from me. Then he kissed the bite away. Slowly moving his perfectly fitted nose towards my face. Throughout this act I unconsciously knew that anyone could walk by and catch us red handed and it only made the deed much more exciting. And my body shook with anticipation. I was patty in this man's hands as he held me in place. Stopping after nearing the corner of my lip. And I thought it was over but boy was I wrong. He leaned in slowly and licked my bottom lip which let out a gasp from me. Then he went on to bite my lip which caused me to swarm at the erotic-ness of it all. Then as if that wasn't enough his lips smashed into mine. Moving against each other like a planets core that had been infused with gas balls just waiting to explode and consume everything within a five-mile radius. We were like two starved animals that hadn't eaten in centuries. Breathing heavily against each other. My moans and his grunts echoing the halls we were in. his massive build pressed against mine. When we came up for air it was like an arrow to my chest.

I had sworn I would never let any man over power me like this and I did. I fell for his trickery just like I had done with Scott. 'Except with Scott it wasn't like that' my subconscious said. And it was true I had never felt so amazingly consumed by a blazing fire and loved every minute of it. I had never wanted so badly to strip naked and expose myself to a man before. I had never so badly wanted to have that experience again. But… I couldn't. I would never let any of that happen ever. Men were liars. I had experienced that first hand. What if he was in cahoots with that bitch Tessa then what? I'd be screwed all over again.

Damien saw the look of sadness in my eyes and before I could say another word, he left without uttering a single sentence. And i quickly pulled away from the wall and tried to make myself decent again. And when I had been satisfied with what I had done to look presentable I quickly made my way to my new rooms. 

I couldn't get the feel of Damien's soft lips out of my head. The feel of his touch, his nearness. The possessiveness that he had exerted upon me. The moaning and groaning we had done. The hot and heavy breaths we had drawn. Every single part of that encounter left me more than a little light headed.

"Lorry." Greg said as he came barging in. causing me to drop the book I was holding on the floor.

"You really should have knocked." I said as I bend down and wrapped one hand around the book. Then proceeded to rise and place it by the bedside lamp table.

"Am sorry but I had knocked a couple of times and you weren't answering." His answer was justified. Considering the fact that upon arriving to my new rooms I had grabbed a book in an attempt to shake off what had just happened. But I'd ended up doing the complete opposite.

"Sorry, it's just that my mind had been a bit pre-occupied." I said in way of explanation.

"I know you're worried that Tessa might try something at your coronation. But don't worry I've got it covered." I had been worried about that but my thoughts had taken a turn when I had bumped into Damien.

"I'll try not to." I said mentally shaking myself out of my daydream.

"Oh. And I came to tell you that the king would love it if you could join him for dinner." That had caught me off guard. After he left me in the hall-way I was sure he didn't want to see me again.

"Aah. Am afraid we aren't here to do what he loves now are we?" I said as I stared up at him. My expression neutral.

"Of course not. I'll tell him you won't be able to make it." Then he turned his back to me and left.

The plan was very simple. I was supposed to seduce Logan. Make him fall head over heels for me then I had to plunge a dagger to his heart. Though not in a literal sense. But first I had to introduce myself to the court and let them know that their queen had arrived.

A few hours later I had given myself a bath and was smelling of the sweet scent that was lavender. I had brushed my hair rolling it up in a bun then proceeded to put on a black hat with a net that covered my face slightly. Short black gloves and a black pant-suit dress. The black looking exquisite against my skin. My lips blood-red and standing out as they complimented my entire face. And for the final touch a diamond choker chain lay wrapped around my neck. Then I exited my rooms with a devilish smile on my lips fulling knowing what I was intending to do.

I was late but I hardly cared, food had been the last thing on my mind. The stares of the people belonging to the king's court had greeted me as I walked in. which only enhanced my smile I knew I would have this effect. I had planned it. But the thing that took place next I hadn't planned. As I looked at the huge dining table that was made for a hundred. The face that I had been trying to avoid sat right at the front of the table. His eyes only looking at me. He was scanning my entire body. Taking all of me in and my breath hitched as he met my eyes. But before I could register what his eyes were portraying he turned his head and looked away. Somehow that made me angry. The very fact of him turning away from me made me furious. But before I could do or say anything a familiar voice invaded my ears.

"Lorrain…" he said. His voice managing to disgust me. "It has been way to long." I turned and feigned a smile. But he seemed to believe it was real as he unleashed his own smile on me. 

"Logan…" I said looking up into his silver, deceitful eyes. "Am sorry I never called. It's just that you're a very important man. And being the king's brother, you seem to have more on your plate than he does." I said jokingly.

"Ever the thoughtful one." He said taking my right hand and placing a kiss on it. Then moving on to place two kisses more than necessary on both my cheeks. I wanted to gag but I miraculously managed to compose myself.

I could feel two more sets of grey eyes staring at me from across the room.

"You always manage to outdo yourself Lorrain." His voice was deep and sombre. It was the kind of voice ladies would fawn over. It was the kind of voice I would have fallen fall over again two years ago. But now it's the kind of voice that does nothing to my insides.

"What do you mean?" I said not really paying attention to him. Because my pupils where focused on the very fascinating species of man seated a short distance from where I was.

"My brother. Would you like to meet him?" he asked. And before I could reply he took my arm and pulled me towards the empty seat that was laying at the king's right-hand side.

"Damien, Lorrain. Lorrain, Damien." I was silent waiting for Damien to make the first move. As he stared at my lips, I couldn't help but smile. It turns out I wasn't the only one experiencing the after effects of our earlier encounter. Damien suddenly seemed to shake out of his trance and cleared his throat.

"We've already met Logan. Am afraid I now know Lady Sullivan and her intentions." That made my smile widen. As I took the empty seat beside him. Logan making his way to his seat on the left-hand side of the king.

"I thought, you would not be able to make it to dinner." Damien said sounding irritated.

"Yes. But I changed my mind when I heard your entire court would be here." The room had gone silent as everyone gave me the attention I had wanted. "After all they must get to know their soon to be queen." The shock gasps that escaped their mouths made me smile in delight. But the reaction that came from Damien was one of mischievous glee.

"Of course. The members of my court must certainly be acquainted with their soon to be queen." What was he up to? I wondered silently as I began to eat my food.

"Why would you want to be queen Lorrain?" this was Logan. He looked curious but wait. Didn't curiosity kill the cat? I would maim him in ways he didn't even know existed.

"Your question is stupid. You shouldn't ask a useless question like that instead ask why not?" Logan stared at me in shock. I figured he was wondering where I had gotten the power to call him stupid. Damien smiled to himself as he stared down at his food.

"Wow, Lorrain. I guess time does really change a person." Logan said as a shocked expression replaced his earlier one. I simply smiled seductively at him. And said.

"One has to change their old bad habits if they're going to be a future ruler of an entire continent." I spoke. Biting my bottom lip for effect. And I could feel the gazes of the two brothers on me though I only had my eyes on one.

"Lorrain, you make me rethink every past decision I've ever made that wasn't you." Logan smiled his hooker smile. And I played around with my food.

"Am afraid am not hungry anymore. I think I'll head off to bed. Excuse me everyone." I said, as I wiped away the crams on my lips with a napkin. Taking my sweet time doing so. I knew perfectly well that everyone was staring at me.

"Wait…" His voice ever so familiar to my ears now, "I would like to discuss an urgent matter with you Lady Sullivan." I smiled, but didn't dare to face him as he came to stand right next to me.

It had been a few minutes since we'd left the dining hall. The tension between us growing as we put some distance between the dining hall and ourselves.

"So. What was the matter you wanted to address Damien?" His lips had pulled up in a smirk at the mention of his name.

"Firstly. I might have overstepped my bounds this afternoon and for that am really sorry. I did not mean to come onto you like that. It's just that you can be very uh…" He trailed off on his sentence as I bit down my lip again.

"Very?" I asked innocently. He seemed to stare at my mouth a little longer than necessary. Then he cleared his throat and regained his composure.

"It doesn't matter what I did was wrong. And can't be justified so please forgive me." I nodded though an apology was not what I wanted from him. For some reason I wanted this man and my body was set aflame every time he set his gaze on me.

"Of course, your majesty. It wouldn't be right if I claimed it was completely your fault when I also contributed." He nodded trying to avoid my gaze.

"The other thing I wanted to talk to you about was that. I would like you to join my meetings tomorrow. That is if your schedule is not full?" he looked quizzically at me. This man was up to something and I had to find out what?

"I don't think so but I'll have to check and let you know." I said trying to stamp the flattery filling in my stomach that had awoken due to the thought of spending an entire day with him.

And as he smiled his eyes seemed to smile as well and I noticed that two holes had appeared in his cheeks. The king had dimples and 'my- oh- my' did they heighten his appeal.

We were almost at my door and the tension seemed to have expanded even more. And I couldn't take it anymore, so I opted to make small talk.

"So, why did you support me at dinner today? When I had talked about becoming queen. I mean I wasn't against it and am glad you're admitting that you'll be stripped of your throne but. Why?" Damien only smiled at me and I couldn't help recall. How a few hours earlier those soft, smooth lips were crashed against mine. I didn't even notice I had arrived at my door until he said.

"You'll just have to wait and find out." Then without even mattering a goodbye. He turned and left me there staring at his retreating back.

"Lorrain…" his voice raspier than ever called out to me in the dimmed room.

"Am here." I said as I felt his skin against mine. Our naked bodies fusing together in a perfect rhythm. Pale- light- skin against bronze-tanned-skin. Breath for breath, moan for moan. All I could feel was our sweaty bodies trying to decode what our minds could not.

"Lorrain…" his voice got deeper as his silver eyes shone with ecstasy right before they closed in utter bliss.

I woke up panting heavily. Bids of sweat plastered against my forehead, my heart pounding against my chest. I had dreamt an erotic dream featuring Damien Kane. The brother of my enemy, my sworn nemesis. And the soon to be dethroned and brother-less king. And I hated myself but I loved every moment of that delicious dream and I couldn't convince myself any less because my body had betrayed me. As the remnants of my erotic dream ruined my panties.  

It was around seven am as I took a bath and got dressed in my grey pant suit. One of my many prominent clothing. My hair a loose dark curtain around my shoulders. I was ready and waiting as a knock came at my door.

"Come in." I said standing up to face my visitor. IT was the king's assistant.

"ma'am. I've come to get you for your first meeting." I wasn't expecting a meeting this early but I was glad I'd had an early breakfast.

"Of course." I said as we made our way out of my rooms. "Is Gregory already their?" the man nodded not wanting to look me in the eye. And the rest of our journey to the meeting rooms was spent in silence.

And when we had arrived at the door step I quickly took a deep breath raised my head and walked in. the council seemed to automatically go silent as the sound of my heels hit the floor. The room completely filled with men. Some so old they looked like mummies others so young they could've been young boys. And they all either sneered or smiled at me with lust filling their eyes. And I smiled wickedly back as I took the empty seat at right hand side of the king. Damien was also looking lavishing in his three pieced charcoal suit at the head of the table.

"Lovely for you to join us this morning lady Sullivan." I smiled as I looked up at Damien then realizing my mistake, I scanned the room for Greg who was nowhere in sight. Then I turned back to Damien and spoke.

"I wouldn't dare turn down an invitation from the council." I had made sure to do my research before coming here.

"Glad to hear that." Damien said and never even flinched at my luck of acknowledgment for him. "Now, let us continue. Am sure the council must have a clue to who this murderer is?" the king asked no one in particular. And a very tall lanky man who had swampy brown eyes and grey hair and pale white-chalk coloured skin who seemed to be in his early seventies stood up.

"If I may your majesty." His voice as wiry as his figure.

"Go ahead governor summers." Kelvin summers also known as governor summers, was made a republican A few years after a huge war had taken place on the continent of America a few centuries ago. Where china and America had incurred millions of deaths. Luckily our savior Jason Kane had come to our rescue and managed to not only protect the last remaining families but make peace with china. That swore to never attack so long as the Kane generation remained in power. And so it has been ever since. Each state assigned a governor to keep watch and report to the main ruler who directly reported to the king of reshketh. All governors representing the 50 states of America now reshketh where all present in the room.

And the saddest part about this war was that many women and young girls were killed living only 2/5 of the percentage of women left on the entire American continent. And that also included babies, toddlers and teens. After assessing this information, the men which made up the majority of America decided it would be best if only they remained in power and that women stayed under wraps and away from politics until they could accumulate in number. Lies!!! The truth is that the men of this country thought it fit to revert back to their primitive ways. They couldn't stand the fact that women where climbing steps much higher than they could ever reach. They couldn't bear our feminine beauty and success they'd rather we be the back benchers. But as a proud feline myself how could I just stand by and let them drag us in the mud. Never!!! I had made a promise and I would see it through at any cost.

 The 70-year-old man stood up with a manner that said he would not try to acknowledge me in the room and spoke.

"Your majesty this killer is truly a sick master mind. Because we have tried tracing his steps, investigating his victims and loved ones, looking for his finger prints or strands of DNA but nothing was found." I smiled wickedly as I looked at summers. Of course, nothing was found. Only I could prove my murders and only I could mislead them. Their lives where at my mercy and they didn't know it.

"What makes you so sure the killer is male?" I asked as I looked straight at him. The faces in the room turning to face me, their gazes nothing but detest except for Damien's his were filled with intrigue.

"I beg your pardon!" Summers answered staring at me like I was some devil's spawn. "You said the killer is truly a sick mastermind. Because you have tried tracing his steps, investigating his victims and loved ones. Looking for his finger prints…etc." summers seemed to be throwing daggers at me mentally. As he sneered at me in rage.

"So?" he challenged which only broadened my smile.

"So. My question is why not her? Why his?" again hook, line and sinker. "I mean don't you think how it's strange that the killer seems to know the victims well enough to know where to attack them. Or that may be the killer is able to interact with them without any of them putting up a struggle. It can only mean these people where comfortable in that person presence and trusted them unquestionably or they were dumb enough to believe a woman wouldn't put a bullet to their heads." By the time I was done talking the room had fallen silent. As each one of them contemplated the idea. "Am just saying maybe it was a more twisted mind that did this."

Another man stood up who looked to be Damien's age. The well-known Matthew Wayland and his ever broad shoulders, dark blue eyes and pale figure. The kind I had sort after when I was in my teens, now all I did was give a sigh. Knowing fully well what argument he was about to give. 

"So to put it simply what lady Sullivan is saying that this killer has a higher IQ than the male species!" 'Of course!!' I thought. 'Am sitting right here and you don't even have a clue.' 

"Of course not. I was just speculating but if you think women are smarter than the male race then I am in utter agreement." Matt looked annoyed and having had nothing to say sat down quietly. I had silenced the council and that made me feel like I was indeed a force to be reckoned with.

"And where do you propose this killer might be?" this came from the head of the table.

"I don't know! A business partner or a cheated wife. Illegal dealings. Tell the cops to do their work and do a background check of every victim and what they have in common." This brought out shock gasps. And I tried to recall exactly what I had said. Then I had discovered that I had just gave a command to the king. But Damien didn't look annoyed with me or irritated. In fact, he looked impressed.

"You heard the lady. Make sure that you do a thorough background check on the victims." Damien said and everyone immediately said 'yes. Your majesty'. 

As I sat there basking in my glory.