Chapter 8

Eleanor

A woman, dressed in a crochet long gown with a gold brunch hanging somewhere on her chest stood up with a smile. " Come here darling, you're welcome. This is your home" she said as she engaged me in an embrace.

She had gray hair, just like mine and she was beautiful, very beautiful. It all makes sense now why Mr. Harrison looked like that.

" Thank you," I said as I carefully sat down. All eyes were on me, I wished I could dig a hole and bury myself in it.

I kept a flashing grin, sitting with a family of wealth and beauty was hard to hold.

" I'm Nikki, you can call me Spice" the lady started as she sat with her family. There was a striking resemblance as they all said together facing me. " This is my sister Ariel and my Mom and my Dad…and well, your husband isn't here yet. So tell me, how did Harry marry you without me knowing, what's the secret" Nikki said with a wide smile. She was enjoying this.

I smiled and said," Good afternoon everybody, I am so honored and pleased to meet you. Actually, I've always asked Harrison to bring me here but he always gives me an excuse or another". I laughed internally, wondering how good I was at acting.

" Is that so?" Harrison's Mom asked.

" Absolutely, and knowing my husband", I gulped the wine that was in front of me and continued," he just didn't want to expose me too much".

" You sound pretty sure," a thick unfamiliar voice said from behind me. I stiffened up and went numb, didn't get myself till he ended his sentence, " darling".

That was when I looked back and saw Harrison, resting his body and a foot on the wall. Damn, he looked so cute.

" Were you trying to surprise me?" I said, facing the table.

" I can do that all day," he said and walked closer. Each step stole a beat of my heart.

" Enough of you lovebirds. Harry, have a seat. It's been about 5 years since we've had you in this house. Your wife must be something" his Mom said.

He looked at me as he sat beside me. " Something indeed".

Food was soon served as the whole family was enjoying each other's company. It looked like a very big happy family.

I watched the mother and children smile at each other. Once again, I miss my mom. Her food and everything. The way she combed my hair and always told me to leave a very good impression.

" Eleanor!" I heard the sharp biting sound of Harrison's voice which took me out of my thoughts.

" Yes, oh sorry. What were you saying again".

It was clear that they had been talking to me for a while while I was in my thoughts.

" Mom was asking about your family," Harry said.

Though I didn't expect that question to come so suddenly, I had no answer for it. I wasn't ready to hide who I was, neither was I ready to let them know.

"Ummm, family…" This was certainly a trap from Harrison. Or maybe Harrison doesn't even know who I am. I thought deeply and tried to figure out how I was going to tell them who I was without really telling them.

" I'm from a family of three, Mom died some years ago and Dad has been on a business trip," I said.

The room was quiet before Mom finally broke the silence.

" I'm so sorry dear, okay how about how you met Harrison"

" Ooo, you'll enjoy this one. I was walking down the road, and I met this young man. He approached me and told me some stuff" I said. All eyes were beaming with excitement as I told the tale, well apart from Harrison who was slightly hitting my leg.

" This young man took me to the mansion and boom! I met Harrison Tolstoy. I thought it was a-"

" And that's how we met Mom. Mr. Harrison said and stuck some food in my mouth.

I looked at him with uncertainty. He gave me a killing look which sent a direct message "Shut up and eat"

Without warning, I turned my focus to my food.

" So why are we just learning of the marriage now" his dad finally said. Unlike other fathers, Harrison's father had a simple face which contributes to his gentle character.

" You wouldn't even have known at all if it weren't for Mom's pasturing and besides, as she said, I keep her away from the world," Harrison said blankly. Sadly, I can't read his mind or process what he said.

" Your wife.." his dad said and stood up. He paused for a minute and looked at me as he continued," is well mannered and pretty. You're just like me". His Dad left.

Their mom smiled at me and said," Welcome to the family". It felt as if they were my family. If only this wasn't a contract and everything happening wasn't just Mare acting.

Nikki took me around the house. We talked about ancient Greek mythology and dinosaurs. We also spoke about different celebrities as we walked around.

" And that was how Rihanna ended up with ASAP Rocky. They barely had sex" Nikki mumbled. As if she was there with them. Nikki should be about my age or a little bit older. Maybe that's why the connection was visible.

I looked around as Nikki spoke to me and my eyes caught a hold of Harrison. He was speaking with his mom and it seemed as if they were talking about me as his mom exchanged glances with me subsequently.

I studied their conversation and Mr Harrison didn't seem too excited as his mom was. After a few minutes of their chitchat, Harrison walked towards me, took my hand, and said, "Let's go".

His voice was harsh and his eyebrows curved in a frown. I haven't seen him in such an image before. I stared deep into his eyes and wondered, what would this man look like when he was angry.

" What?", He said, which made me blink back to reality. I had been staring at him for so long that I forgot his hand held mine. The thought made me shy.

" Huh, nothing. Okay". I just started enjoying the company of Nikki and the gist was left hanging. I turned to Nikki and waved my hands saying goodbye but she wasn't okay with that.

" Harry! You haven't been to this house for a long time. You finally did and you brought a lady, now you want to leave so easily? I won't allow that", Nikki said folding her arms below her chest and tilting her hip to the side.

" Eleanor, let's go", Harry said.

" I say she should stay", Nikki declared.

I felt like I was in between a hurricane. The decision wasn't mine, I had to obey Mr Harrison. I turned to Nikki and smiled, "We have something to catch up. I'll come around soon". Harrison pulled me close which made my heart skip a beat.

If only this man knew what he was doing to me. Even in his anger, he still manages to seize my breath. We walked out while I smiled at his mom and left.

I wasn't sure if I should ask what that was all about, well it wasn't my business. I sat still I'm the car as he drove off.

He dropped me in the mansion and left without saying a word. Who am I to question his silence?

I got inside and checked my phone. An unknown number sent me a message.

" You better be dead before I find you"

What the fuck!!!