Chapter 10

Our rooms were in the East wing of the mansion - Mr. Carlton has thrown Liam enough glares for us to call it a mansion, and it was a pretty long walk to the dining area.

We were given half an hour to get ready and right on the dot, I heard a knock on my door. I was ready in a knee-length red dress. My short brown curls loose, around my shoulders. I put on my glasses and quickly went to open the door. It was the same maid who had shown us to our rooms earlier.

Liam also came out of his room dressed in a white shirt tucked into brown pants. His unruly brown hair was combed as best as I could expect from him. The maid greeted us both politely before escorting us to the dining room.

I looked around the hallway filled with pictures of people whom I am guessing were the ancestors of the Carlton family. It all looked very medieval,  making me wonder who exactly the Carltons were. Was Liam's guess correct? Were they infact royalty. Nah! They can't be. They are probably just rich, I thought as we stopped in front of a giant double door.

I instantly felt nervous. I glanced down at our outfits, feeling very under dressed. We shouldn't be here among these people. Who are we coming here and invading their home like this? How can I even think that we could just come here just because  Mr Carlton suggested it. Maybe he had just been polite, and I'm the one who took advantage of his politeness.

My overthinking was making me feel very anxious. I felt beeds of sweat pop up on my forehead. I instantly wiped it away. Liam wrapped his hand around mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze. I looked up at him as he smiled down at me.

"Relax, mom, you look beautiful. Let's just go inside and see what these people are actually about. If we don't feel comfortable, we can always leave." He whispered near my ear, trying to make me feel relaxed. I took a deep breath, trying to calm down, and then smiled up at him.

"Look at you being all wise and giving me advice. Isn't that my job?" I asked him teasingly.

He shrugged, saying, "Maybe I have gotten wiser than you now."

I scoffed, giving him a light slap on his arm before straightening up to my full height and entering the large dining room area where the family was waiting.

As soon as we entered, the Senior Carltons' face split into a huge welcoming smile, easing half my tensions. They both came forward introducing themselves to Liam and gushing over him and how big and handsome my son was.. there was absolutely no show of their status. They just wanted to make us feel welcomed, and my heart felt so warmed by their kind gestures.

We soon got seated, and I turned to Mr and Mrs Carlton as soon as Liam got distracted, talking with my boss.

"Mr and Mrs Carlton," I started speaking quietly so that Liam won't hear me. "Thank you so much for having us. You have no idea how thankful I am for yours and your son's kindness. It's only because of you all that my son is sitting here safe and happy and not in the hands of that monster." I said, my eyes tearing up with just the thought of that man and the fate that we could have been in had it not been for Mr Carlton.

I still carried the scars of the wounds caused by David, deep in my heart. They can never be erased. They still came to haunt me sometimes in the middle of the night. I never want Liam to have to live through that nightmare, ever.

"Oh honey, it's ok, you both are safe here with us." Mrs Carlton said, taking my hand in hers and giving it a pat while giving me a reassuring smile. "And we are not allowing you to leave until we are sure that it's safe for you both to be out there again. We don't care how long it's going to be."

"Thank you so much, Mrs Carlton," I almost whispered,  feeling overwhelmed by their kindness.

"Now let's not get so serious, shall we. The food is waiting to be served. I'm sure starving and I'm sure you both are too.

She signaled to one of the maid's, and instantly, the food started arriving in the hands of several maids in the same black and white uniforms. This place sure was very extravagant, I thought as we were all served our dishes.

We soon finished our dinner in comfortable silence, except for the occasional chitchat here and there.

After dinner, Mr and Mrs Carlton retired to their room, saying they had an early flight the next day. Apparently, they don't stay here very often. I couldn't stay here long either if this was my home. The place was beautiful but it was just too much. Home should feel homely, not extravagant. But that was just my opinion, so I kept my mouth shut.

But it seemed that Liam couldn't keep his mouth closed.

Mr Carlton was walking us back to our rooms, and we were walking down the hallway where the pictures of his ancestors were hanging.

"So...Mr Carlton..this is where you grew up?" Liam said, breaking the peaceful silence. "It's...nice." he ended as I narrowed my eyes at him, not liking the tone of his voice. I just knew he wouldn't have anything nice to say about the place.

"Yeah... kind of. My parents didn't like this place much, so we just couldn't stick here for long." He replied, making me sigh in relief.

But Liam still had no intention of quitting.

"So if they didn't like it, how come they own it?" He asked, his face completely innocent. Sometimes kids are too curious,  I thought with another sigh and another glare, which earned a chuckle from Mr Carlton.

"It was a wedding gift from my grandparents, so they couldn't get rid of it." He replied with a grin as we reached our rooms.

"Oh, that makes sense. Well good night mom, good night Mr.Carlton and thank you, sir, once again." Liam said politely before giving me a peck on the cheeks before going in his room.

"Please call me Oliver. Both of you." Mr. Carlton said, surprising us.

"I can't call you that. You're my boss." I instantly replied.

"But you're not mine, and it's confusing when there are two Mr. Carltons here. So I'm cool. Good night, Oliver." He said with a huge smile and shut the door quickly as I cried out his name in indignation.

I turned to face Mr. Carlton, I heard him chuckle. I was once again shocked. I just couldn't help it. I have worked in his firm for four years and been his personal secretary for a year, but I have never seen him wear anything other than a stormy look in his face. But this week, I have seen his smile, chuckle, and even give a joke, I think. What has happened to my boss?

Maybe it's Miss Sasha's doing, I thought, remembering that he was getting married soon.

"Mr. Carlton-"

"Oliver." He interrupted, making me give him a pleading look to which he responded with a strict one of his own.

I sighed in resignation and continued. " Oliver.." I said hesitantly, testing out saying his name to him. He gave an approving look, to which I inwardly rolled my eyes. "Wouldn't Miss Sasha mind that you have brought your secretary and her son to stay here?"

"Why is it any of her business, and why should I care if she minds or not?" He said, looking very annoyed.

"Because she is your fiancee, of course." I replied in astonishment. Why wouldn't it be her business who he brought home, even if it is to his parents' home?

"My finacee?" He asked in surprise. "Who said she was my fiancee?"

"She did. That day, she came into the office, remember." I replied.

Mr. Carlton's face instantly relaxed, leaving me utterly confused. "She can say that as much as she likes, but she is never becoming my wife." He said in an almost cold tone. I just stared at him, my mouth agape. But I would never ask him my nosy questions, I'm not Liam, and he didn't elaborate.

I finally cleared my throat, "Well, I don't think I have thanked you, sir, for... everything. I don't know what I would have done."

"Run away." He instantly replied, his lips twitching and his eyes twinkling in amusement. This man! I thought as I felt myself blush remembering the brave but stupid decision I had made in the heat of the moment.

He let out another chuckle, starting to walk away, wishing me good night.

"Goodnight, Mr Carlton." I said back.

"It's Oliver," he called back, still walking away.

"Oliver." I said to myself, as he turned the corner. Giving a small smile to myself, I entered my room, ready to fall asleep, knowing that Liam and I were safe under Mr. Carlton's care...

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