CHAPTER 37- HER LITTLE SKIRT

HAMILTON'S MANSION,

PARKING GARAGE,

NOV 20th,

9:00AM.

"I was beginning to think you wouldn't be coming along."

Hades said after thirty minutes of waiting for her. Allison finally walked out of the mansion with her luggage in hand and a sun glass on her face and what was she wearing? A black sleeved turtleneck shirt tucked into the milky coloured mini-skirt she had on, complimented by the long up-to-the knee black winter boots, only not the regular one, this one was more fashionable and had heels.

Quite the fashionista. He thought.

Always in heels. He noted again.

"Well I'm here now, aren't I? If you doubted so much, you could have as well left me." She said, as she flipped her sunglasses over her face to her hair and there was nothing apologetic about the way she shoved her luggage to Hades.

"Seems you're driving today, I'm sure you wouldn't mind." She added, indicating he put her bags in the trunk as she took a seat in front of the car.

Hades equally got into the driver's seat after shutting the car's trunk. He turned on the engine and flexed his arm around the steering, setting the car in motion.

"Where are we going?" She finally spoke after a few minutes.

"New York"

"New York?"

That meant they wouldn't need a hotel since he owns a house there. That dreadful mansion. She thought.

"Yes."

"We're going by plane aren't we?"

"My plane."

"A private?"

"Mhmm."

"That's...convenient" She said, sarcasm lingering behind her tone. She had never been on a private before and now all she could think of was just the two of them in the entire suite.

"You don't sound pleased."

"I'm fine."

Allison rested her head back and shut her eyes. Being in the same space with this Man was always tensing. She could feel the car taking a turn into the highway. The sun streaked through the window, casting a perfect glow on her face, giving her red hair a sort of  animated effect. Hades noticed.

The shadow of her eyelashes over her face as she shut those eyes, firm. It was all she could do to escape the reality of the present moment. The reality of having to travel alone....with him. She hated him that much? Well odd enough, He found it enjoyable that she hated him.

He kept his eyes on the road, they were midway to the airport. Taking a side glance at Allison, she was still in her relaxed state, her chest rising and falling as she breathed and something else that caught him off guard.

Her skirt! Her skirt had rucked up, showing more thighs than he wanted to see. Why the hell did she have to....He let out a sigh. It was the middle of November and as much as the weather was favourable, he was sure it was all a hoax and winter would be upon them soon enough. She could have atleast worn something cozy.

To be honest, He admired her. The way she turned her life around. Did the brokenness help? Ofcourse it did. He smiled to himself. He admired people who used the pieces of their life to build themselves into something greater instead of sulking and calling on fate. Maybe that was why he could never really love Lisa, she always had everything on her fingertips.

They would have never made a good match. He was impressed with the woman sitting beside him but he would never show it, she wouldn't even spare him the attention by the way so why try? After the incident with Davian and Esra, He thought she would have never recovered given how feeble she used to be but now, now she's different isn't she?

Tough lady. He smiled again. Maybe if the circumstances were different they could have worked out. They were so alike in many ways, she was just too mad to see it. What if in another universe they worked? His eyes fell on her thighs again. Having those beauties to himself would have been totally worth it.

What the fuck?! He groaned in regret within himself. Wh...what the fuck is wrong with you Hades? Too...too much sun or what? He scolded himself. Urgh!

"Do me a favour, make sure no one else ever sees you like this again."

She opened her eyes, staring at him, confused.

"If you were ever to go somewhere with someone that isn't me. Keep your legs covered!"

"Wh..at?"

The car pulled up at the airport and already a few bodyguards had gathered around them as they got out of the car. Shielding them from any possible danger and also the press.

Keep your legs covered. What the hell did he mean by that? Back in there, she hadn't been able to give a proper reply.

"Where are we going?" She asked as Hades held her hand and led her to a stall. The sign on it read;

"VOYAGE VINTAGE"

"Shopping? What do you need clothes for?" She asked, a little confused.

"Do you always have to know everything?"

At this point, she only kept quiet, letting him do whatever he wanted. Once, they were inside. They were welcomed warmly by a hospitable sales rep. Almost too walmly as the woman took the idea of a couple too seriously.

"Mr and Mrs Lenshaw! I'm so glad to see you two here. Please feel free to browse through our collections, we have the best of the best. Say....would you two love to match? Couples love matching wears. Or perhaps something to spice up things at the bedroom a little bit? I got you covered."

"Well actually, we're not here for any of those." Allison cut her off. What a yapper! She thought, annoyed.

"What else then?" She asked, looking from both Hades to Allison.

"Something for my wife."

My wife.

Allison couldn't help but take notice. It was the first time he had addressed her with that title. Ofcourse he should, they had to look the part in public remember? So why did she feel a tingle earlier on? Oh wait down to Earth Allison, what does this schemer want to get you and out of the blue?

"Women wears, yes we have them."

"A pair of leggings." Hades said.

"Huh?" Allison looked up at him, surprised but He was still focused on the sales lady.

"Colour?"

"Black."

"Size?"

"Medium preferably." He said, given she was slender, that was easy to figure out.

"Okay...come with me, Mrs Lenshaw."

"What do I need a pair of leggings for?"

"Just wear them, don't ask questions."

"No! I'm fine wearing just what I have." She defiantly refused.

Hades sighed. Here we again.

"Allison..."

"I said no! Let's get out of here."

"Sure but listen, we're going on a three hour flight on a private jet all alone."

"So?"

"So?" He chuckled lightly. "Darling in case you haven't noticed, your little skirt down there tend to ruck up whenever you sit."

"Wh...what?" Her small voice was drowned with embarrassment.

"Let's do this, how about you refuse the leggings and keep sitting bare throughout the entire flight and I can promise you one thing...."

She looked up at him, throat dry, cheeks flushed with further embarrassment, wishing he'd stop talking.

"....you won't be walking properly by the time we get off that damn plane."

For the love of all things chaste, did he have to be so blunt with words? Allison thought as she followed the sales lady into the changing room, leaving Hades in the waiting area. Back there, even the sales lady was stunned by his words. How embarrassing! The stubborn side of her so badly wanted to cuss at him; Screw you! And then go ahead with the trip without the stupid leggings but she knows better than to ignore Hades' threats.

What could he mean by not walking properly? He didn't mean it like that, did He? She thought, swallowing down a nervous gulp. What is wrong with you Allison? Get a hold of yourself. She thought. Even if it was, you wouldn't let him. She assured herself but that was ridiculous even to her for something who towered over her like a pillar and he was obviously stronger.

"Do you like it Ma'am?"

The cheerful voice of the sales lady brought her back to reality.

"Mmm yes. It's perfect, thank you." Allison said, staring at the new addition to her outfit in the mirror. It wasn't at all bad but without the leggings was the latest fashion and also much more cuter. Damn him!

She left the dressing room and joined Hades in the waiting area.

"Much better, let's go." He said, getting to his feet.

The flight to New-York was less awkward than she imagined given that she was able to successfully sleep throughout the whole trip. Way to go Allison! And now they were seated in a black Mustang, back to Lenshaw Mansion.   Hades was right, her skirt did pull up a little whenever she sat. Whatever, he could have atleast being more polite about it. Jerk! She frowned.

The streets were decorated in the typical festive mood. Red, green and white everywhere. Christmas was near. She noted, smiling. Her favorite holiday. She used to be the star of every show because of her natural red hair which complimented the season perfectly. How would Christmas this year turn out without her aunt? Just then Hades pulled over at a restaurant much to her surprise.

"We still have a lot of distance to cover, you might want to get fed." He said.

"Lead the way." She said.

They took a seat inside and Allison had already ordered a few snacks but Hades wasn't eating. He was busy taping away with one hand on his phone. Working perharps? She thought. Oh how she missed running things. Vera used to scold her to put her phone down at the table but she would always wince that there was still so much left to do.

"Excuse me." She said, getting on her feet.

"Going somewhere?" He asked, eyes still fixed on his phone.

"Just outside."

"Don't wander too far."

"I'm not a child!"

Hades looked at her side of the table.

"You're done eating. Let's go home."

"What?"

"Oh don't worry, you can do a lot of standing outside once we get there." He said, dropping a tip on the table and walking towards the door.

Asshole!

Hades was already seated inside the car when Allison walked out of the restaurant. Before she could take another step a dog ran up to her, circling her feet, panting and wagging its tail. She crouched down and caressed the animal, affectionately.

"Where did you come from?" She giggled.

"What are you still...doing?" Hades got out of the car, surprised at the turn of events.

"It's a puppy." She looked up at him and for the first time in forever her eyes were...softened. Not vile, dangerous and ready to pounce at him, this time they were warm.

"I see"

"He's so cute." Allison smiled, carrying the puppy up in her arms.

"Indeed now let's go." He said, turning around.

"Wait!"

He turned around, frowning. They were wasting time and He still had so much to do once he got home.

"Can we....?" What the hell? She wasn't going to ask for his permission!

"I'm keeping him." She said.

"Right. What if it's someone else's?"

"I don't see a collar around his neck. No collar, no owner. He's all alone and I'm taking him, he's a stray dog Hades."

He's a stray dog Hades.

Where had he heard those words before?

Barking....

Multiple whimpers....

Metal clanking....

Feet moving.....

"Honey, will you turn down the volume of the TV?" Hades groaned as he tried to go back to his interrupted sleep but the noise wouldn't stop, especially the barking.

"Honey?" He rubbed his eyes, sitting up on the bed. goddamn it! He cussed as He got on his feet and walked downstairs to the living room.

"Honey what's going on...?" His voice trailed off and his eyes widened at the sight. "What the hell Venice?"

"You're up!" She turned her attention from the dogs and faced him, smiling. "Did you sleep well?" She asked, kissing him.

"I would have if not for the barking and why the heck do I have six dogs in my living room?"

She chuckled. "I found them."

"Uh uh, I sure as hell don't like the sound of that."

"Yesss!" She shrieked, excitedly. "I want them sweetie."

"No no no."

"Yes yes yes."

"I can't afford to."

"Hades..." she pouted.

"Don't give me those eyes." He smiled, weakened.

"They're stray dogs Hades. Everyone of them. Just let me keep them please."

He let out a sigh. "Fine."

"Yes!" She beamed, triumphantly.

"Only for the week and after that, choose just one and give the rest up to fostering."

Venice laughed. "I plan on giving all six to fostering. I love dogs but I'm just not ready to permanently adopt one yet."

"That's a relief!"

"Come on, help me feed them."

"Oh okay, lead the way."

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Fine, keep him." He finally said.

"Yes." Allison smiled, cuddling the little creature.

Why did this feel like some sort of odd

de-ja-vu? He thought.

"Do you plan on fostering him out?" He asked, whilst driving.

"No, I'll keep him as mine." She said, looking down at the puppy, sitting on her lap. "What should I call you?" She muttered, thinking.

"How about Jeremy?" He suggested.

"Urgh no! Something short and cute."

"Whiskers?"

"Better if it was a cat."

Hades smiled. "Guess I'm not good at names."

"No you're not now stop interrupting and let me think."

"As you wish."

"Umm...how about...err...tsk tsk...how about...umm...Bark? Ark? Arch? Archie? Yes Archie, it's so cute and it suits him."

Hades chuckled lightly. "Took you a whole formula to figure out a name."

"Don't make fun of me. The end result was perfect wasn't it?" She asked, frowning.

"Impressive but I'd say we both need to get better at name choosing."

"Huh why?"

"We wouldn't want to keep our baby waiting when we finally have one."

"Huh?" She gasped, stunned.