Chapter song;
Fire on fire by Sam Smith.
••☆••
"BABI..." There was a loud call. That was like an alarm warning them from gapping the inches between their heads.
They both retracted.
" Mhmm..." Babi clears her throat, jumping up immediately.
"Coming," Babi loudly shouted, and she deeply exhaled . Darnel floded his lips, licking them.
The weird atmosphere and tension filling the room. That was so close, and neither could deny it .
"Mhm... Your mother must be at the tower," Darnel quietly said.
"Our mother, you mean," Babi replied. Darnel widely smiled .
Both their attention taken by the vibrating phone . Babi reached for Darnel's pants, pulling out the phone.
"Dad !!!!!" Babi exclaimed in surprise.
"Will," Darnel smiled.
"We saved each other as such to escape certain situations," he said.
"And you really need to escape this one asap." Babi said.
"He is calling because Miss Nancy has called him to confirm if I am with him," Darnel said, so certainly.
"William," he replied with joy.
"Been long since I heard that spark of joy in your voice," William said.
"Must have been a great night." William added.
"A very beautiful one." Darnel smiled, staring at Babi .
She smirked and raised her middle finger at him. Darnel chuckled lightly.
"I will take it, my pleasure." he mouthed at her. She giggled with a wide smile, getting close to where he was seated on the bed.
"Good morning, Will." she said quietly close to the phone on Darnel's ear, then Darnel hit the speaker button.
"Good morning, beautiful," William said.
"Yoo," Darnel immediately said, frowning and complaining at the sweet talk and the softness in William's voice.
"Thank you for being a candlelight to him. My bro was dying," William added, making Babi burst into laughter yet making Darnel shy.
"I know he can't live without me," Babi confidentiality smiled.
"You two are done," Darnel said, turning off the speaker button.
The two laughed about teasing him.
"It's safe, Miss Nancy called, and I told her you were sleeping, but she expects you for lunch," William said.
"Thank you," Darnel said, staring at Babi, who was walking into the bathroom.
"I gat you," William said and hung up.
Darnel placed the phone in the bed, and he stood up, picking up , floding, and placing the beddings they slept up in the wardrobe.
" Can't we just stay here?" Darnel asked on Babi, finally coming out of the bathroom dressed in overrolls .
Darnel had dressed back in the clothes. With the pajamas folded neatly on the bed.
"Wash your face and get going," Babi sighed.
"Skylar," he called a bit loudly.
"Lower your voice 'cause if they hear you, I have no words to defend us," Babi nervously said.
"Come on ," he pleaded.
"You want to stay here, suit yourself, but on the contrary, i have farming to do," she said, sounding so dire.
"You look more sexy while serious," Darnel smiled, making Babi smile.
She grabbed a pillow, throwing it at him, which he grabbed out of his face, laughing.
The door knob vigorously moved, making both of them quiet, looking at the door nervously.
The door was then banged hard.
"Babirye?" Neacky calling.
"Babirye Skylar Adams Mcweesly, what the fuck ." she loudly called.
"Just a minute." Babi loudly shouted.
"What!!!!" Neacky shouted in disbelief .
"Since when did you start locking the door , and your never sleep in , What's up ?" Neacky asked.
Babi definitely had no answer for these questions, her eyes on Darnel who had a wide smile on his face.
"Neacky!!!" Babi in panic ran to the door holding the door knob.
"Babirye !!!!..open the fuckin door," Neacky banged , turning the door knob vigorously.
" Neacky, .....ahhhh...let me meet you down at the farm." Babi fidgeted with words.
Neacky kept quiet for a while, processing everything.
"Bitch, are you talking to J?" Neacky asked.
Babi turned, looking at Darnel, who was very comfortably seated down looking at her with a smile, very unbothered.
"Yes." Babi breathed out heavily.
Babi leaned her head on the door, in regret.
"It's a video call, I can't hang up on him it's been long, and we are patching up things," she said, her voice a bit low.
She was very regretful. She knew she would hate the consequences of her words.
"Uhhhhhmmm..... I hear best friend, find us at the farm, and don't take forever." Neacky said, sounding so excitedly.
"Definitely, in a few," Babi replied.
The place was quiet again, and she slowly turned to face him.
"For how long are you going to hide it that am J?" Darnel softly asked.
"Whom should I tell exactly?" Babi asked.
"My best friend Marieh, My twin Neacky, Nathan, our whole friend circle, or my mother?" she added inquisitively.
Darnel stood up immediately, moving towards her.
"Sky !!!!" He called.
"They are all convinced I am in love with J, telling them that J is you...." Babi bit her tongue, not even wanting to imagine the worst of what could result.
"My mother ... then your mother.."
Before she said more, he embraced her tightly.
He understood the consequences of their friendship and that many have been misunderstanding.
"Let it be this way, as long I have you with me, then I can't wish for more," Darnel said softly.
"I'm sorry," he added.
Babi rested her head on his chest, breathing out heavily.
" I am going to call you to signal you to leave when downstairs is clear," she said stepping back from the embrace.
"Yes, ma'am." he smiled.
" Take one of my big black hoodies for disguise," she said, opening the door and going out.
Darnel remained standing there looking at the door.
Suddenly, it was opened again slightly and Darnel was a bit startled. He exhaled in relief when Babi passed her head in between the opened space.
"Thank you for coming over, I liked it," she smiled.
Hurriedly, she closed the door again.
Darnel widely smiled. He quietly chuckled then his smile getting bigger.
"I liked it." he quietly said imitating her.
Then happily chuckled again, walking into the bathroom.
*
At the Grayson tower.
The whole Grayson family was in the dining room being served lunch.
The head of family ,Sir Philip , with his dear wife Lady Scarlet, the edlest boy Desmond and Elna
Miss Nancy stood on the right of Lady Scarlet, as they conversed with laughter here and there.
The dining room was an exquisite golden shimmering and at the heart of room was a table of rare live edge walnuts sitting under a statement chandelier that hung on high ceiling of soft pearlescent sheen.
The chairs surrounding the table were upholstered in Italian leather and on the side was an insert fireplace lined in white onyx flickers.
The room had a cosy atmospheric feel to help one digest food, and having that, it was designed just for dining.
There were maids placed at a distance aside in the room, offering assistance to whatever the Graysons required.
"Sir, Darnel is back at the tower." One of the maids came inside the dining room and announced.
"Call him in." Sir Philip ordered.
"Yes, Sir," the maid humbly said, then hurried out the dining room.
The huge double oak door of the dining room was opened wide , Darnel slightly stepping in, meeting eyes of all the worried faces .
He had been their great concern of late, having been completely out of the mood.
" Darnel," Lady Scarlet worriedly called.
"Let me first change, then I will join you," Darnel said, and hurried back out.
"He seems to be in a better than he left ," Elna said.
"Maybe what he needed was to spend a night out clubbing, " Desmond said .
"We shall confirm once he comes." Lady Scarlet said.
As the rest of the family dug into the food , Darnel finally appeared again.
"How are you feeling?" Lady Scarlet immediately asked as Darnel pulled a chair to sit .
"Slept well , woke up feeling better," Darnel smiled.
"Where did you and Prince William spend the night?" Sir Philip asked.
" Are you going to pretend you all don't know already?" Darnel asked , digging into the food .
" Should i believe my phone is nolonger tracked?" Darnel added.
" Darnel," Sir Philip called
"How was the date?" Lady Scarlet asked changing topic.
Darnel raised his eyes from the plate, looking at her with a smile.
"It was what i needed , i am glad you forced me to go," Darnel smiled.
"Where did you go for the date?" Desmond asked.
" That doesn't matter , i am sure it wasn't the date but the after party that unwinded your depression. Was it a threesome? " Desmond added.
"Desmond.." Lady Scarlet furiously called .
Elna, Desmond, and Darnel lightly giggled.
"Even better." he laughed, his eyes on his big brother.
"Darnel!!!" Lady Scarlet angrily called.
"Nothing should worry you, there is nothing new, if I fucked a girl and she gets pregnant you will handle it like you normally do, right?" Darnel said calmly but sharply.
"Let me breathe Mother." He added.
"DARNEL!!!!!!" Lady Scarlet angrily hit the table.
Darnel, Desmond and Elna burst into laughter. Sir Philip smiled staring at Lady Scarlet.
"Atleast your smiling again " Sir Philip said.
" are you siding with them " Lady Scarlet angrily asked. All of them burst into more laughter.
"I support you love, fuck whomever you want, drink till you drop, and do what brings you joy with no regret cause soon the family responsibilities will be catching up with you so do everything now." Elna softly said.
"Yes ma'am " Darnel smiled.
"I will be joining the academy on Monday." Darnel said utterly causing the room to drop in silence.
"Is the swimming season starting again?" Sir Philip asked.
"No," Darnel said.
"Then?" Lady Scarlet asked.
"To study, Will and I are tired of home schooling ," Darnel said.
"DARNEL." Lady Scarlet said sounding more livid than before with her eyebrows pulled together.
"I can allow all your crap but not attending school." She added.
"I don't understand why you're so against it, Desmond and Elna attended school. Why not me, Mother?" Darnel asked.
" i said , NO..." Lady Scarlet asserted.
"Every time I mention school, you get mad. Why are you so against it ," Darnel said raising his voice .
"Darnel Josiah Grayson, watch how you speak to your mother." Sir Philip loudly said.
"Yes, forgive my ill manners, Sir, but I'm desperately curious to hear what she has to say," Darnel calmy said.
Desmond and Elna looked at each other.
"I'm curious too," Elna spoke up.
"I understand that Darnel is the youngest and wildest but mother is always so cautious when it comes to him. Sometimes, it makes me question whether he is mother's favourite or there is another reason behind ." Elna said.
" Darnel has already given me enough headache with his stubbornness. And the things you two have put me through . " Lady Scarlet said.
" it's better we prevent than cure ." Lady Scarlet added.
Darnel rolled his eyes.
"Then add school to the crap you are going to have to put up with, and I wasn't asking for permission, I was informing you both," Darnel said.
With that, he excused himself from the table.
Lady Scarlet angrily dropped the cutlery in fury. Quickly Nancy hurried following suit .
" Darnel," he was softly called as he marched to his room.
"She is trying to protect you." Miss Nancy said, catching up with him.
" Stop trying to justify her actions. Mother wants control over all of us, " Darnel said .
"She succeeded with Desmond, failed with Elna, and she is doing her best with me," Darnel added.
"At least try to understand her and stop by going against everything she asks . That way, it will be easy, " Miss Nancy softly asked .
Darnel scoffed, he opened his bedroom door, both of them entering and Nancy closing it behind her.
" Easy for whom," Darnel frowned.
" My cellphone is tracked and cloned , my cars are tracked," Darnel furiously said.
" she decides what hobbies i do and not do , if i school normally or not , how i eat ,oh...not to forget whom i must love and marry." Darnel continued
" she decides whom i interract with , whom i get to keep as a friend and not. I wonder if Will wasn't a prince, let alone one of her best friend's son. If she would allow my friendship with him, " Darnel wondered.
" I can't have privacy or be my own person with my own thoughts and decisions. So easy for whom, " Darnel complained angrily.
" i get it, .."
" No, you don't. " Darnel painfully said.
" it's suffocating, its....." He deeply exhaled, sitting on his bed retracting from explaining to her.
Words alone wouldn't be enough for Miss Nancy to understand or feel a quarter of what he was going through.
" If you are here on Mother's behalf, please save it," Darnel calmly said .
" Actually, no ," Nancy smiled , taking a seat in the sofa , her eyes on the gift bag on Darnel's bed.
Darnel followed her gaze, staring at the gift bag. He immediately carried it up, rushing to his closet.
" What are you hiding?" Nancy asked.
Darnel pulled Babi's black hoodie from the gift bag , putting it in a drawer and locking it.
" Darnel," Nancy called.
" It's nothing," Darnel said , coming back in the room and falling on the bed.
Nancy softly smiled.
"I'm actually happy to see you being your normal self again." She said.
"Having you broken in bed was tormenting," she added.
"I am also happy I went for that date yesterday," Darnel said .
"With Marieh?." Miss Nancy questioned with a puzzled look.
"Yes." He smiled.
Miss Nancy gazed at him not convinced and definitely buying that.
"Unless i missed the memo , since when are you cool and in love with Marieh like this. You hated everything to do with her," she said, very confused.
Darnel chuckled.
Miss Nancy understood and knew about almost his feelings , he never hid anything from her.
They were close with almost no secrets between them.
"It's not Marieh, honestly," Darnel said.
" It's about someone else, she is a friend," Darnel added.
"Tell me about her," Nancy smiled.
"I can't give you any details, but I'm sure you will love her once you meet her," Darnel said.
"Is there hope of introducing her to the family?," Nancy wondered.
" That's far out of stretch. I will introduce her to you. " Darnel smiled.
"I will be patient then. Thank her for me for bringing back a smile on my Darnel's face." she softly said.
"I will ." Darnel giggled while saying.
"Amir, Nathan, Kalvin, Matt, Kim, Neacky, and Babi." Darnel smiled.
Miss Nancy looked at Darnel in shock and surprise.
"How did .."
"Marie's friends circle, I met them yesterday," Darnel interrupted.
"They are all cool, I can totally vibe with them." Darnel smiled.
"Could Babi recognize you?" Miss Nancy asked.
Darnel widely smiled.
"After the introductions, yes." Darnel lied with a smile.
Miss Nancy chuckled a bit.
" Aw, you two were close back then. I remember you picking out the best books for her when i told you they were visiting the tower. " Nancy reminisced with a wide smile.
Darnel giggled.
" I used to wish you stayed close like you were back then, but rules are ought to be respected "Nancy sadly smiled.
"I get to be friends with her now," Darnel said.
"Not so close , your mother may not like it," Nancy reminded him.
"Hmm." Darnel replied.
"It was lovely hanging out with them, though," Darnel smiled.
" Oh, by the way , " Nancy said.
" it was on Babi's and Neacky's 10th birthday that someone started leaving books for at my door for Babi," Nancy said.
"I had first thought it was you sending them, so i observed you for a while , only to prove me wrong," Nancy said .
" What ..." Darnel awkwardly laughed.
" i know , it's stupid." Nancy smiled
" i first found it strange, so i refused to give Babi these books, not until i figured out who was sending them . "Nancy said.
" it took me like three good months holding onto the books until Babi asked for the books." Nancy continued.
Darnel attentively listened with a poker face on.
" Have you found him yet?" Darnel asked
" Not yet , his handwriting doesn't match with anyone i know of in this tower . Which makes me think he might be son to someone in this tower and visits once in a while, " Nancy added.
Darnel deeply exhaled.
" Does he have a name?" Darnel asked
" J," Nancy said.
" J...." Darnel thoughtfully repeated.
"As much as Babi tries to hide how much that J got into her skin, he is wrapped around her heart, and now I can tell she is hurting 'cause of him." Miss Nancy said.
"Mhm...."Darnel scoffed.
It was what everyone was saying , it was the talk at the beach as they played games , and Nancy was saying the same .
Yet Darnel didn't seem to believe it .
"You understand your daughter best, but the little time I spent with her, she seemed like she could live just fine with or without him. And she is filled this cold nonchalant attitude," Darnel said.
"When the attitude is all she gives, it's her feelings that she is trying to suppress by coming off mean." Miss Nancy said.
Darnel remained silent in his thoughts.
" The J could stand for Josiah." Darnel smiled.
Miss Nancy laughed, totally disregarding it . She held the sofa cushion, throwing it at his face.
Darnel fell back laughing.
"Like mother like daughter," he murmured in between laughter.
" i am serious about finding him. Stop with the jokes and help me, too. " Nancy smiled.
" i am dead serious too," Darnel said, lifting his head up.
"I know you, Josiah,you are not this guy , all your life I know too well and the types of girls you like ." Miss Nancy said with lots of confidence.
Darnel sat up, still dying of laughter.
"Awwww, i love that confidence. But what if it's the only thing I have not told you yet?" he said, trying to keep on a straight face.
Miss Nancy threw another cushion at him laughing. He heavily laughed with Nancy.
"DARNEL...." she loudly called.
He sat up looking at her.
"Alright, i will help look for him. Besides, i already promised Neacky to look for him. " Darnel smiled.
"Thank you." Miss Nancy said.
"Shouldn't you ask Mother for help?" Darnel asked.
"This is not that serious to involve her, I just want to see how this guy looks like, what he is like, that's all." Miss Nancy said.
"I think all of you are overthinking this, Babi says he is just his best friend." Darnel defended.
"I will be the judge of it. Just help me with finding him." Miss Nancy said.
"I will get going then," she added, standing up and walking to the door.
"Josiah," she softly called, Darnel turned, looking at her.
"I'm glad to have the old you back," she smiled.
"Me too." Darnel quietly said as she walked out the door and shuting it closed after.
His phone buzzed with a message. He got it from his pocket, and a wide smile popped on his face.
' From mummy,
You halfling, I won't settle till I know you reached home safely.
The message read.
Darnel looked up to the door where Miss Nancy had just passed.
"Please don't be so confident," he murmured.
Nancy trusted and had confidence in him. She would truly be shocked at how much he was hiding from her, barely what she even expected.
Yet the matter at hand is to look for himself.
He looked at the message and then breathed out in relief. He fell on his back, not bothering to reply to the message.
The phone buzzed again.
He rolled to the side, reaching for the phone.
'mummy'
You sucker, better not be ignoring my messages 😤 '.
The message made him giggle.
"Let's meet on Monday, Sky," he said to himself without answering the messages still and comfortably lying on his bed.