Chapter song:
Certain things by James Arthur
••☆••
" Mhm..." Amir cleared his throat, sitting upright again.
He turned staring at Darnel and Babi , very dumbstruck and confused. The two looked so dire and poised like nothing close intimate was happening with their feet under the table .
What Amir wouldn't believe that they are doing that at the same time with Lady Scarlet, who called them there for questioning .
Were they not afraid, or didn't take this as seriously as it was Amir wondered.
Nevertheless, when did Darnel and Babi get this comfortable and close with each other.
Marieh gently rested her hand onto Amir's thigh gently, soothing him. Pulling him out of his disturbing confused thoughts.
Marieh's nightmare was having Amir discover her engagement. There, they were already living it .
" mhm.." Amir cleared his voice. Quickly, he pushed Marieh's hand off him.
Marieh deeply exhaled in pain and worry . That was exactly what she had feared.
They all smiled, listening to what Elna was jazzing them . She had stolen and taken control over the room.
Elna's control made them comfortable to continue effortless in the jokes, funny conversations, the back to back teasing among themselves which got lady scarlet, Mrs McCall pinned and joining in .
The deserts were brought, filling them at the table.
" My mother went out for you all , i guess she is trying to say y'all should consider the tower as home." Elna smiled
" You see, our mother scrutinises through our friends and decides which ones are Grayson worthy. " Elna added.
" Having you here means you are Grayson worthy." Elna smiled.
Elna's tone sounds so sweet and ravingly yet provocative to Lady Scarlet.
"That's right , consider this home as well. " Darnel smiled
" i think i should invite you all to my parties, and please come." Elna widely smiled.
" we are honoured, thank you," they all appreciated.
" Darnel and William, you two have won yourselves wonderful friends," she said, standing up
" You're leaving," Darnel asked.
" Yes , to brag to Desmond," She said, walking away .
She reached the door, and the maid opened it for her and turned, looking back at her.
" it's pleasure meeting you all, and Darnel, don't forget our plans," Elna said, then moved out .
" Thank you for the feast, but Babi and I have to leave as well," Neacky said, placing the napkin at the table.
" already," Lady Scarlet asked
" Yes, " Neacky smiled ,standing up .
" Our ride," Babi said, standing up.
Nathan stood up as well , Celine followed as well, and so did Vanessa.
Amir, Matt, Kim, and Kalvin all followed.
" Thank you for the feast, but we shall take our leave," Amir said .
"Already " Queen Esther sadly said.
The night had not gone as planned , but she had enjoyed it nevertheless.
" I had a great time thanks to you all . Let me have someone asher out," Lady Scarlet said.
Darnel stood up together with William.
" This way," Darnel said, leading the way. Not giving the mother a chance .
Marieh, lady Scarlet , Queen Esther, Prince Gilbert and Mr's McCall, reminded seated.
They all followed him and William outside till the parking lot .
"I am so sorry," Darnel humbly apologised.
" i had no idea she had called you over," Darnel said
" she called us, implying you knew about it," Neacky said .
" i am sorry," Darnel breathed out heavily.
" No need to apologise,we were all blindsided," Matt sighed
" I didn't know that being your friend was going to drag you all into my family's bullshit , am sorry," Darnel said sadly.
" Unfortunately, she is going to continue watching you all , so be careful," Darnel added
" we are not worried, and we shall not stop being friends with you, William and Marieh," Kim said .
" Besides, we are already in , so no backing out," Nathan assured .
" You don't have to , it will get exhausting," William said .
" he is right," Darnel said.
" we managed to pass through the diner, so i think we shall pass through the rest," Kalvin smiled.
" we are fine and now going to be more prepared," Amir said .
" we were caught off guard but never again , so don't worry," they assured.
Darnel smiled a bit , he knew how scary it was and wouldn't blame them if they had decided not to be part of it .
" we trust you," William said. He held Darnel's shoulder, massaging in a bit, trying to comfort him .
" Get going, reach safe," Darnel said .
" See you both tomorrow at school," Neacky smiled.
" Babi..Neacky," Miss Nancy called rushing to them .
" My poor babies," Miss Nancy sadly said, pulling of them for a warm embrace.
" we are fine, mom," Neacky said.
" I am not," Miss Nancy said sadly .
" Babi ," Nancy called, stepping back , staring at her face .
" Don't put the legacy shit into your head," Miss Nancy said, touching her softly on the face.
" Mhm..." Babi responded.
" I am fine, and so should you," Babi said.
" Besides, Darnel needs you more at the moment," Babi added, then walked away, getting into the car .
Neacky followed, getting into the car like the rest had gotten in.
Matt's car drove off first, followed by Celine's and finally Nathan.
" Are you good?" William asked.
" I will be," Darnel said.
William sighed worriedly .
" Get going, Will," Darnel said looking at the Royal convey. His mother and brother were already in waiting for just him.
William sighed hesitantly walking to the convey.
"Get some rest " William said .
Darnel smiled and William marched to go as well.
Miss Nancy slowly approached Darnel without saying a word, embracing him tightly.
" You don't have to pretend that you're okay," Miss Nancy said as they walked back inside the castle.
" I know , " Darnel softly said.
"I am tired," he added, walking faster ahead.
Miss Nancy stood watching him leave in sympathy.
" Darnel " as he walked to the main castle, lady Scarlet called .
He stopped looking behind. She was with Mrs McCall and Marieh. They elegantly marched to him closer to him.
" Aren't you going to say goodbye?" Lady Scarlet asked.
" Good night, Mrs McCall, see you tomorrow, Marieh," Darnel said. With that continuing his way .
" Darnel Josiah," Lady Scarlet loudly called . He totally ignored her call , continuing through the hallway.
" Darnel," Sir Philip called as Darnel passed by the main living room.
" arghhh," He breathed out in frustration.
" Yes," he replied, turning back, standing before the father.
" You look very tired," Phillip said.
" Very," Darnel said .
" Shall we?" Phillip said, pointing down at the sofas.
Darnel sat heavily sighing .
" Don't be so angry with your mother," Phillip said.
" Is that a request or an order?" Darnel asked.
" it's a request, you know she is trying to look out for you," Phillip said.
Darnel scoffed
" You don't get either," Darnel said in frustration.
" Then help me understand," Phillip humbly asked.
" Those guys, I just met for less than even a month. All their trying to do is live .Each one of them has their own battles to be dragged into my shit because the mother can't trust me and has to control everything. " Darnel angrily said.
Lady Scarlet was just arriving into the room hearing his son say .
" it's not that I can't trust you," she calmly said, walking towards them .
Darnel angrily snickered.
" Alright , let's pretend you do, but must you always control everything?" Darnel painfully asked .
" Dar....."
" While I was broken in my room , you said to be that being born into this family was not a punishment but a privilege I should be proud of ," Darnel exhaled.
" you also said that dreaming and wishing for what's outside this life would hurt me more , that talk we had made me realise what my duty was to this family and I remember I swore to you that I was going to do my best , not to dare dream beyond Grayson expectations," Darnel hurtfully said
" to love what you love , to try and have a relationship with Marieh that you're in love with , to obey all your requests and do as told," Darnel heavily sighed.
" Mother , my one and only request was for you to give a little space to allow me to breathe." Darnel painfully frowned.
" Was that so hard , just one request. Was it so hard? " Darnel asked. Staring at the mother , his eyes turned like he wanted to tear up.
" Darnel, where has giving any of you freedom ever gotten , Where?" Lady Scarlet angrily shouted.
"Where?" Lady Scarlet yelled.
" In Elna deciding to study arts and music at college and dating nobodys , Desmond getting girls pregnant and you living in clubs and spending every night with different girls," Lady Scarlet shouted
"That's exactly the problem." Darnel stood up, yelling .
" You and father have had all our lives planned out right before we were even born," Darnel painfully yelled .
" we are our own people, with dreams , with desires , thoughts , feelings, and plans," Darnel added
" We are not some pawns on the chase board or puppets to control," Darnel yelled.
"For once, i have felt i like belonged somewhere , with people who didn't care for my titles and how they benefit from me ." Darnel painfully exhaled.
" With them, i thought and felt like i could bear with all your bullshit and expectations . You ought to respect them or thank them not to call them here to scare and scrutinise them , " Darnel painfully exhaled .
" Darnel," she softly called
"Save it," Darnel frowned, not letting the mother say more .
He angrily walked past the mother , excusing himself.
Lady Scarlet painfully exhaled, taking a seat in silence and thoughts , tears in her eyes.
" Tell me something, don't just look at me," she softly pleaded to the husband.
" I know you're trying your best as Lady Scarlet to make sure their is no mistake coming from our children, but at times, what they need is their mother. " Phillip said softly.
Sir Philip walked from where he was seated. He sat close to her, pulling her in his chest.
" I went too far, didn't i?" Lady Scarlet said, with a shaky voice.
Phillip embraced her tightly tears flooding in her eyes.
" I don't know what he is thinking now, I disappointed him so hard then Elna too ,she seams so angrily at me but no matter how hard I try she can't let me in" Lady Scarlet sobbed.
" it's okay, my love," Philip sweetly said, patting her back.
" Right now, let him cool off, let him be till he is ready. Please don't do anything to push both of them even further," Phillip said.
" Until when," she cried.
" You know Darnel loves you, he is angry now, but within a short time ,he will come to you," Phillip assured, tightly embracing his wife .
*
Darnel opened his room entering, he sighed in frustration. His eyes, landing on Elna and Desmond who were comfortably waiting .
" What are you two doing here?" he asked, closing the door.
" we are here because we worried for you ," Desmond said .
Darnel sat on his bed, looking at them .
" thanks Elna " Darnel softly said.
" Always gat you," Elna smiled.
" Are they okay?" Desmond asked
" I don't know, they said they were as they left," Darnel sighed
" Then what about you?" Desmond asked .
Darnel heavily exhaled. He had no definite answer to that.
"I am happy you managed to divert the night from going south, but still doesn't mean those guys weren't given a hard scare," Darnel said .
" But can I please get some rest?" he added pleading.
" Okay," Elna said .
"Oh , what did you mean we had plans tonight?" Darnel asked.
" i simply said that as an excuse just in case you needed to go out tonight and talk to your friends," Elna said
" Thanks," Darnel exhaled.
" I like Babi , she has the gut and balls." Elna smiled proudly as she stood up .
" Good night, both of you," She added, excusing herself from the room.
" Breathe bro , it's going to be okay," Desmond said.
He tapped Darnel on the shoulder with a smile . Darnel slightly smiled, watching Darnel walk out and close the door behind him.
Darnel heavily sighed, waerily falling back and staring at the high ceiling.
Darnel's biggest enemy and the cause of all his pain and sorrow was his own existence.
With so many bottled emotions he didn't know how to realse , Darnel rolled over in the blanket.
He was aching in pain yet so worn out and exhausted.
The phone in his sweatpants began ringing . With his eyes closed, Darnel pulled it up, answering and placing it on his ear.
" Hello," he wearily answered
" J," her soothing voice called.
Darnel opened his eyes on hearing her voice .
" Yes," he softly replied.
" Can you come out?" she softly asked.
" What?" Darnel asked, sitting up .
" i am outside waiting for you . Come out, " Babi said.
He hadn't heard wrong the first time as he thought he had.
" Where are you?" he asked .
Babi told him where she was and hanged up .
Darnel rushed to the door but then remembered he had no shoes, he rushed back entering the closet.
He pulled out the hoodie she gave him immediately, putting it on .He also put on a pair of shoes rushing out the bedroom.
Darnel entered his library, he pushed on the shelves, opened escape secret passages , and then pulled the shelf closed again.
That way, he could leave the tower un noticed since the escape passages didn't have cameras or guards .
Darnel got out at the out casts of the tower walls . His head covered with the hood and hands in his pockets, Darnel hurriedly walked to where Babi directed him.
Just around the tower walls was a taxi parked with no lights on .
As he walked towards it , the taxi turned on the lights flashing him .
The taxi door opened, and Babi stepped out .
Darnel stood before her speechlesy. Never once did he ever imagine her coming for him right at the tower .
Darnel swallowed, somehow getting emotional by just staring at her .
" How are you?" She softly asked.
Darnel pulled his hands out his pockets , and he extended closer, wrapping his hands around her .
Babi extended even closer, holding him tight as she gently soothed him on the back .
Darnel sniffled , burrying his head in around her neck, tears in his eyes. Yet relieved that she came.
"Let's go," Babi softly said as Darnel stepped back from the embrace after some good minutes of that warm embrace.
Babi reached for his hand , leading him inside the taxi .
They sat quietly in the back, leaning behind Babi, not letting go of Darnel's hand as the taxi driver calmly drove.
Babi turned, staring at Darnel , their eyee meeting . The look in her eyes made him feel like he was safe , like he would be okay, and suddenly makes his pain felt like he would overcome.
Darnel gently extended down . He rested his head on thighs , coiling himself in the backseat.
Babi raised his hands, gently caressing his head and passing her fingers in his hair gently.
Darnel closed his eyes , getting extremely comfortable in her hands .
With her, he wasn't afraid to let the guard down , to show how vulnerable and weak he was at times, certainly knowing she would receive and appreciate every side of him.