Chapter 4 She ran away from home.

Fred knocked on the door and his mom's voice was heard,

"Come in."

"Good morning mom, Good morning dad." He greeted when he entered the room.

"I came back immediately I saw your call. Is there any problem?" He said again and his father who was sitting on the bed pointed to the couch. Fred did as he was told. Mr Jeffrey also stood up and went to sit opposite him.

"We informed her already."

"About what?" Fred said confused.

"Her marriage with Don."

"What the heck?!" Fred uttered as he stood up immediately.

"Dad, what are you talking about?" He said again.

"She is getting married to Don and your mother and I have concluded on this decision but we just need you to help us talk to her. We tried talking to her but........ " Mr Jeffrey trailed off.

"We couldn't because now, she hates us more." Mrs Helen finished with glistening eyes. She was trying so hard not to cry.

Fred couldn't believe his parents. How could they have done that to Lillian? And most especially with Don of all people.

Staring at his parents one more time, he left their room. He needed to check up on Lillian, he thought as he went to her room. He knocked but she didn't open and guessing she might not want to permit him to come in, he went in.

The room was unusuably quiet and empty. He paused to see if he could hear the shower running or any sound at all in the room but he didn't. He checked around the room and went out.

He went back to his parents' room and now found his father alone in the room.

"And where is she now?" Fred asked his father with furrowed brows.

"She must be in her room." Mr Jeffrey replied.

"Her room is empty." Fred announced in gritted teeth.

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"No, don't kill me. Please spare my life."

"No, please I beg you, don't!" She cried again and woke up, sweating profusely. She immediately sat up and saw it was all a dream.

The door opened revealing mark who had heard her screams and pleas from the staircase.

"Hey! What is it?" He said coming close to her on the bed.

"A dream?" He said again as he sat beside her and she nodded then he wrapped his hands round her, soothing her.

"It's alright. I'm right here with you now." He cooed as he stroke her hair.

"It was so terrifying." She cried still breathing heavily.

"It's okay. It was just a bad dream. Nothing will happen to you." He said quietly still stroking her hair. This continued for like minutes and stopped when Lillian released herself from their body contact.

"Thank you."

"Are you okay now?" Mark said instead to be sure she was fine and she nodded.

"It's morning already." She said after she looked outside the curtains and saw the daylight from the window.

"Yeah and I brought you breakfast. You have to eat it now before it gets cold." He said. He carried the tray he had dropped earlier on the bedside table and kept it in front of her on the bed.

"Your favorite." He said after he dropped it and she couldn't help but to chuckle.

Yes, it was true she once loved this things on the tray which were green tea, shrimp tacos and flannel cakes but after her journey to Spain, she came to have another favorite and now she couldn't help but to think if this were still her favorites.

"Thank you." She finally said in a smile and Mark smiled back. He made an attempt to feed her but Lillian held his hand back.

"Don't bother, I can eat myself." She said bringing her gaze down.

"I know you can but I still insist, my queen." Mark said making Lillian's cheek redden and she left his hand.

"Now, open up. It's almost cold already." He said again, muttering the last part but Lillian heard it anyways and she obeyed. He fed her till she said she was okay.

While feeding her, Lillian couldn't help but occasionally smile.

"Thank you for this." She said in a grateful smile.

"Oh! It's nothing love." Mark replied making her blush and he chuckled.

"Have you had yours?" Lillian said when Mark picked the tray and stood up.

"No but I would have it now. So, freshen up and come downstairs. I'll be waiting."

"I didn't bring any of my clothes."

"Oh! I didn't remember that." He replied slightly hitting his head.

"I'll go and get you some clothes now but there's a new toothbrush and toothpaste in the restroom, make use of that first and wait for me. I'll be back before you know it." He said again and left.

*******************

"Where did you say my daughter is you bunch of fools!" Mr Jeffrey yelled at the whole house workers in front of him but none of them said anything. He ruffled his already grey hair and sat restlessly on the couch.

"I'm giving you all two hours to find my daughter else you will regret ever working here." He said as he stood up again pointing at them.

"Now get out of my presence." He thundered and they all scurried off with fear.

"Fred, have you tried calling her number?"

"Yes but it is switched off."

"What do we do now dad?" Fred who was was already getting impatient said again but Mr Jeffrey remained silent. He took his phone and dialed on it.

*******************

Lillian climbed down the stairs admiring the house. She only stopped when she saw Mark at the dining table.

"Hey! You're done." Mark said when he became aware of her presence.

"Yeah."

He took a glance at her and stood up.

"Come on, let's go."

"To where?"

" You don't expect to stay in the house all day. So come on." He replied and took her hands. They both left the living room and went to the back of the house. They got to the swimming pool area and stopped walking.

"Your house is so big and beautiful." Lillian commented after they both found a place to sit.

"And how should we describe your father's house?" Mark replied instead making her chuckle.

"But still, it looks cool to me."

"Thank you." He said and the both remained silent having different thoughts running through their minds.

"How were you able to come to my place yesterday without being seen?" Lillian asked one of the questions she's being meaning to ask ever since she came to his place.

"Huh?" Mark asked like he didn't understand.

"How were you able to get past the securities yesterday?" She repeated her question, now staring at him.

"Ummm, I also don't know but I will say determination." Mark replied picking his words.

"Determination?" Lillian asked back puzzled.

"Yeah. I was determined to save someone I cherish so much." Mark said now facing her, his brown coloured eyes staring at hers as if trying to pierce into her soul.

Lillian gulped down nothing but didn't take her eyes away. She was so lost staring into his eyes and the same applied to Mark. Their faces were now inches apart.

Mark's phone started ringing bringing the both out of their reverie and he stood up immediately.

"Please excuse me." He said and left.

Lillian released the breath she didn't know she's being holding. What if his phone didn't ring? What would have happened?

"Lillian." Mark called as he came to meet up with her.

"Something came up at my place of work and I'm needed. I promise I won't take long. I would come back as soon as I am done." He explained.

"Alright." She replied and Mark left.

She exhaled and went inside the house. She sat on the couch and decided to turn on her phone. She'd switched it off when she arrived Mark's place yesterday evening. She turned it on and wanted to call her brother but then someone placed a handkerchief over her nose. She struggled, trying to break free but the hands were too strong for her and slowly, she went unconscious.