It has been one week since Lauren was here. It has also been strangely quiet around the house. Maybe it is because of Levi's absence. I have not seen him since that incident a week ago. I am not sure if he has been coming home very late and leaving before I come downstairs or if he has not been home at all. He is not missed but I like to know his whereabouts. They say keep your enemy closer, how do I keep him closer if I don't know where he is?
"Where is Levi these days?" I ask Janet as I settle for breakfast.
"I am not paid to keep tabs on Sir. My duty is only to you." Her voice has an edge to it. I am not sure if she finds talking to me annoying or perhaps it is talking about Levi she finds annoying. I try to read her face but Janet has perfected the art of stoicism. She puts the "i" in stoic.
"Please, ready the car, I want to do some shopping." I feel suffocated in this house. I think going outside should help me clear my head.
"We leave in an hour."
"Yes ma'am."
I stand to leave just as I see a black as night Benz jeep pulls into the driveway through the living room's floor to ceiling windows. The car door opens and Levi steps out. Oh look who decided to make an appearance. He opens the door and saunters in crossing the large living room as he makes his way to the staircase. He stops at the stairs and just stands there with his hand clenching and unclenching around the handrails. It is like he wants to say something but decides against it and goes up the stairs instead. I look at Janet but she's not looking at me. Damn girl.
Another car pulls up in the driveway and it is a sport car. I don't know my cars but I know a sport car when I see one. The car is expertly parked and a man I have never seen before steps out from the driver's seat. He looks smart in his navy blue suit without a tie. The colour compliments his dark skin in a way I do not understand. Emmett, Levi's personal assistant double bodyguard comes down from the passenger seat of the black jeep and leads the man inside. He is carrying a bag and nods at me in greeting. I awkwardly nod back or try to. He struts up the stairs after Emmett with a type of confidence I cannot place. He is walking up the stairs like he owns it. Even Levi does not walk up those stairs like that. Who is that man? Levi brings lots of people here. Ranging from businessmen and investors to exotic dancers and highly paid sex workers. But this is the first time I am seeing this man. It is really none of my business. I push him out of my head and go up to prepare for my shopping.
I take a quick shower and throw on a pair of boyfriend jeans with a halter neck top that rides up a little when I bend or raise my hands. I apply my lipgloss, put my Versace sunglasses in my top and slip my feet in my Hermes slip ons. I pick five perfumes from my collection and spray them generously one after the other. I believe strongly in layering. I decide on a small clutch and put my credit card in it and I am set to go. I take one last look in the mirror and I like what I see. All of the bruises on my arms have faded. I am thankful for that because it is a warm August. I cannot imagine wearing long sleeves in this weather because I want to cover up bruises.
I pick up my phone and leave the room. Janet is already waiting for me when I get downstairs and I tell her to get the driver to bring the car out to the front.
She leaves to do as I say and while I am waiting, I hear Levi's home office open he and his company coming towards the stairs.
I am backing the staircase and facing the door but when they get downstairs, I turn to look at them. The mystery man is in front and Emmett is standing behind Levi. The latter looks irritated and it is surprising because in front of others, Levi likes to maintain his composure and look like things do not get to him. I wonder what kind of meeting they had and if he was like that because things did not go his way.
The mystery man walks up to me and smiles as he stretches his hands towards me.
"Mrs Anniston, my oh my, it is a pleasure to meet you ."
I take his hand in a firm handshake and smile back at him. "The pleasure is all mine Mr…"
"Stafford. But you can call me Micheal."
"Okay Micheal. Please call me Sam."
He laughs and his laugh is loud and free. Almost echoing through the house. It is a nice sound to hear. In this house, nobody laughs loudly, nobody even talks loudly. Everything is done in whispers. Hearing someone laugh without holding back made me smile.
He turns towards Levi, smiles coyly and says, "Your wife is so beautiful, no wonder you want to keep her all to yourself." I see a vein pop on Levi's forehead. He is seething. If looks could kill, Micheal will be the deadest man on earth.
He turns back towards me and gives me a bright smile, "Alright then. See you around, Sam."
And he is out of the door just as my ride is pulling up to the front. It is a pink Mercedes Benz. I remove my sunglasses from my top and put it on as step out the door before I can hear Levi's mouth. I don't even know if he is going to say something but I don't want to find out either. I enter into the back seat and the car rolls out of the house.