Chapter 11: Drake

Lydia was a bundle of nerves walking into the restaurant. Drake grabbed her hand and gently rubbed the inside of her palm with his thumb, his way of reassuring her that everything was going to be okay.

Drake walked over to the hostess stand. “We’re here for the Whittenberg party.”

“Names?” The petite hostess asked not even bothering to look up from her screen.

Drake was irritated at her lack of customer service but he tried to remain cool.

“Drake, Drake Whittenberg.”

The hostess let out a small gasp before looking up.

“Oh Mr. Whittenberg, I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize. Sorry, we’ve been busy and I…I…” she started babbiling her face flushing red. “Umm yeah…anyways follow me this way to the parlor, the entire floors been rented out for the engagement party.”

The hostess took off, leaving Drake and Lydia to follow behind her.

Lydia let out a giggle.

“What?” Drake asked squeezing her hand.

“I’m just glad I’m not the only woman who gets flustered by your brooding.”

“I am not brooding.” Drake huffed.

“Drake, if your eyes were lasers, the poor hostess would be a puddle of human goo.”

Drake let out a small chuckle at Lydia’s description. But his expression quickly sobered as he saw his mother approaching, with Jessica Flynn on her arms. Jessica was Manhattan’s next it girl and a bachelorette at that. She was also Madilyn’s best friend and Drake couldn’t stand her. She was so stuck up and snooty and full of herself. She reminded Drake of Dianne. Of course Dianne thought she’d make the perfect wife for Drake.

“Drake,” came his mother’s shrill voice. “Finally you’ve arrived. I was just telling Jessica how it was so like you to be fashionably late dear.”

“Mother.” Drake said, standing tall, his voice hard and short. “I’m not late, we’re actually,” he took a glance down at his Apple Watch, “fifteen minutes early.”

“Well I’ve always said if you aren’t half an hour early you’re late.” Diane replied with a snarky laugh.

“Huh, if only you would’ve taken your own advice growing up mother. Maybe you would’ve shown up for Sam’s and my school events.”

“Sampson.” Dianne said briskly ignoring the rest of Drake’s statement, she loathed nicknames.

“Any who Drake, I was hoping you would escort Jessica around today, she’s only just arrived In town, and I’d hate for her to be alone.”

Lydia shifted on her feet back and forth nervously.

Drake dropped her hand and wrapped his arm around her waist and pulling her tightly against him.

“Sorry mother, but I am preoccupied. I have my beautiful girlfriend Lydia, with me here, as I told you back in my office.”

Dianne gave Lydia and once over, before rolling her eyes.

“You can’t be serious Drake, you expect me to believe that Miss plain Jane here is your girlfriend?”

If looks could kill, Drake would’ve been murdered Dianne right then and there. Before Drake could say something, Lydia spoke up.

“ I find myself very lucky to have won the heart of your son, Mrs. Whittenberg. It isn’t everyday that someone as plain as myself attracts someone like your son. I see now where Drake, gets his beauty from.”

Dianne opened his mouth to say something, but Lydia continued on.

“Now, Mrs. Whittenberg, I don’t mind sharing Drake either, if Miss Jessica wants to accompany us, she is a rather beautiful young woman, however, I’m sure the paparazzi would have a hay day with that. Drake Whittenberg, Relator Mongrel, New York’s most eligible bachelor, Playboy Billionaire, seen with two women on his arms, is this a new polyamorous relationship, or just a threesome?”

Both Dianne and Jessica’s mouth dropped open, horrified at the thought of such a scandal, and Drake let out a small chuckle.

“You might want to close your mouth mother, you might let a fly in.” Drake said grabbing Lydia’s hand once again, escorting her further into the Parlor.

Once they were far enough away from his mother Drake let out a deep laugh, “You know, you really are something Liddy, I think this is the first time I’ve ever seen my mother brought to silence.”

“Good, it’d do her some good to keep her mouth shut.” Lydia said narrowing her eyes in anger.

Drake pulled her towards him, causing her to face him. He grabbed her chin, making her look up at him.

“What she said back there. It’s not true. You’re absolutely beautiful.”

Lydia blushed. “You have to say that. You’re my boyfriend.”

“I mean it Lydia. You’re stunning. I want to devour you right here, right now.”

Lydia bit her lip as she herself begin to ache with desire. He made her insatiable. “Then why don’t you?” She asked, her voice showing how aroused she was.

He pulled her in closer, “ I told you to stop biting your lips,” he growled huskily, and the he slammed his mouth against hers, kissing her hard and passionately. Slipping his tongue into her mouth, temporarily forgetting they were in the presence of the Elite,

“Erhrmm.” Someone cleared his throat causing Drake to pull away from Lydia. “Mr. Whittenberg. Your father requests your presence at his table.” The nearby waiter said, gesturing to where Mr. Whittenberg sat.

Drake grabbed Lydia’s hand and walked the opposite direction of his father’s table.

“Mr Whittenberg, Mr Whittenberg.” The server called desperately running towards them, as Drake continued to drag Lydia through the crowd.

Drake turned towards the server, the anger clear on his“ Tell my father if he wants me, he can bring his ass here. I’m not his lackey he can summon whenever.”

The servers faced paled, and Drake turned continuing to walk opposite his father’s table and towards the bar.

“Don’t you think it would be best, if you went over and talked to your father.” Lydia asked, troubled by Drake’s behavior, she knew he disliked his father, but there had to more at play, that just the one incident with his brother when they were younger.

“No.” Drake said his eyes fool of hatred, a glare appearing on his face. He let out a sigh and turned his attention to Lydia, feeling like he owed her some explanation. “It’s a power play. I’m not my father’s lackey anymore. I don’t need him or his company to support me anymore.”

The walked silently the rest of the way towards the bar. Lydia trying to figure out just what type of family feud she’d stepped into.

A beautiful blond with a tight white tank top and large breasts greeted them.

“What can I get you?” She asked Drake, pushing her breasts together and leaning across the bar towards him completely ignoring the presence of Lydia.

Drake didn’t even seem to notice her. “Lyd what do you want.”

“Lyd?”

“Yeah, I tried Liddy, but like you said everyone else calls you that. I want something that only I call you. So Lyd, what would you like?”

“Umm I’ll take a Long Island,” Lydia said, wanting something strong to calm her nerves.

Drake continued to stare Lydia’s way while put in their order.

“Scotch on rocks and one Long Island, and keep them coming.”

The blond left dejected.

Lydia shook her head, laughing once again.

“What now?” Drake asked.

“I just don’t understand why I’m here, you have so many females throwing themselves at you. I don’t see why it was necessary for you to enlist in my help.”

“None of them appeased to me the way you do, you’ve opened up a hunger inside me.” Drake said starring into Lydia’s eyes, not offering a further explanation.

Lydia blushed before letting out a sigh, Drake could be so hot one moment and cold the next.

They were on their third round of drinks by the time Drake’s dad approached them.

“The prodigal son has returned at last.” His father spat, his words clearly meant to be an insult.

“What do you want father?” Drake asked. His tone clipped.

I just came over to greet my son, since he seems to have lost all manners, and to greet his new woman that everyone is talking about.”

“Dad, Lydia. Lydia, my father, Gregory.”

“Mr. Whittenberg, what a pleasure.” Lydia smiled extending her hand out to Drake’s father.

Gregory grabbed Lydia’s hand and brought it to his mouth, His lips lingering long enough to make Lydia feel uneasy. His mere presence making her uncomfortable,
Drake glared at his father, wrapping his arm around Lydia’s waist and pulling her closer to him, after Gregory let go of her hand. Lydia let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding, feeling safe and secure with Drake.

The men continued to stare at each other in silence, neither of them willing to budge on their show of dominance. Luckily at that moment Sampson walked up to them, interrupting their stare down.

“Dad.” Sampson said, not showing any emotion is his voice towards his father, then he turned his attention to Drake, a big smile on his face. “Drake, you’re here great. Yeah anyways, I know you hate being in the spotlight, but Umm… the New York Times editor is her and she’s ready to take a few family photos.”

Lydia expected Drake to leave her at the bar while left to take photos with his family, but to her surprise Drake grabbed her hand, pulling her with him. Sampson turned to her as well smiling.

“Oh and I am so happy you’re hear Lydia. Madeline has been dying to meet the lucky lady in Drake’s life. She also promised her editor friend, that she’d get a picture of the new couple.

“Ahhh oh. Okay.” Lydia said starring at Drake seeing if he was comfortable with this.

Drake shrugged his shoulders, “If I’m being tortured, ’m taking you hostage with me princes.”

Sampson snorted, letting out a deep laugh.

“Seriously though, I can’t wait for all this before wedding shit to be done with. I can’t wait to relax with my bride on Turks and Caicos.”

“What happened to the Bahamas.” Drake asked.

“Oh didn’t mom tell you, we’re spending a week in the Bahama’s for the actual wedding, and then were taking a cruise over to Turks and Caicos.”

Drake’s smile faltered for just a second, a look of dread crossing his face, he’d be forced to spend longer with his family.

When they rounded the corner, reaching the spot dedicated to pictures, Diane let out a terrible screech, “What is she doing here?”