Chapter 14: Lydia

Lydia sat curled up in the car rubbing her bare foot. “You owe me a footrub.” She said smiling at Drake before scowling. “And maybe a cheek rub too. I didn’t realize I would be smiling so much today.”

“Ah yes,” Drake said with a sigh, “The Whittenberg family loves their publicity, well as long as it’s the right kind of publicity.”

“Your mom is something else.” Lydia said putting her foot back down on the floor of the passenger seat.

“Is that the polite way of saying she’s a total nightmare?” Drake asks.

Lydia chuckled. “It seems she really wants to match you with Jessica. She practically threw her at you all afternoon.”

“My my my, are you jealous princess?” Drake asks waggling his eyebrows in a teasing manner.

“Me jealous? Never! I just feel like I’m failing at my job. I mean you did hire me, so your mother wouldn’t throw every eligible bachelorette your way.”

Drake frowned, as if he’d forgotten Lydia was his escort and not his actual girlfriend, he flipped on his blinker and started moving towards the exit on the freeway, not bothering to respond to Lydia’s comment.

“Hey where are we going?” Lydia asked, “this isnt the exit to the penthouse.”

“We’ll be staying at my parents until the cruise. They thought it’d be nice to have the entire family under one roof.” Drake said, seeming agitated once again.

Lydia looked at Drake, studying his behavior, he seemed anxious about returning home. She began to wonder what secrets he was hiding. They continued to drive in silence until the reached Drake’s family home.

It was a Victorian style mansion with a large gated fence, it screamed old money, not that Lydia had expected any less.

“Is there a reason the plans have changed?” Lydia asked, starring directly at Drake, as he entered the code to the gate.

“Yeah, a reporter and that photographer will be following us around the entirety of the wedding. Dianne wants us to play house for society, so it looks like the Whittenberg’s are one big happy family.”

“Mmm.” Lydia said as her reply piercing her lips together. She could already see how this would erupt in Dianne’s face. Drake was a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any given moment.

The drove down the long driveway, towards the side of the house, Drake parking his Aston Martin by the garage, and slowly stepping out. He inhaled a deep breath to calm his nerves, before he walked over to Lydia’s side, opening the door for her. When Lydia got out, he brought her in for a tight hug.

“I’m happy you’re hear with me Lyd. Without you, I can only imagine how much of a nightmare this entire event would be.” Drake said resting his head on top of Lydia’s.

“Well,” she said pulling herself from Drake’s embrace, so she could look him in the face, “I am here as long as you need me.”

The heard the clicking sound of a picture being taken breaking them from their moment.

“Shouldn’t you be focusing on the bride and groom.” Drake grumbled, startling the photographer.

“My focus is everyone in the wedding party, Drake, Mrs. Whittenberg, has advised me to especially focus on you.” Josie replied.

Drake rolled his eyes, and grabbed Lydia by the hand and walked into the main estate.

“Sir Drake,” the footman said nodding his head towards Drake, “Ma’am.” He said acknowledging Lydia, “Are there any items, I can put in the coat closet for you.”

“Alfred, old man, I didn’t know Dianne still employed you here. It’s nice to see you old fella.” Drake said embracing Alfred in a big hug.

“SIR DRAKE!” Alfred exclaimed, blushing profusely, “you mustn’t hug me. What would the madam of the house say? It isn’t proper.”

“Oh Alfred,” Drake said, taking a step back, “when have I ever been proper?” Drake scoffed.

“You have been awarded such luxuries Sir Drake, I have not been. Please remember that.” Alfred said his eyes downcast.

Drake rolled his eyes at propriety. He hated not being able to embrace the one person he could call a friend.

“Fuck what’s proper Alfred. You’re my oldest friend, and for that I am thankful. If you ever find yourself wanting to move, I always have a spot available for you in Manhattan.”

“Thank you sir Drake, you’ve always been so kind.” Alfred said bowing his head, before walking back to the servants quarter.

Lydia looked over at Drake, “Isn’t having a footman quiet old school?”

“Dianne insists upon it.” Drake said shrugging his shoulders, “Not that I can complain. Alfred used to keep me company before Sampson came along. The help, they were my only form of normalcy of what it was like to have a real family.”

Lydia nodded her head, she had a small understanding of what Drake meant. When she was younger, her mother had to work two jobs to support the both of them, Lydia had a teacher named Mrs. Nelson who use to hang out with Lydia after school until her mother arrived to pick her up. Mrs. Nelson didn’t have to stay after school, but she chose to because she didn’t want to leave Lydia alone, sometimes she’d bring her little snacks to eat, often times she’d bring a book for them to read together, Lydia loved Mrs. Nelson, she became like a grandmother figure to Lydia, still to this day, Lydia sends Mrs. Nelson a Christmas card, that’s how much of an impact she had on Lydia’s life.

“Come on.” Drake said pulling her towards the stairs. “Let’s see if my old bedroom is still how I left it. I bet the moment I moved out Dianne redecorated, she hated my room.”

Lydia followed Drake up the stairs taking the steps two at a time to keep up with him. He walked down a large corridor and opened the last door on the left.

The room Lydia entered looked like that of a teenage boy. It had band posters hung on all the walls , along with pictures of playboy bunnies and sports illustrated models. The walls were painted black, the bedding on the Queen sized bed was blood red, there were a few pictures in frames of a young Drake, along with some of his friends, there was one photo however that stood out to Lydia, it was a small photo of a young woman. She had long brown hair, and deep blue eyes, her nose was covered in freckles and she wore red rimmed glasses. Lydia walked over to the photo, looking closer at the woman, she turned towards Drake the photograph in hand. “Who’s this?” She asked.