Chapter 16: Lydia

Lydia heard Drake let out a sigh at his mother’s shrill voice, shouting up the stairs. Lydia could hear her heavy footsteps as she climbed the stairs. “Drake.” Lydia groaned grabbing his head from between her thighs.

“What Princess?” Drake looked up at her smiling mischievously, “You don’t want to give Mother Dearest a peep show? It would be her own fault for walking in.”

Lydia couldn’t contain her laughter at Drake’s shenanigans, “As much as I would enjoy the look on your mother’s face for catching us in such a disgraceful act, I would rather not have to deal with that.”

Drake let out deep sigh, “Fine.” He sighed stepping away from Lydia, helping her down from the desk.

Lydia quickly busied herself, pulling her skirt down, and adjusting her hair. Seconds later, Dianne burst through Drake’s door a scowl on her face as she looked over at Lydia.

“Can’t even be bothered to knock anymore Dianne?” Drake said addressing his mother with a scowl on his face.

“This is my home.” Dianne hissed at Drake, “ I’ll be damned if I allow you to speak with me this way.”

“I could always leave.” Drake suggested, causing Dianne’s face to double with redness due to her anger.

“We have company.” Dianne replied, choosing to ignore Drake. “ I expect you to be down within the hour.”

Drake looked like he wanted to argue further, but Lydia stepped forward grabbing his hand.

“Of course, Dianne.” She responded, her tone showing nothing but kindness, “ We will see you within the hour.”

Dianne gaze returned to Lydia as she looked her up and down with disdain. “And make sure to wear formal evening-wear dear, you look a frightening mess.”

With that Dianne took her leave, exiting the room, not bothering to close the door behind her.

“You want to tell me what that was about?” Drake asked, turning towards Lydia raising his eyebrows at her quizzically.

“The quicker you appease Dianne, the sooner, she’ll be out of your hair.” Lydia said shrugging her shoulders nonchalantly. “We don’t have to go to dinner, Drake.” Lydia said with a cunning smile on her face.

“You little deviant,” Drake said, walking towards Lydia and pulling her towards him, “Remind me never to get on your bad side.”

Lydia licked her bottom lip, pulling it into her mouth. “You might like my bad side.” She said huskily.

“Mmm.. Really now?” Drake said grabbing her behind the neck.

“Ive always heard, that being bad is more fun,” Lydia said suggestively, batting her eyelashes.

Drake let out a low groan before slamming his mouth down on hers, kissing her aggressively, slipping his tongue in her mouth, fighting her for dominance.

There was a quiet knock on Drake’s door, causing them to break apart. “Fuckin’ seriously.” Drake muttered under his breath.

“Drake, It’s Sam.” Sampson called out.
Drake let out another heavy sigh before opening up the door.

“What’s up bro?” He asked.

“Sorry, if I’m interrupting,” Sampson said noting the redness around Drake’s lips.

“Nope not at all.” Drake responded sounding slightly annoyed.

“Uh.. yeah, anyway.” Sampson said feeling slightly awkward, running his hands through his shaggy blond locks. “ I was going through the attic with Maddie, trying to find the old family albums and I came across this.” He said pulling a small ruby encrusted bracelet out of his pocket.

Drake’s heart sped up, his eyes widening like he’d seen a ghost. That bracelet had belonged to Amelia. She never went anywhere without it. Drake remembered asking her about it when he was younger, She had told him it was a family heirloom that had been passed down each generation by the woman in her family.

“It was tossed in a box along with some clothes, and a letter addressed to you.” Sampson said pulling the letter out of his back pocket, and handing it to Drake. “The envelop had already been opened, and that’s where the bracelet came out of. I didn't read the letter inside, I didn’t want to pry.” Sampson said a questioning look on his face.

Drake licked his lips, his mouth instantly dry. His darkest nightmare seemed to be coming back to life.

“Th..thanks Sam.” He managed to get out.

“Okay great.” Sampson said, none the wiser of Drake’s sudden change in mood. “ Well I’ll see you downstairs then? We’re discussing plans for the trip.”

Drake cleared his throat. “Yeah, we will be there.”

“Okay awesome,” Sampson replied enthusiastically, turning and closing the door quietly behind him.

Drake turned from the door facing Lydia. “What’s wrong?” She asked seeing the look on his face.

“Amelia,” Drake whispered quietly, before pulling the letter out of the envelop and quickly reading through its contents.

*Drake,*

*If you’re reading this letter it means that I am gone. I wanted to let you know that I never abandoned you Drake. I didn’t leave this house by choice. I had to protect myself and my unborn child. Many things happened around this house behind closed doors, many things that can’t be told to a child of 14 years. Please be safe Drake, don’t anger your father. Behave towards your mother, shield Sampson from any danger, and use this bracelet once you turn 18 to start your own life. Leave the Whittenberg fame and fortune. Leave the society life behind. Take Sampson and run far away from it all Drake. Please stay safe, and remember that I always loved you Drake.*

*Love, Amelia*'

**FLASHBACK**

Drake hears a loud scream and rushes out of his room, he quickly runs down the stairs trying to find where and who the scream was coming from. Once he’s downstairs he slowly walks to the foyer, he peeks his head around the corner and notices the white plush runner thats normally there is missing, there’s a red liquid on the floor. ‘Maybe Mother dropped her wine and was upset about it.’ Drake thought to himself, ‘She must’ve been screaming at Poor Alfred to pick up the carpet and get it dry cleaned.’ Shrugging his shoulders, he walked quietly back to his room, hoping no one spotted him out of bed at this hour, he didn’t feel like facing his father’s wrath. He slowly walked back up the stairs too his room. He almost to the bedroom door when he hears voices talking quietly.

“Where do you want me to put the body boss?” A man whose voice Drake didn’t recognize spoke, his voice gruff and intimidating.

“Leave it in the forest, south of the estate.” came a voice all too familiar to Drake, the voice of his father.

**END OF FLASHBACK**

‘No,’ Drake thought to himself, ‘that couldn’t be a real memory, could it?’

“Drake,” Lydia asked calling his name again pulling him from his stupor, “are you okay.”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” He responded folding up the letter, a look of determination on his face. “I’ve changed my mind, lets go downstairs and see what Dianne wants after all.”

***Hope you enjoyed the update. Sorry for not posting yesterday, my 1 year old was sick with a cold and took almost all of mommy's attention. I hope this chapter was worth the wait. XOXO Marriah***