You can run but you can't hide

HIS DARK DESIRES

Chapter four

"I WANT A DIVORCE"

At the words of Lilly, the atmosphere became a whole lot tensed as it triggered something deep in Cesar.

Taking predatory steps towards her, he spoke.

"I dare you to say it again" 

His words flowed, tone so calm but yet underneath was a terrifying aura to it.

Lilly who noticed this shivered a bit.

"I... I want a divor..." Right before Lilly could fully utter her words, she felt a dense pressure on her neck.

"Who do you think you are asking for a divorce?

You are no one, no body" he said not caring about the pressure he applied to her neck.

His words enhanced Lilly's sad smile making her lips curve upwards.

"Aren't you tired? Because I am.

I'm tired of this hell called a marriage.

Shouldn't you be happy you'll be free from me?

Get to live your life the way you want to?" She asked, her words sounding a bit persuasive which only brought a scoff up Cesar's lips.

"Tired? Who said I'm tired?

Seeing you suffer everyday brings me joy.

I put you here so you don't have to worry about how I live my life" he growled.

Sheila on the other hand got excited up on hearing Lilly bring up the topic of divorce.

She had longed for this but on hearing the words of Cesar, she felt at loss.

"Cesar, this is the opportunity to do away with her.

You can divorce her and get rid of her.

You should be..."

"Shut up!" 

The loud outburst from Cesar made Sheila gasp and ascending the staircase was a maid who stiffened on seeing the situation.

It was until a glare from Cesar was thrown to her did she part her lips to speak.

"Dinner is ready sir" she quickly muttered, her head bowed low not daring to stare him in the eyes.

Removing his grip from Lilly's neck, he held her by the hand forcefully pulling her along into a room.

Banging the door behind him, he pushed her to the ground.

In front of her he squatted down, his hands on her jaw where he pinched her.

"What makes you think you can have the right to divorce me? Do you think you have the right to walk out of this marriage because you want to?!" He slammed his hand on the ground making her gasp loudly.

"Why? Why can't I do it? I'm tired Cesar, Let's end this please" her tone almost sounding like a plea.

"I like it when you beg but too bad for you.

You'll live like this forever till you die.

You belong to me Lilly."

"You'll regret this trust me" she cried out.

"Your mistaken because I'm loving this.

Repeat any of the nonsense you just said here today and you might not live to see the next day" he stood flinging her face to the side before leaving.

Hot tears formed in Lilly's eyes  as she watched his retreating back.

In the room she stayed there till morning arrived.

By then, everyone had dispersed.

Lilly who took in the morning air headed straight to her room packing up her stuff after which she left the mansion.

She wasn't going to stay and she wasn't going to live under him anymore.

She meant it when she said she was tired.

Booking a room in a hotel, she tried to get hold of Sofie her friend but unfortunately, her line wasn't going through.

Throughout the day, Lilly stayed in the hotel thinking of how her life would look like here on out.

***

Meanwhile, in front of the board of directors, Cesar sat listening to their ideas and plans when he received a call.

His eyes flashed red on hearing what the person had to say on the other end.

"Boss Madam... Madam left"

"So? What do you mean by left?" He asked not quite understanding the person's context.

"She didn't just leave boss. She... She packed up all her things and left.

It doesn't seem like she's coming back" informed the person.

Cesar's brows furrowed deeply, his hand that played with the pen in his hand froze.

"I see" he said. Shortly after, he disconnected the call.

Everyone in the office could feel the tense Atmosphere but none of them said a word.

"Leave" he ordered for all of them to scurry out of his sight.

Clicking his hand, his assistant stepped forward.

"Find out where Lilly is at"

"Just did, she's staying at a hotel not far away" with this information, a smirk crossed Cesar's lips.

He wondered what gave Lilly the audacity to act the way she did.

But whatever it is, he was sure to break it and show her her place and that's beneath him.

"Make sure they kick her OUT!" He demanded for Felix, his assistant to nod.

"Get the car ready"

"You can run Lilly but you can't escape me" he uttered.

***

Lilly who had gone out in search of something edible had returned to see her stuff outside.

Her brows furrowed in confusion at this.

"What's going on?" She asked.

"We are sorry but we can't accommodate you here"

"And why is that?" She asked.

"I'm sorry we just can't"

"That's unreasonable. I paid to stay for a week and you are telling me this?"

Just then the manager or the hotel stepped out and on seeing who was making a ruckus, had already figured out what was happening.

"What's going on here?"

"Sir, we did as you asked" said the staff who had placed all her stuff outside.

"You told them to do this? Why?" 

"I'm sorry but just like they had told you, we can't accommodate you anymore. Your money will be returned to you" he said not even sparing her an explanation.

For long moments Lilly was in awe and even when she tried to get an explanation nothing came out of it.

In the end, she had to leave in search of another hotel but everywhere she went to had the same reason over and over again.

"We are sorry but we can't accommodate you" 

This made a look of frustration show up on Lilly's face and in her moment of distress, she caught sight of Cesar's assistant Felix not to far away before he got into the vehicle and zoomed off.

It was then it dawned on her that perhaps this was Cesar's doing.

He was making things hard for her but Lilly wasn't giving up.

Even after checking a few more hotels and ending up with the same result, Lilly decided to go to the only place that would welcome her with open arms.

Her mother's.

Taking a cab over to her place, she thought of what to cook up as an excuse but each time, nothing came to mind.

At last, she decided to give up on it and just let the words flow when it was time.

"We are here" said the driver and paying him off.

Gently banging her knuckles on the door, a figure came into view.

It was her mother but, her heart skipped multiple beats when she saw the person behind her.

There Cesar was with hands to his pocket.

"Lilly you are finally here"

Excitement laced her mother's tone as though she was expecting her.

"You know I would come?"

"Of course she did.

We have been expecting you" the smug on Cesar's face proved to Lilly that they had long been expecting her.

"I was worried you wouldn't come" 

Said Mrs Cynthia, Lilly's mother going forward to embrace Lilly in a hug. 

"Oh my... You seem to have added weight.

Are you perhaps carrying..."

At the mention of this, Lilly's heart skipped a bit.

Cesar who was at the back heard this and frowned, his eyes going to size up Lilly.

"What are you trying to say?" Said a woman who stepped forward wearing a smile on her lips.

She was the care taker hired to take care of her.

She was almost the same age as Mrs Cynthia.

It was done so in order for Mrs Cynthia to find a person she can talk as well as relate to.

Apparently, miss Hailey was the one.

"Miss Hailey, nice to see you" said Lilly to her.

"Nice to see you too. I think your mother is trying to insinuate that you are pregnant"

"Come on dear. Tell me are you pregnant?" Asked Mrs Cynthia.

Stealing a glance from Cesar who seemed to be frowning, she shook her head.

"Of course not. You are just thinking things" she said for a sad look to form in Mrs Cynthia's eyes but vanished quickly as she met Cesar's figure.

"Oh Cesar you finally came to see me" 

"Now you've seen me, are you u happy?" He asked.

"Yes , very Happy. I've always wanted to see you but Lilly keeps saying you are busy. I'm glad you made time today to see me"

She said with a smile.

It was when Mrs Hailey called Mrs Cynthia's attention did she leave them alone.

When the cost was clear, Lilly furrowed her brows.

"What are you doing here?

How did you know I was here?"

"I know everything about you Lilly.

What do you think?

You can leave and I won't find out?"

"Please don't do or say anything" 

She said, her words sounding like a plea.

"We'll see" he grinned stepping inside.

Unease crept into Lilly.

She didn't know what Cesar had in mind by coming here.

The wonderful aroma coming from the sumptuously meal prepared penetrated their nostrils making them yearn for the chefs finest dishes.

Sitting round the table, their meals were dished and they ate.

"So Cesar how is work going? Hope you aren't stressing yourself much" asked Lilly's mother.

In that moment, silence seemed to reign as they awaited his answer.

Lilly's heart seemed to plummate on seeing this and she wanted to speak up for him.

But instead, Cesar spoke up killing the awarkward moment.

"It's fine. Doing better than ever"

His words were short but still pleasing to hear.

"I'm glad to hear that. Really waiting for when you guys would give me a grandchild.

It's unfortunate that I couldn't be there when you two got married but at least I can be here when you give birth to my grandchild. 

So when will that be?" Asked Mrs Cynthia.

Lilly hearing this touched her stomach.

She was already pregnant but no one knew.

She figured it wasn't the right time to announce such news so she kept it to herself.

"I'm sure it's soon. But in the meantime let's eat" 

Said Lilly.

Mrs Cynthia gave a heartwarming smile after which she concentrated on having her meal.

Everyone ate to their satisfaction and Cesar who was currently having his meal couldn't help but get angry at himself for loving the meal prepared.

He remembered he would always rush back home just to have Mrs Cynthia cook for him.

Thinking of such Moment, he clenched his fists. 

The aura he had on terrified Lilly who somewhat noticed it.

"Is something wrong?" 

Asked Mrs Cynthia.

"Yes" he simply said playing with the glass in his hand letting the silence reign in the room.

His gaze directed at Lilly who didn't make eye contact.

"Lilly" he called for her heart to skip a beat.

"Do you mind passing the salt?"

Seeing there was no salt on the table, Lilly stood going to get it.

Little did she know that disaster would strike as she returned only to be shocked with the sight before her.

There, her mother in tears.

What had happened?

"Mom...?"

At the words of Lilly, Mrs Cynthia raised her head, the Crystal tears in her eyes could evidently be seen.

The tears piling up her face made Lilly's heart to ache.

"Is it true?"

"Is what true?"

"Div..vorce" she stuttered making cold sweat making Lilly's body to tremble. 

"What did you do?!" She questioned with fingers curling into tight fists as she knew that with Cesar, nothing good would come out of him.

With a smirk he answered

"I simply told her the truth" his utterance made Lilly's heart sink.

"Mom please listen to m..."

"Is it true?"Interrupted her mother with a question that made Lilly's heart shudder as more tears streamed down her face.

"Is it true you want to divorce Cesar? Is that why you are here? Is that why you left his place" Lilly was at loss for words, tears building up her own face.

"Answer me Lilly?!"

"Yes, it's true"

Hearing this, Mrs Cynthia clutched her aching heart.

"But why? You said you were happy with him, you said he's been good to you. Why Lilly? Is there someone else?"

"It's not like that mom. I'll explain everything to you but not now" she said wanting to reach out to her only to be rejected when she avoided her touch.

Lilly knew she needed to explain to her mother but not in the state she was in.

She was far too fragile to hold the hold truth.

"I don't want to understand anything.

All this can be resolved. Don't divorce Cesar" with this, silence reigned in the room. If only things were that easy.

With a look of plea in her eyes, Lilly wanted her mother to so dearly understand.

"Well Lilly... What's your decision?" Said Cesar for her knuckles to turn white.

"No" her voice firm and bold.

Spewing this, the atmosphere in the room became a whole lot worse as Mrs Cynthia clutched her aching heart, the pain she felt evidently seen in her eyes.

"Mom what's wrong?"

"Don't touch me, you aren't my daughter" saying this she turned to leave. Lilly on the other hand chased after her mother but lost her along the way when she took a turn. 

Her throat ached badly and Clutching down to the ground, she let her tears fall.

The words of her mother resounding in her ears.

What ill fate she had, to be despised by the only person she cared about.

And as though the heavens could feel her pain, a loud rumbling was heard from the sky before shortly after, it began to fall.

Lilly didn't mind the heavy down pour that casted down on her.

Her eyes wet from all the tears when suddenly, she couldn't feel the droplets of rain on her skin as a large umbrella was casted above her.

Sniffing back the tears, she turned to see Cesar standing there in his well tailored suite.

His eyes casted down on her silhouette figure.

"Are you happy? Are you happy now?!" She asked, her tears still hung on her face.

No words left his lips, only when he crossed the distance between them, placing his hands on her cheeks did he speak.

"Everytime I see you shed a tear, I'm happy.

Today just made my day"

"You are a monster"

"You caused this upon yourself Lilly. Running away from me? I own you Lilly.

You can't run or hide from me.

Imagine if I had told her the Truth, the entire truth.

What then?"

Standing to her feet, she yelled

"Stop! Stop please.

Haven't you had enough?"

He closed the distance between them.

"We haven't even started" his voice was dark and forebrooding.

Just as he turned to leave, Lilly spoke gathering the last courage in her.

"I'll do anything"

Now hearing this, he halted in his steps.

"I'll do anything to make it all stop.

To make it all go away"

Lilly knew the consequences of her words for these were the same words that placed her in hell.

Her desperation to save her mother's life placed her in this hell hole called a marriage.

"Be careful what you wish for darling" he uttered.

A sly smirk curved up his lips on seeing her desperation.

A desperate look for freedom and she was willing to do anything to get it.

Now the thought of this made his eyes gleam in delight as he was willing to see how far she could go.

"Very well then, Lilly Donovan"

He uttered making chills go down her spine.

For this was the first he had called her by that name.

As he left, once again, the rain met her skin.

Now she wasn't too concerned on her mother nor the rain.

Now, she feared for herself.

What had she done?