In no time, we arrived at an estate nestled far from the city and all its chaos, tall skyscrapers, brooding billboards and endless traffic. Soon the noise faded behind us like it never existed.
The place was enormous, elegant, intimidating, and utterly silent. Even the air felt richer here. It reminded me a little of Fred's parents' house… only this one could swallow it whole.
A line of bodyguards stood waiting at the front of the mansion. There were more than ten, in black attires. Each has a face that could bring hell down to the ground.
Their posture was sharp, eyes straight ahead. The moment Clayton stepped out of the car, their voices rang out in perfect unison.
"Welcome back, Mr. Grey."
He didn't reply, just gave a faint nod, the kind of gesture that said he didn't need to speak to be obeyed.
Then he walked over to my side of the door. He opened the car for me stretching out his hands like a gentleman even though I knew he was far from that.
"Come with me," he said, his voice calm but leaving no room for hesitation. "It's time you met everyone."
The moment we stepped into the mansion, maids rushed towards us in straight lines with their heads bowed.
Their bodies trembled with fear at the sight of him. Eyes never leaving the ground.
The mansion was more than I had imagined. I never thought anyone could be richer and more extravagant than the Orchard's and now Clayton Grey has proven he was.
Paintings hung from one part of the wall to the other. Beautiful priceless paintings.
I turned to the left and gasped at 'The Veil Of Solara', just hanging around the corner.
I recognize the painting from anywhere. The painting wasn't recognized because of the art, but because of its size. This was the freaking veil of Solara', largest painting in the world, and it's so surprising it fitted in here.
Rumor had it that a thousand hands helped complete it, the painter had traveled to different part of the world, getting the signatures of kings and royal men to each sign on the painting.
It was auctioned for hundreds and millions. And yet, somehow, it hung here, in this private mansion, as though it belonged to no one but him.
Clayton's Greg's mansion was a walk in private museum. One that would keep you in awe for the rest of your life.
"Take my guest to her room to rest for the night." He said and a maid rushed forward to take my hands.
"Rest for the night dear wife. We'll speak by morning."
"Thank you." I managed to see him nod. And just then, Becky walked in with his assistant. It seems she was in more awe than I was as her mouth hung open staring at us.
"Find a room to fit her in too Bridgette." Clayton said and the woman bowed again.
"Yes master." He didn't wait to hear her speak as he started walking away, his assistant tailing behind him.
Becky rushed towards me, her eyes still wide but she was still too stunned to speak. I could see it in her eyes. One thing Becky wasn't good at was hiding her emotions.
"Miss Maeve." She whispered my name looking around.
"What's going on?" she hissed again reaching for my hands, her tone rising with excitement. Like she was about to burst for joy. Even I couldn't tell. I never experienced a thing like this in my past life. All of these was new to me.
"I have no idea," I mouthed back, trying to stay composed.
Becky suddenly jumped with my hands still in hers. Like a child whose parent just agreed to go to Disney land. "We're in Clayton Grey's mansion! Clayton. Freaking. Grey, Miss Maeve! Not some random rich guy, Mr Badass."
Her voice cracked with disbelief, echoing faintly against the marble walls.
Clayton had several names around the country, a badass was just one of the many names.
My face flushed with embarrassment. "Lower your voice," I muttered, forcing a smile for the servants around us. No matter how nervous one was, a lady must always maintain her composure. But Becky... Becky had clearly thrown her manners out the window.
She was making us seem local.
Still, I couldn't blame her.
Even my heart was racing...
"Please come this way miss, let's get you cleaned up so that you can sleep." The housekeeper called Bridgette said as she started walking away. I and Becky exchanged glances before following suit.
If we thought we had seen it all, then we clearly had been mistaken.
The mansion was bigger than I had imagined with different turns. One could get missing without even knowing. The size made me wonder who the hell Clayton Grey was. This was beyond what the media portrayed him to be.
I was given a room and so was Becky. Though I wasn't yet comfortable around and always awoke to the tiniest sound, I still managed to sleep.