A MAZE OF GREED

As Edwin had promised, a servant came after ten minutes with a bag of coins. Florence threw it in the air only to catch it again. she had a victorious smile on her face. It was a bonus for her work that she had not planned before she met Edwin yesterday.

It all went easier than she thought, and hugging Edwin, feeling his muscular body was just cherry on the top of the cake.

Now she only needed to find her target- Ruth.

Ruth collected the things Ida had asked her to get from Henry. She had again put up her strong face. Although, the image of Edwin hugging Florence bothered her mind.

She was returning back to find Ida when Florence stopped her midway.

"You seem to be in hurry Ruth."

Ruth was already in a bad mood and did not want to create a scene in 'the great manor'. She had already been a centre of unwanted attraction many times before.

"Move out of my way Florence!" Ruth warned, but that did not affect her.

"Oh come on Ruth do not you want to know about my surprise?" She raised her immaculately carved dark brow at her.

"If you want to brag about that bag of coins and who gave it to you then I am not interested," Ruth said dismissively.

Florence was surprised to hear that. "So you know about it? You saw us together right? I and Edwin O'Dell, are not we the perfect pair?"

Ruth gave her an incredulous look. "Are you really that thick-headed Florence? Did not you hear him denying a job for you in 'the great manor'? When he was the one who recommended my name for the position of Lady Elsie's headmaid."

Ruth wanted to see the look of jealousy or defeat on her face.

"Just because he gave you those coins you think that you still have a chance with him? Sorry to break your bubble Florence, but he has better standards than yours. So stop using him to threaten me because that is not going to work at all." Ruth made it clear.

Florence stared at her for a few seconds before she threw her head back and snickered loudly.

"Oh Ruth, poor naive Ruth! How are you going to survive in this cruel world with that dumb brain of yours!" Florence chuckled.

Ruth was getting irritated by her. But she refrained from retorting back.

"You think that I met him only for this bag? You think that I am in a need of a job of a slave?" Saying that she again burst into laughter.

Now Ruth was confused. Were not these things she told Edwin a few minutes ago?

"Oh my God! Ruth... meeting him was just my good luck. So I thought why not use it rather than waste it?! This was all just for fun dear."

Ruth was shocked.

"So this was not your suprise?"

"Of course not! But if it has take you by shock then I am glad!" Florence shrugged her left shoulder with a taunting smirk on her face.

"Then what was that note about?" Ruth demanded.

"Eager much, are we?" Florence smiled again. "Do you want to hear it here or..."

"Come with me."

Ruth had enough of her nonsense. She was tolerating her for this long because she had helped her when Ruth needed it the most. But if she was going to cross the line, then Ruth needed to be away from the prying eyes before she used her powers.

Ruth took Florence to the secluded corner of the garden, which was also her favourite spot to be alone.

Turning around to face Florence with her face set hard, Ruth glared at her.

"Speak fast. I do not have an entire day to listen your blabbering." Annoyance was clearly audible in her words.

"Blabbering huh? Well first listen to what I have to say and then decide if it is blabbering or something else."

The wicked smile that was constantly plastered on Florence's face was making her nervous. No matter how much Ruth tried to be brave, a tiny part of her was anticipating something bad. She just wished that it was her false instincts and nothing else.

"Fine!" Ruth agreed.

"Ruth Moore, now you know a little bit of your father."

Ruth stiffened at the mention of her father. Why does Florence have to bring that up?

"If you are here to talk nonsense about him being a thief then I am leaving."

"Aa... aa... Aaah Ruth. You can not run so fast dear." Florence danced her first finger from side to side. "Do not you want to know what kind of a person he was?"

"I do not need to know it from you because I am sure he was not a bad person. He was a thief yes. But he was certainly not a bad person as you are going to portray him." Ruth said confidently.

She did not need Florence's certification about her father's character. She had known enough about him through Mrs Payne and her visit to the past with the help of the white feather to have a fair idea of what kind of a person he was.

"So you consider a killer as a good person?"

"What the hell are you talking Florence?! Do not forget you are speaking about my father." Ruth growled furiously at that accusation.

Florence was enjoying her riled upstate. She laughed as Ruth tried to restrain herself from using her powers.

"I knew you will not believe me. But will you not believe Mrs Payne? You can ask her. Ask her about that murderer father of yours. And we will meet again soon."

Ruth was shell shocked. Her face paled. Was it true? And if yes, then what was Ruth supposed to do?

Ruth did not move. She remained rooted to her place silently. Hundreds of thoughts created havoc in her mind.

Florence stalked towards her with a cunning smirk on her face. She leaned to Ruth's ear and whispered, "Your end is near Ruth Moore. Soon the world will know your true form then we will see if your dear friends will stand by you or will kick you out of their lives."

*

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*

Darius woke up early in the morning. Lisa was still asleep after a tiresome night with him in his bed. The silk bedsheet covered only her butt as she slept on her stomach.

Her wild hair sprawled on the pillow. Darius ran his hand through his dark locks. Scratching his jaw, he turned to see Lisa's delectable naked body on the bed.

He ran his fingers gently on the marks he had left on her body like an artwork. He smiled contently, thinking the last night was so good.

Her resistance was dwindling gradually. She was now more cooperative than before.

He pecked on her head with a smile. His little adorable pet!

He got out of the bed, and after a cold shower, he came out of the bathroom wearing only his pants. His toned abdomen and ripped chest glistened with the remaining droplets of water.

"Good morning Lisa!" He saw her sitting up on the bed.

Her mouth was wide open as she yawned, closing her eyes and scratching her head.

She opened her eyes to see him look all hot and sexy. Those were the two words she had heard from the maids whenever they saw Darius around.

She rolled her eyes at them, but now that she watched him right in front of her eyes with the sun rays falling on his wet skin, she could not agree more with those maids.

He was indeed hot and sexy.

She did not reply, and Darius did not expect. He took a crisp black shirt from his wardrobe and slipped his hands through its sleeves.

"Are you going somewhere?" Lisa then asked.

"Yes."

"where?"

"You do not need to know," Darius replied while buttoning up his shirt.

Lisa frowned. He usually told her about his plans. Then why was he not telling her this time?

She purposefully let the bedsheet slide away from her body and walked to him, swaying her hips- something she had learned again from those young maids.

She put her hand gently on his chest and peeked up at him through her battling eyelashes.

"Why Darius? You always tell me everything. Am I not your favourite pet?" She pouted her pink lips adorably.

Her other hand went behind his head to play with his dampened black hair.

Darius chuckled amusedly. "You have learn many new tricks, little Lisa."

He pulled her closer by her waist. Her naked body pressed tightly against his. Darius bit the lobe of her ear, drawing a hiss from her.

"And I love them." He whispered seductively.

He could feel the hair on her body stand up as her body naturally reacted to him.

After kissing her neck harshly, Darius pushed her away from him. Lisa was confused.

"But these tricks does not work on me Lisa. I am too old for that." All the humour disappeared from his face.

When he walked out of the room, Lisa had a bad feeling about it.. Darius had something cooking up in his mind, and she needed to find what it was.