Chapter 26: We’re Leaving

“That’s the least of my worries.” He raised his hand to ruffle her hair, then thought twice about it. Before he could ring the bell, the double doors swung open a bit dramatically, may she added, and a formal-looking, probably English, butler stood on the other side with a blank expression on his face. “Young Master! We were expecting you.” He did a slight bow and invited them in.  “May I take your coats?”  She shrugged off her and handed it to him, then watched as he removed Toby’s. Okay, maybe she was supposed to wait for him to remove her. Oh well. What’s done is done. “The old master and mistress are waiting for you in the tea room.” Tea room?! She managed to hide her surprise and planted a small smile on her face. Action time, she said in her mind. Toby rested his hand on his pants pocket and led her to their tea room. It was very elegant. Actually, she was grateful Toby warned her earlier to dress professionally. There was a beautiful complex golden chandelier in the middle of the room and a couple of seats scattered around. An intricately designed coffee table in the middle with two of those semi-circle sofas on either side. Such a blinding white that she was scared just looking at them would stain them. Before she could keep surveying, she noticed Mr. and Mrs. Menard standing up to invite them. Mrs. Menard rushed over to Toby and brought him in for a fierce hug. She could feel her fondness for him rolling off her in waves. Mr. Menard followed his wife right behind, pulled his son in for a brief hug, then stepped back, circling his wife’s waist. “Glad you finally decided to grace us with your presence, son.” There was a faint French accent in Mr. Menard’s voice as he acknowledged Toby. Mrs. Menard rolled her eyes at her husband’s words. “We missed you, honey. How was your flight?” She was beginning to feel awkward standing there. “It was fine, mom. Thanks for asking. I’d like to introduce you to my friend,” He pushed her forward, and his parents looked at her like they’d just noticed Evonne in person. “Mom, Dad, this is Evonne. Evonne, Mr. and Mrs. Menard." He introduced his parents briefly. She smiled and stretched her hand to the head first. "Evonne Largent, sir. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Mr. Menard took her stretched hand in a firm handshake, and she reached over and gave Mrs. Menard a peck on each cheek. Maybe she was being too friendly. There was a moment of awkward silence as they both stared at her. She noticed a weird expression on the mistress’s face, but she just couldn’t pin it. Mr. Menard was trying to read her like a book, and she was getting a bit uncomfortable. “Are you Warren and Athena’s daughter?” Mr. Menard’s deep voice cut right through her. She gulped nervously. There’s no way that question was with good intent. She noticed the flash of recognition in Mrs. Menard’s eyes as she waited for her response. “Yes, I am, sir.” Evonne resisted the urge to wipe her suddenly sweaty palms against her skirt. “Oh.” Her voice was suddenly so degrading, the only thing keeping her from slapping the shit out of her and keeping out on them was Toby’s palm on her waist, which was getting tighter and tighter as they kept talking. “Mother, Father.” Toby’s voice was tight. “You must be tired from your flight, dear. Let’s have a cup of tea and have dinner, and then you can rest for the night.” Mrs. Menard sliced right between the two of them and grabbed his arm, leading him towards the coffee table. They were having a conversation in low tones, and she couldn’t quite catch what they were saying. “So, how’s your family business?” Mr. Menard asked her as he led her to join the wife and son. Low blow, asshole. Literally, everyone in the business world knew of their current state. “It’s pretty rocky, but I’m currently underway making alliances with some companies to build back our empire.” She managed to let out as politely as she could. “Really?” He asked her clearly, not believing a word she’d told him. They’d already joined the rest, and the mother and son were still in a deep conversation.  “Like which one?” He took up his tea and looked at her from over the rim as he waited for her answer. “Actually, many companies are still quite reluctant to invest in us, but I’ve managed to come to a favorable agreement with some of them. I’m just waiting for them to....” suddenly, Toby shouted something to his mother angrily in French and stood up. “We’re leaving, Evonne. This wasn’t a good idea.” He threw her a glance signaling for them to leave, then stormed out. “Excuse me, sir!” She muttered softly and followed him out. She quickened her steps, trying to catch up with him. “Toby! Slow down!” She complained, still struggling to catch up.  He grabbed their coats from the weirdly efficient butler who was waiting for them by the door and tossed her coat. The car that dropped them pulled up, and Toby went around to the driver’s side. “Get out.” He let out a cold, frightening voice, and even the driver quickly got out without arguing.  She took the cue and got into the front seat. She felt like she would be treading on dangerous waters if she even let out a peep, so she chose to stay quiet until he was ready to talk. He rarely ever got this mad. She’d seen it once, and she wouldn’t want to remember it again. At least she learned silence was the only way to be safe around him. “Can you put on some fucking music!” He let out a sharp voice between his teeth. She rushed to fulfill his command without saying a word. Music blasted through the car filling the silence. The rain had begun pouring down heavily, and it was getting hard to see. But it seemed like it wasn’t even getting to Toby. If anything, he stepped on the gas, driving even faster. The last thing they expected was a huge lorry that had lost control. All she remembers was screaming profane meaningless words as Toby tried swerving to no avail. Their car collided hard, and she immediately lost consciousness.