Secrets - A slave to my father

Chapter four

Ally’s POV

The place was swarmed, and it was suddenly hard to breathe. I found my way through the halls until I reached the entry to the garden. 

I walked through the two French doors while admiring everything on my way. When I came outside, I nearly dropped dead. This place was beautiful. 

Flowers and trees were everywhere. Rose bushes with different colored roses formed a path down the garden to a small white patio in the middle of it all. 

As I walked down, I couldn’t help but stop to take everything in. 

Next to the patio, there was a small pond filled with fish in all sorts of colors. It was truly amazing. At the back, there was a big oak tree and to the right, there were bushes filled with berries. 

I stood there lost in thought until someone behind me cleared their throat. I gasped in surprise as I turned around so fast, I almost fell and collided with the stranger. 

He managed to grab my arm and pulled me to my feet making me whine in pain in the process. 

“I’m sorry, are you okay? Did I hurt you?” The stranger asked. I steadied myself and patted my dress down. 

“No, you didn’t,” I said as I looked up. I had to compose myself before answering further. “I’m fine, you just startled me.” I forced myself to say while trying to keep myself from stuttering.

“Sorry I didn’t know anyone else would be out here, this place is usually closed during these events,” he said with a shrug. 

“Then you shouldn’t be out here either, now should you?” I asked raising my right brow. He looked at me amused before answering.

“You are absolutely right,” he smiled. “By the way my name is Dylan, what is yours?”

“My name is Ally,” I said returning his smile. 

“Would you care for a drink Ally?” He asked. I looked in the direction of the ballroom and frowned.

“I can bring them out here if you’d like. I tend to think these events get a bit crowded as well,” he offered as if he had read my thoughts.

“Won't we get in trouble?” I almost whispered.

“Not if we don’t get caught,” he whispered back with a wink before turning around. “Don’t go anywhere.”

“I won’t,” I laughed. “God, why do I put myself in situations like this,” I mumbled to myself as I grabbed the bottom of my dress and pulled it up so I could walk through the grass to sit by the pond.

Sure enough. A little while later he came back with two glasses and a bottle of wine. 

“I figured we might as well just grab an entire bottle now we’re at it.”

I just laughed at his carefree expression. 

“What are you laughing at?” He asked fake hurt. 

“I have never seen anyone snatch an entire bottle from a bar at a charity ball before. It’s kind of amusing how little you care about other’s opinions,” I laughed. 

“What? This? So, you have never done this before?” He asked. 

“No never,” I smiled. 

“Well, you’ve been missing out, and besides…” He said as he sat down next to me “There’s a first for everything.” 

“Indeed, there is.” 

He poured me a glass and then one for himself.

“Cheers to rich people caring about others than themselves,” he said as he raised his glass.

“More like cheers to snobby people who only want to give the world a better impression of themselves,” I said and raised mine. 

“Touché,” he laughed as his glass met mine. I took a sip and my eyes nearly popped out of my head. 

“s**t that’s the best wine I’ve ever tasted!” I exclaimed making Dylan burst out in a fit of laughter.

“What?” I asked getting shy.

“I’ve never seen anyone get so excited by wine,” he explained. “It’s rather cute actually.” 

I nearly choked on my wine, making him laugh even more. 

“Are you okay?” He asked while laughing. 

“Uhm yeah,” I said as I could feel my cheeks getting red. I looked the other way and tried to breathe. 

“Why are you getting shy all of the sudden?” He asked raising a brow. “You’ve never been called cute before?”

“Uh… to be completely honest. No,” I said and took another sip, trying to act normal. 

“What really? You’re kidding right?”

“Again no,” I shrugged. 

“Well seems like this is a night full of firsts then. Cheers to that.” 

Our glasses met once again, and it was now time for a refill. 

I completely forgot about the time. It flew by so fast. We laughed and talked and suddenly the bottle was empty. We were laying down on the grass, looking up at the sky, asking each other questions about everything and nothing. 

Is this how it feels to relax? To feel comfortable.? 

“Are you here with your parents?” He suddenly asked.

“I’m here with my father yes,” I answered. “Are you here with yours?”

“Yeah, I guess you could say that,” he laughed. Before I could ask what he meant, a person cleared their throat. We sat up and looked behind us. 

“So, this is where you ran off to,” Mrs. Demarco said while crossing her arms. “Oh, hello Ally,” she said smiling while eyeing us. 

I suddenly realized how we must have looked. I quickly got up and straightened my dress.   

“Hello, Mrs. Demarco,” I said getting embarrassed. 

“Anyone who can make my son laugh like that gets to call me Jules.”

“Y-your son?” I asked looking at Dylan. 

How could I not have seen it before? He is a perfect mixture between his mother and father. The same black hair as his father but he had his mother’s green eyes. 

“Yes, didn’t he tell you?”

“Not exactly,” I said eyeing him.  

“Well Ally, your father is looking for you, and Dylan you should come to greet some of the benefactors,” she said with a smile before leaving.

“Why didn’t you tell me you lived here?” I asked him, feeling more and more embarrassed. 

“I wanted you to be able to relax and not be on your toes like you are now. Besides, you never asked,” he pointed out.

“I’m not on my toes, I’m embarrassed about my behavior,” I rambled. “Oh my… If my father finds out he will… oh my,” I said getting very nervous knowing very well what the consequence would be. 

“Don’t worry, my mother won’t tell. Why are you so nervous?” He asked snapping me out of my thoughts. 

“Oh uh… it doesn’t matter,” I tried to laugh it off but failed. 

“I have to go find my father now,” I said as I turned around. “It was very nice to meet you Dylan.” 

I started to walk away before stopping. 

“Thank you for giving me such a wonderful time tonight. I really appreciate it,” I said knowing very well I probably never would have another time like this.

“Ally!” He called while I rushed through the doors. 

I felt terrible just leaving him there, but I had to find my father. He must be furious at me for just walking away from the party.