Peyton Griffin's POV

Growing up in the British Empire, there were a lot of things that I had to learn about first-hand.

I learnt how women didn't have a say in their families as far as they were in the empire. I would always have people who wanted to use me to get closer to my Father if I could even call him that.

I learnt that even the people we hold as saints can be the deadliest things lurking in the dark.

My father ruled the Empire with an iron fist, but I always saw little glimpses of where he felt that he was doing the wrong thing. Maybe even rethinking his whole course of doing things the way he did, but when a man does things like that. You should remember, that I was doing it in the interest of my family.

So I once snooped around the house to quench my curiosity; I stumbled upon my mother's journal.

After I made breakfast for everyone, I took a banana and locked myself in my room.

It has been a couple of weeks in. I haven't called Danny or Charlie. I don't know what to do, but I know where to get my answers.

I reach for the book under my pillow and plop down on my bed. The large brown leather book holds my answer. It is the only thing that can connect me to my mom, especially since I never met her.

I've only read a few snippets from different parts of the book, but I am determined to get what I want.

I open the first page, Faith Margret Griffin

I turned to the next page and adjusted my position because this will take a while.

As the only person who could inherit the riches my parents would leave me, I made a vow. I promised myself that the British Empire, will not crumble under my rule. There would be firmness and loyalty among all.

Families would be formed based on love and kindness, but most of all, I promised that nothing would stop me from proving to the world that a woman scorned is not a woman to be mourned but a woman to be feared.

That being said, it came as more of a shock when one day during dinner. My mother called me and told me that no matter what happened, I shouldn't lose myself.

Of course, I didn't understand what she said, but she refused to explain her words, and she kept talking in riddles. It was not until the next day that I understood what she said.

Father's second in command went by the name of Reynold. They were two children who both were the bane of my existence. Father had struck a deal with them; that I marry his son to keep up the facade of the Empire's rulers and to continue the bloodline. The so-called husband-to-be was a womanizer and an alcoholic.

Without my consent, the marriage was set. The terms were that Troy Reynold would change his last name to mine, Griffin. He would only get twenty per cent of the empire, while the rest goes to me.

Obviously, this is not the cliché romcoms that everyone sees. Troy and I passionately hated each other, and our wedding night was not fueled by passion. It was mostly done out of a sense of duty, that's if you could call it that.

As our matrimony became older, the shared nights became more agonizing, especially for me. Since he was now a married man; Troy was seen as a responsible man. No more late nights, no more women, no more drinks, but he got the money that his parents wanted him to have. He got to keep the family heritage while his sister would one day be the second in command for us. Although good things never did last.

It became my worst nightmare, and to top it all off, I got pregnant. The thought of abortion did cross my mind. No child of mine deserves to put up with the monster my parents dumped me on, but it's not like I had a choice in the first place. So I learnt from their mistake, and I gave them a choice.

When the due date arrived, I discovered that Troy had slowly started warming up to me, but you know what they say about first impressions, they stick.

So while I lay on my birth bed, I had twins who I named Lola and Peyton, but when the last one. Peyton was coming out: I was losing a lot of blood, so I sent for my lawyer.

He wrote down my will while I wrote down these last few words.

'I love my daughters dearly, but we can't both stay. I agreed with the nurse to end my life in exchange for Peyton's. Peyton, Lola, unfortunately, you are a part of Troy and me. Protect, love and care for each other. I won't be there to offer my love, but when you are of age, I know that things will get ugly as time continues. But remember, you have each other. '

The monitor stopped, and you two began.

I wiped my eyes from the little tears that had slipped out; the book ends there. The earlier pages that held her childhood memories were either torn off or too crumpled to be read.

Like mother, like daughter.

Call me selfish or selfless, but I haven't let Lola see this book because she is much more emotional than me, and if she so happens to see it, it will end ugly.

Some of my questions have been answered, but I still have more. I get that arranged marriages are a norm in the British Empire even as the world ages.

I don't get It. Since we are part of the so-called Empire; why was I bred in America? Why does my Father favour Lola more even if we are twins? Why were my grandparents so callous as to allow my mother to marry Troy?

I will get my answers, but I'll need some help.

I hear my door slam shut, completely ruining my inner monologue.

"Would it be bad if I had you kill my brother?" Marci smirked as she made her way into my room, making herself comfortable in my bed.

"Depends. Will you demand that I pay condolences for your loss?" I grinned at her.

She crossed her legs to make an indie position, "He is threatening my boyfriend in the music room, along with Jack, Jacob and Shawn." She pouted.

"Not that I don't like to help a friend out, but if I kill your brother, many girls will be on the hunt for my head." I snickered.

I just realized in my couple of weeks here. I have never had a full-on conversation with Marci. Something tells me she is not only here to plan the murder of her brother.

"So, what are you really here for?" I raise a brow at her.

She mocked a gasp, "Can't I just come here to hang out with you? If you hadn't noticed, we are short on female company."

"Right, and I'm prince charming."

She narrowed her eyes at me, "Fine, you caught me. I came here to interrogate you."

"Now that I believe. Don't worry. I don't have my sights set on your boyfriend. I have bigger things to worry about." I waved my hands dismissively at her.

She blushed furiously, but it was soon replaced with a knowing smile, "I know that. But you should know that I know that you like my brother."

I don't know why but that has to be the funniest joke I have heard all year. I started laughing so hard that I felt my cheeks turn rosy.

"Laugh all you want, Peyton. I know you have the hots for him."

"What crawled into your head, died and gave you that idea?"

The idea of me being in love is as possible as I being the next prince charming. Sure I agree the musician is attractive to some point, but that doesn't mean I would admit that out loud.

From what I just read in my mom's journal, my love life is the least of my concerns.

"Even if you don't like him like that," Her expression became serious, "Don't lead him on. I know you have your own reasons for being here. If you end up leaving when Taryn comes back. Do me a favour?"

"What?" I ask, gauging her look.

"Don't let out a little of something you are not ready to give the whole of."

She got up from the bed and made her way towards the door, "And Peyton, I'm coming back to plan how we can dispose of a body, but if we get caught. I promise to visit you in prison." She throws a cheeky grin over her shoulder and leaves.

I concluded that Marci and Caleb are a weird set of siblings, but why isn't Marci bearing the same surname as Caleb?

Dinah mentioned that Marci was her daughter, but what about Caleb? And if Caleb and Abigail are also siblings, where are her parents?

If I continue thinking about these people, I'll have a migraine much worse than the one Father Dearest would give me.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Speaking of my sperm donor, my mom married him. Logically, he doesn't have total control of the Empire; only twenty per cent of it. But what happened to the remaining eighty?

Seems like I'm going to be a lawyer haunting when I leave here.

I looked at the clock and decided to get my lazy ass out of bed.

I was adjusting my mascara when Caleb knocked and walked in.

I made a split decision to try and be friendly. I agree I have been a bit off and cold when it came to him; but in my defence, he is also unstable.

I turned around when I couldn't continue to ignore the heat of his gaze.

"I thought they would send someone who could speak to get me, not one of Shrek's brothers." I try not to allow his gaze to bother me as I look him over.

I chuckle at his expression, "Lighten up; I'm joking. You clean up well." I wink.

He runs his hand through his hair, "You are the most confusing woman I have ever met do you know that?"

He doesn't know half of it.

I tap my chin, "I know that I make heads turn but hey, no play, no foul."

"Let's make a deal." I start the ball rolling.

It has been a long time since I made one, and I'm losing my touch.

"What are you proposing?" He eyed me suspiciously.

"I promise to act nicely from now on for the sake of Gail while you stop acting like a dimwit." I bargain

"And also infuriating, that's not a fair deal for me."

"I will start pretending you are a good employer while I am a good employee. I will take better care of Abigail and the orphanage. You and I will be like acquaintances." I said as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.

I'm not as observant as Shawn, but even I could see that he won't agree with what I said.

"I have a better one. You listen to me sing, and I'll pretend you are a good employee."

Yeah right.

"You see, I have these things called ears, and I would like them not to be bleeding when I leave here."

I spent my college years watching Charlie and Lola perform mini-concerts with his songs.

Thanks, but I'll pass.

"Fine, you tell me what's so special about that book that made you almost make me handicapped,"

I saw his gaze shift to the book under my pillow. That was off the table. I came here to find out how to solve my family problems, not air them off to an incompetent doorbell.

For the first time, I don't want a deal. Screw Caleb bloody Parks; I'm better off trying to understand my family than his. The last thing I need is him badgering me about it.

"That's off the table.''I narrowed my eyes into slits as I looked into his hazel-filled orbs, "You know what, never mind, I'll be a good employee and let me make it easier for your peanut-sized brain. I'll do my job, and you stay out of my god-dammed way."

I point to the door, "Get out."

It looks like he didn't get the memo. I try to gauge if I can throw my shoe so that it will hit him square in the face, "You asked for it." I shrug as I start taking off one of my heeled boots.

When he saw I was serious, he left.

I checked the mirror to ensure my black turtle neck was still tucked into my jean skirt. I put my heels back on and left the room.

When I came to the landing, Jacob approached me with an outstretched hand.

"If I knew angels were this beautiful, I would have become a saint." He grabs my hand and kisses the back of my palm.

I would have kneed him in the groin, but I was doing the deed that Marci asked of me. Just that I was using my eyes.

"So what's the plan if we run into the Whore-a the explorer?" Marci asks as we settle into the uber.

The buzzes were few tonight, which was a good thing.

"Who's that?" I ask. I appreciate a good insult when I hear one.

"Abigail's teacher," Jack explains, "But because her favourite pupil is here, I'll familiarize you with her other names later."

I follow his gaze to see Abigail looking out the window, oblivious to the conversation around her.

"And I thought my friends and I were mean." I let out a laugh.

"You have friends; I thought you were a snobby pitstop girl." Shawn throws a dig at me.

"Even if I were, I could make anybody's pitstop worthwhile." I wink.

"Why is it, when I'm the one that throws the lines, I end up with a broken arm while they get you to agree to their demands?" Jacob frowns at me.

"That's because they are not dense."

Jacob and Shawn escort me into the school when we park in the lot.

"This is nice," I say.

"If I say a joke, will you at least promise to not hit me till we get home? You are pretty strong for a girl." Jacob announced when we had walked a bit into the halls right in front of the double red doors of the auditorium.

"I can't promise if time will make me lessen the pain," I say off handily.

"Here we go," Shawn mutters from beside me.

"Have you wondered who came first between the chicken and the egg?" I can see the hope in his eyes.

"No, who?" might as well encourage him.

Who knows if this is how his wife will meet him. Then again, the image of how I met Jacob is engraved in my brain, unfortunately. I highly doubt he knows what a wife is.

"The chicken had the egg when she cat-walked across the street."

I have never been this confused since Lola tried to teach me how to be nice to jocks. Let's just say there is a varsity jacket buried in the goal post of the soccer field in my ex-high school.

"Are we supposed to laugh now?" I whispered to Shawn, but Jacob heard me, and his face fell.

"Not that it wasn't funny; just try another one." I tried to sound patronizing.

I know what disappointment feels like first-hand. And I know what it may lead to. The last thing I need is to make a deal with Jacob tonight.

He didn't seem moved but still opened his mouth, "How does a squid go into battle? Well-armed."

I bit my lip to

"Where does the general keep his armies? In his sleeves."

"Why aren't Koalas actually bears? They don't meet the koalafications."

"Never criticize someone until you have walked a mile in their shoes. That way you will be a mile away and have their shoes."

"What did the mayonnaise say when the refrigerator door was opened? Close the door. I'm dressing."

That last one got to me, and I was laughing like a madwoman in an asylum. I threw my head back and continued laughing, but a horrible smell wafted my nose cutting it short.

I followed the scent to see Abigail's teacher. I happen to like Australia; too bad one of its inhabitants happens to not know when to take a hint.

I made my way over to them with a glare that I'm sure could burn down the North Pole.

"There you are." Once I am within hearing distance, I grab his hand and swing it over my shoulders.

I feel a grin on my face which turns into a laugh as Miss Beatrice stomps away from us. She is twice his age; even I can smell desperation from a mile away.

I felt something tickle my ear; I looked at Caleb as he pushed a lock of my hair behind my ear.

"This is new." He swings our hands that were holding onto each other up.

"I'm just saving Gail and Marci from getting an evil stepsister. No need to get all touchy." I remove my hand from his and walk to the doors.

I felt myself slowly ageing as I sat between Shawn and Caleb, but after Abigail's speech about a family, I could see a bit of myself in her.

But my question still remains, where are her parents?

When everyone stands up to leave, I follow suit. I walk closer to the group as they pull me into a group hug.

The warmth that sips into my body at this moment has me restraining tears. It wasn't until now I realized that I missed my family back home.

We took our seats in a restaurant for dinner, and I found myself across from Jacob.

"Can I live in your socks?" No doubt he was back with his pickup lines.

As much as I hate guys hitting on me, I couldn't help but like how the slight amusement in his eyes shone brighter than usual.

"If we can work out the rent, I don't mind." I grinned as I took a bite of the hot pepperoni slice in front of me.

I let out a slight moan as it filled my taste buds.

"If only I could get you to moan like this when we get into my sheets."

Shawn patted my back to calm my system, "As I said before, It will take a miracle for any woman to fall head over feet for you."

"Why head over feet and not head over heels?" Jacob looked puzzled.

"That's because it will take her too long to understand your competence." Jack grinned.

"I don't know, guys," I say after my choking fit had ended, "Jacob has as much competence as the body mass index of the rat from Ratatouille."

Jack barked a laugh and hit the table while Shawn looked to the ceiling to hold off his laughter.

"Don't worry; I'll give her a crash course before you guys tie the knot." I wink at him.

Jacob said, "Laugh it up, guys. I know we will mess up those sheets sooner or later."

Judging from the way his eyes were locked on mine. I knew the we he meant was me and him. That girl better gets used to walking barefooted.

The moment we pile into the house, Caleb grabs my hand and drags me towards the corridor that has the gym.

"If you plan on continuing your music career, I suggest you let go of my hand right now." I threaten Caleb, who ignores me and continues with his mission.

He opens the door to the music room and gestures for me to enter.

"Pick an instrument." He says.

The last time I was in here, I didn't notice the vast amount of instruments he owned.

"Um, Piano,"

Caleb hesitates but sits down on the chair in front of it and starts playing some notes while singing.

I can already imagine Lola and Charlie going gaga over this, but I noticed that the notes he played told a sad story while the lyrics told a happy one. I hadn't a feeling I wouldn't like the reason for it.

When he stopped, I noticed that his eyes glistened with tears. Caleb always had an amused expression but seeing him like this felt so foreign.

I forced my limbs to move towards him, sat beside him and made him look at me.

"Why are you sad, Caleb?"

"Why are you sad, Peyton?"

Now that I didn't see it coming.

"I know you won't tell me because I have no right to barge into your life with questions. As you said earlier tonight, I am just your employer."

I felt a surge of disappointment with a tint of anger that my words were being thrown back at me.

I'll regret this later. "How about this? I'll answer your question, and you answer mine?"

"So I only get to ask you one question?" His tone held disappointed. As Marci said, if he did end up falling for me, I have to make sure it dies before I leave here.

That is why I want this to be as vague as possible. I know deep within me; that I want to know why the most loved musician in America gets sad about playing the piano.

"Why did the mood change when I asked you to play the piano?"

"It's my favourite and worst instrument." He says in a clipped tone, his eyes getting redder by the minute

I wish I could have worded that well, but I already used my question.

"Why do you care about kids so much?"

"Because Caleb," I turned in my seat so that we were only inches apart, "All kids deserve to have someone who cares about them."

His eyes lightened. I don't know why but it made me feel better to know that I was cheering him up.

He moved closer to me, and our bodies touched. He turned my chin to look me in the eye.

Unlike the lust-filled look that Jacob would offer me, I saw curiosity in him.

"I like your eye colour; it reminds me of many things."

I gulp and turn my head away; my eye colour would be a story for another day.

They say the eyes are the gateway to the soul. Some people can see your innermost desires; if they looked hard enough. While others would stare, trying to make sense of why you are like this.

"Didn't they ever tell you that it's wrong to stare at strangers?" I joke, trying to lighten up the tense atmosphere around us.

This time he cupped my chin, making me look at him and not break away. Our faces were inches apart. "We are far from being strangers, Peyton."

Time stopped as we looked at each other, and an unfamiliar look crossed his eyes because he dropped my chin as if it had burned him.

He got up from the chair and walked away, leaving me in the room.

I know that I don't understand my relationship with this guy. I know that nothing good will come out of this, but I also know that this might spark up some drama. Drama that could have us killed.

No matter how many times I told myself I would stay here long enough to find a solution. I knew I wanted to stay longer.