Chapter 25
” W.. what are you doing? ” Lyra whispered as he dipped more grapes inside her mouth.
” You don’t want them asking questions do you? ” He replied simply and she shut up.
” Oh my! They are here finally ” The host announced and the people available in the main room looked up to see the other man an his wife with an apologetic smile on.
” Hi ” The man shook hands with some other men’s while his wife also did the same. Those at the pool party walked out the exchange pleasantries with them.
The man and his wife turned to The Ford’s who sitted calmly on their seat.
” Hi, I’m Miss Vette ” She said with a proud smile. ” Hi, nice to meet you ” Bruce shook hands with her and then Lyra.
” You’re here with him right? ” Bruce asked as he gestured at the man who was still shaking hands with the other people.
” Yeah, he’s my fiance, we are not married yet ” She said with a short smile and Bruce nodded, some seconds later the man in a white shirt and trouser walked over to them.
He has a broad face and shoulders and his perfectly shaped nose and lips, and his curved round face which made his face look outstanding. Then his ocean blue eyeballs which contributed greatly to his handsomeness.
” Hi, I’m Clinton Rev ” He shook hands with Bruce who welcomed it with great pleasure.
” Nice to meet you Mr Rev. I’ve heard a lot about your great personality.
” Really? That’s great then ” Mr Rev said with a smile.
He was indeed a young man, definitely in his twenties, everyone present at the penthouse party are in their twenties, maybe not the maids and guards.
” Clinton? ” Lyra called unsurely as she had been staring at him with her mouth slightly opened.
The trio( Bruce, Vett and Clinton) turned to at her once and once their eyes met, his mouth also parted slightly in shock.
” Lyra.. ” He whispered, emotions flowing in his eyes.
” You know her? ” Vett asked her fiance.
” Ye.. ”
” Not really.. we were just once scholars in the same college ” Lyra cut him off with a light smile at Vett.
” Oh, okay ” Vett replied as she tug her arm under Clinton’s arm. Clinton still wouldn’t look away from Lyra with that same look that speaks “Scared” and Lyra looked away uncomfortably.
Bryce noticed this and cleared his throat. ” My wife and I would take a stroll around the penthouse ” Bruce said as he stood up and stretched his hands at Lyra which she gladly welcomed and couldn’t be more than glad as he took her away from the scene. Tia and Henri followed immediately.
Clinton watched their back as they disappeared from their view.
Vett tugged his arm tightly. ” Is everything okay? ” She whispered and he nodded as he turned to look at her.
” Yeah, everything is fine. You don’t have to worry ” He whispered and tucked some loose strands of her hair behind her ear and she smiled at him.
He bit his lips slowly before pulling her along to a seat.
Lyra and Bruce got to a beautiful garden surrounded with flowers, Tia and Henri stood at the entrance of the garden.
” He.. ”
” You don’t have to explain who he is ” Bruce cut her off without looking at her as he sat on a bench decorated with flowers.
” Yeah, I forgot.. you don’t care ” Lyra replied with a little smile as she also sat on the bench.
” You sure you wanna stay here with me all day? ” Henri whispered to Tia, not looking at her as their gazes stood transfixed on Lyra and Bruce who were seated on a bench far away from them.
” Yeah I guess, not like I could stay anywhere but here ” She muttered.
” Not all maids stay with their bosses here ” He insisted.
” Well, ’cause their boss needed privacy. I don’t think Lyra would want me to leave her side, and I don’t want to leave too, where would I stay tho? ” Lyra asked at once and Henri rolled his eyes lightly.
” Yeah, do whatever you want ” He muttered and she chuckled.
” Thanks for caring for me though ” She said like a little baby and he couldn’t help the chuckle that left his mouth.
** The Rev’s Apartment **
” Who’s she? ” Vette asked Clinton as they both retired to their room.
” No one ” He replied simply.
” Your ex? ” She asked again and he sighed tiredly.
” Can we not talk about this ” He groaned.
” Right ” She replied with a fake smile before walking over to her side of the bed.
” She really is no one that special, I promise ” Clinton muttered but she wasn’t even listening.
** The Ford’s Apartment **
” Who’s he? ” Tia asked Lyra, she was in their ( Tia and Henri’s) room.
” Someone obsessed with me back then in college ” She muttered as memories fly all across her head.
* Flashback *
” Hey pretty ” 20 years old Clinton said with a flirty smile to Lyra who shivered when their arm touches.
” Hey Clinton ” She said with a weird smile.
” So, what do you think about my proposal? Am I getting a reply?” He asked with a smirk and Lyra shook her head slowly.
” Oops.. is that a no? Or.. you’re not ready yet? ” He asked, still maintaining that flirty look.
” Um.. I.. don’t like you ” Lyra blurted out at once and his smirk grew wider.
” Hm hm, I guess that’s a no then ” He said and with a knowing smirk, he walked away.
* End Of Flashback *
” And what happened after that? ” Tia asked.
” Well, he started to bully me till he left the school ” She replied.
” Left? Why did he leave? ”
Lyra leaned closer. ” He ra*ped a girl ” She whispered and Tia gasped.
” Really? He doesn’t look like he’s got the balls to do all that, he looks innocent ” Tia mumbled.
” Well maybe now, but then, he was a bully and he actually did so, but I’m glad he changed now anyways ” Lyra muttered.
” So, why did he look scared when he looked at you the other time? ” Tia asked and Lyra raised her brows like she was suprised.
” I didn’t notice anything ” She muttered and then looked away, immediately she started hiccuping and Tia turned her face to hers.
” Are you okay? ” She asked but Tia only continued hiccuping.
Tia left her to get her some water.
” Here” She said, handing over a cup to her.
” Thanks ” Lyra muttered and successfully gulped it down.
” Are you okay? ” Tia asked worriedly and she nodded. ” Yeah, I’m fine ” She muttered and then got on her feet while Tia raised her brows.
” I would retire to my room now, I wanna sleep ” She said as she walked towards the entrance and then exited her room while Tia stared on in confusion.
Some minutes later, Henri walked in and Tia raised her head to him.” You’ve been waiting for her to leave? ” She asked with a raised brow and he chuckled.
” Maybe ” He muttered and Tia also chuckled. ” I think something’s off with those two ” Tia muttered as Henri sat beside her on the couch.
” Who? ”
” Lyra and that man we met at the penthouse, Mr Rev. Miss Lyra explained they were course mate at school and then some other things but I think something is off ” She muttered and Henri lifted her up and she let out a gasp as he placed her on his lap.
” What are you doing? ” Tia gasped.
” You’re thinking too much about nothing, everything is fine and even if there’s a thing she’s not telling you, it means she doesn’t wanna tell you so don’t think too much to it, okay? ” He said, poking her cheek.
” Alright ” She muttered and he smiled before placing his lips on hers and she reciprocated immediately.
* Next Day *
** The Ford’s Room **
Bruce couldn’t keep his eyes off Lyra who was looking restless all of a sudden. He has been noticing her ever since they got back from the penthouse that morning, she has been acting strange and he could notice Tia also noticed her restlessness.
And it’s also baffling him on why he should care, he had never cared in the past so why should he now? But then he’s strangely worried.
He was forced to walk over to her. ” Are you okay? ” He asked and Lyra flinched, she hadn’t notice before that he was approaching her.
” I’m fine ” She muttered and then looked away.
” No, you’re not, you’ve been acting weird and you look restless ever since.. ”
” And why should you care!? ” Lyra snapped at once that he was startled.
” You’ve never cared about me! All you ever cared about was Ella and you have always given her your attention and not me! So why should that change now, huh!? Why should it!? Don’t try to act like you care!!? ” She shouted angrily.
” Yeah, you’re right ” Bruce muttered and then walked out of the room.
Lyra sighed and then ruffled her hair in frustration. Her phone beeped for the umpteenth time but she ignored it, it was Bryan again.. 10 unread messages from him.
* Did I do anything wrong Lyra? Please reply or at least pick my calls * Was the last messages he sent and Lyra switched off her phone.
” Nothing happened right? Why am I getting all worried ” She muttered, shivering.
** Six Years Ago **
Lyra was returning to her hostel when suddenly, Clinton stood in front of her with a smirk on, this time around it was an evil and stern one, different from the other flirty one he passed her.
” H.. hi ” She stuttered and his smirk widened the more.
” I was right, it sure is you ” He said with gritted teeth.
” W.. what do you me..” He cut her off as he slammed her shoulder really hard against the wall, almost breaking her bones.
” Clint.. ” He leaned really closer to her.
” If you dare.. say a word to anyone! I will kill you! ” He said angrily and she nodded fearfully even when she’s not aware of what he was talking about.
* End Of Flashback *
” Is he here to torment me about it again? ” She muttered in fear.
” But I know nothing about it, should I tell him this? ”
” Or, I should tell Bruce about this? Would he care about this? I even told him to leave me alone ” She muttered.
** Penthouse Party **
* Night ( 9:00pm )
Everyone were seen discussing, they were all seated in a circle, surrounding the big table where foods and drinks were placed and also snacks.
Their accompanies ( guards and maids ) were excused to give them privacy so they weren’t at the penthouse but at their bosses’ apartment.
Lyra was seated beside Bruce as usual, he hadn’t said a word to her ever since the incident earlier. They were all discussing except from Lyra who kept mute and was obviously restless, she felt Clinton’s gaze on her all through and it made her uncomfortable.
She suddenly stood up when she couldn’t take it anymore and they all turned to her.
” Excuse me please ” She said and at once, walked away.
***
” Oh God, I couldn’t breathe properly. Why was he staring at me that way ” Lyra muttered to herself, she was disturbed until she felt a hand on her shoulder and she flinched, the surrounding she was wasn’t dark, there were lights everywhere but she was startled.
But she was more startled when she saw Clinton behind her.
” Hey ” He said calmly and she shifted back uncomfortably.
” H.. hi ” She stuttered.
” You’re scared of me right? ” He asked, moving towards her while she shifted backwards.
” N.. no.. I’m not.. I just.. ” She stuttered, moving backwards again.
” I’m sorry, If I startled you.. I only want to apologize for.. ”
” No.. you didn’t do anything wrong ” She stuttered and immediately, she ran away from him, ignoring his calls.
She kept looking backwards to see if he was running after her until she hit a hard chest and she flinched again with a scream, until he placed his palm on her mouth preventing her from screaming.
” PL.. please don’t hurt me, I know nothing about it ” She pleaded, almost in tears until he turned her face to his.
” Lyra, are you okay? ” His soft voice came out. It was Bruce.
T B C