Chapter 73
After a long time, Tia and Lyra emerged from the kitchen. The kids were already starving and refused to eat anything other than what their mother was preparing since they craved it.
Lyra noticed Tia was silent for a while and wondered perhaps it was because of what had occurred earlier with the crazy rich man. She hoped the girl wasn’t holding herself responsible for what had occurred.
She called the children first for dinner, and they all settled down to eat.
Miley and Miles sat down at the diner to eat.
“Tia, are you okay?” She asked the moment she noticed everyone has settled down and was now focused on their food
Tia nodded with her head down but when she looked at Lyra she sighed dejectedly and then dropped her spoon
“I’m sorry Lyra. You had to spend that much money on me. I swear I didn’t-”
“And I’ve told you it’s enough. Why are you still making a big deal out of it?” Lyra asked with a deep frown.
Yes, the money was much but she can afford ten times more so she doesn’t see why she shouldn’t help her friend when she has the money too.
Tia had been by her side since she knew her. She was more than a friend, she was a sister she never had. Her twin sister, Ella, had never done what Tia had done for her so no matter what the problem would be, she would involve herself and settle the issue on Tia’s behalf.
“I… Well, you just… You wasted that large amount because of me” she replied feeling at loss, her eyes were teary already.
Lyra groaned as she noticed Tia on the edge of sobbing. She glanced to her children for assistance, but they were just interested in their meal, ignoring the grownups, which was unusual for them.
‘They must be enjoying their dinner,’ she reasoned.
Lyra dropped her spoon before taking Tia’s hand in hers.
“No matter how much money I have, I would squander it for you Tia over and again.” I’ll spend that much money on you since you’re not a nobody to me. You are my dearest friend and sister. You’ve done more 600, 000 bucks. If you can’t remember, I’d be happy to remind you of how you’ve been there for me all these years. No money could be paid to anyone to do what you did for me when I needed help.
Tia, I want you to see and know that you are not just an employee to me. You’re my friend and I love you so stop thinking about all that.
Or are you scared that I’ll ask you to pay?” She raised the right side of her lips in a slight smile.
Tia shook her head negatively but her eyes betrayed her. She didn’t know how she would get that kind of money to pay back
“Good. And if you are thinking of paying without me asking you to, you better drop such thoughts”
Tia sighed as she fought the tears that were about to fall back so she wouldn’t cry in front of the kids
“Thank you, Lyra. You’re a good person”
“You’re just realizing that?” Lyra asked with a teasing smile causing Tia to burst out in laughter. The tears she was prevented from falling, fell anyways but she cared less
“I love you” she confessed, causing Miley and Miles to smile
Lyra snorted, “Would you still say that if Henri was here?” She asked with a deep frown
Tia bit her tongue before correcting herself “I love you but I love him more”
She blushed as she said that making Lyra burst out laughing
“Sure, that’s better. At least, I can believe that one”
She picked up her spoon before saying to Tia
“Let’s eat”
Tia was about to take up her spoon when a phone call came through; she spotted that it was Henri and her heart skipped several beats. Her eyes widened as she locked eyes with Lyra
“What’s the matter?” Lyra inquired, her brow furrowed.
“Well, here’s the thing-”
“You should pick up your phone first,” Lyra stated as the line was about to be disconnected.
Tia answered the phone before cracking a strange smile.
“Hi….”
“Hello Love, have you dressed already?” He asked, he was driving down to come to get her for their dinner date.
“Huh… Well….” Her eyes were moving left and right as she thought of what to say to make Henri not to be too mad at her
“Actually…”
“You didn’t tell her, did you?” He asked.
“No” Tia replied not planning to lie anymore to him
“Well, you should do that now before I get there. I am twenty minutes away from you. If I come and you’ve not done that, I’ll just take you with me without her permission” he replied before hanging up.
Henri was not angry with Tia since he understood the type of personality she possessed. What happened with the rich man was preventing her from approaching Lyra. If he gets there and finds that she still hasn’t asked, he’ll have to do it himself.
“What happened?” Lyra inquired as soon as she seen Tia drop her phone.
Tia made puppy eyes before responding truly.
“Henri had invited me out to dinner, but I couldn’t tell you because of what had transpired earlier this afternoon.”
Lyra nearly whacked Tia on the head with daggers eyes when she heard the ridiculous reason she didn’t say anything in the first place.
“Are you crazy?! What is wrong with you Tia?”
Even Miles and Miley couldn’t help but look at Tia,
“Auntie, you should understand mother more than us, right? You know mother will never be angry at you for so long” Miley said
“I am sorry” Tia apologize again causing Lyra to almost scream at her
“Young Lady, you have said enough sorry for the day. I do not want to hear any of it today again”
“I’m sorry” Tia apologized again without knowing causing the two children to giggle at her
“You’re still doing it” Miles reminded her
“If you want to go on a date, I don’t see why you need ask my permission. Tia, I don’t expect you to seek my permission to live your life; feel free. I’ll call you whenever I need you. Do not blame me if Henri breaks up with you because you are not giving him enough quality time.” Lyra was enraged at Tia’s actions. They were already closest friends, so they should be able to understand one other.
Tia sat silently since she didn’t know what to say. She grabbed up her cutlery to eat when she saw them eating, but Lyra swiftly pulled them away from her.
“Why-” Tia was cut off by Lyra
“Get your ass inside that room and dress up. I’m calling Henri to come to pick you up. I do not want to see you in this house tonight. Get up from my dining”
She ushered Tia up before rushing her gently toward the direction of her room
Miles and Miley couldn’t stop laughing while Tia didn’t know what to make of it. One thing was sure, she was happy that Lyra wasn’t angry at her.
Lyra sat back down to eat, while Miles and Miley were chatting while they ate. Lyra’s thoughts were far from what they were saying
She would have to talk to Henri to let Tia know that she has her life to live too. If Henri had not called just in time, Tia would have eaten a full and canceled on the poor man.
Someone knocked before entering, and everyone turned to see who it was, only to see Henri dressed in a magnificent suit with a huge smile on his lips.
Lyra shook her head, silently applauding herself for chasing Tia upstairs to dress up.
Just imagine Tia had cancelled when he already dressed so well. She would have spanked the girl regardless of her age.
“Henri,” she rose up to greet him with a grin.
“I’m here for Tia, did she tell you?” Henri asked, hoping that Tia had met her already.
Lyra nodded before saying “She’ll be down in a minute”
She screamed from where she stood “Tia, your baby is here” then she winked at Henri
He chuckled knowing what Lyra was doing, Tia would be red by now from embarrassment
“Hello uncle Henri” both Miles and Miley smiled at him. He walked over to them and caressed their hair
“Hello” he warmly greeted
“How’s Ryan doing? You saw him today right?” Miley asked.
Henri acted like he was thinking before saying
“I did see him… But… Was he fine?” They frowned when they heard Henri ask that.
“What? Ryan isn’t fine?”
“Well, he did say he was missing you both”
Miles and Miley let out breaths they were holding
“Uncle Henri, you scared us!” Miles whined “We thought he was sick again”
Henri smiled as he shook his head negatively indicating that that wasn’t the case
“We’ll call him tonight, Miles,” Miley said to her brother. She wasn’t even asking, it was something they both had to do and Miles agreed immediately.
Henri was glad Ryan had someone like Miles and Miley in his life. At least, he had people that cared for him aside from his father. He needs all the love his mother deprived him of.
He turned to talk to Lyra when his sight was drawn to the stunning beauty with a blue gown, black shoes, and attractive pink face.
He couldn’t take his gaze away from her until she eventually stopped in front of him, blushing, and murmured,
“Hi”