Mira was surprised. If Lina snatched something from Ashley, who was a public figure, wouldn’t that thing be something precious.
Mira’s curiosity piqued. “What exactly did Lina take from you, Ashley? You’re a renowned celebrity, after all. What could she possibly have that’s worth risking your reputation?”
Ashley’s eyes flashed with anger. She snatched my boyfriend from me.” Ashley’s grip on her wine glass becomes strong. “If not due to my career ambitions, we would have been married by now, but now, he is married to that bitch sister of yours.”
Mira was shocked once again. “What did you say? Is Lina married? That’s impossible, how can she be married without anybody knowing.” Mira vein bulged as her hand gripped the edge of the table in front of her tightly.
She remembered that day she saw her at the marriage hall. She thought she was jealous knowing she and Daniel were getting married. Who knew that particular day she was also married. Remembering the powerful man’s back view she saw that day, her heart couldn’t help raising.
“Who did she get married to?” Mira asked after calming down a bit. “Is this woman foolish or what? Have I not made myself clear enough?” Ashley stared at Mira like she was looking like a fool.
Mira’s eyebrows rose. “I mean, what’s her husband’s identity?” Mira explained herself after seeing Ashley mocking gaze.
“She got married to Raymond Walton, the richest business man, and the most eligible bachelor in the whole country.” Ashley shouted, gritting her teeth at the thought of Raymond and Lina together.
Mira’s eyes were wide open, mouth agape. “Raymond, as in the Raymond we both knew.” Mira asked, confirming maybe she was hearing things.
Ashley nodded. “The same. And Lina thinks she’s won, but she hasn’t. I’ll make sure she pays for taking what’s mine.”
Mira’s mind whirled. Raymond Walton, the billionaire entrepreneur, was a catch. She had also fantasised what life would look like getting married to someone like Raymond, but she knew she was just daydreaming. But why was Lina so lucky?
First it was Daniel, and now, Raymond.” She can’t believe this. She thought she had won after snatching Daniel from Lina. Hearing this makes her feel Lina isn’t even bothered.
She still doesn’t believe this. She can’t allow Lina to step all over her like trash. She must make sure to ruin her marriage no matter what.
“Mira, I need your help to take Lina down,” Ashley pressed on, bringing Mira out of her thoughts. “With my influence and a few tricks from you, we can destroy her.”
Mira leaned in, intrigued. “And why did you think I would help you destroy my sister? Don’t you know her getting married to Raymond would help my family? Mira tested Ashley’s reaction.
Ashley’s lips curled up in a mocking smile. “Don’t think I don’t know how sour your family relationship with Lina is. Even if she is married to Raymond, she won’t allow him to help your father’s almost bankrupt company.
Mira palm slammed at the table in anger as she stood up. “Even though that doesn’t guarantee I would help you.”
Ashley brow furrowed. “Sit down Mira, and stop behaving like a shrewd woman.
Mira sits down after realizing her uncultured attitude. Ashley proceeded. “I believe with my earlier offer of making you a public figure, and also with this,” Ashley was waving her phone in her hand, making Mira surprised what she is up to, “you will help me deal with your sister together.” Ashley smiled, a calculating glint in her eyes.
“And what would that be?” Ashley passed her phone to her after a video was shown on the screen. “You will understand after watching this.
Mira took the phone, and played the video that was on the screen. She was shocked to see Daniel and Lina hugging each other intimately. Her heart burned at what she just watched. She recognized that was the suit she had personally chosen for Daniel to wear this morning. She won’t let Lina get away with this.
And Daniel, didn’t he say he just wanted to get the legacy from Lina? Is this also part of his plans? Gritting her teeth as her hold on the phone tightened, she looked up to see that Ashley had been observing her.
“Tell me, what plan did you have to destroy this bitch?” Ashley smiled triumphantly. “Now you are talking. This is what I planned to do.”
Motioning for Mira to lean over, he whispered her plans in Mira’s ear, which made Mira smile.
“Deal.” Mira shouted after moving away from Ashley.
Ashley also smiled happily. Now she has an ally, everything will go smoothly, she believed.
Meanwhile, Lina remained oblivious to the storm brewing against her, as she made her way to the bar, where she was meeting Ria.
As Lina arrived at the bar, she spotted Ria nursing a drink, looking distraught. She walked up to her.
“Lina, thanks for coming,” Ria said, tears welling up in her eyes as she hugged Lina, after she sat down.
Lina’s expression turned sympathetic. “What’s wrong, Ria? You sounded urgent on the phone.”
Ria sniffled. “I missed my parents. I missed them so much Lina.” Her tears started spilling as she hugged Lina tightly. Ria meeting with Mira this afternoon had disrupted her emotions.
It’s not that she believed Mira rubbish, it’s just that Mira’s words had struck a chord, reminding Ria of her own painful past. She had thought she was over her parents’ passing, but Mira’s mention of family had brought back the memories.
Lina held Ria close, offering comfort. “I’m here for you, Ria. You’re not alone.”
As Ria cried, Lina’s thoughts turned to her own family dynamics. Her relationship with Mira was strained, but she loved Ria like a sister. Her father doesn’t care for her. She isn’t any different from an orphan.
Ria pulled back, wiping her tears. “Sorry, Lina. I didn’t mean to break down like this.”
Lina smiled warmly. “No need to apologize. You’re family to me, Ria. What’s going on with you is important to me.”
Ria took a deep breath. She can’t hide anything from Lina. “Mira came to see me this afternoon. She said some things… about family and loyalty.”
Lina’s expression turned curious. “What did she say exactly?”
Ria hesitated, before telling her about her encounter with Mira at the washroom earlier today.
Lina’s eyes narrowed. “Mira’s just trying to stir up trouble. Don’t listen to her.”
“I know that bitch was up to no good, but I just can’t get all she said about my parents out of my mind.”
Lina’s expression softened. “I’m sorry, Ria. Losing your parents is never easy. But you have me, and I’ll always be here for you.”
Ria smiled weakly. “Thanks, Lina. You’re the only one who truly understands me.”
As they chatted, Lina’s mind whirled. Mira’s actions were becoming increasingly suspicious. Why was she targeting Ria? And what did she mean by ‘family and loyalty?’ Lina’s thoughts turned to her own marriage. Was Mira plotting against her too?
Unbeknownst to Lina, Mira and Ashley were already setting their plan in motion.
Mira and Ashley parted ways after coming out of the restaurant. As they waved each other goodbye, Mira walked to the roadside to stop a taxi.
She needs some liquor. She still can’t believe Lina was married to someone she can’t even come close to. And Daniel’s intimacy with Lina burns her heart even more.
A taxi stopped in front of her. She slipped into it. “To heaven’s clubhouse.” She told the driver her destination, before resting her head on the seat backrest, closing her tired eyes.
“We are here ma’am.” The driver woke Mira up. After paying her bills, she came down and walked into the clubhouse which was busy at this time of the night. Today being a Friday even made the clubhouse crowded.
As she walked forward in search of a booth, she saw the figure of Lina and Ria, who were laughing happily at each other.
Mira’s eyes narrowed. What was Lina doing here with Ria? Isn’t she supposed to be at campus right now, or had she finished her exam? Mira’s mind reeled.
Oblivious of Mira’s presence in the bar, Lina and Rihanna continue enjoying themselves. By now, Rihanna’s sadness had faded, replaced by laughter and chatter.
Mira spotted an empty stool at the bar. She took a seat, ordering a whiskey. As she sipped her drink, her mind whirled. She had been looking for Lina for more than a month now. Seeing how she was glowing under the sparkling light in the bar, radiating with joy, she believed Ashley was not lying about the marriage.
She can’t allow this opportunity to slide. She must find a way to ruin Lina tonight. Who knows when she would be able to see her again? As her mind twirled on what to do, her gaze moved around the bar, spotting a familiar figure sitting in a booth with women surrounding him.
It’s like she was lucky tonight. She stood up from the stool as she walked into the gathering.