28 Angela's Younger Sister

Kurtis always had a habit of sneaking up on her and catching her at the worst times in a conversation. Such was another case. Rose got up and shot her crumpled peanut bag into the trash bin with a "swoosh" before winking at Lyra and skipping out the door of the waiting room.

Lyra bundled her fingers into a fist, trying her best not to get mad at the birthday girl for leaving her alone with the enemy.

The enemy simply stood at the doorway, holding the door open, not risking the chance of gossip. He had eyes on him and he knew. He also had ears that happened to hear everything that his dear sister-in-law so freely expressed. You could say he wasn't too pleased.

"Well…Angela's sister, car's ready. Are you?" he had on a most blinding smile, but an empty one at that.

Lyra picked that up. How did she not notice before? Kurtis was always so good-looking that she didn't stop to consider that it'll be harder to detect when his facial expressions weren't genuine.

This time however, it was as if he deliberately made it more obvious to show her that he too had feelings. Behind that distracting face of his, he probably was hurt inside. Whether or not Lyra intended the words to harm him, it left an impact.

He was only trying to be a good brother, to look out for the meek little quiet sister who only knew how to stand up against him.

But it was his fault for picking the fights!

But it was also him who really cared enough to pick them out in the first place…

Lyra dipped her head before trudging out the door. She didn't look back, afraid to see that someone like him could also look hurt. Yes, even her charismatic brother-in-law can be hurt. Just like when he was on the island.

Somewhere along the way, Lyra was able to force that memory out of her brain. In the end, she betrayed him again.

[He most likely heard everything…]

A trickle of guilt dropped into Lyra's guarded heart, but she continued to walk forward, fighting the urge to apologize. That's right. It was better if he remembered that he hated her. That way, it'll be easier to return the mutual feeling.

Kurtis watched as his sister-in-law walked out triumphantly, swaying her high ponytail back in forth as if to taunt him. Not even a glance back and her face was cold as stone.

[Oh Kurtis…She didn't even care that you overheard!]

'When did Lyra become so bold,' he wondered. 'Had she really changed that much for Antoine?'

But alas, he couldn't get over the fact that his good intentions were frowned upon so strongly. He made it a personal philosophy to not bother himself with troublesome people but he keeps on making exceptions for this twin. And yet, she doesn't appreciate it. More so, now he's the bad guy in her eyes.

Perhaps he was really better at no-strings attached relationships. Angela never gave him any problems. She is a strong and independent woman who didn't do stuff that made him worry. Sure she does things that make him angry, but none of which jeopardized his mental health to this extent.

Closing his eyes, the brother-in-law took a deep breath and reminded himself of something important. Today was Rose's birthday. He was here to celebrate his favorite cousin.

[It's a blessing that Rose was relatively easy to look after…]

With that thought in mind, a smile found its way back on his face as he walked out to the tracks where the they were already waiting.

.......

Lunch was at the club house which was a fifteen minute drive away from the circuit. Lyra left a little earlier to get changed, leaving Rose and Kurtis alone for one more race.

Upon strolling into the sunlit club house, Lyra was noticed by an unexpected stranger. The woman had dark wavy hair that looked like it came out of those magazines you see in the salons. Dressed elegantly in a mid-length purple dress and matching heels, she didn't look like the type who'd randomly greet someone.

She waved her hand causing Lyra to look to her sides before realizing that she was the one being called. When she walked over, the beautiful lady stood up and offered a pretty smile that looked familiar.

"You must be Lyra," she said and extended the gloved hand that wasn't holding her fancy purse.

The girl nodded, slightly befuddled.

"Angela's younger sister correct?" the lady questioned while beckoning her to sit at the table that was too large for just one.

"Yes," Lyra replied with a slight bow before taking her seat across the lady and folding her hands on her lap uncomfortably. Has she met this madam before? She looked familiar, but couldn't recall her at the same time.

"If I look really closely, you are a little cuter than your pretty older sister," the older woman commented before pouring her guest a cup of tea.

'Who is she?' Lyra wondered despite knowing that she had seen the smile before somewhere. Was she a customer? Though she'd definitely remember someone so beautiful.

The junior simply nodded her head some more and took the cup gratefully. She then glanced at the cup of coffee placed on the placemat for the seat next to her. There was someone else who was already dining with the lady before she arrived.

Before she had the time to wonder who would order such a strong-scented coffee, she heard her voice being called by none other than Angela. The younger girl turned to see her twin approach and take her seat.

Angela looked refreshed after freshening up in the bathroom after finishing her spa and massage session. She smiled at the older woman and exchanged a few words about the spa and facilities.

'Was she another one of Angela's friends?' Lyra thought to herself as she waited patiently to be introduced.

"I'm glad you didn't confuse us two!"

"How could I?" the older woman asked sweetly. "Though I don't think she knows who I am." Both women tried to keep their giggles to themselves, but wasn't too good at that.

But before Lyra was left guessing for too much longer, the acquaintance clapped her hands together.

"The whole family's finally here!"

[Family?]

Lyra turned to see the rest of the party—Rose and Kurtis—strolling in and immediately grew wide-eyed.

"Mrs. Wellington?" Lyra questioned aloud before her eyes wandered back to the young-looking woman who looked only a few years older than Kurtis.

"Present," the lady answered confidently.