Hearing Damien, Lira was like struck by a flash of thunderous lightning. She couldn’t believe Damien had shared it with her. Judging from his stare, he was telling the truth. Aside, he had no reason to lie to her.
Why there’s dissatisfaction in his face when she said that she didn’t feel anything at that time?
Was he disappointed because they didn’t share the same feelings at that time?
“Huh!” Lira sounded in the air. She really didn’t want to think of him anymore but with his last sentence, her heart had felt good. If what he’s saying was true, then they were the same.
He got her.
She got him.
Their first was great and she didn’t think that there’s more than great to what she had experienced with Damien.
She remembered everything.
His every touch, his kiss, slam, his hardness and masculinity, and his scent that give her familiarity to something that she couldn’t figure out.
But it’s clear that even though they have each other first, it would not change everything. Damien loved her boss. He belongs to her boss. Still aiming for him is a sin.
She had to make a stand to her words.
She had to find a boyfriend.
If she had to pay someone, she would, just to put an end to the awkwardness in the house. After, she would find an excuse to leave them for good.
Damien was working when his cellphone rang again. He frowned and already expected who’s calling him this late. He quickly got his phone but it’s not the person he was thinking of.
It’s not Lira.
“Yeah. Miss me?” Damien answered Arabella cheerfully.
“Don’t be like that. I am calling because I am a bit worried about Lira.” Arabella was waiting for Lira to come home.
“What about Lira?” Damien asked.
“Well, last night, she went home early in the morning, and now, she was still out with her boyfriend. I don’t know, I just feel something wasn’t right.” Arabella explained her gut feeling.
“Damien, are you still there?” She asked when Damien on the other line didn’t respond.
“Yeah. I am listening and thinking.” Damien was snapped back to his senses.
“Well, don’t worry about her. She had her own life to deal with. Okay?” Damien wanted to pacify her but his mind was thinking about the girl who he had explored. For some reason, his mind was bothered about Lira but his mind was sure about his love for Arabella. It's been a long time he kept his feeling with her not to scare her away from him. Now that she's already his girlfriend, he would do everything to keep Arabella by his side no matter what. He was sure that Arabella is the girl he wanted and the thing about Lira was just a mistake.
“Yeah. you are right. I’m just a little paranoid. Goodnight then.” Arabella said sweetly.
“Goodnight only?” Damien was teasing her.
“Hmmm…” Arabella was speechless.
“Okay. I love you.” Damien said as she didn’t want to give her a hard time. He knew Arabella was trying her best to get over her past and be with him.
“Hmmm.. I love you too.” Hesitant but she replied. It was just right to give him the words he wanted to hear. As his girlfriend, she just wanted him to be happy even in small things.
The dinner dragged by the time so quickly.
Arabella had busied the kitchen preparing for the arrival of her visitors. Damien and Adam helped her with the barbeques.
All was prepared but Lira and her boyfriend had not arrived yet.
“Mommy, Can I eat now?” Little Adam was obviously hungry.
“Oh. Honey. Let’s wait for a little while, Aunt Lira called and they are near.” Arabella replied to her son whose expression was a bit irate already.
Then in just a quick second, the doorbell rang.
Starving, Adam quickly stood up and ran to open the door.
“Sorry guys, we are stuck in the traffic.” Lira was holding a man’s hand with flickered eyes and a bright smile.
“It’s fine. Please, let’s take our seat and start our dinner now.” Arabella gladly welcomed them with a warm smile. Now, she saw Lira’s boyfriend she felt comfort in her heart.
“By the way, meet my boyfriend, John.” Lira had no time to waste. After this dinner, she had to bid goodbye to the family. Though thinking about this made her very sad but she had to leave them no matter what for peace and to clear her guilt.
But she was unsure about clearing her guilt…
All she wanted to do is to go away from them and be her own to pacify the situation. Then her mind brought her back to how she got her fake boyfriend.
At 10 p.m., Lira was still at a bar dressed to kill. She was determined not to go home without getting someone tonight. If only she had friends, it’s very easy for her to ask them to help her but she hasn’t, only those people in the orphanage.
With a desperate heart, she had been drinking for quite a while. Gone to her 5 bottles when someone sat beside her. Lira was stunned as she was not really used to going to the bar and making friends with random strangers.
“Alone?” A hoarse voice sounded beside her as she quickly looked in his direction.
Stunned but she just kept it to herself. Then she put on her sweetest smile.
Maybe this person is her angel.
Maybe he’s here to save her.
“Hi.” Lira in her cutest possible look greeted the man.
“Is this seat not taken?” The man was good-looking and his smile was bright.
“No. I… It’s just me.” Lira replied but with a trembling voice.
“That’s good. Then, may I know what’s the beautiful lady’s name?” The man asked politely.
“Lira.” She said plainly. Judging from the man, he’s not the dangerous type. He’s casual and he’s alone too.
“Nice name. I’m John.” He offered his hand to her for shaking.
“So, tell me why you’re here alone?” John added.
“Well, problems.” John had a pleasant face that she couldn't help to be opened with him.
“Oh…May I know? Maybe I can help.” John said with a smile. He seemed really willing to help her.
“Well first, I need a fake boyfriend and I need a new job.” Lira didn’t realize that she really badly needed a companion just to listen to her until John came.
“Oh! Well, I am willing to help you with that before I fly abroad for my new work.” John declared.
"Abroad?" Lira was questioning herself if she was really ready to start her new life abroad.
“Yes. Actually, I applied for a job in a company there. Just this morning, I got a call from them and I am hired. That’s why I am here. Celebrating alone.” John explained with a bright smile but his eyes were not coordinating with his smile.
“Where’s your girlfriend?” Lira asked in disbelief. He is good looking so it’s impossible for him not to have someone on his side.
“We broke up. She didn’t like to have a long-distance relationship.” John’s voice became low. Lira was sure he was broken-hearted.
“Oh! I am sorry.” Lira felt him. They had the same status.
“By the way, you might want to consider going with me. The new company was still hiring some assistants. That if you like it.” He seemed willing to help her.
What an angel in disguise!
“When are you leaving?” Lira was curious. Actually, she found it a good way for her to leave Damien and Arabella for good.
“The day after tomorrow.” John said directly.
“Oh. Too fast.” For some reason, she felt sad all of the sudden.
“So, you want to go with me?” He asked again.
Lira looked at him. This stranger is her savior but she was not sure about it. Her chance of escaping her awful situation is already in front of her and all she needs to do is to grab it. Anyway, there’s no harm in trying.
“Okay. Only if you help me with another thing.” Lira looked at the man pleading. This is the most important thing before she could leave them in peace.
“Your boyfriend?” John seemed to expect it already.
Lira’s cheeks instantly blushed. She felt ashamed that she couldn’t reply and she just nodded.
“Okay. It’s my pleasure to help you.” John blinked at her.
Lira heaved a sigh of relief. Finally, her problem was solved.
John is the answer to all her problems.
“John, this Ms. J, my boss, and her boyfriend…. Damien and their son Adam.” Trying her best not to stagger, Lira introduced everyone to John. The stranger she met in the bar.
“Hi, nice to meet you all.” John greeted them politely. One glimpse, John is good-looking with a soft and friendly look. Arabella couldn’t stop staring at him as it reminded her of an old acquaintance before, William.
William had the same resemblance as John. Eyes with bright sparks, face as gentle as an innocent girl and with a pleasant smile. Very approachable and easy to talk to. Arabella couldn’t help to feel nervous but at the same time, it made her think of William.
Their good memories…
“Nice to meet you.” Damien was the first to shake his hand.
“Hi.” Arabella didn’t hold him instead, she just waved at him.
“So, uncle, do you love my aunt, Lira?” Adam asked directly liked an adult while folding his two arms up to his chest.
Everyone was stunned by Adam’s direct question.
“Oh. Of course, young man. As a matter of fact, we are planning to live together.” John replied without any hesitation.
John’s words made them all froze.
“Oh. About that, we can talk it later. Let’s have our meal first.” Lira’s look was pleading. She was not yet ready to talk about it as she was still unsure of her decision. She still wanted the night to be longer with them for the last time.
Adam then led the prayer then they began eating with frosty air. They have different issues that no one didn’t want to open up.
“The steak is very good.” John said while slicing another piece on his plate.
“Thanks.” Arabella replied with a trembling smile. William’s favorite is also steak.
‘No. He can’t be William.’ Why on earth she was thinking of William in front of John?
Arabella shook her head to get rid of her impossible thoughts.
“So, John if you don’t mind me asking, where do you live?” Arabella couldn’t withstand her curiosity.
“Blue Compound.” John replied plainly. Blue compound was famous in the city. He seemed to have a good fortune to live in that area.
“What’s your plan with Lira?” Damien asked without looking at anyone. He was busy slicing his steak on his plate.
Lira looked at John meaningfully and looked at Damien who’s now drinking his wine.
“Well, we talked about living together. As a matter of fact, she agreed to be with me.” John winked at Lira and she smiled to support John’s statement.
“Oh. That’s too soon. But still, I am happy for the two of you.” Arabella was glad to see Lira smiling with John. They seemed truly in love with each other.
“Yeah. Actually, I am very sorry for the very short notice, Ms. J. I am going to live with John abroad.” Wanting to see Damien’s expression for the last time, she looked at him only to find out that he was looking at her too. Their eyes met.
Damien’s eyes were like asking why? what? when? how? but she was unsure about it.
Then Lira couldn’t withstand the staring game so she averted her gaze first.
“Abroad?” Arabella was shocked. Of course, she didn’t expect that Lira would go to this extent. She just expecting her to work with her even if she’s not living with them.
“Yes. Ms. J.” Lira’s expression felt wronged and pleading.
Arabella looked at her with sincerity. Worried and like questioning if she’s sure of her decision.
“Where in abroad?” Damien asked sipping his wine and glaring at Lira.
“In Capital Z..” John replied directly.