Lydia only had her grandmother left in this world. Her parents died when she was a child and it was her grandmother who worked hard to raise and support her. Lydia loved her grandmother very much and would do anything to make her happy.
She knew her grandmother liked to see beautiful places and Lydia wanted to take her grandmother around the world. But… given her grandmother's health and finances, Lydia knew it was impossible to fulfill her grandmother's wish.
However, all of a sudden, a client and a dear friend offered her an opportunity that she had never wished for before. Kaylee was willing to pay for all her transportation and necessities while she goes on vacation with her grandmother abroad!?
Lydia felt like she had won a lottery prize, but…
"Sorry, I can't accept it. I know you mean well, but I still can't accept it." was her firm answer.
Lydia didn't want to sell herself or be indebted to others. Growing up as a poor child but surrounded by a wealthy family made Lydia realize the meaning behind 'funded.'
Rich kids do give money with the intention of helping, but sooner or later, they would feel they have bought time and soul of the person they helped.
Lydia already thought of Kaylee as her friend and she was sure Kaylee thought the same as her. Hence, she didn't want to ruin their friendship.
"Lydia,"
"Please, Miss Kaylee. Please do not force me. If I want to take my grandmother on vacation, I prefer to go back to our hometown. I'm sure she'll be more than delighted if she could go back to her hometown." Lydia knows her grandmother would support her decision.
"You are right. I can't force you," stated Roxy in a resigned tone, then turned to her fiance. "Declan, she won't leave if you don't tell her the real reason."
One of the man's eyebrows lifted hearing that, then laughed a little. "You know?"
"You think?"
Declan sat next to Roxy and faced a confused Lydia.
"Miss Brewster, did any strangers meet you before Aubrey came?"
"Strangers?" Lydia tried to dig up her memory and she remembered that a suspicious man dressed in black invited her for coffee. "Yeah?"
"Did he say something?"
"He gave me some money and told me to leave this place. He wished I never came back here."
"How dare he! Who is he?" Roxy instantly felt angry hearing that. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Lydia smiled awkwardly while scratching her non-itchy neck. "I thought he was just a mysterious stranger, so I didn't think about telling anyone. Besides, he never appeared ever since."
"He only gave you money?" inquired Declan as he was sure there must be more stories Lydia had yet to tell.
"That…"
"He threatened her."
Lydia pursed her lips as Aubrey began to speak. "He said Lydia would regret it if she didn't leave this country soon. Then voila, I came like a knight who saved the damsel in distress."
Lydia lowered her head as soon as Aubrey finished explaining it to Declan and Kaylee. "It was nothing, really. I don't think he meant what he said."
"That's a real problem, Miss Brewster. If I don't relocate your grandmother to this hospital in time, the person who died this morning would be your grandmother."
"What? What do you mean?" Lydia felt her heart stop beating when she heard Declan's words.
"Lydia, listen to me. I told you Nick had a complicated situation now and I think the man who threaten you was one of Nick's birth father's subordinates. I think he wants you out of here so Nick won't be able to find you when he comes back."
"But, what does that have to do with my grandmother?"
"I can't go into detail, but they like to attack their target's weaknesses. You are Nick's weakness, and your grandmother is your weakness. Attacking your grandmother means attacking Nick as well. That's why Nick asked the OS for help to look after you." explained Roxy attentively as she cupped Lydia's hand into hers.
If she had cared for Kaylee the same way she had for Lydia, Roxy wouldn't feel regret like this. The guilt was like a thorn in her heart, and it ached her to the point she wanted to commit suicide.
Even though she wasn't in pain as in the past, the thorn was still there.
She genuinely cherished and adored Kaylee, but she realized the person who always cared about her well-being was Kaylee instead of her caring about Kaylee's well-being.
Kaylee loved her unconditionally, but she used Kaylee for her own benefit. What kind of sister is she?
She was really the worst sister.
"Lydia. Please mind my words. You'll be safer in Netherland, and I can assure you that your grandmother will receive the best care during your stay there. I'll bring you back when the situation here is under control. Or maybe I'll have Nick pick you up there."
Lydia looked at Roxy with a confused but grateful feeling in her light.
"Will we be alright if we stay abroad?"
"Of course, you will be. Isn't that right, Declan?"
Declan nodded once while offering Lydia a reassuring smile. "I've contacted an acquaintance of mine there and he agreed to lend one of his apartments to you."
"What? That…"
"You have to accept it and we refuse a no answer if you still consider her as your friend." Declan glanced at Roxy who was now smiling amused to see the man winked at her.
Didn't this man just ask her why she threatened Lydia, but why did Declan even threaten the girl himself?
Lydia sighed resignedly knowing that she could no longer refuse Mr. Black and Miss Kaylee's offer. Moreover, she was anxious about her grandmother's safety.
She didn't know whether what they told her was the truth or not. Her grandmother had not had much time to live, but Lydia still wanted to be with her.
That's why Lydia didn't insist on refusing the couple's good offer. It was better to evade the danger than to have her completely lose her grandmother earlier than it should be.
But…
"Miss Kaylee,"
"Hm?"
"You know Nick much better than I do. Why do you think he hasn't reached me at all?"
Lydia had contacted Nick through the SOS number the boy had given her. Nick still hasn't reached her until this second. Nick promised to communicate with her as soon as he got an SOS call, but…
"I… I don't know. But believe him. He must have a reason why he didn't call you."
Lydia didn't know how to react to that answer. She had just agreed to be Nick's girlfriend, but Nick had left and disappeared on that same day.
It was better that she didn't wait for him and started a new life once she left this place.
That was her new resolution.