Kayla was already waiting outside when I was done.
"Hey. How'd it go? I was seconds away from coming to look for you."
"I'm getting married." I blurted out.
"What?" She spat out. "You don't spring news like that on someone without prior warning, Lili."
"I'm sorry. I don't know what happened back there but I'd like to go home and rest."I sighed, quietly hinting at the fact that I didn't want to say anything.
"Okay. Talk to me when you're well rested." She said, giving me a hug.
"Thanks Kay. You're the best."
She squeezed my arm and ignited the car.
**
A billionaire heir telling me to come over for dinner is what I woke up to this morning. My state of mind was unsettled. How could any of this be real?
If anything was sure, it was the relief I felt from finding a solution to the matters that have been plaguing me. I didn't have to worry about our expenses or money for that matter. I had nothing to worry about and I couldn't remember the last time I felt this unburdened.
I dug through my closet to the dress I had kept at the bottom due to the fact that I rarely wore it. It seemed presentable.
The rest of the day passed by with me being on tenterhooks, worrying about tonight.
I got ready fast, taking off my face mask that helped reduce what Christie called panda eyes. I was careful with my makeup, adding some life to my face and keeping it light. Just a little light pink lipstick and blush on my cheekbones. I liked the way the gown looked not too tight yet fitting, perfect for seeing parents. I wore a silver necklace with a harp pendant on my bare neck.
Christie helped me braid my hair allowing me to wear the little dangling earrings that Kayla gifted me. I told the twins I was going out for dinner not telling them anything else but giving the knowing look they gave each other, I had a feeling they guessed it was with Byron.
I was out of the house before six, waiting for the car. Fall just started about a week ago so it wasn't that cold but the night air did have a little bit of chill. I pulled my coat closer, checking myself for anything I may have missed. It wasn't long when I heard a car horn.
I made my way towards the car.
I wasn't expecting to see Byron Bladell in the driver's seat here to pick me up. Even as he sat there he looked so noble and refined.
I did not notice before last night or at the hospital because I had a lot on my mind then but Byron Bladell was handsome to the point of heartbreak. The aura around him served to accentuate his good looks.
Someone like this came to pick me up. I felt giddy with excitement.
"Mr Bladell, you are..." I stopped myself, I didn't know if I was about to compliment him or ask why he didn't send a driver. I remained silent as he drove, trying to calm down.
"Miss Lilian, don't you think we should drop all formalities if we are going to be married" he said suddenly. I fiddled with my purse. We were getting married, it sounded so strange.
"Oh, right." I let out. We were to be married and in love, we couldn't be calling ourselves Mr and Miss.
"Well then ,Lilian." That change was abrupt for me and he made it seem easy. I loved the way he said my name.
Although I sometimes called him ‘Byron’ in my mind it was weird calling him that to his face.
"Your turn, call me by name." He said, turning to look at me. "Or do you want to call me something else. Darling is okay or Babe, I don't mind pet names."
What did he just suggest? Babe! I couldn't imagine that. I'm having problems just saying his name, calling him something so sweet was way out of my comfort zone.
"I'll just call you by your name,... Byron." There, I did it. I looked up at me him but his hazel eyes were already staring at mine and I couldn't look away.
His gaze was on me was so intense that I felt like hiding. I was sure my face was quite pink as I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks. I was saved by the horn of the car behind us. He directed his attention to the road and I let out a sigh.
"That was good, just call me by my name from now onwards." I nodded.
He then proceeded to inform me about the people I would meet at the dinner tonight. His dad, mum, his sister, Rose and his best friend, Abel. I tried to remember all the information he told me and readied my mind for tonight.
It wasn't that long when we arrived at Byron's family villa. I looked around in awe, this is why they live in a gated community. My eyes kept glancing around, when I looked to my side I saw Byron's amused gaze on me. I stopped looking around, I must have seemed like a country bumpkin.
He parked in front of the house, handed the keys to a man in a suit and came round to open the door for me.
"Thank you Byron." I smiled at him. I could see the outline of people by the window upstairs. I held on to him, partly as acting and partly because I was nervous.
He bent to whisper in my ear. "My family could be a lot but they are the nicest people you'd ever meet. You'll be fine."
I nodded and allowed him lead me inside.
The dazzling light of the room made me blink rapidly before I got used to it, we walked down the hallway that was decorated with family pictures and awards on its walls, I couldn't look at them for long as we entered what I assume to be the living room and I was dazzled once more.
I was welcomed by smiling faces. I tried assigning faces to the names Byron had told me.
"Welcome, you must be Lilian." Byron's mum greeted me. I stared at her with dazed eyes, she looked so beautiful for her age. I nodded.
The teenage girl pulled my arm. "Oh my, you are more beautiful than the pictures." I could only look at her with a shy smile.
Before I could look at Byron's best friend, Abel, someone came down the stairs. "I was finishing up on some important work. I'm not late am I?" The man came down the stairs and I felt his gaze land on me and his eyes widened.
"It's you!" He exclaimed. What does he mean by that?!
⟩⟩ Two years later ⟩⟩"...Happy birthday to you." They sang, rounding up the birthday chorus.Lilian was all smiles as she hugged each member of her family and friends.All her loved ones were present and she couldn't have been happier."Thank you all for celebrating this joyous occasion with me. I'm grateful to have you all as my family." She said, holding her glass of juice.Byron wrapped his arm around her waist as he lifted his wine glass. "Let's toast to Lilian. Thanks for being an amazing wife, amazing sister, amazing friend, amazing boss and last but not least, an amazing mother. We are all lucky to have you in our lives. Cheers to a long life filled with happiness."Everyone raised their glasses as they cheered Lilian on."Hey sis, the girls are awake. Can I feed them?" Christie shouted from up the stairs."Bring them downstairs, Nina wants to play with her grandkids." Lilian replied. A few minutes later, she and Rose came down the stairs, carrying my girls.Byron walked towar
The fact that I went through a near death experience and was in a coma for over a week and I was entirely clueless about it is crazy but at the same time scary. I would have remained oblivious if I died. Oblivious to the pain of my loved ones, oblivious to my own death.I was beyond surprised to find out I had a heart transplant. I still felt weak from time to time as my body was adjusting to this new organ but there was a notable difference. I was put under observation and had to undergo different examinations. It was nice to hear that I'll be making a full and steady recovery and I was healing up nicely. The moment Kayla saw me, she burst into tears before hugging me. "Do you know how frightened I was? I really was so scared" I patted her back to comfort her. "I'm sorry"She pulled away from my hug looking at my face her eyes rimmed with tears. "Never do that to me again or else I'll never forgive or talk to you again." she threatened."This would be the first and the last time" I
The bright light was beckoning to me but the darkness felt more comforting. That's why I chose to stay here.Until I heard their voices.It felt like years since I last heard anything but now I heard them clearly."Be in good spirits. She won't like to see you guys moping around like this." It was Rose that spoke and though I could hear the sorrow in her voice, she seemed to be trying to cheer them up.I wonder why they are sad."I will get to decorating the room. She should wake up to a beautiful sight." It was Christie that spoke this time."With as minimal noise as possible please, I'm nursing a headache." Byron's strained voice let out.‘Hey guys.’ I said, happy to hear from them. I didn't realize how much I missed them and if going into the light and leaving my comfort zone meant I could see them, then I will.No one replied me and there was silence which I didn't like."I think she likes purple. James, help us pump up some purple balloons." Rose said again, breaking the deafenin
A week. 7days. 168 hours. 1080 minutes.When looking at it, a week doesn't look that long yet a lot can happen in just one week.It's been a week since Regina's scandals were strategically released into the world. It's been a week since Abel took control of Hetero hotels and has been managing it's affairs with the same vigour as his predecessor.A week since Hotel owner Aldridge Sharp's branches of hotels were raided and put under investigation for trafficking and possession of drugs and forced prostitution with other illegal activities. A week since Byron smiled, ate or functioned properly.It was during this week that the search for a heart for Lilian came to an end and she had the heart transplant done.During this week when the family waited outside the operating theatre with bated breath and anxious minds for 11 hours during Lilian's surgery. During this week when the family was greeted with the good news of Lilian's successful surgery.It's been 604800 seconds and counting si
Dr Miller rushed in to the hospital and after speaking with the doctor in charge, he was directed to Lilian's room.All the Bladells were present including some people he didn't know. They all stood in the hallway, pacing, none of them daring to sit down.When Byron sighted Dr Miller, he stood up straight and walked towards him, meeting him halfway."I came on the next available flight. How's she?" Dr Miller asked. Byron sighed and bowed, his eyes trained on the ground."She's no better. Please, go and see her. You know her history more than these doctors." Byron pleaded, ushering him towards the room. "I'll be right out." Dr Miller replied, patting his back as he greeted the family and went in.Everyone waited with bated breath for him to come back out and after a while, the door was opened and he stepped out.Dr Miller cleared his throat in preparation to address the family, his eyes meeting with Byron's as he confirmed if he could tell them.Byron nodded in reply."Everything the
Byron was granted access to stay in the room with Lilian provided he kept a distance from her. He agreed hastily and went to join her in the room.She looked so peaceful that if not for the injuries on her body, she'd have looked like she was asleep. Byron sat on the chair opposite her bed and watched the slow rising and falling of her chest which gave him a bit of relief.His mind still reeled with possibilities of what could have happened. If he hadn't acquiesced her and had just taken his car, she wouldn't be in this situation.He had his men out looking for both Lucas and Regina. Though he expected it from Regina, Lucas was one of his most trusted workers. The man had been with him for over four years and he had proven worthy of being trusted over the years. Byron was definitely not letting them go scot-free.Though he felt tired and sleepy as it was already late in the night when the doctor allowed him in, the beeping of the heart monitor couldn't allow him sleep."I just found