Chapter 7

Lyra's POV

“I thought you have changed, but trust me, you're still the Lyra I've always known. That vulnerability still clouded your eyes,” Caleb murmured, his voice laced with ice.

“Lyra! Is that how cheap you are? Throwing yourself at my man just at my face!” Pearl beams at me with a disgustful question.

Meanwhile, Gary's facial expressions turned upside and his eyes squinted. “Let go of her!” He also exclaimed.

Then his gaze fell on me as he looked with a puzzled expression. Probably, he perceives I don't want him to interfere in this since he wants to do everything in his capacity to make sure I'm the happiest woman on earth.

All of a sudden, Caleb let go of me that minute and strolled towards his so-called wife-to-be. That's definitely a joke to me at this point.

“Baby it's not what you think. Okay? She forced herself on me,” he lied as he glared intensely at me. Maybe, wanting to hear from me.

“You homewrecker! He's mine, and there's nothing you, or anyone can do about it, so stay clear,” Pearl announced.

My skin tingled as I heaved a sigh. And I gave a sarcastic round of applause. “Pearl,” I mentioned her name slowly as I took a few dangerous steps towards them.

“Why are you nervous, huh? Oh, I nearly forgot! You're scared I will expose you right?”

I gave a brief laugh as Caleb's gaze remained glued on me like a moron. I mean, his eyes widened without even a blink.

“My darling, I know all that you did to me just to separate us. You know what? Read my lips, Pearl!”

Then I pulled her chin confidently, “You will pay with your life! Trust me! You know me, I don't make empty threats!”

“What are you talking about, Lyra?” Caleb's voice turned shaky suddenly.

Then he gave a throat laugh, “How dare you threaten the CEO of the Jenkins Group, Lyra!”

“My sweet pumpkin, you know they don't deserve your precious time right?” Gary finally spoke.

As I rotated my head towards him to utter a word, my phone buzzed loudly with a message.

“I have a surprise for you,” he added.

For a moment, as I stood rooted to the ground, I held my hands together, trying to steady my breathing, and a cold shiver ran down my spine. 

As he gazed at me for the second time with how mute I was, his evaporating smile started fading away.

“How dare you!” Those were the only words that came out of my lips.

It seemed it was a lie as a sarcastic loud laugh lingered in my ears. As my voice suddenly died and my hands clenched into a fist.

“How will it feel to see your mom's valuable items displayed this evening, bidding from $1?!”

“Pearl?!” I held my breath as the anger bubbling in me intensified.

“You and your useless mother wouldn't go scot-free for this! Trust me!”

“And don't think Gary will be of help to you in this situation my darling. His fiancée just arrived in town and they're getting married soon. Trust me when I say you don't have anyone to stand by you,” Pearl added.

By then, too, Gary had a phone call, and he excused me to answer. Just maybe this bitch is right. But, I know he won't leave me to stand alone. I'm sure about that.

What about his fiancée? He hasn't mentioned her to me before. Or she just said that to spank at me.

She cleared her throat, “Their marriage is for their family legacy. You see, nothing will stop it!”

I didn't know what Caleb was doing on his phone as he was busy fiddling it. I really doubt he has heard a word from our conversation and it seems all wasn't well.

“Baby, will you come for the auction this evening?” She threw the question at him but there was silence.

“I need to go home; it's very important,” he finally said and rushed out in a hurry.

“What's wrong?” Pearl asked but he didn't say a word to her.

“Are you done babbling, my sweet step sister? Let's meet at the auction this evening,” I said.

“You have guts Lyra! If your hope is your dead father's company! This!”

Then she laughed to her satisfaction, “It's down to earth, a long time ago! There is nothing here for you to boost off, my darling,” she teased.

“My sweet pumpkin, your office is ready to your preference, let's check it out,” Gary spoke as he strolled towards us.

“What! Her office?! No, no, no!” Pearl's jaw dropped in awe and she instantly fiddled with her phone.

For a second, I could feel a bubbling sensation in my stomach as excitement stirred in my chest. “Sure,” I replied.

Every step I took felt like my worries had evaporated into thin air, and a feeling of heart filled with joy .

Meanwhile, Pearl's unfiltered words lingered in my mind as I tried to digest them. She and her ingrate mother have milked all the resources of the Jenkins Group. 

Well, I now understand why Dad had always wanted me to be the CEO of this company. 

As we got to the door of the office, the entire environment felt different. I couldn't help but compliment the beautiful artwork. “This is so thoughtful of you, Gary.”

“Anything for you, my sweet pumpkin,” he replied with his lips curved into a smile.

Anything? Does he really mean that?

One of his bodyguards opened the door for me and I stride in. Just a step inside the office pulled me back to what felt like an unforgettable memory.

I mean my entire life revolved around this space with the person that meant everything to me. 

As my gaze went round, something felt…different. The artwork was made just the way I love it. And the serenity meant everything to me.

For a moment, it was like my dream was about to come to reality as I saw my name boldly written on the table.

“You're welcome, Miss Jenkins,” a young lady spoke calmly to me; she looked familiar, though.

“Lyra Jenkins, this is your personal assistant,” Gary revealed, with his entire face brightened up.

“Yes ma'am, I'm Sandra. We have a contract at hand. Have a look at it,” she announced.

All of a sudden, it was as if everything was happening so fast. I mean so fast. As she handed over the documents to me, my heart skipped a bit as I caught a glimpse of it. “What! The Shalom's contract?!”