Chapter 8

Lyra's POV

Gary's eyes roamed on me with a pleasant smile plastered on his face. “You deserve it. And trust me when I say I will be your backbone,” his reassuring words made me second-guess myself.

“Is Shalom's contract for the Jenkins Group? This is so unbelievably,” my voice laden with emotions.

I couldn't help but wonder how this contract was handed over to the Jenkins Group. It has been the talk of the whole city and had many competitors.

Caleb's late nights, hard work and dedication a few months ago were a result of this contract. It was on his lips every second. 

Every nook and cranny in the city spoke about it. However, if I had been informed it would be handed over to the Jenkins Group on a platter, I wouldn't have believed it.

I mean, it's worth billions of dollars. Only this can take this company from zero to the top. Tears threatened to spill, but I blinked them back as my mind was in a jumbled mess.

He cradled me in his arms, “You deserve more. This contract will make the Jenkins Group the talk of the town once again.”

I was about to speak but my voice came out low and cranky. And my skin taunted as his words fell on my ears. “I thought it was meant for The Sawyer's Corporation.”

“What!” His facial expressions changed.

I could feel his skin crawling with dread. “That dead company?”

“Ooh! Dead?”

“Their only hope was the Shalom's contract; which would have taken the company higher again,” he explained.

My gaze remained fixed on him as I scrutinized his face. “This is just the beginning my sweet pumpkin! They have really messed with the wrong person.”

For a moment, I felt a bubbling sensation in my stomach like butterflies in the air. And my heart beats fast from the intense happiness. This is indeed the beginning! 

I took a few relaxed steps towards the swivel chair and I murmured my name written on the table. It was as if I had forgotten who I was for a split second.

Those ingrates! They will leave to regret it. 

I didn't know why my lips curved into a smile all of a sudden. This will be, indeed, a very sweet revenge.

Pearl! Pearl! You and your ungrateful mother should get ready for me too.

The more I try to digest how that bastard mistreated me, the more I feel I wasted my entire existence living a lie. Yes, an illusion. I was living someone's life.

The surprise on Pearl's face earlier, I know that was just a show for me to believe that she has no hand in my misery. Hell no! She had always had everything planned out.

I know she tried to wipe me off from the surface of the earth but she failed. I know! 

“Have a look at the documents ma'am,” Sandra said calmly.

“Sure, Miss Sandra. I have an auction to attend this evening, I will check them out later and follow it up with the necessary signatures.”

“Is it the auction you spoke about earlier? Let's go together, you need me by your side, you know,” Gary said.

My heart gave a nervous jolt. What about his fiancée? Or probably there's no one at all? Pearl just wanted to spank me for nothing. I know

I hesitated as I heaved a relieved sigh. “Sure…that will definitely be lovely,” my voice stuttered.

“And don't worry, Sandra is a professional at what she does so your company is in safe hands,” he added.

“Then that's great. I would like to be anonymous in the meantime. How do you see that Gary?”

“Perfect!” He revealed.

“That's awesome ma'am.”

“Few minutes to go; let's get there,” he announced.

“Sure,” I couldn't hide the excitement in my voice.

The elevator picked us up and dropped us at the reception. And my brows furrowed as I murmured some words on my lips. When did this occur? The entire artwork and mind-blowing designs made my mind race.

I turned to stare at him and it was the same moment his eyes were on me. “I know you didn't expect it, right? This is a fresh beginning.”

Not just that, as my gaze continued to roam, I saw only new faces all over, ones I'd never set on before.

“These people will be the best for the company, not those thieves. That's just by the way though, but two of your uncles are in police custody.”

“What!” I yelled without even noticing.

“Yes, not just that, your stepmother and her daughter are still on the list. For now, we need evidence, and my team is making sure to get that as soon as possible,” he added.

I stood rooted to the ground as my words got stuck in my throat, and my mind went numb. “Seriously?! When did you do all these? I mean…”

“Anything for you.”

“As planned, I want to be anonymous for now,” I whispered into his ears.

“Sure, it's all part of the plan. Let's head to the auction now,” he added.

His sexy eyes, like sparkles of the sun, flashed over me. We strolled side by side as we walked towards the different luxurious cars parked outside.

“Here you go,” he announced as he opened the door of the car for me. My eyes widened and he smiled at me so tenderly that my heart skipped a bit.

My brows rose as he tiptoed towards the driver's seat and murmured some words to his bodyguards. 

My gaze roamed over his face – his short blonde hair and the way he smiled at me. No one had ever cared about me like this before – just my father. I feel it's the universe trying to give me another father in someone else – my best friend.

Gary's relaxed knuckles settled on the wheels, and I wished some few words on my lips as though I could wish it into reality.

However, my mind whirled as Gary's phone buzzed loudly, snapping me off my thoughts. At that point, he was about to say something to me and his lips pursed.

He ran on his fingers on his phone's screen as he replied to the call. There was a minute of silence in the car, and the next words I heard were, “My grandma!? What a fuck! Who the hell gave such ridiculous information?!”