Chapter 9

Lyra's POV 

Instantly, my stomach dropped, and my body went rigid hearing those words. My mind was crying a warning as Pearl's rude words still rang in my ears like a deafening siren.

Could it be that his grandma was informed about our relationship? Then it's no other person than that bitch!

“You will meet my grandma, today,” he revealed suddenly as his knuckles moved fast on the wheels without a care in the world about anything.

A hint of surprise mingled with my blatant excitement. And his facial muscles seemed relaxed, and it seemed like nothing had happened. Probably, I was overthinking Pearl's words and truly, nothing was wrong.

He cleared his throat and it seems my silence is suffocating him. “It's okay if you're not ready to meet her now. I understand…”

“Not…not that. I mean, I'm ready to meet her,” I managed to respond, my voice stuttering all of a sudden.

Then a a gaze of excitement flashed over his face. Even though I still feel all wasn't well. 

A moment later, we arrived at the auction and I swallowed as I gazed at the priceless decoration of the hall.

As we got down from the car, he reached out and took me by hand gently. At first, the gazes of people at an event suffocated me, If I walked side by side with Caleb.

But now, I couldn't describe how I felt in words, but there's a glimmer of excitement embedded in me, which is out of this world. I feel so safer than ever.

The moment we strolled in, the murmurs from every nook and cranny of the hall were eating me up. I had always expected that. I mean, the Cromwells are the richest family in Los Angeles.

Not just that, Gary is the hottest and also the richest bachelor – he's every woman's dream man. How do I expect people to react to seeing us together?

“This exquisite silver and blue sequin evening dress is only two-made edition in the entire world,” a shocking murmur hit me like a blow.

I looked at myself once again as if I hadn't checked my reflection earlier. This evening dress is the only two-made edition in the whole world? What!

“It's worth billions of dollars. I think Mr Cromwell has cancelled his engagement with the King's Group daughter since it's a business marriage,” another murmur followed.

Billions of dollars?! How will he spend such a ridiculous amount on a dress for me? I mean…

“She looks more gorgeous than Fredina – The Gooma’s daughter,” the murmurs continued.

My stomach dropped into the pit of my stomach and my heart was like a hammer in my chest. I was completely stunned and gaping at the crowd.

For a second, Pearl's words began to make sense. Even if I didn't believe her earlier, I'm beginning to.

We got to our seats, and Gary went behind to pull the chair for me. I didn't know where this pretty lady appeared from but the only thing I saw was a full glass of wine about to spill on me.

Instantly, Gary gently pulled me to the other side, and the entire wine spilt on his expensive, tailored suit.

What!

Just that second, an old lady almost in her seventies came from nowhere and landed a hot slap on her face.

And my heart instantly skipped rapidly and I felt a clutch of panic in the pit of my stomach. For a moment, I felt like the ground should open up and swallow me.

“You bitch! How dare you! Homewrecker like you!” The lady yelled all of a sudden with so much anger in her.

“I'm so sorry, Gary,” I said as I tried to clean the mess on his suit.

“Don't bother. It's not your fault,” he assured me. Meanwhile, he had a spare suit in the car and it was brought for him to change.

“Yes Lyra, it's not your fault but this!” The old lady added as she took a few steps towards me.

My brows furrowed and my mouth remained wide open. For a second, I thought it was all over for me, but it seems it's indeed the beginning.

The old lady got near to me, about to say a word. Out of mind, my gaze fell on Pearl, her mother and that shithead; Caleb. Obviously, they have witnessed the entire scene.

They stomped towards us as the old lady held my hands. “So this is really who you're Lyra?” Caleb burst out angrily.

“You think sleeping with another woman's man will spank me at all? Come on, wake up from that slumber,” he added.

I looked at them and felt like they didn't deserve any explanation whatsoever from me. “How dare you speak to her like that!” The old lady got more agitated.

“Grandma, don't bother about this,” Gary finally spoke after a while.

“You will live to regret this! Trust me! This useless bitch is the reason you haven't been giving me any attention right? The Cromwell group will go down soon!” the lady threatened and stomped out with her bodyguards behind her.

“Do you believe me now? That he will definitely dump you. He can't watch his company suffer, you know,” Pearl teased.

I gave a brief laugh, “We're here to bid right? Let's get to it!”

Gary drew me close, his breath fanning me. “This is my grandma, and it was unfortunate she got the wrong information. That's why she showed up here. Let me order one of the guards to send her home so I will arrange a proper meeting for you later.”

Well, my entire muscles relaxed a bit. “My dear I hope you will join us for dinner tomorrow?” Gary's grandma asked.

I nodded quickly. “I can't wait to meet you again,” she added and gave me a hug.

I gaped at them as they disappeared through the door. 

“Oh, has your tongue suddenly been caught? He's gone!” Pearl tried to mock me.

Caleb shamelessly drew near me and raised my chin. “He is using you! Trust me!”

“Get your filthy hands off me! Be a man! Let's bid!” I exclaimed and crawled to my seat.