Chapter 7

Dorian's POV 

Tonight was far longer than usual.

Maybe it was because I was so restless and couldn't sleep.

Her voice re-echoed in my head over and over again.

“No Dorian, I simply evolved into what you made me”.

I never expected in a thousand years that I would ever see her again.

My mind replayed the scene again.

How the mask fell..

How she looked at me with a knowing smirk..

I saw her eyes.

That was clearly and without doubt the same Lyra. Just one who had grown to be more confident and fierce. 

The Almighty Phoenix had been her all along.

My hands shook as I poured myself another drink. I was too engulfed in sorrow to even taste the whiskey. I just needed something to drown the memory, the sound of her voice, the look on her face, the new contact we had to sign and the whole chaos I knew would start to unfold.

Then immediately, the door burst open.

“You knew it was her, didn't you?”. Seraphina stormed in, her voice raged with fury.

Her hair and makeup was a mess like she was just in a pool of her own tears.

I looked up, startled. “What..”

“Shut up Dorian, don't even try playing dumb with me. She hissed. “You knew! You must have known . That was the reason you suggested the collaboration, wasn't it??. You can't tell me you didn't recognize her before now. 

I slammed the glass down,making the liquid spill across the desk. “I did not know!, I'm just as surprised as you are!”.

She scoffed, crossing her arms. You expect me to believe that?. With the way you were looking at her… like you had seen heaven and hell at once or like she was one very lost treasure piece that had just been found. Don't tempt me, Dorian.”

“How could I have known, Sera?? She literally faded into thin air…. No one heard of her again…. Everyone thought she was dead’.

Seraphina's eyes narrowed. “And yet here she is - risen from the ashes like she was never burnt. I should have known. You never stopped thinking about her.”

Her words landed like a heavy blow. It hurt even more to think that she was right.

“Maybe, I didn't,” I said with a low voice.

Her brows curved in confusion. “What?”

I met her gaze, “maybe I didn't stop thinking about her. Maybe I never could. Maybe because she didn't deserve what happened. None of it!”. I added, anger building up slowly within me.

Seraphina let out a bitter laugh. “So what now?... You want to start playing saint now?... Oh please, you were never her savior, Dorian, not even for once. You're just as guilty”. 

“At least she never used me like you did and always do!”

Her eyes widened for a second and then hardened again. “Used you?... You really think I used you? I saved your damn career. I cleaned you up , wrote your songs and made you everything you are today. ‘I’ made you relevant. She spat bitterly.

“By selling lies! I barked. “By selling us!. There was never an even an US, Sera. Everything had just always been the camera, nothing real ever happened behind the scene”.

She stepped closer, her eyes red with fury. “And you think Lyra's any different? You really think that mask of hers hides some kind of saint?. Wake up Dorian. she's here to burn you. She'll destroy everything you've built and smile while doing it.” She said at once, her voice trembling with something that wasn't just rage, but fear as well.

I didn't respond. I couldn't.

Because deep down, I knew she was right about that too.

Seraphina took in a deep breath and then said, “if you still have feelings for her, Dorian, you'll lose everything.”

I met her eyes with tears already glistening in mine. “Maybe I already have…. I lost every day I chose to play on your side”.

Her lips curled into a cruel smile. “Then I'll make sure I destroy both of you”.

She said and turned sharply, storming towards the door.

“Seraphina…”

She stopped but didn't turn back. “Be careful, Dorian. Choose your side wisely. I won't think twice when it's time to haunt”.

The door slammed and silence filled the whole room once again.

My gaze drifted towards the shelf.

Behind the awards, behind the sparkling collections of everything I had gained, was a photo frame.

I walked towards the shelf…. Pushed the awards to one side and carried the frame, dusting it gently. 

It was an unaware picture of Lyra and I smiling. 

Before the fame. Before the lies. Before I lost myself.

“How did I get here?”. I whispered as a tear slipped out of my eye whilst I stared at it.

I saw my reflection through the glass, but it wasn't the same person as the one in the main picture. 

It was a man drowned in ambition and greed.

I barely noticed the lights seeping in through the blinds. It was dawn already.

Then my phone buzzed. I picked it up and a notification flashed across the screen.

It was a banner of our next tour and this time… a joint one. And as expected, The Phoenix' picture had already gained dominance on it.

It was already uploaded on social media and fans were gushing over her. Claiming she was a means to ignite the fame of I and Seraphina's career even more.

My throat tightened.

It wasn't news that the headlines always sang her name. But this time, it hit different. The world was singing the praises of the ghost I thought I had buried.

I set the phone down slowly, pressing my palms against the desk as the weight of it all settled on me.

Was she just there to sing?..

Or she had plans to take revenge and destroy me piece by piece, just like I did to her?

My voice came out, barely above a whisper.

“What are you planning, Lyra?”