chapter 6

Honour

Campbell

"It hurts," I complain to my five-year-old niece, Hope who was busy brushing her Barbie's hair.

"Where's boo-boo?" Her amber eyes, the same as her father, Roy was clouded with concern.

"There's no boo-boo..." I put my tongue out to tease Hope. "I never liked heels."

"But you'll look tall like Mom." She pouted.

"I am tall... I am 5 feet tall. I don't need those 3-inch heels." I removed the new heels and packed them.

We did our everyday routine, Hope sang her rhymes while I followed her. We went through our homework together. Yes, homework. Even I am studying. I will apply for my WSET level 3 soon, and then... level 4. My best sister-in-law, Star and Papa are ready to support me, but I'm not sure if I should ask for their support or not. They already did more than enough for me.

Star was busy, so I helped Hope prepare for her weekend with her daddy. I double-checked the bag and everything was perfect. Our flawless Hope was ready to meet her daddy.

Hope was helping to pack cookies from her favourite bakery, Savvy's love, when she dropped everything and ran out. Screaming like a fangirl, she caught everybody's attention and Star left her cabin to see her precious daughter.

"She's all right," I assured the worried mom and followed the troublemaker until she met and squeezed her daddy's legs.

"I missed you." She beamed.

"I missed you too, squirrel." Holding up his daughter, Roy showered kisses his daughter.

"Daddy... don't..." She was laughing.

"She's a drama queen," I said when she looked up and hid her face on Roy's shoulder with giggles.

"No, this lady put the alarm on her watch about me showing up." Roy laughed and kissed his daughter again.

"You said..... Things always come on time. Otherwise, it's too late." Hope sang the words, but I knew the meaning of them. He's still sorry he lost his daughter and the love of his life to somebody else. I just don't blame them. Too late for him to accept his love for her.

"She misses you all the time." Star joined us with Hope's bag and packed cookies and sweet.

"And you?" With his dark eyes, he wanted to hear words that favoured him. He never kept his feelings from anyone. Holding on to his emotions cost him, his family.

"Roy... I love Liam." Star trembled mentioning about her husband.

"Yes... Mommy loves bestie." Hope chirped.

"I never denied it..." He pinched Hope's cheeks and set her up in her seat. He did his baby talks with little Hope before, concentrating on Star. "You love Liam." He whispered, making sure to keep Hope out of adult issues.

Star nodded.

"And you love me as well," smiled Roy.

"Is it too difficult to accept that I have moved on?" Star was amazed with his confidence. It was a dangerous stunt. If Liam found out about this, he would murder Roy Miller and hire Harrington for his case, without regret.

"Hasta la vista, baby." With a flying kiss, he winked to my sister-in-law. "Hope... what we say." He summoned the attention of Hope.

(See you around)

"Hasta La Vista baby," Chirping, Hope threw many kisses at us.

"Bye baby." Successfully ignoring Roy, Star embrace Hope.

I watched them go when Star kept mumbling. If today's events hadn't happened, I would have thought she was always mentally checking Hope's medication list, but today, I noticed her red cheeks. That's the impact Roy made. He always does this for her... not just her, but me, too.

3 years ago, I was crazy about him. Roy was the man I dreamed about. I had a fantasy about him. I even referred to him as my 'Soulmate'. I feel silly now. But if Roy had given me a chance, I might have taken it. He's an amazing dad, and I'm sure he would be an amazing husband.

Star's loyalty to my eldest brother, Liam was never anything to do with it. She loves her husband, but Roy... is something else. He is her first love. The father of her daughter. The man who carved her into the businesswoman she is today while Liam is her supporter, stability and peace.

"Stop blushing. You're engaged." Star shot me indoors. "Where are the heels?" She asked to steer clear of Roy's subject.

"I'm not wearing them. I'd put on some fancy... uh... flip-flops." I tried to convince her, but I failed.

She looked around my office and came across heels. "I don't know about Liam's problems with Whitfield, but I think Chance could be the man that you deserve." Giving me heels, "so give chance to Chance. You're doing a good job. You're a good student. I saw it over those seven days." She cheered me on.

"I'm afraid," I repeated those words and put on heels.

"But you don't quit." Star smiles.

Later...

"I have been waiting for him for hours. This is really insulting. He's still not here." I knock down the table while talking on the phone.

"So have something... He's the one responsible. He misses the opportunity to meet a gorgeous girl." Iris was cool. "I will send Travis for you within an hour. Have dinner."

"You know I never eat alone."

"Then let me call you. Videos call. We have other options as well." Despite her genuine offer, I declined and ordered my favourite pizza.

The waiter looked at me strangely before he went, but he did not object to my request. I was given pizza and coke for stepping in heels for a whole week. Iris spent hours on my make-up, even, I was wearing this uncomfortable shit dress that barely covered my breasts. But Chance is missing his chance.

I have a slightly larger breast, a little more average size. It may be one of the many reasons I chose comfortable clothing over these incredible clothes that I'm wearing now. I am insecure about my body. This doesn't look perfect. I tried different fancy diets, and nothing worked. I'm not fat, but Nana said I was healthy. Strangely, I have stretch marks on my thighs and elsewhere. When Liam started courting Star, I could see how much he cared about her. In fact, he learned sign language for her. My brother made me realize I don't need anybody to boost my confidence.

I was about to pay the bill when I learned someone had already paid for it. I think Liam decorated the restaurant, looks like Travis designed the restaurant... and maybe they're purchasing wine from my other brothers, but no one knows I'm Campbell, and who bought my dinner?

I asked to see the manager, but instead of a manager, I met the great CHANCE WHITFIELD... near the front desk.

The attractive lean man looked impatient. "I was busy with the meeting here... and I didn't have your number." Even if his words told me, his tone was different... It was kind of worn out. His silver eyes go from my face to my feet. Oh, God!! I'm being judged by him. His dirty hair tells the story of how he had to put his hands on his dirty blonde hair. He approached me with his hands.

I was undecided at the time. Seven days ago, when I met another hot-blooded male, he felt differently. I wouldn't say it's uncomfortable, but it's as if I've never felt that kind of touch before.

"I'm..." I was about to shake his hand when another arrived in the middle.

"Honour." I heard. Noticing the scaring of the fingers and touching it, I tasted the sudden surge of adrenaline in my veins. "You look like a woman."

"She's a woman." Chance graciously accepted and walked to stand by me. "She'll be my wife in no time."

The sparkle left his face, and a smile covered his face. "See you soon... future Mrs Whitfield." Embracing the back of my hand, "Whitfield." Chad acknowledged Chance's presence.

"Lyons." Mumbling, Chance got me together possessively, and it's uncomfortable. No one's ever touched me that way before. "Have you met him?" Chance asked me when Chad left.

"He's working with my brother.....Travis...." I explained, ignoring Chance, and looking at the man who was staring at me even when the elevator was closing. I didn't miss the smile on his face... those eyes hid behind the glasses. "I don't know him," I'm a liar.