The Matchmaker's Secret

"UNWANTED VISITOR"

CHAPTER 4

Lily, on her way to the office, thought about what had happened years ago. She was still traumatized by the event that unfolded. She knew being strong for her sister was the best, and letting go of that pain would be beneficial to them both. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't erase the memory that was stirred years back.

She got to the office and handed her bag and files to Maya, who processed them in her office room.

She sat down, having taken the tea Maya made. She went through the planned schedule once more.

"We had this come in earlier today," Maya said, handing her a file. "It was delivered by Mr. Blackwood's assistant. It's sealed, so I couldn't confirm what was in it."

Lily, taking the file, went through its content. It was a copy of the signed contract. Now a deal was made, and no backing down or breaching of the contract would be acceptable. She looked up to meet Maya's gaze.

"Well, it's a signed deal," Lily said with a smile.

Maya nodded, holding her excitement. She left her boss's office. Lily, now having time, went through the planned event. It turned out that having them meet by surprise wouldn't be an appropriate way to start off, given their past. However, it seemed an official party was being held, and the two were invited. Of course, they would know their meeting was inevitable, so she would have to make things spicy. She had received an invitation card, so things were going to turn out perfectly, she thought.

Emily had gotten to the office when she was again reminded by her secretary about the upcoming party. Emily had initially planned on missing it, but given they needed to close a deal with Asher, she would drop by and leave later on.

As she went on with her daily activities, so did Asher and Lily, who had plans of their own which, however, revolved around her.

Sam dropped off her car at the school when she was called in by the art teacher. She stared at the young woman for several seconds before speaking,

"How have you been lately?" he said as he set a cup of tea for her, urging her to feel comfortable.

"Just good, I suppose," she said, watching the man's reaction. He sighed as he went straight to why he called her.

"I saw your completed work. It's truly amazing, no doubt. However, your late nights are the issue. If you don't put an end to that, it could cause a series of complications for you.

"Your father reported this—about you staying late at night—and it would look bad for the school. I just needed you to know that."

As her art teacher spoke, she lost concentration when he mentioned "her father."

What was he saying? She lived with her sister, not her dad. And how did he know? Had he followed her and gotten their new address? This was going to be problematic. She reimbursed all that had happened years back again. No, she thought. She needed to inform Lily. It was urgent, she thought.

She stood up while he was still talking.

"I'll stop the late nights, sir. I'm truly sorry, but I'll take my leave now."

With that, she ran out of the office. She bumped into other students, but she didn't care. At the moment, she had one thing in mind—and it was that their father had found them.

Lily, having just completed the first few meetings that she had also set up, weighing the possibility of them getting closer, was interrupted by a call that came in. She stared at the caller ID—it was Sam.

Picking up the call, she heard her panting. Had she been running?

"Sam, calm down and talk to me. What is the problem?"

"It's Dad. He found us. He came to the school. I suspect he followed me back home last night, and now he has come to school."

"Sam, listen. I need you to calm down and answer my questions, okay? Did you see him? Is he there now?"

"He's not here. I haven't seen him yet, but..."

As she was about to complete her sentence, she was caught off guard by their father staring at her from a distance. She stepped back, holding his gaze.

"Sam! Sam, are you still there? Talk to me!" Lily said over the phone, but the response she got was the call being disconnected soon after.

Lily looked worried and decided she would have to go over to Sam's school. Sam and she had gone through so much when they were with their parents. At first, she was an orphan who stayed with Sam because she was always by her side. But one day, her parents came looking for her. She was already fourteen and with Sam. Her parents took them. It was perfect for the first two years they spent, but things became bad when her mom died.

Her father had her promise his business partner that she would marry his son. But he had been abusive and had almost caused the life of Sam. She and Sam ran away to start a life away from their father. When she was old enough, they were able to stay clear of him. But now she couldn't believe that after all these years, he came back to cause more problems for them. She was going to set a restraining order on him, but she needed to be certain Sam was fine first. She was restless. But as she was about to go, an unexpected visitor came to her.

She needed to go, but now, at this point, with Emily here, she couldn't...

Sam stepped back. She quickened her pace as she went into the restroom, locking herself in one of the cubicles. She would be safer there, she thought. He wouldn't be able to get inside there. She trembled just remembering what he did. That was the thought she was filled with as she bit her fingers—her nails.