THEM AND HER FLEETING ROMANCES

Chapter 5

To make the long story short, the family eventually found out about the truth from Lyonel's mouth himself. He's a bad liar. According to him, due to his dad's pressure to marry Gwendolyn, the daughter of one of his father's business partners, he took matters to himself to start a gossip amongst the socialites.

"Leave me alone," he would grumble to his grandparents.

The matter was taken care of silently and Rai received thrice of the agreed amount written in their contract in a condition that she'll forget everything about that day which turned the whole household busy.

She can still recall how the grandparents panicked and asked the stewards to shut down the media. If things get worse, she can imagine herself in front of the tabloids the next day.

"Miss Sarah?"

Sarah came back to her senses and stared at Lyonel, who'a now worried from her lack of response.

"Inspirations, you're asking for that, right? I guess, from random things?"

Lyonel nodded his head. That's not a bad answer but not good either. Really generic.

"It seems like we've been talking for a while now. I would gladly invite you for a swim but I am not much of a swimmer either. Anyway, do you want to go home now?"

Sarah glanced at the clothes she changed into. It did not last for an hour and she's going to change again? Do wealthy people usually dress according to place? In that case, in a day, how many times?

"You can keep it."

They turned around to Ezra and saw him munching on potato chips.

"Keep it. It's free," Ezra added before having another crunch time with his snack. "You too, keep it. It's free fo—"

"You still owe me some grand, Ezra," Lyonel cut in.

"I thought it's a monetary gift for me," the big man said, acting like a little kid to his friend.

"I did say take your time to pay it but, hah, alright. Forget it."

Lyonel admits his defeat and hands over the receipt to Ezra. "Where would I pay?"

"Sorry, sir. I know you LOVE cashless transactions but this establishment only takes cash from customers."

"Really?" Lyonel's tone was domineering. He looked at Ezra like a wolf ready to attack him.

"Of course we can make an exception..."

The twitching face of Ezra made Sarah laugh which in turn gave reason to both of them stare at her with perplexity.

After the two settled on the account using their online wallets, Lyonel and Sarah left as quickly as they came in. She's still blushing from the good laughter she had earlier. On the other hand, Lyonel remained silent until they reached the car.

They are about to leave when Sarah suddenly remembers the sling bag that she's been carrying since earlier.

"I'll ask them to take—"

"No, no, I'm going. I'm going to take it," Sarah insisted. "It'll only take me a few minutes. If not in our seats then probably in the washroom. So, I'll go."

Like what she said, she immediately found her bag in their seat. She checked the contents and walked out after confirming that nothing was missing.

Sarah's about to head out of the parking space when a young man suddenly bumped into her at the corner. He's wearing a hoodie and a mask despite the sweltering weather, and based on his actions of constantly looking around, it's obvious that he's on a run.

"I'm sorry, Miss. I'm—Miss Rai?"

Sarah almost dropped her jaw to the floor when the man suddenly called her with that alias.

She instinctively covered the man's mouth with her hands and pulled him closer to her. "Who are you?," she hissed like a criminal interrogating a victim. When she realized that he couldn't answer because of her hand, she released him and let him gasp for air.

The young lad exhaled deeply. "Miss Rai," he repeated, which received a disapproving look from Sarah. "Miss Rai?"

"Call me Rai one more time, I'll kick you in your balls. Who are you?"

The stranger took off his mask, revealing a face she did not expect at all.

Isn't he Theo, that actor, Theo Delaney?

His bright red hair that resembles the sunset is the most recognizable thing from him along with his emerald eyes which became his trademark ever since he played as a prince in a well-loved drama series.

"T-theo?"

Who? She means, why? Why does this man know her?

"Do you remember me now, Miss Rai?" He looked a bit upset and glanced again at the back to check for paparazzi. He did not see anyone but he still covered Sarah's face with his body which held Sarah trapped against the wall.

"Too close," Sarah whimpered, blushing because of the man's intense closeness to her.

"It's for your safety, Miss Rai." Theo whispered.

The short distance between them enables Sarah to sniff at the star's masculine scent.

He smells heavenly, she thought. And with those lazy eyes decorated with naturally long lashes and perfectly shaped face, nose and lip in proper proportions and slightly tanned skin, he really looks like a prince out of a magical book.

"Miss Rai, are you with someone? Do you mind if we talk a little?"

Sarah almost resembled the blazing color of the man's hair from the sudden heat that rose to her face. She can feel her hands sweating. Who wouldn't like a date from Theo Delaney? She's a fan too, after all.

But as soon as she's going to give her consent. Lyon came inside the picture.

"Miss Castillo," he called to her. "What's taking you so long?"

Sarah gave a confused look at Lyonel that's standing just a few strides away from them. There's actually no need to ask that since the answer is too obvious with Theo standing beside her, still shielding her from dangerous camera angles.

Theo put his mask back on. He smiled at Lyonel and smiled. "I'm just passing by when I suddenly bumped with Miss Ra—"

"I got my bag." Sarah interrupted. "He's someone I know from before. Same school, we met before. I know him," she made clear to Lyonel so that Theo won't slip and call him Rai. She also tried her best not to mention his identity but it seems like her effort wasn't needed at all because Theo introduced himself before walking away.

With his excitement after seeing Rai again drying up, Theo pat Lyonel's shoulders like a friendly foe and stated his name in a whisper that's audible only for the three of them. "I'm Theodore Delaney," he said and left.