Come Closer

Chapter 31

AUTHOR POV

“Did you see a woman in a red dress?” James inquired, as soon as he came home with Lyena. She frowned. “There were a lot of them.”

“Red dress, long sleeves, wavy hair and black heels” He described the woman quickly and Lyena had to rethink his whole statement in her head to understand what he had said. Her eyes widened upon remembering the girl she met in the hallway.

“Yes, I met her in the hallway when I went to the washroom.”

“What did she say? Did she do something to you?” His voice was alarmed.

“Why? What happened?” She continued to answer James, seeing his impatient look. “Don’t worry, she just asked if I remember her. And when I said no, she apologized and said that she had mistaken me for someone else.”

James sighed in relief. But wait! If she didn’t try to do anything to Lyena, why did she ask if Lyena knew her? “Did she say who she is?”

“No, she didn’t.”

“If you ever see her, don’t get close to her. I think she is dangerous.”

“Tell me what happened.”

James tool Lyena’s hands in his. “I promise that I’ll tell you everything when I know the full story.”

…………

“Boss, they have arrived.” The guard informed the arrival of the visitors.

“Send them in.”

He nodded at his boss and went out to escort the visitors.

The echo of the footsteps of the guests halted when they reached the edge of the long table.

“James,” the other man greeted.

“Hayden.”

“Please join me. You came at dinner time.” Hayden pointed at the food on the table, with his knife. And he proceeded to cut his steak.

“You know that I am not here to eat.” James stated, not making a move to even take a seat.

Hayden paused, and smiled slightly. “No. You’re not,” he placed his knife and fork on the plate. “Tell me, what do I owe this pleasure?” He leaned back on his chair, resting his wrists on the table. A thin smile decorating his lips.

James stayed in silence, taking in the calm demeanor of the man in front of him. Should he trust this man? He has never had close relations with the grey suited man. Hayden definitely was someone to be wary of. But he is a man of his word, and James had no reason to think that this sleeping dragon would decide to use what he is here for, against him.

“I came to know someone’s identity.”

“Identity?” Hayden raised his eyebrows, allowing a slight portion of interest to creep into his voice.

“A girl at your party- a woman in red. Wavy hair and a long dress with long sleeves. Do you know her?”

Hayden didn’t break the eye-contact. He knew exactly of whom James was asking about. What to say? He himself was curious about her. “May I know the reason you’re asking this?” Hayden knew if James wasn’t desperate to know who this person is, he wouldn’t have come this far as to ask him. And desperation meant there was something important; a very important purpose behind this.

James blinked. “I’m afraid I can’t tell you the reason.”

“Is that so?” Hayden looked at his plate. “The food has turned cold.” He muttered annoyed, making sure James could hear it. He looked up again, with a thin smile dancing on his lips. “Well, I’m sorry to tell you that I can not disclose her identity without knowing the reason. You should have known about this before you came here.”

A few moments of silence took its place in the dining room, as both James and Hayden evaluated each other. And James knew that he would not get what he wanted without giving what Hayden is asking for. Everything comes at a price, and considering Hayden’s personality, James decided that this was a fair trade. But still, the terms haven’t been specified.

“I believe that she is a threat to Lyena.” He broke the silence.

“And what makes you believe that?”

James lifted his eyebrow. “I’ve told you the reason now. Give me her name,” he ignored the last question.

The egoistic nature of Hayden kept demanding to not give what James was asking for. But he was not stupid to make unnecessary enemies. “The name is Avelyn.”

………………..

“Lyena!” James’s loud voice carried itself to the kitchen. “I’m here!” Lyena shouted back, not looking away from the pancakes she was cooking.

James came running into the kitchen, and rested his hands beside Lyena, on the kitchen counter. Lyena turned to the side, only to see him panting. “What happened?!” She frowned at him, and didn’t wait for a reply as she poured him a glass of water. “Here,” she placed it in his hands, and quickly turned to take the cooked pancake out of the pan before it burned, and turned off the stove. Then she looked at James, who was gulping down the water with his slightly trembling hands. He placed the glass on the counter, and breathed out. “Her…name is…Avelyn!” He said between his shaky breaths. Lyena’s eyes widened. “B-But that can’t happen. She is dead!”