Chapter 7
1289 Words
“What?” Lyra screamed at Aaron. “What exactly do you want me to see? Let's go.”
“There,” he said, focusing on the apartment close to his window.
“Oh!” Lyra flickered her eyes at the apartment. “Who's that?”
“That's Rose,” Aaron said in reply and rolled his eyes at Lyra.
“Who's Rose?” Lyra asked, her curiosity piqued.
“A woman,” Aaron said to her and narrowed his brows at her. “An elderly woman, Lyra. Can't you see?”
“Do you always have to be sarcastic? Jeez!” Lyra released her hold of his wheelchair.
“Rose is like a mother to me around here. The sound you just heard was coming from her yard, it's nothing serious. She breeds animals on her farm.”
“Oh! So the whole sound was coming from her backyard?” Lyra lowered her gaze and scratched the back of her head. Now, she felt embarrassed by the whole situation.
Aaron raised a brow and shook his head. He steered his wheelchair to where his sofa was and reached for the newspaper by the side of the table.
“So you were saying?” Aaron flipped through the pages of the newspaper, “Go on, I'm listening,” he said to Lyra without sparing her a glance.
“Uhm,” Lyra cleared her throat and gazed at him. “It's nothing. I just received news about my sister's surgery. Seems like my stepmother paid for her surgery.”
“Mmm,” Aaron exiled, “Interesting family you have there.”
“You don't have to be sarcastic,” Lyra rolled her eyes, “I know my family isn't that perfect but at least we’re not monsters. We're not on good terms that's just it.”
“If you say so, Aaron replied and glanced at Lyra. “it's a good thing your stepmother paid off your sister's hospital bills, I'll take that as a yes for a dysfunctional family.”
“Yeah, I wasn't expecting that but thank goodness Mary has a heart after all,” Lyra giggled with excitement.
Mary did the unbelievable. Lyra had called her earlier to remind her of the deal but Mary hung up on her like a lonely beggar but in the end, she kept her end of the bargain. That was more than enough for Lyra. But what Lyra doesn't know is that Mary never paid for any hospital bills. Left for Mary, Lily would rather die than for her to help those lowlife she calls family. If only her husband didn't have kids with his ex-wife before she died, she wouldn't have any ties with those girls.
Aaron scoffed at the young lady's silly behavior. It kind of felt good to see her happy. Aaron felt satisfied working behind the scenes.
“I'll go now, call me when you're done with the meal,” Aaron flashed her a small smile and steered his wheelchair towards the bedroom.
“Alright, I'll do that,” Lyra said feeling excited.
It's a good thing Aaron let go of the deceit. Who knows what he would've done to her? But why does Aaron look gentle and loving? Lyra wondered.
The last time she checked, Aaron was supposed to be a notorious criminal confined to a wheelchair but from the look of things, Aaron doesn't look like a hardened criminal. He doesn't even talk like one. Now, Lyra was confused. She doesn't know what to believe now but that didn't make her any way comfortable around Aaron.
“He doesn't look bad, I guess I'll have to find out more about this mysterious man,” Lyra exhaled and went back into the kitchen.
When Lyra started chopping the vegetables again, her phone rang and she picked up in a hurry.
“Hello,” Lyra spoke first. “Who is this?”
“What on earth? Did you just ask me that?” Emma snapped at the other end of the line.
“s**t!” Lyra cussed and took the phone closer to her eyes, it was Emma calling, now she was in big trouble.
“Seriously? You're done for,” Emma groaned over the phone.
Lyra chuckled, “You know I didn't mean that. I was just carried away with kitchen duties.”
“Whatever,” Emma rolled her eyes, “Wait, what did you just say? What duties are you fulfilling? Don't tell me that monster has started treating you like his slave.”
“What? Hell no, it's not like that, Em. I just wanted breakfast and besides, he's not a monster.”
“Don't tell me you're falling for him already, girl,” Emma screamed over the phone. “Don't you dare? Haven't you heard about him? He's crazy, babe. He's a f*****g psycho.”
“I don't know, Em. I'm starting to think that the media was all wrong,” Lyra said in reply and heaved a sigh. “You have to see him, girl. He doesn't look bad.”
“Girl, you're tripping,” Emma said with a loud voice, “Get over those feelings of yours. Just one night and you're over the moon. You better be careful with that monster, he might be pretending to be nice.”
“Mmm,” Lyra exhaled over the phone, “That's enough. Let's talk about something else.”
“Alright if you say so but don't be stupid enough to fall for just anyone. You better watch your back girl, that man is dangerous and you know it,” Emma hesitated for a while before saying another word, “So what else do you want to talk about?”
“I have good news, Emma,” Lyra said, her tone a bit laced with excitement. “You're going to love this one, I promise you.”
“Alright, I think I like the sound of that already. What's the good news about?” Emma was eager to know what her friend was so happy about.
“It's about Lily,” Lyra said in excitement, holding onto her chest. “She's getting the surgery, Emma.”
“Are you for real? That's wonderful,” Emma said in reply. “OMG! I can't believe Lily is finally going to leave that hospital. This is good news, Lyra,” Emma tried to hold back her tears and sniffled hard but Lyra chuckled and shared in her feelings.
“Don't make me cry, Emma,” Lyra said with a low voice.
Her eyes welled up with tears that threatened to fall. Lyra was the happiest girl alive.
“When are you going to see her? When is the surgery? I want to be,” Emma said in a rush.
Lyra chuckled and sniffled, “I'll let you know so we can go together.”
“Alright, don't forget to call me, okay? Else you'll be in so much trouble,” Emma threatened.
“Alright dear, I'll do that. I'll chat with you later, I need to get going,” Lyra said in reply.
“Alright, no problem. Just make sure you're fine till I get there, okay? Let's finish with Lily first then we can focus on how to get you out of that hell you call marriage.”
“Mmm,” Lyra exhaled and averted her gaze.
A part of Lyra wanted to stay back and observe Aaron. She was beginning to feel that everyone must have misjudged him. Aaron was not only handsome but a reasonable and humorous man. Although he seemed cold towards her earlier but deep down, she felt Aaron just needed a friend. Perhaps they need to know each other better.
- Writer
