Chapter two
1076 Words
(AGAIN ON THE SPOTLIGHT)
LEAH'S RESIDENCE~11PM
Diva clutches her chest, gasping for air, her face twisted in pain. Susan bursts into the room and quickly grabbed her, rubbing her back slowly.
"Breathe, baby, breathe slowly. I’m right here." She kissed her forehead as Diva tried to regulate her breath.
Susan gently guided her to lie back on the bed, taking her daughter’s hand in hers.
" It’s okay, sweetheart. I'm here. We’ll get through this together." Susan muttered her minding drifting to Leah.
Diva's breathing is shallow and labored, but Susan stays calm, wiping sweat from her daughter’s brow and rubbing her back repeatedly.
★★★★★
DUNCAN'S RESIDENCE ~7AM
Lysander slowly opened her eyes, her body ached in the best way as she lay in the tangled sheets, still unclad from last night's adventure. She stretched lazily, glancing at Duncan who was already dressed, his back to her as he adjusted his suit in front of the mirror.
Lysander propped herself up on her elbow.
"Good morning baby boo"? She greeted.
"How was your night"Duncan replied.
"Great, so you're off to work"
"Yeah, so hectic" He turned towards her with a slight frown.
"Why?"
"It's another damn day to see the ugly face of Sinclair at the office. The whole place is going to roll out the red carpet for him. Like they always do." He rolled his eyes.
Lysander rose and walked over to him, gently placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Don’t let him get under your skin, he's not worth it"
He looked at her, his expression softening. His eyes shifted to her succulent pink lips and he quickly brushed his against hers in a brief, but passionate kiss.
"You always know what to say" He murmured, then stood straight. "I’ll handle him. Thanks and do have a nice day" Duncan said walking to the door.
"You too" Lysander replied as Duncan closed the door.
She fell back into the bed.
★★★★★
B.VANS MOBILE
Duncan’s car came to a halt outside the sleek glass building of the company. The moment the door of his car opened, cameras flashed, and newscasters scrambled to get closer, their microphones pointing at him.
" Mr. Duncan Briggs! Why weren’t you at Sinclair Van’s car launch?” one reporter asked loudly.
“Were you not invited, or did you just not want to show up?” another asked inquisitively.
A third voice yelled, “Is there a rivalry between you two that caused your absence?”
Duncan exhaled slowly, his head spinning from the numerous questions. His posture remained poised as he adjusted his tie, trying his best to ignore the multiple questions.
“I don’t have time for this, I have a more hectic schedule ahead, excuse me" He said coldly, but the reporters closed in, trying to catch one last word.
“Can you at least comment on Sinclair’s new car, Mr. Duncan?”
"Or tell us when yours is gonna be launched!"
Duncan was already moving, his shoulders stiff with frustration. The cameras clicked, flashing brightly as he walked past them, his eyes narrowed in fury.
As the door closed behind him, the reporters’ attention shifted immediately, abandoning Duncan as though he had become invisible. They surged forward, excited, surrounding Sinclair, who had just emerged from his car.
“Mr. Sinclair! What can you tell us about the launch? Is there a new feature you’re most proud of?” one reporter asked.
Sinclair smiled, soaking in the attention.
“I’m just happy with how it’s all turned out. The public reception has been incredible, and I’m proud to share this with the world,” He answered smoothly, buttoning his suit.
Duncan saw through from the glass door, his fists clenching at his sides, his eyes burning with rage as he watched Sinclair revel in the attention so effortlessly. Again Sinclair had stolen the spotlight as usual.
The news casters kept the questions coming and Sinclair answered excellently.
★★★★★
JAIL
Leah sat on the cold ground with her head resting against the wall as many things played in her head. The events of the previous night, the humiliation, the slap, replayed in her mind. She couldn’t stop thinking about Diva, lying helplessly at home, and the mounting medical bills they couldn’t afford. The weight of her problems pressed on her chest, her mom wasn't even aware she was in jail.
"She'd be super worried about me" She muttered as a tear fell from her eyes.
A loud clang echoed through the cell, breaking her reverie. The door creaked open revealing an officer.
“Leah Evans, you have a visitor,” the officer said.
Leah’s heart skipped. A visitor? Who would be here for her? She quickly stood up and followed the officer down the sterile corridor.
As they entered the visitors' hall, Carla was sitting at the table with a calm composure. Her eyes glued to her phone.
Leah dropped to her knees, her voice trembling as she spoke.
“Please, ma'am please... Let me go. I’ll do anything. Anything to pay back the money. Just please, let me out.” Leah rubbed her two hands together.
Carla’s pretended like she didn't hear her but watched Leah with an almost bored expression before she finally spoke.
“You know Leah I could have possibly be somewhere right now enjoying myself and totally forgetting and abandoning you to rot in jail cause no one would be able to pay such amount of money. I ran a background check on you, Leah. I know about your sister, Diva, and her condition. A sickle cell patient, isn’t she?” Carla’s asked and Leah nodded.
“I also know how desperate you are. How much you need money for her treatment and I can help.”
“You... you’ll help her? You’ll pay for her treatment? But I'm your debtor, why would you then do that?” Leah asked, her face filled with confusion.
Carla’s lips curled into a tight smile.
“I’ll take her to the best hospital, and I’ll get you out of this cell. But, there’s a condition” Carla voiced and Leah swallowed on noting.
“What condition?”
Carla’s eyes narrowed as she spoke slowly.
“You will marry Sinclair Van tomorrow and I’ll take care of Diva. Do we have a deal?” Carla spoke in a haste.
"To...to..morrow...?" Leah stammered, her palm feeling sweaty and her ears itching from what she just heard.
TBC....
- Writer
