Lyra gave him a withering glare as he descended the staircase, dressed in a casual short and black T-shirt. Her grip around her bag tightened. "Why have you been ignoring my calls and messages?" She seethed the moment he reached the last step. With his hands slipped into the pockets of his shorts, he displayed an air of non-challance. "Leave us." He instructed the maids who bowed and left at once. Then, he proceeded to the bar counter which was just at the side of the living room. "I'm talking to you," Lyra walked after him. "I've sent you tons of messages and given you a good number of calls, but you've been ignoring me." "I've been busy, Lyra." Jared grumped a reply, decanting some red wine into glass cups.Lyra scoffed, finding it ridiculous. "Busy? Did you read the content of my messages at all to know how extremely important they are? Jared, I told you that Nikolai's wife is someone I used to know from college. She knows everything about me and with the look of things, she might expose me." Jared turned around, two glasses in his hands. He proffered one to Lyra while he sipped from the other. Lyra stared at the glass without taking it from him. "What? You don't want a drink?" He shrugged and dropped the glass on the table. "What's going on?" Lyra shook her head in confusion. "Why are you taking this so lightly? Do you realize the gravity of the situation? We're so close to reaching our aim, but this Adira girl might ruin it for us." "So, what do you want me to do?" Jared sauntered to a couch and lowered himself on it. "Don't get me wrong, I do understand how serious the situation is. But... she didn't ask for you to be there. So, what can I possibly do?""Jared!" Lyra flinched. "I... I just told you our plans might be facing a threat, and this is all you can say? Why are you acting so different towards this issue?" Jared gave a halfway roll and sipped from his glass. Lyra added. "For three years, I've had to swallow my pride and dignity to be with that old man. Do you know what I've had to go through daily just to put up with his shit?! I can't even look him in the face, Jared; but everyday, I am forced to pretend to be the good wife. Now I'm telling you about someone might ruin our plans, and this is all you can say?" There was a momentarily pause. "I asked you a question, Lyra. What do you want me to do?" Lyra sighed and relaxed her shoulders. "Well, what have we always done in situations like this? We always get rid of the threats, don't we?" Jared's lips tilted in a chuckle, staring into his glass. "You're suggesting we get rid of Adira? That's not happening." Lyra's head was spinning dangerously. "And... why is that? You've always done it. So, why are you making an exception for Adira?" Jared gave no response. "Hold on...is there something going on between you and this lady?" She blinked rapidly. Her mind suddenly drifted to the dinner part where Mr. Vincent had asked Adira about her contract with Jared. "Goodness," she scoffed. "Don't tell me you're having a soft spot for her. Is there something I don't know about? Jared rose to his feet. "You can think what the hell you want, but one advice from me - you must not lay a hand on Adira. Fix your mess yourself, Lyra. But don't touch her."He took a swig from his glass and walked away, leaving Lyra dumfounded. Did her own brother just threaten her for the first time? **** Kalina had been introduced to the family and was so glad that everyone accepted her. Although, she was still a little bit scared that she was yet to meet Adira and wondered what her reaction would be when she finally sees her in the house. Whatever it may be, she was ready to face her. She and Vesper decided to swing into action immediately, and the first step was getting him to win his grandfather's heart so he can start working at the company. Since his father was being very difficult on him, she decided his grandfather will be easier to go through. So, at mid-day, Vesper made some tea for the old man and also gave him a light massage. In a very short time, he'll be ready to lay down his request of getting into the company, and that was one moment Vesper couldn't wait for. He was going to claim all that was rightfully his.*** Adira was indoors the entire day, even until dark. She barely ate. Yvonne tried all she could to put her in a good mood by telling some funny stories and real incidents that happened in the family. "Mr. Vesper came with his fiancee yesterday, and she's really pretty." She'd added, but Adira gave no reaction as she munched on the piece of bread she was forcing herself to eat. "That reminds me. You haven't met her yet, ma'am. You haven't had the chance." Yvonne pointed out. "Why is it important?" Adira mumbled weakly. "Whoever she is, it's none of my business." After a while, someone knocked on the door and Yvonne hurried to check it out. Adira wouldn't deny feeling a string of hope at that instant, wishing it'd be Nikolai. "It's Na-ri," Yvonne reported in a whisper. Adira's brows arched a bit. Getting to her feet, she went to the door herself, and there she found Na-ri, clothed in a tight short and sleeveless top. Yvonne returned to the room while Adira stood in-between the door, having no plans of letting Na-ri in. "Can I help you?" She cocked her brows. Na-ri took out a moment to notice how disheveled Adira looked. "I hope you can. Why's Nikolai not home?" She tucked her arms beneath her burst. Adira couldn't suppress her scoff. "And why arr you asking me? If you're concerned, you should reach out to him yourself." "Well, I tried but he's not answering his phone. I'm asking you because last night, I know he left home to get you or something. And since then, he hasn't returned. He's ignoring my calls as well. So, I'm a little worried." Sadness flickered across Adira's face for a second. "I don't know where he is." She tried closing the door, but Na-ri stopped her. "Where were you last night? And why did it get him worried? You must have done something to make him avoid home this way." She stated rudely, her hand on the door. "Goodness," Adira rolled her eyes. "Listen to me, you might be his fiancee and all, but for now, he's still my husband. And I don't think you have the right to meddle in our affairs. So, go to your room and stop bugging me." With that, Adira shut the door in a way that was difficult for her to obstruct. Turning around, she snaked her fingers into her hair and took deep breaths. Now, she was getting worried as well. Where was Nikolai, and for how long does he plan to stay away from her? *** Next morning, Adira was extremely burdened as she prepared for work. She left home without breakfast and on the way, she got a call from Jared. She ignored it, not having the strength to talk much. But when he called again, she decided to receive it.They exchanged pleasantries and Jared noticed how burdened her voice sounded. "Are you okay?" He inquired. "Yeah, I'm fine. Is um... there's something you want me to do for you?" She was being formal with him - Jared realized. It obviously had to do with Nikolai. "Actually, I was alerted that someone else has taken over my contract with you. Nikolai's doings, huh?" He uttered. Adira dropped her gaze to her thighs, feeling a little edgy. "Why's he being threatened, tho? It wasn't like we were doing something wrong, were we?" Adira hesitated a little. "I'm... I'm sure he has his reasons. Anyway, I'd really appreciate it if you take this contract seriously, irrespective of who you're working with. In the end, you're still dealing with the company." "Right?" She imagined Jared nodding."Okay, then. Um...by the way,I was hoping we could have dinner again, sometime?" Hell, no. Nikolai was definitely going to be angry if he finds out. "I don't think that'll be possible, Mr. Jared." She gulped hard. "I'm afraid I'll have to decline." A long time passed, and Jared said nothing on the phone. "You're aware....I have no bad intentions, right?" His voice finally came, sounding cold and disappointed. "Of course, I am. I'm just... pretty occupied." She drew deep breath. "I'm sorry, I have to go now." She dropped the call. Slipping the phone into her bag, she leaned her head on the window and just gazed at the passing scenery. Jared was tempting - tempting to keep as a friend. But remembering Nikolai's reaction the previous day instilled a little bit of fear in her.She didn't want to make him mad again. So, if it meant staying away from people like Jared, she was ready to do it. *** Arriving at the company, she went up to Nikolai's floor for the first time to ask if he was around, but the staff reported he hadn't been at the office since the previous day. Adira's heart shattered even more. Was he avoiding the company because of her as well? The whole of the day at the office, her head was a mess. She kept missing up files and giving wrong instructions. Bonnie noticed this and became really worried about her. But of course, when asked, Adira claimed there was nothing wrong. The day seemed the longest for her. When the clock struck the end of the working day, she didn't know if she was to feel relieved or not. So many thoughts flooded her mind as she headed home. Why was the thought of Nikolai making her so restless? The whole time, she thought she only wanted them to be friends. But with his actions the other night and the unanswered questions he left in her mind, she's realized just how much she missed him. She missed him deeply and wanted to set her eyes on him again - even if it was just for a minute. She missed him so much, she felt empty having to long for his presence this way. Good Lord! Why was her heart so weak? After Lancelot, she promised not to love again. And accepting the contract marriage with Nikolai, she'd imagined it'd end smoothly without them being emotionally - involved. How wrong she was. Getting home, she took her bath and changed into something light. Then, she made up her mind to call him. She couldn't control it anymore. Dialling his line, she was baffled when she heard his phone ringing from the door. That was definitely his ringtone. She turned quickly with a gasp, and her heart jumped out of her chest when she saw the door going open. Nikolai walked in.