Chapter 3

After I was discharged on Sunday, my best friend, Kayla came to pick the twins and I – they were here throughout the weekend- up. We stopped at the bar to get my phone and purse.

“Good morning Mr Timothy.” I said, knocking on the manager’s door. 

“Come in.” He called out. After two minutes, he finally looked up from his phone.

“Lilian.” His face contorted into an angry look. “How dare you show up here again? We were almost sued, all thanks to you. Why on earth did you break a bottle on a customer’s head?” He shouted.

“I’m..I’m so.. sorry sir.” I stuttered out. “It won’t happen again.”

“Of course it won’t.” He said, a sneer on his face. “You are fired.”

“Please sir, I need the money to cater for my family.” I pleaded with him. 

“I don’t think you need the money, afterall, you have a rich boyfriend.”

I was confused. What’s he talking about?

“Why do you look so confused, you thought we wouldn’t know? It’s all over social media. Anyway, just leave. I don’t want to see you again.” He said with a tone of finality. 

I sighed, defeated.

‘ I have to look for a new job as soon as possible. Also, what on earth was he talking about? Rich boyfriend?’ I snickered. ‘ As if.’ 

After clearing out my locker, I went back out, checking for any messages or calls. There was a string of drunk texts from dad, a reminder to pay my student loan and a text from an unknown number.

Hi Lilian. This is Byron Bladell. Meet me at Sauce and Steak restaurant in Westhill by 6pm, Sunday evening. I have an offer for you.

Who is Byron Bladell?

“What took you so long? These two nearly tore each other’s throat.” Kayla said, her eyes full of pity for me. She always tried to pretend everything was fine when with me.

I got in the car and turned to glare at the twins. “Why were you guys fighting?”

“James said you couldn’t possibly be dating Byron. And I asked why not?” Christie said.

“I was going to wait till we dropped the twins but how do you know Byron?” Kayla asked, her eyes shining with curiosity.

“Who is Byron? Why is everyone talking about him?! Even Mr Timothy said something about a rich boyfriend. Can someone explain to me?” I said, exasperated.

They all shared a look before Christie handed me her phone. The guy I had bumped into in the hospital was in the picture. With me.

I looked at all the headlines and my heart started beating really fast. 

“Hey, calm down. Look at me.” James snapped his fingers in front of my face. “Don’t panic, calm down. Breathe in, breathe out.”

I did as he said. “I actually don’t know him. I bumped into him in the hospital.”

“But you said you sprained your ankle, so how were you able to walk?” Christie asked, a look of suspicion etched on her face.

“You know, I needed something and you guys hadn’t arrived yet. I had to get it myself.”

She didn’t say anything though I’m sure none of them believed I truly sprained my ankle. I’m just grateful they didn’t insist on knowing why I was in the hospital.

“Byron is this really rich guy. He owns an hotel and is the heir to this really big restaurant. They have lots of branches, you should know it. Sauce and Steak?” Kayla told me.

Oh! 

“Don’t forget to add that he was the last ‘little Mister Toronto’ before the pageant was stopped.” Christie added. 

“My goodness! Why do I have to be involved with him?” I screamed, covering my face. “Let’s just go home.” 

No one said anything as Kayla drove us home.

** 

“Why don’t you guys go inside? I’ll join you soon.” I said to the twins. They nodded and got out of the car.

“Thanks Kay.” They said in unison then glared at each other.

Kayla giggled and waved at them. “They are so cute sometimes.”

“Trust me they are not,” I sighed, “Byron sent me a text.”

“What?! What did he say?”

“He said I should meet him in the sauce and steak restaurant in Westhill this evening.”

“Are you being for real?” She asked, already bubbling with excitement.

“Do I look like I’m joking?” I deadpanned.

“I’m so excited. Maybe he really likes you. I have to dress you up, do your hair and makeup and..” She counted off her fingers.

“Hey, rein in your horses. Who said anything about him liking me?”

“He doesn’t?” Her face fell. “Well, that’s a pity. So, what does he want?”

“He said he has an offer for me.” I said, fiddling with my fingers.

“Do you want to go? Rich people can be crazy.”

“You’re rich, babes!” I said pointedly.

“Who said I wasn’t crazy?!” She laughed maniacally.

I smiled but soon joined her in laughing. My ribs hurt from laughing too much.

“But, are you okay?” She asked, her face reflecting her concern.

“I didn’t want to tell you but I feel like at least one person should know should anything happen to me.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I wasn’t admitted because I sprained my ankle.”

“We kinda figured that out already.” She smirked but quickly wiped it off, becoming serious. “What was it?”

“I was diagnosed with Arrhythmia.” I dropped the bombshell.

“What?!” All colour drained from her face. “Isn’t that the same thing your… She died from?”

“Yes,it is. Apparently, it is inherited. I was given some drugs to manage it till a heart donor is found.”

“No..”

“My mum waited her whole life and yet she didn’t get a heart donor. What are the chances?” I said, resignedly.

“Don’t think like that. God, I’m going to cry.” She said, her eyes already watering.

“Don’t you dare! The doctor said I can’t take my antidepressants because heart medicine doesn’t work hand in hand with antidepressants.”

“This is too much for you. How will you cope with your panic attacks and nightmares or your insomnia?!”

“Cheer up. God will make a way. Let me drop off some cash for the twins so they can get something to eat. Then we’ll head to your house and drown our troubles in fruit wine, chocolates and rom-coms. After which you can do my makeup.”

She smiled sadly, turning her face away from me. I knew she was crying. I wished this wasn’t happening, that I was normal and I could live a happy life.

What wishful thinking!

** 

Kay dressed me in a beige body fitting gown with a black cardigan. She did my makeup and paired my clothes with matching black bag and shoes.

“You look beautiful.” She said, tearing up.

“Thank you love. Now, why don’t you complete the job by driving me there?”

“Of course. What do you have a rich best friend for?”

I laughed. She made me pose for a few pictures, changed into a gown similar to mine and rushed us towards the car.

** 

I got down in front of the restaurant. Kay was directed to park then she got down.

“What are you doing?” I mouthed.

“I can’t come to sauce and steak without having a steak. I’ll get some for you and the twins also. Give me a call when you’re done.” She smiled, giving me a push towards the reception.

“Good evening ladies. Do you have a reservation?”

“We do not. Well, I’m here to see Byron Bladell.” I said.

The lady’s eyes grew round. “It’s you. Mr Bladell’s girlfriend!” 

“Hi. Please, could you show me to where he is?”

“Of course. It will be a pleasure. How you managed to thaw that man’s heart is a wonder to us all.” The lady blabbed on.

I waved at Kay as the lady led me away enthusiastically.

We went pass the main restaurant which was almost filled with various families and got in the elevator.

“This is the regular part. The VIP rooms are upstairs. They are private and for the privileged. Also, you are really beautiful.” The lady gushed.

“Thank you.” I replied with a sincere smile. We got out and she left me in front of the first door.

I knocked and the door was opened from the inside. The room screamed wealth. There was a glass table in the middle surrounded by lush sofas. The room was decorated with different artworks and flowers. The aesthetic was generally eye-pleasing.

A buff guy walked past me without so much as a ‘hello’. 

“Welcome Lilian, why don’t you have a seat?” The guy from the hospital, Byron, said.

I sat opposite him. The door was opened again and a stream of waiters came in with different plates of food. They set them on the table and left.

“Help yourself.” He said.

“May I know why I’m here?” I asked, not willing to spend too much time with him.

“I think I may like you.” He sm

iled sinisterly. “ We are more alike than I thought. Straight to business then..”

I strained my ears, waiting and agitated. We had to get out of this mess somehow.

“Marry me.”