Chapter 5

Kayla was already waiting outside when I was done.

"Hey. How'd it go? I was seconds away from coming to look for you." 

"I'm getting married." I blurted out.

"What?" She spat out. "You don't spring news like that on someone without prior warning, Lili."

"I'm sorry. I don't know what happened back there but I'd like to go home and rest."I sighed, quietly hinting at the fact that I didn't want to say anything.

"Okay. Talk to me when you're well rested." She said, giving me a hug. 

"Thanks Kay. You're the best." 

She squeezed my arm and ignited the car.

**

A billionaire heir telling me to come over for dinner is what I woke up to this morning. My state of mind was unsettled. How could any of this be real?

If anything was sure, it was the relief I felt from finding a solution to the matters that have been plaguing me. I didn't have to worry about our expenses or money for that matter. I had nothing to worry about and I couldn't remember the last time I felt this unburdened.

I dug through my closet to the dress I had kept at the bottom due to the fact that I rarely wore it. It seemed presentable.

The rest of the day passed by with me being on tenterhooks, worrying about tonight. 

I got ready fast, taking off my face mask that helped reduce what Christie called panda eyes. I was careful with my makeup, adding some life to my face and keeping it light. Just a little light pink lipstick and blush on my cheekbones. I liked the way the gown looked not too tight yet fitting, perfect for seeing parents. I wore a silver necklace with a harp pendant on my bare neck. 

Christie helped me braid my hair allowing me to wear the little dangling earrings that Kayla gifted me. I told the twins I was going out for dinner not telling them anything else but giving the knowing look they gave each other, I had a feeling they guessed it was with Byron.

I was out of the house before six, waiting for the car. Fall just started about a week ago so it wasn't that cold but the night air did have a little bit of chill. I pulled my coat closer, checking myself for anything  I may have missed. It wasn't long when I heard a car horn.

I made my way towards the car.

I wasn't expecting to see Byron Bladell in the driver's seat here to pick me up. Even as he sat there he looked so noble and refined.

I did not notice before last night or at the hospital  because I had a lot on my mind then but Byron Bladell was handsome to the point of heartbreak. The aura around him served to accentuate his good looks. 

Someone like this came to pick me up. I felt giddy with excitement.

"Mr Bladell, you are..." I stopped myself, I didn't know if I was about to compliment him or ask why he didn't send a driver. I remained silent as he drove, trying to calm down. 

"Miss Lilian, don't you think we should drop all formalities if we are going to be married" he said suddenly. I fiddled with my purse. We were getting married, it sounded so strange. 

"Oh, right." I let out. We were to be married and in love, we couldn't be calling ourselves Mr and Miss.

"Well then ,Lilian." That change was abrupt for me and he made it seem easy. I loved the way he said my name. 

Although I sometimes called him ‘Byron’ in my mind it was weird calling him that to his face.

"Your turn, call me by name." He said, turning to look at me. "Or do you want to call me something else. Darling is okay or Babe, I don't mind pet names." 

What did he just suggest? Babe! I couldn't imagine that. I'm having problems just saying his name, calling him something so sweet was way out of my comfort zone.

"I'll just call you by your name,... Byron." There, I did it. I looked up at me him but his hazel eyes were already staring at mine and I couldn't look away.

His gaze was on me was so intense  that I felt like hiding. I was  sure my face was quite pink  as I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks. I was saved by the horn of the car behind us. He directed his attention to the road and I let out a sigh. 

"That was good, just call me by my name from now onwards." I nodded.

He then proceeded to inform me about the people I would meet at the dinner tonight. His dad, mum, his sister, Rose and his best friend, Abel. I tried to remember all the information he told me and readied my mind for tonight. 

It wasn't that long when we arrived at Byron's family villa. I looked around in awe, this is why they live in a gated community. My eyes kept glancing around, when I looked to my side I saw Byron's amused gaze on me. I stopped looking around, I must have seemed like a country bumpkin.

He parked in front of the house, handed the keys to a man in a suit and came round to open the door for me.

"Thank you Byron." I smiled at him. I could see the outline of people by the window upstairs. I held on to him, partly as acting and partly because I was nervous.

He bent to whisper in my ear. "My family could be a lot but they are the nicest people you'd ever meet. You'll be fine."

I nodded and allowed him lead me inside. 

The dazzling light of the room made me blink rapidly before I got used to it, we walked down the hallway that was decorated with family pictures and awards on its walls,  I couldn't look at them for long as we entered what I assume to be the living room and I was dazzled once more.

I was welcomed by smiling faces. I tried assigning faces to the names Byron had told me. 

"Welcome, you must be Lilian." Byron's mum greeted me. I stared at her with dazed eyes, she looked so beautiful for her age. I nodded. 

The teenage girl pulled my arm. "Oh my, you are more beautiful than the pictures." I could only look at her with a shy smile.

Before I could look at Byron's best friend, Abel, someone came down the stairs. "I was finishing up on some important work. I'm not late am I?" The man came down the stairs and I felt his gaze land on me and his eyes widened.

"It's you!" He exclaimed. What does he mean by that?!