Chapter 8: What lies beneath the sand

The blazing fury of the sun bore down her head. The intensifying heat gave her a headache. Colton's threatening, nasty words echoed in her mind, repeatedly flashing Louis’ deepest secret. 

A sleek BMW pulled over. The door swung open and a woman polished with her luxurious clothes stepped out. Andy Moore, cloaked in her limited edition YSL dress whilst holding her small baguette bag, took off her oversized sunglasses. 

“Mind spending five minutes with me Lissie?’” Andy inquired, slipping her sunglasses inside the pocket of her coat. 

Lissie clenched her jaw, the wind oozed and the strands of her hair had been blown by the wind. Lissie hoisted her hands and fixed the strands that came off the border. 

“I don't want to waste my time with you. We have nothing to talk about.” Lissie attempted to retreat, urging to leave the scene but Andy's harsh words caught her off guard. 

“I know you showed up yesterday to make me a laughingstock! Really? You claimed the spotlight that should've been for me!” 

Yesterday should've been a very memorable day for Andy. Colton invested a huge amount of resources so Andy Moore can get the spotlight at the expo. Displaying her work outside the world is her biggest dream, but Andy felt robbed when Lissie deliberately showed up. 

Bella & Co’s outstanding design stole the limelight, outshining Andy’s line ‘Ethereal’ and her other designs such as ‘Equestrian’. 

The entire expo gasped regarding the showdown between Lisse and Andy, yet in the end, Lisse took the crowd's favor. Andy can't accept she was defeated by Lissie, bitter about the winning moment Lissie owns. 

Lissie challenged Andy's burning fury in a sleek swerve. Her eyes screamed elegance, class, but the ballistic and regal eyes remained. Andy recognizes the arrogance in her stares.  

“So what are you trying to imply here, huh? That I stole the spot on you? Oh, c'mon!” Lissie mocked in a tiring way. 

Honestly, she won't exert an effort fighting with Andy. Lissie knows the woman very well. It's just Andy won't just stop provoking her. “Come to think of it. Didn't you steal my designs back in the past?” She retorted fiercely. 

Andy's face turned pale. She was stunned, speechless momentarily. Guilt flashed in her face as the smirk on Lissie's lips became evident. “I knew it.” She remarked. 

Lissie was about to leave when her stilettos urged her to stop. She swerved her head a little, ogling at Andy's speechless state behind. “You have no talent, that's it. If you have skills, my crafts wouldn't stand a chance of ruining what should've been yours. Am I right?” 

She gave a sweet smile to Andy. It is a way of annoying her. Gladly, the annoyance Lissie did worked so damn well. Andy made a loud sound, punching the bumper of her car. 

“You shouldn't have come back, Lissie Jones!” Colton's former mistress, but now a fiancé, retorted back hastily. 

Her nonchalant face remained stone-still. She wasn't bothered by Andy's excruciating words at all. A sarcastic chuckle comes out her lips in response. 

Louis’ car pulled over out of the blow. As Lissie prepares to hop inside his Rolls Royce limousine, Lissie fires one last harsh word to Andy. “I'll claim what's mine. All the designs you stole from me should be captured by its real owner.” 

Louis comes out of his car, his eyes drifting at Lissie and Andy who happened to be arguing a little. 

“And as for your pretty, little, cowardly fiance… don't worry, since you're head over heels for my ex-husband, you can have him for yourself. You're good at keeping the things others’ spitted away anyway.” 

Lissie gave her a flying kiss before hopping inside. The smile on Louis’ face didn't vanish. He seemed proud at what kind of bravery Lissie had in front of the new girl. 

The raw feeling of humiliation Lissie inflicted on her is all she felt. She wasn't satisfied, but she did a good job. Lissie clenched her fist to the point her nails dug deep in her palms. She nibbled her lower lip and couldn't control how exasperated she was that's why it bleeded. 

A long silence engrossed the two as Louis drove his car on their way home. He broke the silence in between by offering Lissie a bottle of water. 

“Did you talk with Colton before your path crossed with Andy?” He inquired coolly. 

She sighed. She opened the bottle and said, “Yeah.” 

“Did he do anything stupid?” 

“Not really but he wants me to divorce you!” she affirmed, almost wanting to throw the bottle away due to frustration and anger. 

Louis drips down silent. His mind was clouded by thoughts of what could possibly the things Colton affirmed to make Lissie react this way? Louis only knew one thing, Colton provoked Lissie. Louis’ heart sank thinking the possible consequences might occur in between Colton and Lissie. 

Louis said, “Aren't you worried? What if people find out the true nature of our relationship?” 

His anxious retort caused Lissie to take it seriously. Her hands were tense, shaking in fear, anxiety and frustration. 

He pulled over the car at the side of the road. His gaze drifted at Lissie with his soothing eyes, and soft glares. Louis held her hand in a gentle and softest way, he bit his lower lip as his hand gently brushed her hair. “You always think before you act when you're in front of people. What happened to that now?” He hurriedly inquired. 

Lissie's taste has gone bitter. “You'll only understand if you were in my shoes five years ago, Louis. It's not easy, but I hope you understand.” 

She conquered vast enormous waves throughout the five years she vanished yet the most provoking situation happened when Colton urged her to abort their baby. That thing won't slip on her mind no matter how many years it will take. Lissie will never forgive him. Each memory gives power to a swirling emotions within her. 

Watching the mixed swirling emotions on Lissie's face, Louis clenched his jaw. He can't stand to see Lissie in this current state. 

The reason Louis never allowed Lissie to comeback at Northfolk City was because this town holds a bitter memories she forgot the three years ago. He doesn't want to awaken the agony in her heart. 

He reached for Lissie's hands and squeezed it, reassuring Lissie that everything will be alright, and he will stay by her side no matter what it takes. Lissie closed her eyes gently, she took a deep breath, before nodding her head. 

“I'm always here, Lissie. You don't need to be afraid. Know that a man named Louis Brown is always there behind your back.”