The Familiar Man

When Lyra walked into the high-end cafe later that evening, she was quick to recognize the Madam of the King family. She was seated in one of the window seats and the cafe was fairly deserted anyway so it was quite easy to find her among the people.

As she stared at the woman seated taking a sip of what she supposed was coffee, Lyra had a hard time believing that this was indeed Ronan King's mother. She didn't seem like any middle-aged woman who had a grown-up son and instead looked like she was in her early thirties.

She was quite beautiful and elegant. Her expression was also calm and even from the angle Lyra was she could tell that she wasn't a person easy to deal with. But she was already prepared for that anyway.

She strode quickly toward her but didn't immediately take a seat. Instead, she greeted, "Hello. Are you Chairman King?"

The woman quickly looked up in surprise before bearing a wide smile on her face. "You're here." She regarded Lyra carefully before saying, "You look even more beautiful in person. Have a seat."

Lyra smiled and quickly took a seat. Although she wasn't in the right mood for pleasantries, she knew she needed to make sure the situation tipped in her favor and couldn't bear to offend the older woman.

"You wanted to see me, Madam." Lyra cut straight to the chase which made the older woman surprised but she smiled even wider afterward.

She also became serious as she placed a file in front of Lyra which the latter quickly opened to check.

"I'm sure your parents already told you about the offer I gave them. That's the breakdown of everything in the file."

Lyra was not surprised. It was indeed a marriage proposal for her son. She gently closed the file and looked up at the woman, with her mind made up.

"Yes, I am aware."

"I heard you rejected it." The older woman asked.

Lyra pursed her lips tightening her fists underneath the table. Of course, she did. The other party was someone she was not familiar with after all. She couldn't possibly just marry a man she had never met.

She breathed in and said, "I have changed my mind. I will accept the offer. But, I want to change the terms."

Surprise appeared on the woman's face at her words and she asked, "Terms? What terms?'

Lyra quickly replied, "First, I'm the one getting married. So how come the Sean family is gaining access to the benefits?"

She thought the woman would not want to do that but surprisingly she broke into a wide smile. "Good! We can make a new agreement and we'll discuss the terms."

Lyra hadn't expected her to accept so easily but it made her even more confident as she continued, "There is also one more request."

"What's that?"

"My father has kidnapped an innocent woman to threaten me and she has health issues that might cause her to die if she is away from the hospital for too long. I hope you can help me find her.

The woman looked thoughtful as she looked at Lyra. " You do know that's out of my jurisdiction. I believe that is between you and your family."

Lyra's lips tightened and she resumed her serious stance. She looked at the older woman not getting even a bit intimidated by her superior attitude.

She replied, "In contrast, I believe it is all in your power. Who doesn't know the influence of the King family in this city? I don't believe there is anyone who can escape your lens."

The Madam was quiet as she listened to and she stared at Lyra quietly. However, the latter didn't back down under her intense gaze. Eventually, the older woman broke into a smile.

Lyra was right. The King's family were aristocrats and were related to the ancient royal family so they had a lot of influence and power in the city. It shouldn't be that hard to find a dying woman. Moreover, she could also pressure Richard Sean into giving her the locations.

That was what Lyra planned when she decided to bite the bullet. Although she wasn't willing, it was the best choice at that moment. After it all settled, she would focus on solving any other problems especially since her so-called husband was dying. She wouldn't be kept in the marriage for too long.

The other woman pursed her lips and seemed to be in thought. At first, Lyra thought she would reject her terms but the next moment she nodded in understanding as she said to Lyra. " Okay. I'll make sure to find her."

Lyra's face finally broke into a relieved smile. "May I see the contract offer you initially prepared?"

She nodded and pushed a brown file toward Lyra which the latter picked up and flipped open. She skimmed through it for a few minutes before looking back up at the madam.

"I'd like to take this home to read better."

The older woman looked at her smiling as she nodded. "No worries. I'm impressed you're thoughtful enough to not just sign any contract."

Lyra narrowed at this but she didn't say anything and stood up, outstretching her toward the older woman.

"Thank you for seeing me, Madam Chairman." She paused as she regarded her. "And also, I hope the hostage can be released before the day ends. This is something I'm confident the Kings can do."

Lyra's words were not replied to immediately, however, a small smile graced her lips as she said to Lyra, "Call me mom."

Lyra was at first taken aback but when she finally reacted, she smiled and said instead, "Auntie, thank you for your help."

The older woman didn't know what to say as she shook her head helplessly before grabbing her bag. She stood up with a straight posture and masked her expression, resuming the identity of the powerful chairman of the King corporation that she was.

Lyra watched her carefully and as she left the cafe, she made a mental note to remember that her new mother-in-law was not easy to deal with. And she was probably just as cunning as her father; or more.

***

"Have a seat, Ms. Sean," The housekeeper said to Lyra with a smile as she gestured to the sofa.

Lyra sat down and smiled back in return. "Thank you."

"What would you like to drink?"

Lyra wanted to reject it as she was not in the mood for anything but out of politeness, she replied, "I'll just have a glass of water. Thank you."

The housekeeper nodded and left to get water for her. During that time, Lyra looked around where she was. She was in the manor of the Kings as she had made the condition to see who she was getting married to before she signed the contract.

Her auntie had returned home safely and this time, she had taken the necessary steps to protect her and her family. So she was confident and could bid for her choices in the agreement. The madam was also patient with her which greatly surprised Lyra. She was curious and wanted to know why the older woman was insistent on her.

As Lyra looked around, she couldn't help but be awed; they weren't called one of the great families in the city for nothing.

The manor was like a palace in itself, the artistic designs were exquisite and the decor was also not to be left out. It looked as though she had just stepped into extravagance. Even the Sean family had to bow in front of such opulence.

Lyra was caught up staring around the lounge, she didn't immediately notice the pair of eyes staring at her from the corner of the balcony. When she finally did, she looked in that direction and saw a tall masculine figure standing behind the balcony.

She was instantly taken aback the moment her gaze fell on that face. A myriad of emotions passed through her face at that moment.

That face was the same one she saw on the news reportedly sick and dying, but it was also familiar. Too familiar that Lyra felt she had met him sometime before. She just couldn't recall where.

He soon stepped out of hiding and approached her. However, with every step he took, Lyra felt her heart thump.

Not only because he seemed familiar but because of the look in those eyes. Those eyes were too clear and innocent.

Just like a child's.