Chapter 3 Stay away from her!

Everyone seems so immersed in their lives, unwilling to lend a helping hand since whatever that is happening in the other person's life doesn't affect them.

They have no one to explain to, people would only act like they understood when it's clearly written on their faces that they do not. Experience, they said, is the best teacher.

"I mean, it's crazy and I can't believe that my friend got swept off her feet in one go" Ariel teased, trying hard to hold back her laughter.

"Stop being so dramatic, this is no movie" Lyra said, supporting her chin with her palm.

"At least you still have your brother by your side. It's worth the fight and who knows he might soften towards you one day" Ariel said with seriousness.

Lyra laughs it off "have you ever since a rock soften or melt? That's who Rowan is, but then I would keep trying my best acting like the dutiful wife that I am. Who knows I might win the 'best wife of the year'

"Yay, that's the spirit, let's keep hope alive" Ariel said, folding her hand into a fist in a way to encourage her friend.

"Aiden will be going home with me today, he can't stay at your place forever. Moreover he would fall sick if he doesn't see me for one more day" Lyra said with a proud look on her face.

"What? Are you showing off now?" Ariel asked with a smile.

"You can't blame me for being such a good mother" Lyra answered standing up from the stool she sat on.

"it's best we go back to work before Mrs Rose serves our skull to the Lab for experiment" she said packing away the used plates and trays.

"Can we at least have lunch before you start packing those things?" Ariel asked but got no response from busy Lyra.

Sometimes she wishes her friend Lyra was a little bit lazy, then she would have breathing space when it comes to work. Her energy is too much for her to match up with.

Lyra took Aiden from the preschool he's attending, Aiden was so happy to see her. It's been three days without her mommy.Lyra waved down a cab and gave the chauffeur the address to Darko's mansion.

She saw the surprised look on the man's face but didn't encourage it either. She was staring out the window enjoying the evening view of the City.

Everything on the street was sparkling and Lyra wonders if her life would ever sparkle this way too.She paid the driver and walked towards the giant gate, the bodyguard opened the door for them. She's back to her reality. Aiden was running all over the place.

"Aiden be careful, you must not fall" she cautioned.She knew her brother was only amused at the beauty and perfection of the building before him. Aiden kept moving from one side to another touching everything he laid his eyes on.

The living room was quiet except for the ticking of the big Italian wall clock."Is this our new place?" Aiden asked in excitement.

Lyra nodded in response."Ta-da!!!" Aiden exclaimed, exploring the rooms.

"Don't touch anything," Lyra cautioned.

"Okay mama" Aiden responded intrigued by the vase placed at the window side.He sat down to perceive it since Lyra had warned him not to touch it.

"Mom, who is paying for the rent? I mean we could hardly afford that haunted house we were living in before" Aiden asked in his small voice while he sat beside Lyra.

"No one is paying rent, baby, free housing and feeding. Now that's enough question for today, let's go get you freshen up" Lyra held his hand and led him upstairs to the room she shared with Ethan.

Lyra knew she would be asking for trouble if she allowed her kid brother to stay in the same room with them. She ordered one of the maids to arrange the room next to theirs.

They both had their bath, Aiden was feeling sleepy by the time he finished eating his cookies. Lyra put him to bed, she left him when she's certain that he's comfortable with his new sleeping arrangement.

It's past eight in the evening, both her feet and body hurts from walking around all day but still has to cook dinner for Ethan.She rolled her eyes at the thought of him, wondering if he ate the breakfast she made in the morning.

She decided to make fried rice and chicken for the sake of Aiden since that's his favorite and because he missed out on the dishes cooked at her wedding.After spending another hour in the kitchen trying to make everything perfect.

"Hey pretty" she heard the voice say behind her, rinsing her hands under the running water before turning her attention to whoever it was.

"Hey" Lyra replied shortly, trying hard to place the person's face on the list of the people she had met recently.

"I'm Chris, Ethan's younger cousin" Chris introduced himself.

"Oh pardon my manners" Lyra offered."No it's fine, why are you cooking instead of the maids and it's already late. You should be resting now"

Lyra gave a small smile "no it's fine, nothing I can't handle" Chris laughed "sounding like a boss lady"

They both laughed at his joke.

"Ugh ugh!!!" Ethan clears his throat as he enters the kitchen.

Half glaring at his cousin, he heard Lyra's laughter and was curious to know who she' laughing with, and guess what it was his damn cousin.

"Hey, babe," Ethan called, walking towards Lyra. He hugged her and kissed her forehead before looking into her eyes.

Lyra was dumbstruck, she kept blinking at his face, thinking if he had mistaken him for someone else."Hi," Lyra replied, looking away.She tried releasing his grip on her waist but couldn't, she doesn't know why she is uncomfortable in his arms.

"I guess you would be so tired after the day's work, and I thought to come help," Ethan said, tucking her hair behind her ear.

Lyra stared at him in disbelief, she returned her gaze at Chris who was watching them the entire time for clues and he only shrugged.

"Why not go upstairs and rest while I finish up here" Rowan continued loosening the apron from her waist.

"Are you sure about that?" Lyra squinted her face.

"Of course babe, anything for you" Ethan urged her to leave the kitchen, he kissed her forehead again before he finally let her go.His face changed, staring daggers at Chris.

"What? Are you afraid she would fall for me instead" Chris asked in his taunting voice, his chin up in the air.

"Stay away from her. Stay off my woman. There's a limit to what I can talk from you" Ethan said before he left the kitchen angrily.

It's just a few days after their wedding and she's already talking to other men.

That's a red flag.Talking to another man aside from him is a red flag and that person being his cousin is a redder flag. He breathed out in jealousy.