Chapter 10

Paisley was also ready to leave, after  all, she was here because of Lyka and since Lyka was gone, there was no need to wait any longer. She was almost entering her car to leave when Harry stopped her.

"Paisley!!"his deep masculine voice called out and she paused, turning to look at him, wondering why he called her.

"Paisley, there is someone you must meet". Harry announced,as he moved closer to her, a neutral expression on his face.

She arched an eyebrow as if questioning him on what he was doing. He knew she hated being disturbed.

Paisley might look all sweet and kind, but one could feel this mysterious and dangerous aura around her. In fact, she was one of the most dangerous person in the country, but just like Kyle, she only attacks when her family's safety is on the line.

A man who she recognized as Nolbett Revaz's father suddenly came forward, a sweet smile on his matured yet handsome face.

"We've met before, but couldn't talk". He stated, stretching forth his hands with a small smile on his lips.

"Have we?"

She asked sarcastically not knowing why she suddenly wanted to be hostile to the guy.

"Paisley...." Harry drawled a little and glanced around. People were starting to stare, wondering why the groom's father was just getting to know the bride's aunt ?

" What were you thinking Harry?, You brought him to me here?. "She arched her left eyebrow questioningly as Gerald awkwardly dropped his hand.

" What do you think people would say, the groom's father just meeting the bride 's aunt on her wedding?"

" Very well then, let's go inside"

" I'm busy Harry".

"Exactly my point, but that doesn't mean you should be rude to Lyka's father in-law ". Harry interjected.

" He gives off a bad vibe.... and also, we don't need to get to know each other, this marriage is a business marriage not of love. We don't have to get all knowy with each other ".She stated and gave Harry a tight yet polite smile before finally entering the car.

" Sorry, that's her being polite. She isn't like every normal person but she ...you know... is quite nice".

"It's obvious that's not true ".

"I know, just pretend you didn't notice"

A faint and gentle smile formed on Gerald lips at Harry's joke easing the awkwardness.

The two men returned inside, soon forgetting about Paisley and the awkward conversation.

******

There was utmost silence as the new couple were driven home in Nolbett's limousine.

Nolbett closed his eyes and rested backward against the seat. He looked  exhausted yet he was still charming. Lyka wasn't interested in that though, her mind was flooded with thoughts of the future.

How was she gonna live from now on?. She knew too well that her life would be different from how it had always been.

She was now married to the former richest bachelor in Beree.She also knew many women were in love with Nolbett Revaz, some were even obsessed. She wasn't even sure how this marriage would turn out.

Different thoughts kept running through her mind until she thought of her mom. Her eyes bristled with tears as she remembered her aunt's and grandmother's words. Her mom would probably have had another child if she hadn't died.

She was still wallowing in her self pity, when she felt the car decelerate, indicating that they were arriving at their destination. She opened her eyes briefly and she caught sight of tall linden trees on both sides of the road creating such beautiful scenery that could leave anyone astonished.

The linden trees on both sides formed a straight line forward until a very beautiful mansion came into view. The linden trees spread out like it was surrounding the house.

She stole a quick glance at Nolbett, he didn't seem to be someone who appreciates nature.

The car finally drove in and the first thing Lyka sighted was the water fountain that stood proudly in front of the dark blue mansion. The blue was so dark it could be mistaken for black.

She was lost in admiration of her surrounding that she didn't notice the car come to an halt.

Yeah, she was a rich heiress, infact her father was wealthier than her husband, yet she couldn't help but marvel at Nolbett's house. It had this unique features that she couldn't explain. The lively beautiful trees though contrast to the beautiful but lifeless color of the mansion,  complimented it perfectly.

Another weird fact was that with the wealth, glamour and luxury vibe that came with the house, also came a depressing loneliness and emptiness.

It was something you could basically feel. The loneliness was almost choking and the emptiness could gnaw at the deepest part of one's soul.

One could feel it just by looking at the mansion, though the lively trees tried their best to hide it.

Well, not everyone could feel it but for someone like Lyka Osvaldo, figuring that out wasn't a big deal.

However, she wasn't bothered, not even the least.Instead,she was intrigued, she wondered and wanted to know how and why it existed and why it was almost hidden.

Due to the fact that the house was very big, the driver drove them to the front of the house and waited for them to alight before he could drive back. Just as the car stopped, Nolbett's eyes snapped open.

'He wasn't even sleeping ' Lyka thought as she glanced at him.

A man that had been standing there before they arrived walked up to the car and opened it before bowing to Nolbett respectfully who alighted.

He stretched his hand to Lyka.

" Come down". He requested calmly but Lyka just had to ruin things.

" No". She declined harshly.

" I don't have the strength to argue with you, so come down already". He said again though his voice was still calm.

"And I said I don't want to". She snapped at him raising her voice a little.

"Fine then. Suit yourself. But don't be a nuisance, I don't have the strength for it".he snapped at her before he walked away not even looking back.

"Jerk".she muttered as she bit on her lower lip, trying to keep her tears at bay. It just dawned on her that she had just entered a forced marriage and there was no hope of escaping.  She looked out but not even the beauty of the mansion could suppress the bitter feeling in her heart.

She waited in the car for minutes, crying, and when she felt she had cried to her heart's content, she wiped her tears and looked out.

She gently opened the door and got down, not minding the driver who was still in the car.

The pleasant smell of cleanliness  coupled with the sweet smell of something she couldn't guess, welcomed her as she alighted. She had barely adjusted to her new surroundings when a voice startled her.

"Welcome home, mam"she heard a feminine voice greet behind her and she turned to look at the person.

The woman was wearing a black, well tailored suit and she looked poise yet elegant. Her hair was packed into a neat bun  and she seemed to be in her late sixties.

" I am Mila and the housekeeper here. I'll be taking care of you and anything you need". She said politely.

"Is there a garden around here?" She suddenly asked out of nowhere ignoring Mila's greetings. She didn't mean to be rude but she just wasn't comfortable here.

Mila on the other hand looked surprised. How did she know?

"Yes, there is. Master loves gardening so he sometimes spend his leisure time there".she explained.

'now that's unexpected '

"Can you take me there?"

"Uhhhh...m "

"You can't?"

"No, not that, it's just that....never mind. Let's go"

She dialed a number the guards and gave some instructions.

Soon, a tractor -like vehicle was brought.

" Oh....am I...?"

"Yes mam. This place is quite large and I don't think you should walk there".

"Ah..., Thanks". She said quietly as she, with the driver's help, mounted the vehicle while Mila entered and sat next to her.

They arrived the garden and Lyka couldn't help but gasp. Just from outside the small gate surrounding the garden, one could see and smell the beauty.The descending orange sun emanated over the flowers in the garden adding to the beauty of the already beautiful garden. It was enough to melt anyone's heart.

Her mom also had a beautiful garden but her father had destroyed her mother's garden after her death. No one knows why he did that though.

She alighted slowly, taking off her shoes and packing up her enormous wedding gown skirt as she walked into the garden while the driver and Mila followed her from behind but stayed a reasonable distance away to give her privacy.

They had no idea that the boss's wife was also a lover of flowers.

"She is beautiful". The driver commented honestly as he stared at Lyka.

" Yes she is". Mila agreed, her face as expressionless as ever.

The two of them watched on not saying anything to each other, just staring at Lyka who seemed very intrigued by the flowers.

"Guess, there isn't much to do huh?"

Mila and the driver froze in shock on recognition of the voice.

They bowed respectfully before leaving not daring to make any noise.

Nolbett took their position, staring at Lyka. He didn't plan on disturbing her, so he watched her for almost 15 minutes until he heard her muffled sobs.

'Ugh, now what?'

She was smiling at the flowers before, so why was she crying again ?

"Is there anything that doesn't make you cry?".

Lyka sprang up abruptly, startled by the sudden intrusion. She wiped furiously at her tears, embarrassed that he caught her crying. She made sure she cleaned her tears well before she turned to look at him.

" What do you want?" She asked harshly, her voice hoarse from crying too much.

" You should come inside already, don't you think ?"

No reply..

" Lyka?"

No reply

"I am trying to be nice here".

No reply

" It's cold outside, do you really want to keep being stubborn?"

That got a reaction from her, she turned to look at him with a fierce glare, picked up her shoes, packed up her gown skirt and finally left the garden, ignoring him as she walked past him.

******

" Now, where are you going?"

"None of your business." She fired, walking towards the direction she herself didn't know about before.

She just wanted to frustrate him, see him lose his cool, it was like nothing she did could ever work on him.

" This is the way in".

" I know " she answered but still kept going the other way.

"Where are you going?"

No reply

"Do you plan on going somewhere this night?"

No reply

Pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration, Nolbett sighed tiredly at her retreating figure.

'such an hassle'. He muttered under his breath still watching her, looking all poise and unbothered,his hands in his pocket making him look like those hot, handsome rich men in movies but when he saw where she was now headed,a place where no one was allowed to go to, he lost his patience.

" That's it!"

Words can't explain how sorry I am.

I am very sorry for keeping everyone waiting,'ve been busy and all that. Still busy but I will try to update regularly, I promise.

Thanks for reading my stories and I hope you keep voting, reading and inviting other people.

And oh...

HAPPY NEW YEAR....💥✨💫🎉💥✨