17

Lyn was walking casually through the boutique when a strong hand gripped her arm. She half shrieked and stared angrily at the gripper of her arm, Brian, who was standing by her.

“Get off of me, Brian, you are so rude.” Lyn smiled trying to appear calm.

Brian gave Lyn a long stare, then finally let go of his grip. Lyn sarcastically rubbed her arm, which had turned red from Brian's grip.

“It will be bruised. What made you come to me and suddenly act this rude?” her gaze turned seductive. “Do you want to continue the one that was delayed at that time?”

Brian snorted in annoyance. “Stop it, Lyn, I know for sure you're not interested in me. I used to chase you and you totally rejected me!” his gaze turned sharp again, intimidating. “Why did you seduce me that night?”

Lyn glanced up and smiled. “Maybe it's because I'm in the mood to change my mind.” She purposely blinked annoyingly. “Why, Brian? Aren't you flattered by my seduction?”

Brian narrowed his eyes. “I smell bad smells. There's something lurking here and I'm the victim of it, but remember, Lyn, I'm not going to stand still, I'm going to find out.”

“Find out what, Brian? You're weird.” Lyn laughed. “Maybe you are heartbroken that it keeps you busy with hallucinations.”

“Heartbroken? What do you mean?” Brian's voice sharpened, alert.

“Boy, I thought you already knew.” Lyn blinked again. “That woman you're after, that humble beauty, she's going to marry White.” Lyn smiled, enjoying the pale hue that immediately overwhelmed Brian's face, stunned the man. She waved her hand. “Never mind, I'm busy. Next time if you want to waste my time, please do it for something more important.”

She left Brian who was still petrified there.

_______________

“You won't tell Mom? She will surely return straight from Spain happy to hear the news of your marriage.” Aamber warned. Their mother had just visited Spain to visit her sick sister.

“No, I don't want her to come home. Laurel probably remembers her. When her father died, Mom and Dad came to their house and offered an apology and compensation. Laurel and her mother balked at it, insisting that everything be carried out under the law. I don't know what Dad was doing then so it all stopped.”

“So you're going to forbid Mom forever from seeing her daughter-in-law? Is that your plan?” Amber frowned. “It's like keeping the sun out of the way, brother, one day you'll be caught.”

“But not now, not until I actually have Laurel.” Aaron moved to the bar and poured himself brandy. He ignored Aamber's snort.

“You seem to be totally obsessed with Laurel. You used to be obsessed with fulfilling all her needs, making sure she could stand on her own feet. Now that when it's all done, you're obsessed with having her.” Aamber joined in pouring the brandy and drinking it and wincing. “Maybe you should see a psychiatrist.”

“Psychiatrists will only come to one conclusion.” Aaron smiled wryly as he looked at Aamber, making his younger sister frown in confusion.

“What conclusion?”

“That I'm in love.”

Aamber was stunned, utterly stunned. “You… really fell in love with Laurel? I mean… none of this is out of obsession and guilt?”

“That is, too. Initially out of guilt, but gradually, silently observing her, paying attention to her and subconsciously… loving her. That's why I want to have her and not willing to let her have another man.”

“You risked your heart, brother.” Aamber frowned. “She would crush you to pieces if she knew who you really were.”

“At least I tried.”

Aaron frowned, trying to shake off what was sure to happen in front of him. Even if that happens, he hope his love for Laurel will be enough to keep her.

Aamber looked sadly at her brother, then she remembered something and her tone turned worried. “Have you cleared your troubles with Clarissa?”

“What is up with her?”

“She will be furious when she finds out you finally got together with your Laurel.”

Aaron sighed. He had completely forgotten about Clarissa, being too focused on Laurel. Clarissa was his "regular partner", you might say, or to put it bluntly, Clarissa was his "sex partner." Their relationship is free and without commitment, they take advantage of each other. Don't know what Clarissa's motive is, maybe because Aaron is handsome and rich enough to be a lover.

 However, Aaron's own motive was to seek an escape when he wanted Laurel so badly, seeing her from a distance but unable to touch her. Aamber only knew that if Aaron was dating Clarissa, she didn't know that Aaron was actually using Clarissa. Even during sex, Aaron did it in the dark and called Clarissa by the name Laurel.

Once, Clarissa asked why, but Aaron shushed her off and asked no more. Since then Clarissa never asked again, even though Aaron always called her Laurel when making love.

It wasn't until much later that Aaron felt the emptiness, that he couldn't fool himself by using Clarissa as a substitute for Laurel. That he couldn't but Laurel. So he left Clarissa, ending their relationship without commitment.

Clarissa shouldn't be a nuisance, unless she hears that Aaron has finally got together with a girl named Laurel. Clarissa's radar of curiosity was sure to go off and who could tell what she might do next.

“I hope she will continue to be abroad. At least until I got Laurel into the marriage.”

“You're not that lucky. I heard she's coming home sometime soon. You gotta get Laurel away from her. Clarissa was in a relationship without commitment to you, but she always thought you were free and could be reached at any time. If she finds out you're tied up, she might be tickled to bother.”

Like picking the right time, Aaron's cell phone rang. He picked it up when he saw Lyn's name on the screen. “What's up, Lyn?”

On the other hand, Lyn explains the incident with Brian at the boutique earlier, causing Aaron to sigh once again. After the phone hung up, he gave Aamber a determined look.

“This marriage must be carried out immediately.”