Surprise At The Bar

Lyra was casually sipping her cocktail when she felt some prying eyes on her. Huh! She excused it, obviously she was too beautiful to not look at. But this was a breach of privacy! This certain man had been staring at her for what, 5 minutes long! The audacity! If her boyfriend was here, he'd smash this guy into pieces. He was pretending hard not to look through his old man's hat but Lyra saw it anyway. 

"Listen, Mr Whoever you are. I can clearly tell you're staring into my soul even if you try to act like you aren't. So please, stop bothering me! " Lyra exclaimed, taking another sip and keeping her glass down. The man apologetically removed his old fashioned hat and Zeke came in at the same time. 

"Is something bothering you big sister?" Zeke took a look at the man head to toe while asking her. He didn't look dangerous or anything. Lyra was about to say something when she noticed the man's face clearly now that his hat was off… 

What. The. Hell. A person prettier than her!? Impossible!

Lyra whistled internally seeing his very well shaped features. Such a sharp jawline, long bridged nose, emerald green eyes and that too which looked like it held the whole ocean in it! 

"Well… " Lyra was awestruck. It was the first time she was running out of words looking at a man.

"Zeke go away! I didn't even call for you! " 

 Now Zeke was the one with a sulky face. What the hell was wrong with this woman!? She looked like she needed help just seconds ago! Such a two faced- That's it no more words. 

The man looked shocked seeing her face. Almost like he was lost in dreamland. He pointed his index finger at her… 

"I know you! I've seen you in an advertisement very recently! You know, the one with a guy where he's all tired but then he comes to you and smells you and suddenly he's all refreshed and then you turn around to the screen and smile and say-" He took a deep hard breath. 

"Bubble Love Shower Gel!!!!" They both said at the same time! 

The people seated close to them glared at their sudden outburst but then Lyra laughed out loud feeling her heart light up. The man too smiled, keeping his elbow on the bar top while he rested his face on his hand. 

"Oh god. No one has recognised me, ever!"

"Well you were too beautiful for me to not notice. " Ah such flattery! Lyra blushed. Zeke gulped another shot of vodka as he watched the pair getting along well. The driver wasn't shutting his mouth anytime soon. 

"I'm Allen Dao. I'm an agent from RnB entertainment industry. Pleasure to meet you. " Lyra's eyes lit up once again but she hid her excitement. 

"I'm Lyra… " She shook hands with him. 

"Well have you bagged any roles in acting? Not in ads but anything else? " He seemed to be genuinely curious so Lyra liked his company. 

"Well…  not really. " She smiled awkwardly, recalling today's incident. As the talk went on, Allen gave her a card in between and asked her to contact in case she felt like she wanted to give a shot at an upcoming audition. He left a while later. Zeke noticed how Lyra was trying her best to not scream in joy because she was personally invited to an audition of RnB which was one of the top entertainment industries in China! Zeke didn't bother to ask anything. They were about to leave when Lyra got a call… 

"Why don't you turn on the news! It's a whole scandal now! " It was Lyra's close friend, Jeny who worked in a news agency. She had made viral all the pictures that Lyra had sent her. Even if the allegations die down, his embarrassing pictures will be floating all over the internet. 

"Good. Let him suffer and don't ever reveal the victims identity, just like we said. " 

"Trust me on this. " Jeny replied  with a smile. 

_____

At the guesthouse, Darah was getting assistance from the maid in removing the dressing over her wound and redoing it. She was told to remove her top in order to do so and she did eventually. Since the maid was the same age as her mother she didn't mind. The wide screen TV was running in the background and Darah took a peek at it once in a while. 

"Child, can you please extend your arm a bit further. " Miss Zhi Ruo asked politely. Darah nodded and did as said. In the wide hall downstairs, Ryu Sheng was majestically seated on his couch in his grey turtleneck, lazily eating an apple while he too watched the news. He kept his eyes fixed on the news, not paying much attention to Devin who had casually walked in. 

"No going there. " Ryu spoke suddenly, making Devin stop in his tracks. 

"What? "

"She's probably dressing Darah's wounds. You can't go there. " Ryu comfortably slouched into the warmth of the couch, taking another bite of the apple. Oh. Good that he said it or else there could've been an accident. Devin sighed. 

"The door's locked anyway. " Ryu continued, making Devin turn to him in shock. This pervert got caught entering at the wrong time didn't he!? He was about to ask him when the news showed half blurred images of a famous director on screen. Someone walked through the door at the same time. 

"It seemed like a struggle had taken place but the unknown woman had tied him up to that pole at the end-" The reporter was blabbering. 

"That scum deserves it. " Devin muttered to himself. 

"Truly. I was shocked to know of that! Let me go see Darah. " Lyra walked past him with Zeke behind, following her like a lost puppy. Suddenly, Ryu recalled something. 

"Lyra. Over here. " He called out. The tall woman came back, rolling her eyes as she slumped near him. 

"You thought I didn't notice? Why is Darah wearing your clothes? " 

"Wait how-"

"It's way too sparkly. We all noticed it. " Devin retorted coldly. She sighed, crossing her hands over her chest. 

"I was busy! Not just that, I really thought it'd be a better idea to go with her so that she can choose for herself. " Lyra snapped back at Ryu. Devin seemed to agree.

" Last time I sent one of your monkeys-" Lyra pointed at an expressionless Ryu and continued "They fucked up my size and brought back clothes which were twice bigger and smaller than me. Never again! "

Ryu Sheng smirked, keeping the apple away and pulling his long hair back into a little pony with his shorts bangs falling over his forehead. 

"Our guest needs new clothes. We will go get them. Together. " His smile faded as he said that and sat straight. He knew Darab wasn't out of trouble yet. They had to keep a close eye on her. Behind, Miss Zhi Ruo was walking down the steps carefully. He looked at her and gestured to her to come near. 

"How is she? " 

Devin was squinting his eyes hard at Ryu. He'd never ask questions like that… 

"She's doing a lot better. It seems her stitches have dried up partially since the wound wasn't that deep. She feels little pain and can walk freely." Ryu thanked her and allowed her to take her time off. But to his surprise, she noticed another figure following behind her silently…  It was Dana, the younger maid. He was confused because he didn't recall entrusting Darah's matter with her.