Chapter 7

LLiyah pov

Driving into my mother's street seems so surreal. Just 5 hours before, my head was stuck in another company project, now I am back to a place I hate with every fiber in my body.

"Could my day get any better?"

It strangely feels like home, maybe because this was a place I once love and called my everything. Now, because of a stupid mistake, I am here again.

Everything at this point was a haze. To think how life moves so fast.

"You can do this," I whispered while grabbing my bag. I walked out of my car, which was parked on the other side of the road.

"Ok, we got this," I hummed cheerfully before opening the door.

His scent gushed at me as I stepped inside the foyer. I slightly frowned before shaking my head to ignore the memories that hit me all at once.

The pictures hung high on the wall of their entire family but, I was not. Simply because I rejected them every time they asked.

I kept walking while looking through all the pictures when I came across a memory that made me smile and cry all in one. It was a picture of dad and me on my prom night. He took me to prom because I had no date. He looked so pleasant, so perfect-

"Lliyah, is it really you?" A voice whispered behind me. The glass dropped as I came eye to eye with my ex-fiancé.

I was about to say something but was cut off by my mom walking into the room.

"Mom, can I have a word with you"

“I am sorry," She said with apologetic eyes.

Looking between me and Jaylan, a long silence filled the room until Lilly appeared and pulled me into a tight hug, but my hands never left my sides.

"Hey sis, mom told me she was having a family dinner, but I did not know you would come.

I can already see what this bitch I call my sister is doing, but I came ready to fucking play.

I grinned at her.

"Why wouldn't I? Mom told me she had some pest problem, so I came to see if I can get my company pest control guy to help out."

"My family is here, so there is no reason for me not to show up." A grim smile escaped my pursed lips as the tension consumed the room.

"Everyone, dinner should be ready, just let me get the boys, and we will eat." Mom walked away, leaving the three of us.

"So Lliyah, how is life treating you, anyone, special?"

I felt a flame brewing inside of me as she spoke. But my eyes caused her to look away.

I thank God that Mom walked back in, guiding everyone to the dining hall. I quickly turned my head and walked ahead of them.

Upon entering, I came eye to eye with Lilly’s father and my mom’s present husband.

Raising from his chair, he came opening his arm towards me with a smile.

“Lliyah dear, you made it,” he said.

Before he could hug me, I doubled back, only to shake his hand.

“Sorry, I do not do hugs,” I said with an emotionless face before directing my words to Lilly.

“So I would appreciate it if you did not touch me again,” I said before taking a seat opposite Jaylan.

Everyone looked at me with either a shocked or angry face.

“Are we going to eat or stare at each other?" I muttered.

It was an awkward silence as dinner was served until Lilly started talking.

That went on for 10 minutes, but my mind was so caught up in the business proposal I did not hear her say my name.

"Lliyah, did you hear me?"

"What?"

"I asked, how is the Company?"

I looked up to see my ex-fiancé and Lilly holding hands when my eyes caught a glimpse of it."

“Good".

I feel as though she purposely stuck her hand out, so I would see her ring. I stare in shock but just continued to smile.

"Oh yes, Jay and I are getting married. Great ain't it? I thought mom told you." I looked at Jaylan, but he simply downed his head.

“Oh,”

"I wanted you- I mean if you could consider being my maid of honor." I immediately dropped my fork.

This two-faced bitch really has lost her mind. The room was filled with an uncomfortable aura.

“Lliyah, I know that the past years have been hard on you, and I know that you might hate me, but I do hope you can forgive and forget all that and put it behind you."

"I thought it might be nice to have my sister support my marriage," she said, smiling grimly.

At the corner of my eyes, her father had the same smirk plastered on his face.

"HAHA HAAAA HHAAA" I laughed beyond control while clapping my hands.

"Wow, Lilly, I must say that you are something else."

"You really got some balls," I said between laughs. Everyone stared with shock as I adjusted myself on the chair.

I looked at her with the sternest face I could come up with.

“Now listen, I will only say this once, I am happy that you’re getting married to my ex and all, but I don't think….no I’ll never be at your wedding."

"Besides, the people who will be at your wedding already had an invitation to mine. So tell me if anyone wouldn't feel weird and uncomfortable in such a situation?"

Lilly looked irritated and while her father sat there with disgust in his eyes. The silence didn't last long because our attention was turned to the persons entering the dining hall.

As I looked up, I came eye to eye with my brother and his wife.

" Lliyah, what are you doing here? ” he asked me with a surprised face.

" What does it look like? " I retorted.

“Hi Lillian," I smiled, looking at her bump that doubled since last I saw her.

"How are you? I hope my brother’s treating you right?” I said in a joking voice. Her bright smile almost made me laugh.

“ Yes. But sometimes, when I ask for some food, it's always - eat greens, eat fruits, eat broccoli.” She said with a pout.

“ Z, I can’t believe you, ” I said, hitting him on the shoulder before turning to Lillian.

“ Don’t worry, I’ll get you and my lovely pumpkin anything you want,” I said, taking my phone out of my pocket.

“Lliyah," my brother said more like a warning.

" What, just making a phone call, " I said as if feigning ignorance.

“ Yes, I would like personal assistance…. Yes …..Ok….. You can come to my office to finalize the details….. ok. ”

After I hung up the phone, everyone looked at me in shock, including my brother, who seemed annoyed.

Lillian looked at me with an unknown expression.

“ Lliyah, you didn’t have to do that, ” she said shyly.

I laugh at her expression before slightly hugging her.

“ Lillian, stop worrying about everything. I’m doing this for my future niece or nephew, so don’t look at my idiot brother’s face.

The assistant will be at your home tomorrow. Anything you need, ask her. And payments on me. ” I beamed at her and my brother together.

Before the conversation could continue, I started walking to the door.

“ Where are you going? ” I turned around to face the table I was once sitting at.

“ Where does it look like I’m going? "

" But Zander just got here. "

" Well, MY Company needs me. Because unlike some of you that suck off others, I have a business I have to run.

I don't want to go bankrupt. And plus the air in here is more toxic than waste itself and the people-

" LLIYAH! " my mother and brother both shouted.

Their disappointed look didn't matter because I was leaving. A pin drop could be heard from where I was standing.

“ You're getting married too. ”

He slowly got up from his chair, grazing it on the floor. I turned around only to come eye to eye with the monster of my nightmare smiling at me.

“ Say what? ” I spat the words that burned my tongue like acid to its prey.