chapter 4:it was just a dream

**** Chapter 4:

As I gazed into his eyes, which made me wonder if I was just a pawn in a much bigger game, I felt a surge of confusion. The only thing I could think of was that I needed to get out of this place. In perfect timing, I stood up abruptly and dashed out of the living room.

While in the hallway, I thought I heard Xavier's voice: "Sir, should I get her?" Andrews' response sent a chill down my spine. "Let her be, I love playing hide and seek!" His tone was laced with excitement, and I couldn't help but wonder what he meant by those words.

I quickened my pace, my heart racing with anticipation. As I arrived at the door, it swung open as if it had been waiting for me. I ran out to the gate, and like the maid outside the door, the security man had already unlocked it, as though he was waiting for me.

I sprinted as fast as my legs could carry me, the cool evening air rushing past my face. I whistled for a taxi and hopped in quickly, grateful to have escaped the mansion. I realized I didn't have any money and nowhere to go. When the taxi driver asked for my location, I remembered Gladys, my friend from elementary school.

I saw her at a school reunion, and from then, we kept in touch. Although she comforted me and gave me tips on how to make my relationship with Max solid, I didn't quite like her. She was once one of them, always believing that Max and Leah were a perfect match. But all of a sudden, she changed her opinion and became nice to me.

Nevertheless, I would still go. I thought I had seen everything in life. I even had a near-death experience, so what's the worst that could happen? I told the taxi driver the address and asked him to wait for me to get money from my friend.

As we drove through the streets, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was being watched. I looked around, but there was no one suspicious in sight. I tried to focus on my current situation, but my mind kept wandering back to Andrews' words. What did he mean by "let's be happy"? Was he planning something sinister?

The taxi driver's voice interrupted my thoughts. "We're here," he said, stopping in front of a beautiful mansion. I took a deep breath, hoping that Gladys would be able to help me.

But as I stepped out of the taxi, I realized that I had no money to pay the driver. I took off my wristwatch and handed it to him, promising to come back and pay him after getting money from my friend.

The driver looked at the watch, then back at me. "Okay, I'll wait," he said. I breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that he was willing to wait.

As I walked towards the mansion, I noticed that the door was slightly ajar. I pushed it open, calling out for Gladys. "Hello? Is anyone here?" There was no response.

I walked further into the house, my heart pounding in my chest. Suddenly, I heard a noise behind me. I turned around, and that's when I saw Gladys. She was standing in the doorway, a look of shock on her face.

"Lara, what are you doing here?" she asked, her voice laced with false concern. I brushed past her, entering the house. "I need your help, Gladys. I have nowhere else to go."

Gladys' smile faltered for a moment, revealing a glimpse of something sinister beneath. "Of course, Lara. I'm happy to help." But as we walked further into the house, I noticed something off.

The way Gladys' eyes seemed to gleam with malice, the way her smile seemed to hide a secret. And then, it hit me - Gladys was pretending. She was never my friend. She was part of the conspiracy against me.

My heart racing, I tried to process this revelation. But before I could react, Gladys' expression changed. Her eyes flashed with anger, and she lunged at me.

"You stupid girl," she spat. "You think you're so clever, but you have no idea what's going on." I tried to defend myself, but Gladys was too strong. She pinned me to the ground, her hands around my throat.

"You deserve to die!" she screamed. "You're a backstabber who betrays her friends and overshadows them. You're a slut!" As she strangled me, I thought I saw my life flash before my eyes.

But then, I heard a voice. "Lara! Lara! Babe!" It felt as if a heavy load was lifted off my shoulders. That voice was my salvation. As I struggled hard to wake up, someone tapped me gently.

At that moment, I realized it was all just a dream. I jolted awake, gasping for air. My heart was racing, and my sheets were drenched in sweat. I looked around, disoriented, and realized I was in my own bed.

My husband stirred beside me. "Lara, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

I sniffled, trying to compose myself. "It was just a bad dream," I said, wiping away my tears.

My husband pulled me into a hug. "It's okay, I'm here," he whispered. "You're safe."

I clung to him, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "Thank God, thank goodness this was all a dream," I whispered, holding him tightly. "I'm happy now... I have a beautiful family, a loving husband, and wonderful kids. Today is a special day - my husband's coronation party as the new head of the Birlings company, and it's also our marriage anniversary. What more could I ask for?"

My husband smiled, his eyes shining with love. "You deserve to be happy, Lara, it's just a dream".Yes it was just a dream,a reminder of my past... and my journey to happiness, My eyes slowly drifted as I kept saying "it's just a dream, it's just a dream, it's just a dream "as though it was some magic word I repeated those words as my mind went back down the old memory lane...