It has been approximately two weeks now since Lyra commenced the first phase of her latest series of designs, and this morning she was seated with Drey in her office to discuss one of the finished products.Lyra sat behind her executive desk, tapping on the neat stack of files right next to her, glancing at the wall clock casually as she spoke with Drey. The time was exactly 8:30 a.m."Here, check this one out." She said, holding out a paper sketch of her recently finished work toward Drey.He snatched it up eagerly, and after looking into it for a while, he lifted his head quickly again. The expression on his face was pleasant but also a bit tentative."This is nice." He complimented it, tapping one of his fingers on it."But if you may ask Madam, I thought you made mention of working on two separate designs. So what about the second one?"Lyra nodded knowingly to imply that he was right and that she had not forgotten. "That is quite true, but let's concentrate on producing one fir
Lyra ran towards the bedroom, panic surging through her veins as she stopped at the center of the bedroom, looking around vaguely for something to defend herself. The approaching footsteps of Matthew increased by the second She closed her eyes desperately, willing her brain and her limbs to work in unison, but nothing was working.She was fearfully clueless, and then, in a stupid attempt to just grasp at straws during the height of her panic, she picked up a book from the Nestle table, and as soon as she did, she immediately realized how useless it was. But before she could correct the mistake, Matthew was already upon her. He grabbed her from behind while she struggled back, throwing her arms about wildly to fend him off. He pushed her towards the wall and attempted to pin her to the wall; his breath was hot on her face.The scuffle continued, and as soon as Lyra discovered that he was beginning to overpower her, she raised her voice to scream."Help!"Matthew laughed as he increase
The following day was a Saturday. Dante woke up a little bit earlier than usual, pacing back and forth along the length and width of his bedroom.He was still bitter about the previous night; even the thorough trouncing he had given to Matthew had not felt enough.He was still thinking of better ways to get back at him after what he caught him trying to do to Lyra. "I could always tell he was a jerk, but a rapist? I could never have guessed that." He thought.“I swear it to the heavens, I am going to make that nitwit pay for every ounce of hair he pulled yesterday. He's going to smell it and would not like the scent."He continued to groan.After a few minutes of going about like this, he stopped at the center of the room when a thought suddenly occurred to him."Wouldn't terminating his contract be a good way to start?”He reasoned, brushing his face with his palm and nodding satisfactorily, as the idea felt like a nice one to him. But before he could do any follow-up on the thought
"Take a look at your skin. It feels so hot. Would you rather not get yourself treated because of what people will say? Why don't you just let us go, Lyra?"Dante queried, still holding onto her; his voice sounded like he was pleading.About two of the security men had already entered the bedroom, waiting at the doorpost."Please excuse us for another second."Dante said, slightly throwing his head at them. They instantly did as told."I'm not saying I don't want to get treated." Lyra finally replied after the security men's exit.Her voice was weak and slow, and her breathing was labored."I'm just saying that I don't want it done in public." She added.Dante stared at her face on his arms for a fleeting instant, then gradually it appeared as though the light of understanding had begun to dawn on him. He gave out three successive nods."I see," he whispered."Is it because of the media? You're worried about what they have been saying about you?""No." Lyra's tired voice came again, bu
It was Monday morning the lustrous shade of the morning glow seeped through the thick curtains radiating the light of the new day. Lyra awoke from sleep with a feeling of renewed vigor. She was feeling so much more refreshed and rejuvenated, unlike the previous day. She yawned and stretched out before finally alighting from the bed. Proceeding towards the bathroom and setting out for a really busy day at the office as usual.The first thing Lyra noticed the moment she arrived at the office building, was the forced and rehearsed mannerisms of her employees right from the moment she parked and started walking towards the glass doors, demarcating the point of entry. The members of staff who first saw her at the base floor immediately wrapped up their conversations suddenly, then they turned to her with extra bright smiles and over-dramatic gestures and she could feel the gazes of tens of other eyes around watching and observing her from obscure corners all over that section.A
It was past 7 pm, and the sun had since disappeared from the sky.The gala party had begun to unfold slowly. The low murmur from the well-dressed attendees persisted. And once in a while, the laughter of an amused guest punctures the air in the decorated hall. Waiters in black and white aprons bore different trays on their hands, holding their heads high.Lyra Daniel was one of these waiters. However, unlike the others, the smile on her face was forced and plastic. She walked from one seat to the next nervously, serving the guests around. And sometimes, when they tried to call her attention to something, they would have to repeat themselves more than twice before Lyra would grasp. "Are you deaf? young woman?" One of them even asked. "I'm so sorry sir, pardon me, it's the music. Too loud." She pleaded, smiling sheepishly.“Oh my God, can you see that? where on earth did Mr. Douglass, pick this Lyra lady from? She's so crude.” One of the younger waitresses whispered to her coll
Lyra literally jumped out of the taxi the moment the driver she hailed earlier parked in front of the hospital gate. She flung his payment at him in a rush, waving and blurting the word “sorry” at the same time as she was running. The driver himself looked momentarily flustered by her craziness but later shook his head indulgently before driving off. On getting to the second floor of the building where her husband’s ward was.Lyra pushed at the door forcefully and ran in, making the cleaner and the two nurses she met there flinch slightly at the sight of her. Felix was lying on the bed with his nose strapped up in an oxygen mask while being connected to some sort of machine. Lyra stopped to stare at her husband with a weepy expression, whispering, “Felix. Oh Felix,” “Calm down, madam.” One of the nurses said.The doctor walked in through the opened door the next moment. “Doc,” Lyra immediately turned to him with her reddened eyes and held out hands. He stopped too
Lyra woke up next to Felix in the morning. Her bones and joints felt stiff, and her eyes were bloodshot due to the lack of sleep the previous night. The movement of Felix's arm made her turn abruptly to face him. His eyes were open now. Which gave her some form of relief. Even his oxygen mask was off. Perhaps the doctors had come in the night "Felix." She whispered with a low concerned voice. He stared at her with frail eyes but seemed too tired to talk, so she reached for the cupboard and grabbed a bottle of water, helping him sit up a little before guiding the bottle to his mouth.After he had his fill, she felt encouraged to go out again and continue her search for the surgery money before his condition started to deteriorate again. She got up slowly. "Felix, I will go and call one of the nurses to look after you. I need to run along now to put one or two things together for your upcoming surgery."But before she could leave, Felix had muttered her name softly and tiredly."