Lisa fidgeted restlessly in her room. For days now, she had been checking her phone incessantly at every beep her phone gave, waiting for Louis to call or even leave her a simple message. But the silence from him was deafening, fueling the storm of schemes brewing in her mind. She stopped in her track immediately smiled to herself she has to make the call, no matter what Louis must be hers.
She sat herself gracefully, picked her phone and dialed Selene's number. Her hand held firm to the phone as she waited for the phone to connect.
"Hello, dear," Selene's warm voice greeted her. "How are you?"
"I've been thinking of you a lot lately, Mrs. Whitmore," Lisa said sweetly.
"Would you mind if I come to spend some time with you? Maybe we could go shopping together?"
"Oh, absolutely, my dear!" Selene replied with a hint of delight. "It would be lovely to have you around."
Within an hour, Lisa and Selene were at the city's most exclusive shopping mall, walking arm in arm like best of friends chattering all along. The staff buzzed around them, carrying dozens of shopping bags filled with luxurious clothes and accessories. Lisa didn't hold back while handling all the bills and tipping the staff that helped in assisting earning Selene's admiration.
Back at the Whitmore manor, the staff scurried to carry in the mountains of shopping bags. Selene ordered staff to get her and Lisa tea and snacks as she gestured for Lisa to join her in the sunlit garden for some tea. Settling in the push seats in the garden, Lisa offered to pour Selene tea which Selene couldn't hesitate to pour out the admiration she felt towards her.
"Oh, dear, you are such a sweet thing, I promise I was right on this" Selene said excitedly.
"Oh, poor thing," Selene said softly, her voice filled with motherly compassion. She moved closer to Lisa held her and patted it gently, she had noticed her facial expression just now though it had changed a little bit even though she tried to conceal it but she saw it.
Lisa quickly took advantage of this so she could top up her pity game. Her lips trembled as she put on her best tearful expression.
Her eyes glistened, and she gave a delicate sniff. "I….I think I only wanted this engagement, Louis seems to be not interested." It must have taken him by surprise, she murmured.
"He's been distant. I'm afraid he doesn't like me….maybe he's still thinking of her."
Selene frowned, her brow furrowing with concern. "Nonsense, dear. You are perfect for him, I chose you." Louis won't go against my word. Selene said reassuringly.
As Lisa dabbed at her fake tears, her mind was already spinning. She knew she had Selene's sympathy, but that wasn't enough. I have to make sure Star stays out of the picture...forever.
Just then Lisa's phone beeped, her expression changed instantly, this time with a hint of sadness on her face. Her hands trembling, immediately she reached out for her bag.
"Mrs. Whitmore, I will be on my way now. I will take time to visit you next time," she purred sweetly.
"Okay dear, drive safely," Selene bid her farewell. Say my greetings to your parents, the maids brought in some gifts to give her mother.
At the entrance of the Louis' Villa, Lisa's car halted at the gates. She punched in the passcode Mrs. Whitmore had given to her to access the house but the access control flashed Access Denied no matter how many times she tried inputting her password.
Infruriated,she dialed Louis' number – but he didn't answer,she waited for a few seconds with no sign of him calling back or coming to get her. Her temper flared up as she drove off.
Inside, Louis gently picked Star from the car in his arms,and treaded softly as if she were made of glass. Earlier, Louis had discussed about Star's safety with Raymond at the hospital. He agreed with Louis on Star staying with him for her safety while he runs the company.
"Put me down, I can walk," Star murmured, embarrassed by the way he carried her in front of everyone including the staff.
"Stay still," Louis said, the tone firm but gentle.
Just then,Star's eye dashed towards his face. He looked very tired– the sleepless night etched into his features and she couldn't help but feel a pang of pity.
He strode gently upstairs. Instead of taking her to the guest room he had ordered earlier to be prepared,he took her straight into his room. He ordered her belongings should be kept into the guest room. The butler and the staff couldn't help but be surprised cause master never allows anyone into his room,only the butler is allowed to clean. So bringing a girl home and to his room!
Louis laid her gently on the bed, "Sleep…uhnn, be a good girl" he patted her on the head,before she could complain. He knew exactly what she wanted to complain about but he has to keep her here in order to monitor her.
Star could only nod,as she looks deep into his eyes,the eye held a lot of things at the same time, she has a lot of things to ask him. Why does he cares? How was he able to locate her? Why did he leave her? But now she has to recover. This was her thoughts as she drifted off to sleep.
Louis lingered, his eyes tracing the delicate lines on her face. She has grown into a beautiful woman and now she looks more delicate. He would protect her at all costs.
He gently stroked her face, but when his hands brushed her cheek, she jolted, fighting him off as if those men were still there. Louis pulled her close, murmuring soft reassurances until she calmed. Silent tears slid off her face.
Louis' jaw tightened. The sight ignited something dangerous in him.