My ex-husband's nightmare - Chapter 74: Chapter 74

Mason
My hands found my lips, and I grazed my fingers over them, a smile gracing my lips as memories of last night floated over my mind.
I felt a nudge on my side. “You should say something,” Daniel said.
Oh, shoot.
I adjusted to my seat, staring at the man in front of me.
I was here in a meeting. “From my observation, your company hasn't been doing so well over the last few months,” I picked up from where I stopped.
“I know, but this offer is a win-win for both of us.” I scanned through the terms again; you mean for you, right?” I questioned, and he quickly shook his head.
The meeting didn't go so well since we were not able to come to a conclusion.
“You've been acting weird,” Daniel said as our car sped past a truck.
“What?”
“You've been smiling when you shouldn't, whispering words to yourself.” He paused and stared hard at me from the rearview mirror. The car is in front of a red light.
“I don't know what you are talking about,” I said, shifting uncomfortably in his sharp gaze.
He couldn't blame me.
I felt like I won an award. Lydia and I kissed, again. It was nothing like Julia's kiss.
Lydia's kiss is raw and natural and… I shook my head; I couldn't find the right words to describe it.
I drove her home, and before she went inside, we had spent another thirty minutes making out intensely. We may not be on the best terms, but I know our body recognizes our love. It had to.
And I was glad I made her feel the exact same way she did me.
“You are doing it again.”
“What?”
“Smiling to yourself.”
“Focus on doing what you are paid for. I doubt you'd want to change departments.”
I'm seated in front of my laptop, staring at the amended terms of the contract Mr. Lowan has sent to me.
I wanted to help him since his father had given me a helping hand in support of my business when he was alive, but I don't plan on putting myself at a huge disadvantage.
My phone beeped.
A text from Zoe.
“Where are you? I'm at the airport.” My eyes widened.
I had forgotten about her text.
Zoe texted me this morning to inform me that she had changed her plans and would be coming earlier than she had arranged.
I picked up my suit and car keys and rushed out.
I typed back, “I'm close.” A white lie.
I got to the airport in an hour. It wasn't hard to locate her. She was standing with just one small piece of luggage. Where are all her things?
“You just had to forget about me. What a good way to welcome your baby sister, who you haven't seen in five years.” I pulled her into a hug.
“My baby sister, will a hug suffice?”
She hugged me back, “and now he plans to suffocate me.” she said.
“You lost weight, you haven't been eating properly.”
“You sound like mom.” She said.
“You, on the other hand, haven't changed.” I helped with the luggage as we walked into my car.
I placed the luggage in the trunk and went back to sit with her.
I ignited the car.
She took a big sniff of the air.
“It's so good to finally be back home,” She said.
“How have you been?” I asked.
“Pretty.” She said, turning to me with a smile at the same time placing both hands on her cheeks.
“Oh, goodness, you call that being pretty, I don't think anyone would agree to that.”
“Oh, come on, what would happen if you agree that your sister is pretty.”
“I don't know, an apocalypse?” I laughed. And she did, too.
How much I've missed her.
“Don't take me home.” She said, “I'm going to stay at a hotel for a while.” She said, and I shook my head in opposition to the idea.
“Why would you do that?”
The air in the car suddenly shifted. The smile on her face disappeared like daylight, “I'm not ready to meet Mom.”
I am the only one who knew about her return. She and Mom, for some reason, are not on the best terms.
“Have you been speaking to her?”
She shrugged, “Sometimes.” I don't pry more. She may be young, but I know she is not thoughtless.
She always has reasons for anything and everything. But this is Mom. This is her blood, and no matter what, I know she can't stay away from her forever.
“I won't stay in the hotel forever, I'll go home when I'm ready. But right now, I'm not.”
We stopped in front of my penthouse. The hell will I allow my sister to stay in a hotel alone.
“I sincerely hope you won't be seeing your fiance. I don't think I can stand her.” She said as we walked in.
“She is not my fiance.”
“Yet,” Zoe added. I couldn't deny her words.
“And she's nice you've not even met her. How do you know you won't like her?”
“Cause she wants to replace Lydia.” Her voice is low, and I feel a tug on my heart.
“No one can replace Lydia.” She is right, but I don't tell her this.
“I'll go prepare your room.”
“I'll come with you.” We didn't say anything to each other for the rest of the day. I changed the pin before I left, so there are no surprise visits from Julia.
At the thought of her, I remembered she had sent me a message. I opened it, “I miss you, let's have dinner.”
I typed back, “Sorry. I'm busy, let's make it some other time.”
Lydia’s pov
I sat with my mom in her room, watching her back, which was against me.
“What did the doctor say?” I asked when she ended the call, and she shook her head. I inhaled sharply, it's fine.
We still have time.
“Lydia,” Mom said, walking close to me.
She sat on the bed with me.
“Have you thought of telling Mason?” She asked. I shook my head.
“Why would you ask that?” She knew I was keeping this away from him. Melanie may be sick, but I'm capable of protecting my daughter myself.
If Mason finds out… no, I shook my head.
“I've been thinking. I know how this might sound. I know how hard you've been trying to keep the twins away from Mason, but I want Melanie to live. I will accept any help from any source.” She reached for my hand and covered it with hers.
“Mason may be able to help. Maybe we should reach out to him.” She said, and I retracted my hand from hers.
“Mom, no, that won't be happening. I don't want that.” I said sharper than I intended. I regretted my tone immediately. She was just trying to help. She loved Melanie just like I do.
My voice softened, “I don't want to. I can handle this myself. I understand your fear.” I can't tell him, “Nothing will happen to my girl. She will be fine.” I said.
“I know. But promise me if we have no other choice. If we've exhausted all options, promise me you'll think about it.”
I bit my lower lips. I don't want to lie to her. However, right now, I have no choice so I nodded, “I promise.”
It would never come to such an extent. I will never have to exhaust all options and call him for help.
I went to Melanie and Liam's room after leaving my mom's room. They were both asleep.
I stayed with them for a while, staring at their sleeping faces.
Pushing back Melanie's hair, I dropped a kiss on her head.
“Mom got you,” I whispered.
When I got to my room, I stood in front of the window. From where I stood, I could see the spot Mason had pulled over.
My lips pulled to the side, we had made out, and I wasn't mistaken about his yearning for me.
I'm glad I still have as much effect on him as I've always had.
My phone beeped as if on cue. I walked to it and picked it up.
I received a message from a strange number. I furrowed my brows, wondering who this could be. This was my private number, and not just anyone could have access to it.
I tapped on the message notification, opening its content.
“Hey, hmm… can we grab dinner together tomorrow?” The message read. I raised a brow.
I don't have lunch with just anyone. I'm blocking whoever this fool is.
Another message popped up on my screen, “It doesn't have to be tomorrow, we can reschedule if you are busy.”
“It's Mason.” The next message said.
I smirked, “why would I go have dinner with you?” I asked. I kept typing, “Don't message me again!”
Immediately after the message was delivered, I blocked him and then texted Mia. I needed to change my private number. I know Mason, he won't give up.