Astraea

Two days before Lorcan's birthday, Brylee went alone to Miliani.

She received a message from the sales assistant a week ago telling her that the suit that she ordered is ready for pick up. Not even asking her if she wanted it to be fitted first.

But every time she would go to Miliani to pick it up, she would see her Uncle parked not too far away from the boutique. She wondered for how long has he been doing that looking like a lovesick fool stalking his crush.

She can't even visit the boutique to shop for a new dress because she was sure that if her Uncle sees her, she would receive a good scolding if not beating the next day.

It was only today that she didn't see her Uncle around that she managed to step inside Miliani.

"Hi," Brylee greeted the sales assistant with a friendly smile. She has been a regular customer so the sales assistant is very familiar with her.

"Miss Brylee, we have been expecting you since last week." The sales assistant greeted her.

"I know, I'm sorry your strict security is causing my delay," Brylee said and pursed her lip.

The sales assistant frowned in confusion. "Security?" She asked to confirm because she is sure that they didn't hire security for the boutique. They won't be needing it now anyway.

Brylee chuckled and waved her hand in the air, "Oh! Never mind!"

The sales assistant walked towards the counter. Brylee thought that the sales assistant would guide her to the workroom on the second floor like she always does but she still followed anyway.

The sales assistant searched for something in a drawer until after a couple of seconds, she pulled out a black gift box wrapped in a gold ribbon.

"Miss Lydia said that fitting it might not be necessary, but if you want, you can check it out." The sales assistant said as she handed the box to Brylee.

Brylee stared fondly at the box in her hand. She cannot understand it but the box felt heavy in her hand. Or maybe it was just the emotion laid on it.

Lydia made an effort in wrapping the suit which is not necessary so Brylee decided not to check it because she was certain that Lydia definitely put a lot of her effort into that suit as well. She just has to trust her instinct that Lydia put a lot of love into it rather than hatred.

"Actually, that is not necessary." Brylee shook her head.

"Is she upstairs? Can I go and give her thanks? I promise I will not take much of her time." Brylee said after paying for the suit looking in the direction of the stairs leading to the workroom where she was sure that Lydia is working.

Then she noticed the sadness in the eyes of the sales assistant. Something is not right. Brylee thought internally hoping that it is not what she thinks it is.

"Miss Lydia is gone." The sales assistant said sorrowfully.

Panic immediately flashed in Brylee's face. "Gone? What do you mean gone?"

"She left a day after she finished that suit." She said then pointed at the box.

Oh, a vacation. Brylee felt instant relief when she realized that she probably took a vacation.

"Then, when is she coming back?" She asked but she noticed the look on the sales assistant's face. "It's not just a vacation, isn't it?"

The sales assistant shook her head. "I'm afraid it is for good. She already put up this place for sale. We are just trying to sell out all the stock before we put up a sign. But we are open for negotiation if there will be a buyer that is willing to buy the stocks as well since this is a very profitable investment."

"Oh my god!" Brylee felt her shoulder melted on the sides. Brylee couldn't tell how hurt Lydia must have been if she is willing to leave everything behind just to move on. She's been keeping it in for a long time.

Didn't she tell anybody what she is going through? Brylee doubted it because upon investigation, she found out that she doesn't have anyone she considers as a friend, not even the sales assistant. She only had one person and that person pushed her away.

She should've been more friendly to Lydia, so maybe, they could be friends and she would tell her what she has been thinking or feeling. But it was obvious that Lydia is keeping herself in distance from her and Briony because they are related to Lorcan.

Brylee felt sorry for Lydia and angry at her Uncle at the same time.

Brylee looked down at the box on her hand and just nodded her head. "Yeah...it is..."

"Did she tell you where she is going?" She asked in a low voice.

The sales assistant shook her head again. "No, she didn't."

Brylee left the boutique feeling downcast. She is standing beside her car still looking down at the box in her hand. When she raised her head, she saw her Uncle Lorcan's car parked in its usual spot.

Instead of panicking, Brylee's face darkens, and glares at the spot where she is sure her Uncle Lorcan is sitting glaring at her as well.

'That jerk! This is going to be your punishment for such a cold-hearted jerk! You can come here anytime any day but I will not tell you that she is gone and that there is not a chance for you to ever see her again. And I hope that she will not return.' Brylee said to herself then she left the place.

The day of Lorcan's birthday arrives and everyone is in the courtyard of the Villan's house. Rowan and Daniella plus their five daughters were all there. The other brothers of Rowan and Lorcan along with their wives and children were there as well.

The only missing is Lorcan.

Just like in the past years, Rowan and Daniella would host Lorcan's party and Daniella would cook everything with the help of Brylee. They know that Lorcan will not like the idea of celebrating his birthday at her pad with everyone coming and leaving it a mess.

Meanwhile, Lorcan knew that his family was waiting for him at his brother's house. He is already on his way, but instead of going to his brother's house directly, he found himself parked in the same spot where he could see Miliani.

The boutique is already closed. The lights were off as well as the lights in the workroom. This past week, he hasn't seen the lights on the workroom. He should be at ease because at least, she is not overworking herself.

But no, he is not.

Because this past week, he hasn't seen the lights on in her bedroom as well. He wanted to use his thermal camera to see what she is doing inside but he knows that by doing that, he will be invading her privacy. He couldn't do such a thing to her. He respects her too much to do that.

But then, what he did to her the last time they see and talk to each other was outrageously disrespectful. And he regretted it. He regrets getting drunk that night and taking advantage of her the moment he saw her in her pad offering herself to him.

He doesn't know what comes to her mind at that time to do such a thing. She is not that kind of girl. She is shy, timid, and vulnerable most of the time. She would not offer herself casually to any man. Though he is not just any man, he is the only man she trusted.

And he is just a man, drunk and internally longing for her. He has been longing for her touch on his skin. He would always find himself wondering how it would feel to have her in his arms, in his bed, which he was sure only she would occupy. He could not see himself with any other girl but her.

He doesn't understand why he feels that way to her, and only to her. He is uncertain about his affections towards her but he is certain that he likes having her around him. He wanted to protect her.

Lorcan would always have a mood swing and only she could calm him. But there were also times that his mood swings were directly related to her. He would chastise her for being reckless and workaholic but she would just smile at him.

He felt comfortable seeing her moving around his pad as if it was her own. He is so used to seeing her at least once a week, or if they were too busy to see each other, he would call to check out on her.

It's been more than a month since he last saw and talked to her. And it is killing him.

Especially that he is the one who pushed her away.

That morning when he woke up naked with her in his bed, he realized that he had taken her virginity. And he was instantly outraged to the point that he shouted at her and called her names that he instantly regretted when he saw her vulnerable state just sitting and crying in his bed.

He was not angry at her. He was angry at himself until now and he just takes it out on her. He was angry that he took advantage of her in his drunken state. He is too weak to stop her in her advances. He wasn't sure what came into her mind that night but he was certain that something provoked her to do that.

He sighed as he stared at Lydia's bedroom.

Where could she be?

His mind started to wonder and the images that are starting to appear in his head are making him unease.