Chapter 81: Caught in the Spotlight

Chapter 81: Caught in the Spotlight
Chapter 81: Caught in the Spotlight
Elora heaved a sigh as she sat on the bed. Her life was beginning to look like a paparazzi life, the life her mother had always wanted but she was not sure if she liked this kind of life.
She loved being in her room and listening to music all day long on her headphones with no disturbances. Her life was gradually changing and at this point, it seems she was stuck.
Her phone’s loud ring jolted her back to reality and Lyra quickly walked to the table. She picked the phone up and walked back to Elora, handing her the phone gently.
“I should excuse you,” Lyra stated then left the room immediately.
Elora glanced at the screen then narrowed her eyes as she saw it was her mother. She pondered if Lac had told her about her kidnapping.
After hesitating, she answered the call and pressed the phone to her ear.
“Hello, mother.” She let out dryly.
“Elora! My child! How have you been? I am so sorry I did not call you when I arrived in Italy. David has been so occupied with many things and I had to assist.” Mary replied from the other end.
“It is fine. How was your trip?” Elora inquired curiously.
“We were not happy that we did not get to leave with you. We arrived with gloomy faces that day.”
Elora smiled lightly. “You don't have to bother about me…I am fine here.”
“Yeah, about that.” She paused then added. “I heard something and I hoped I got the wrong information.”
“You heard something? What was that?”
“I heard about your kidnap….I heard that a gang of crazy bikers kidnap you, please tell me this is not true.” Mary said, almost pleading.
Elora hesitated. Her gaze darted from her hand to her feet as she thought about what to say. She could not underestimate her mother as she knew she was aware of lateness news. But the news of her kidnap did not go public or did Lac tell her?
“Is it true or not, Elora? Talk to me!”
“Umm..where did you get that silly news?” Elora questioned, chuckling softly to hide the nervousness in her tone.
“You got kidnapped, Elora and you're trying to hide it from me? I'm your mother of goddamn sake.” She replied, her tone rising.
“It is not true, mother! I don't know where you got your news from but it's false. Lac is here to protect me from any harm, he can't see me in pain. I'm very safe and fine.” Elora answered back calmly.
“Did you just say he will protect you? Have you forgotten the kind of man Lac is?” Mary inquired, her tone laced with disbelief.
“I know, mother but in this situation…
“What situation?” She interrupted, her tone serious.
Elora closed her eyes, she knew her mother would get to the root of the matter even though she didn't want her to.
“Did you see the pictures the media released? We had that shoot yesterday and if I was really kidnapped, how would the shoot be successful?” Elora inquired, wanting to convince her.
“Well…you are right about that. I saw the pictures the media released..i guess my source is not truthful then.” She answered back, her tone calm.
“Right.”
“But those pictures, aren't they a bit vulgar? I mean you and Lac were too…
“I have to go now, bye! I will talk to you later.” Elora cut in sharply then ended the call. She took a relieved breath and lowered her phone on the bed. If her mother said she had a source that told her about her kidnapping, she was not lying.
She must have people around working for her. Elora stood up from the bed, ready to go and Lac about her mother’s ‘information source.’
The door opened suddenly and Lyra walked in with a maid. The maid was holding a box of a different designer box from the other day.
“What is it?” Elora questioned, her eyes glued on the box.
“This is the outfit for the outing.” Lyra retorted sweetly as the maid placed the box on the table beside the tray.
“What outing? I told you already that I don't feel ready for an outing.” Elora insisted softly, her tone firm. “I just want to regain my strength…why would I want to face the world?”
Lyra’s gaze softened and the maid, sensing the tension, left the room instantly. “I understand you ma’am but the young master believes that this outing might be beneficial for you. You have been indoors for some days so he believes this will help take your mind off things.”
Elora’s heart wasn't in it. She had hoped for a peaceful recovery after wild events that had happened, but Lac's insistence on the unexpected outing filled her with apprehension.
“I don't think I want to be a spectacle for the public or whatever.” She answered back.
Lyra sensed Elora’s fragility and stepped forward. “I shouldn't be telling you this but the plan has requested an interview with him regarding your current situation,” Lyra said. “It is part of the plan and it's a very controlled environment. You will be away from prying eyes.”
Elora’s brows furrowed. “An interview? It was actually an interview for the press? And he agreed to it?”
“Indded,” Lyra confirmed, her voice steady. “It is only fitting you accompany him. I was only instructed to teach you replies to answer the press.”
Elora’s mind raced. “And what will these questions be based on?”
Lyra gave her a knowing look. “Many are quite interested in how you became his mistress and he sees this as a way to protect you. He wants to control the narrative….he has never agreed to an interview before—this is his first.”
She ran a hand through her hair. “Why do I see this as his tactic of manipulation? Why can't he just let me be?”
“You know Lac the most, ma’am. He has his complex but effective ways but he's been unwavering in his dedication to keep you safe. Please, I want you to consider this.”