Chapter 32

Ellen's POV:

"Okay… I'll be back," I said, and went to change into fresh clothes. Once I was through, we walked out of the mansion and got into the car, the driver taking us to the Sparks penthouse.

On the way, Mira called Natalie, and I related to her about the latest update. She requested that she be updated once we told lyric to know the next line of action. After a while driving, we arrived at the penthouse and drove in. The driver parked at the garage and we walked in. Chad came to meet us on the way and welcomed us to a room where only Lila was in it. She looked sleepy but when she saw us, her eyes cleared.

"Mom… Mira." She called out, coming to hug us. "What are you doing here?"

"We wanted to see you…And to talk to you about something."

"Really? Couldn't it wait till tomorrow?"

"Unfortunately… No. Please sit." I said, and we all sat down. My gaze wandered around for a while.

"Um… Chad, where are the rest of the boys?"

"They are in another part of the house."

"Can you call them in? I'd like for them to hear what I have to say."

"You want me to call them in?"

"Yes, please."

"Okay… I'll be right back," he said and walked out of the room. Lyric glanced at me.

"What is it you want to talk about?"

I smiled nervously. "You'll I find out."

After a while, Chad arrived with the rest of them. I greeted them all and made for them to seat. Then I took in a deep breath and began talking.

"What I'll be saying now might be confusing to the rest of you, but I assure you, you'll understand as time goes on. I just need you to listen to me," Settling my gaze on Lyric, I continued. "When we first met, I told you that your father wasn't here with us, but I didn't tell you who he was."

"Who is he?" she asked quietly. I looked around and saw a portrait of CG hanged on the wall. Her stares followed mine, and she looked at me questioningly.

"Your father is CG." I announced. Gasps erupted, but Lyric's face was still blank.

"What do you mean my father is CG?" she asked, disbelief in her tone.

I sighed and turned to Chad. "The last album CG dropped before he died, can you please get it for me?"

"Uh… yeah," he said and walked out of the room. After a while, he arrived with the album and gave it to me. I nodded thanks.

"Your dad was an evil genius. He named his last album 'My Lyric.' That's your name, Lyric. The cover design is the same as the incision on your right ear, and if you look at some pictures he took before he died, you'll find the same tattoo right there on his chest. When I asked him why he did that, he told me, 'so when it finally gets revealed that you're his daughter, people wouldn't doubt you.'"

"…"

"You look a lot like him… You just don't know it yet. If you listen to this entire album, you'll see there are all love songs. He wrote it to you, not Ximena or Nikita." I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. "He had originally planned to reveal you when you turned eighteen, but his untimely death didn't let him. And yes, if you still don't believe me… Here are some DNA tests to prove it," I said and gave her the files. She stared at me before collecting it.

"I'm pretty sure you were wondering at what point what made Nikita disqualify from the training program to make you a beamer girl. It was because of this. She must've already found out that you were his daughter and if she let you continue, it's just a matter of time before the world did as well."

"What?" Lyric squeaked.

"Yes… That's the truth about your father."

"Wh-what about Ximena and Nikita?" Lyric asked.

"Ximena isn't his daughter and as for Nikita, he married her for the paparazzi. We're trying to find out what really conspired in the past because I suspect a foul play on your dad's death."

"But why… Why is this coming now?"

"I told you we were separated when you were much younger. That was not the case. Someone tried to kill us."

"Yes. Up till now, I don't know we both survived. But when I awoke, our entire house was burnt down to ashes. That was after your father's death. I'm suspecting its Nikita but of course, it's still a suspicion."

"Nikita knows about all of this?"

"Sadly yes and I'm suspecting she's going to do the same thing again."

***

Lila's POV:

I looked at the files in my hand and then at my mom. I didn't know how I should react. Should I be happy that I've found who my real parents are or be sad and scared that my enemy is also aware and might try to hurt me?

"So, basically all you're telling me is that am the biological daughter of CG and not Ximena?" I asked, my voice quivering a little.

"Yes."

I blinked and inhaled, trying to calm my nerves. Then glanced at Chad, tears clouding my eyes.

"Did you know about this?"

"Only just recently." He replied.

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. It all makes sense now… The nightmare I had, I thought bitterly.

"Excuse me…" I mumbled and strode out of the room, eager to be alone.

***

Dean's POV:

Lila… Or should I say Lyric left the room, and we fell into an inevitable silence, all lost in our thoughts. It was obvious we were still in shock… most especially me. I left the place right after.

"Dean…" I heard Chad call. I didn't know he followed me out. Seeing him and I couldn't help but frown.

"Where are you going?" He asked when he got to me. I looked away. Eventually I turned to him.

"You knew about this? Why didn't you tell me?"

"I figured it would be much if you all found out." He said and scoffed.

"Well, of course it would be better if we all found out… In case you've forgotten we've been at this thing for yes and you know and you couldn't give me a hint?"

"Wait… Is that why you're pissed off? Because I didn't tell you beforehand?"

"That's not why am…" I began but stopped, realizing I was raising my voice. "Since when did you begin keeping secrets to yourself? I thought we told each other everything."

Chad stared at me but didn't reply. I became even more infuriated.

"You know what? It's fine… Just don't talk to me anymore!" I yelled at him and stormed off.

***

Lila's POV:

I was in the garden, staring at the stars and letting the tears slip from my eyes. It was still too hard to take in. How come I wasn't aware of this until now… Until things got this bad? Now Nikita is aware? What if she tries to hurt us again? I gulped and cleaned the tears from my eyes. How would I even own that title of being CG's real daughter? It was all too much to take in. And now I can't even ask him more questions… Because he's dead.

I curled up and, laying my head on my knees, sobbed quietly. I stayed there until I heard footsteps approach me. It stopped and someone sat beside me. I looked up and saw that it was Chad. Although he looked hurt, he had a warm smile on his face. It caused me to smile a bit.

"Still surprised?" He asked, his voice soft.

"Yeah… I guess so." I muttered.

"Don't be… You don't how glad you've made us." He said, and I stared at him.

"What do you mean?"

"Having you as a cousin, that's what I mean. It's much better to see you as a cousin than to see Ximena. You don't know how much I prayed for her not to be my real cousin."

I chuckled. "Is she that bad?"

"She's worse."

I nodded and stared ahead. "I don't know what to take of all of it. Even if what my mom said back there is true, how do we confirm it? And how am I even going to collect everything Nikita must have stolen from us?"

"You'll find a way…" Chad replied, and we fell silent. I glanced at him and noticed he was lost in thought.

"Chad…" I called him, "what's wrong?"

He looked at me and shook his head. "Nothing."

"You sure?"

"Yes."

"Okay…" I said and sighed. "I'm also glad you're my cousin." I began, and he looked at me.

"Why?"

"I wouldn't know what I'd do without you. You were really the one who helped me to this point. As long as you're here, I have nothing to fear." I said, and he grinned.

"Blood calls… Cousins for life?" I said, starting a fist bump. I saw it and chuckled.

"Cousins for life." I replied, and we fist bumped. I laid my head on his shoulders and kept on staring at the stars. We'll find a way out of all this, I'm sure of that.

***

(The next day)

I woke up feeling groggy. Mom and Mira couldn't go home last night, so they spent the night here. Rising from the bed, I rubbed my neck and gazed at the floor. My brain was strangely empty. Then memories of last night came rushing in and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

Getting up and standing in front of a full-length mirror, I stared at myself for a couple of minutes. Then brought out my phone to search for pictures CG. I found a few and began comparing and contrasting. Mom was right, I looked a lot like CG. Even Dean noticed it. How couldn't I?

I was Cage Turner's daughter. I doubt if it'll ever sink in. For want of something to do, I proceeded to the bathroom to have a bath.

***

Once through, I emerged from the bathroom with a towel around me. I quickly changed into fresh clothes and once I was satisfied with my look, left the room. I arrived in the living room and met some boys. I greeted them and they replied.

My mom came to meet afterwards.

"How are you?" She asked after the usual morning greetings.

"Fine, I think. I'm still in shock."

"It's okay… it'll take some time but you'll soon own the title." She encouraged.

"I hope so."

"I made breakfast, quickly eat something." She said and led to living room. I perked my brows.

"Why? Am I going somewhere? Where's Mira?

"Uh… Yes. Where's Mira?"

"She left early this morning." My mom replied.

She made me sit and soon I began eating. In between someone knocked, my mom went to open the door and an unfamiliar woman walked in. She later introduced herself as Natalie Maddox.

"Hi… I'm Lila… I mean Lyric."

"I've heard a lot about you." She said and sat beside me.

"I'm sure your mom your mom must've told you, you'll be going out?"

"Yes? Where am I going to exactly?"

"As it is now, your rivals know already of you and so you need to let them know you're also aware of them."

"And who would that be?"

"Nikita."

My heart skipped a beat as I shook my head. She hurriedly calmed me down.

"You're just going there to let her know, nothing serious. I'll also be with you."

"What if she tries to harm me?"

"Whether or not you reveal yourself, she's still going to harm you so that's inevitable."

I sighed. She was right.

"So what will I be doing there?"

"Nothing much, just letting know you're aware of her plans and you are no longer in the dark. Her reaction towards you will help us gauge how far she is into trying to harm you again."

"That's all?"

"For now… Yes."

"Okay… Let's do this." I said, and she smiled.

"Good… Be ready in twenty minutes." She said and stood up from the dining.

Oh God, I hope this is the right thing to do.