Chapter 77 CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN: THE ENEMY WITHIN.
ZARA
Lysandra was at my door the very next morning. My fingers curled on the handle when I saw her standing there with a huge smile on her face. It almost felt as if she had won.
My mom had somehow blackmailed me into accepting, and when I told Michael, he didn't seem to like the idea, but didn't fight it.
She lied that she was being threatened by the Knights and needed our protection. When I tried to dig in, she just refused to tell me the real reason.
“Your mom must have had a reason for that,” he had defended her.
I needed him to stand with me and refuse. It almost felt as if he was eager to have her over.
I stood inside watching Lysandra’s driver offload the seven giant suitcases as if she were planning to move in. I just couldn't place my fingers on what game she was playing.
After confronting me last night, she was using my parents' influence to move into my house. It felt like a challenge, and I couldn't wait to see what she was going to try.
“Zara”
Her voice didn't sound as low as it did last night when she was narrowing her eyes and threatening me. I didn't smile; my hands stayed perched on my elbow. She moved to hug me, but I took a step back in time and threw her a dirty expression.
“I don’t know what useless game you are trying to play here, but you can already accept your defeat.”
“Oh girl, I won from the start.” She flicked her hair back and pushed her way through the house, her driver already pushing the bags in.
“Michael?” she called, going further in.
Michael stepped out and stood like a soldier waiting for orders. His eyes met mine and stayed on me even when she moved to him and pulled his hand.
“I am here,” she said, but he pulled his hand out of hers and moved towards me.
“Let me make one thing clear.” He put his hand on my shoulder and pulled me closer. “I only agreed to this because of my wife. Don’t try anything stupid.”
I hadn't told Michael about her confrontation. I didn't want to see how he would act if he knew. She blinked, trying to hide her hurt.
“I am a bit disappointed in you, Michael,” she said, pretending to check her nails. “We’ve known each other for years, and you are already taking her side?”
“It’s not like she is a strange woman.” Michael had squeezed my shoulder. “She is my wife, the most important person in my life.”
My stomach shouldn't be doing a spin when things are this serious, but I couldn't stop the way I felt after hearing his words. I tried not to show my smug smile, but it barely worked.
“Are you saying you’d throw away years of friendship just because of her?” She asked, crossing her hands with a pout.
“I am saying I will choose her first every time, even if it means throwing the friendship away.” She tried to move closer, but he was already stepping between us like a shield.
Her lips puckered, and she blinked rapidly. “I hope you don’t regret it.” She shrugged and turned to the house. “Where is my room?”
“Down the hall, second door on your left.” I pointed it out to her. I saw her gaze trail to the stairs.
“Aren’t you going to give me a room upstairs?”
“We won’t.” Michael’s voice was cold and final. She looked back at him and smacked her lips before pulling one of her pieces of luggage.
“Aren’t you going to help me bring my things in?” She said in a cutesy voice before dragging out his name. “Michael?”
“I will have one of the staff help you,” I offered, and her smile dropped.
He didn't spare her another glance as he pulled me through the house back to the kitchen. We stood in silence beside each other before he found my hand and squeezed it.
“I can get her out of here before she can unpack a bag.”
“It’s fine.” I shook my head. There must be a reason she tried to come here, and I needed to find it. “As long as you promise not to betray or lie to me,” I said, turning to him.
“I promise,” he murmured, searching my face. “You can trust me,” he added, and I nodded.
We stood facing each other, our chests pressed against each other. It was Sunday, and I had planned a nice date in my head before Lysandra came bursting in like she owned the place.
“Should we go on a date?” He beat me to saying it.
I smacked my lips and sighed. “What is it, mi reina?”
“Nothing, I just thought I would be the one to get us out today.”
“I am the man; I should take you out on dates.”
I almost doubled over laughing at the sound of that. Did he mean it?
“Are you serious right now?”
“Yes,” he nodded, holding me closer. “I already have something planned.”
“But Lysandra…”
“I am sure she has her day planned out already.” He shook his head. “We don’t have to worry about her.”
“So where are we going?” I asked, pressing my fingers into his chest as his grip on my waist tightened, making my back arch in response.
“You’ll see,” he winked and leaned over to kiss me. We both froze and pulled apart when Lysandra cleared her throat, standing by the door, leaning against the frame.
“Are you both just going to stand there with no breakfast or…”
“We don’t work for you.” I snapped my finger in her direction. “If you want breakfast so bad, why don’t you make some for yourself, or you can order in?”
I was not going to give her the right of lording over my staff. Too much room was going to result in everything I didn't want from her.
Michael didn't spare me a glance or word as he pulled me through the kitchen and the stairs. Lysandra tried to follow us, but when Michael lifted me in his arms bridal style, I saw her stop with a swollen-up red face.
She watched us until she could no longer see us. I contemplated telling Michael what happened yesterday.
“Do you promise not to get mad at me?” I asked when we got into the room.
He dropped me gently onto the bed and narrowed his eyes at me, lowering himself so we were at eye level.
“What did you do?” He asked, and my heart skipped a beat.
“Nothing, I just hid…” My voice thinned out at the thought of his reaction. “Can you please just promise?” He nodded, and I inhaled sharply before grabbing his hand and digging my fingers into it.
I explained Lysandra’s reaction to me yesterday and why I had been so out of it on the ride home.
“I only brought her here with the hopes of uncovering her schemes,” I murmured. “You know, keep your friends closer and your enemies closer.”
He blinked and got up too quickly.
“Are you mad? You promised not to be…”
“I am not mad at you, just at myself for allowing her to have access to you.” He crouched in front of me again. “I am sorry, Zara. I promise I won’t let her come between us.”
I was the one to make that promise, but hearing him say those words made me want to protect him even more. His promise sounded heavy; I was just not sure if he had that kind of power.
“It’s my fault for letting her come here,” I admitted.
He pulled me into a hug, hands wrapped around my shoulder blades. “Let’s not think about her and just have fun today,” he murmured into my hair.
I nodded, pulling away from him, my hands on the sides of his face. “Okay”