Revenge Rule #4: Love breeds fear and fear breeds hesitation.
After driving for a while the car pulled up in front of Lilac's house. It was tucked at the far end of a quiet street, easy to miss if you weren't looking for it. Ezra gently tapped her, she had her eyes closed looking like she was asleep but he knew she wasn't.
She opened her eyes, clear and sharp with no ounce of sleepiness, "Thank you Uncle."
"Mmm, have a good night's rest Flower." Ezra waved as she got out of the car. Lilac waved back watching the car fade into the distance, she stood there for a while before heading to her door. Using her fingerprint she unlocked the door, however she held the doorknob not pushing it open yet. Glancing around warily, she called out, "Who's there??"
It took a second but a voice rang out from the bushes beside the door, "Tch, you're no fun."
Clicking their tongue the person emerged from the bushes, "Surprising you really takes lots of work." The person, a girl, said brushing away dust from their clothes.
Lilac's eyes widened comically, "MAZE!"
"In the flesh," The girl, Maeve spread her arms grinning and the girls met in a tight hug.
"Oh wow, you really tried." Lilac chuckled, removing a stray leaf from Maeve's braids.
"I sat in those bushes for HOURS! And still flipping failed." Maeve groaned.
Lilac, still laughing, opened the door and led her in.
"I'm starving, do you have anything?" Maeve strolled in after changing her shoes. In her little fluffy bunny slippers, she headed to the kitchen.
"I don't think so…?" Lilac changed her shoes too and followed her. She was also starving, all that dancing and fake smiles really wore her out.
"You have nothing to eat ya know?" Maeve said, closing the fridge. The only thing she managed to find after searching for a while was a bag of chips which she opened immediately.
"I'm going to order food." Lilac placed an order after eating some chips.
"Your place is really beautiful," Maeve commented while looking around.
Lilac's house wasn't exactly big but it held a quiet elegance and beauty. A cozy one story place with tall floor to ceiling windows and moon light spilling into it. The kitchen was an open kitchen and centered around a large island with blue drawers and sleek silver handles. The dining table sat just beyond it, with a glass table and vintage chairs that led to a tiny balcony that caught the morning sun and had flowers Lilac took care of personally.
"I almost forgot this was your first time here. Want a tour?"
Maeve shook her head plopping down on the couch, "After I fill my stomach."
"Little foodie."
Maeve Kessler, she had been Lilac's best friend for as long as she could remember. They met as kids though unconventionally and became friends right off the bat, however they lost contact for a period of years before reconnecting out of the country. She was also a doctor.
"So….? What's with the sexy dress? Did you go on a date?"
Lilac paused scrolling on her phone for a minute. She hadn't changed yet—too hungry to care and in need of a meal recharge so badly.
"Uh..yeah, i met this new guy." She lied, technically not a lie since she did meet Alex but not in the way Maeve was thinking.
If possible she didn't want to involve people she cared about like Maeve and her uncle in her problems to keep them safe.
Although suspicious Maeve nodded, "You're FINALLY going on dates Nova*!! Tell me all about it!"
Before Lilac could start spinning an epic tale on how her date failed the doorbell rang saving her from the torture. It was the delivery guy bringing their food offerings. After dinner, they watched a couple of movies and crashed on the couch together.
⛧⛧
Laughing with Maeve was the closest thing to peace Lilac had. But peace was temporary. And war was always on schedule. It took two days for 'fate' to allow Alex and Lilac to meet again. Since Maeve left her Lilac had been feeling bored, so she did what any normal human being** did when they were bored, stalk your enemy and stage a fake surprise meeting.
Alexander, despite his behavior, was the CEO of Dey holdings. Which was kind of weird, however, he was the first son and first heir to the company. His brothers wanted so badly to pry that position out his dead cold hands or his…well still dead hands, but maybe not cold.
In her car Lilac couldn't help smiling as she read information about the power struggle and the dynamic between Alex and his brothers. She could (and would) use this to her advantage. She was headed to the mall where she'll 'accidentally' meet Alex who was shopping with his wife Ivy.
Why? For the media to see and take pictures.
The paparazzi were always on the hot heels of influential families to see if they could get their next big scoop. Alex has been on the receiving end of many scandals due to his colorful lifestyle.
To whitewash himself Alex has to build himself a sweet and loving husband persona in the eye of the public.
Entering the elevator Lilac clicked her tongue, having a clean reputation would mean more business opportunities at his doorstep.
This was a full proof plan that would have helped the Dey family. However, Lilac was there and there was no way she'd let that happen
The Dey family hands were dyed red, they owed her too much for them to be succeeding while she watched.
The elevator door opened on the 7th floor before she stepped out, she practiced her surprised expression in the elevator mirror. Wide eyes. Soft gasp. That should do it..
She visited a few stores, accumulating a few bags in her hands. Lilac was walking checking her phone messages when someone bumped into her.
Really Hard.
She fell down knocking her elbow against the wall in the process, her bags fell with her though nothing happened to them.
Lilac, however, was injured. Her elbow scraped the wall on her way down.
"Ms Cal…Lilac!" A voice filled with surprise said.
With tears in her eyes she glanced up just in time to see the lust that flashed in Alex's eyes. She hadn't worn her mask so he finally got the chance to see her full face, even though he had seen her through pictures he'd gathered seeing the real deal was still a different experience.
"Alex!" Her voice was also filled with delight.
"Are you okay?" Ivy asked gently, pulling her up and brushing her dress.
Lilac felt like a kid for a second. In everything she was doing the only person she felt bad for was Ivy.
"I'm fine." She brushed her tears away, the tears were not even fake. When she fell she accidentally bit her tongue and also the wound on her elbow hurt more than she expected.
"Okay," Ivy helped her pick her purse and the bags that fell, "Here"
"Thanks." Feeling guilty all of a sudden Lilac bowed her head receiving the bags.
"I'll get you a band aid. Wait here." Ivy smiled at her and left.
"Let me help you." Alex took her bags and walked her to a bench, "Let's wait here."
"Your wife is really beautiful and kind….I wish I could be like her." Lilac voiced out subconsciously. She genuinely meant that. Ivy had this grace around her that just made her shine, a halo of warmth that Lilac truly wished she possessed , unfortunately she was too dark for that.
"Ivy? Beautiful?" Alex scoffed, like the idea of Ivy being beautiful was personally offensive. "Are you kidding me? You're much more beautiful than she or anybody else!"
Lilac had to physically rein herself from yelling profanities or giving him a tight slap instead a faint blush spread on her cheeks.
Alex smiled smugly seeing his words affect her.
*Nova- A nickname that Maeve calls Lilac, it means bright star
**Sweetie, you're not a normal person.