Micah

The living room was so silent I could feel it's persistent presence. And from the back of my head, I could hear the strained ticking of the clock.

The silence was so thick, you could feel it. I opened my mouth to speak but was cut off as Mr Lyon moved towards me with the speed of light and held chin with his hand.

His thumb gently caressed my cheeks as I stared up at his eyes. His beautiful emerald which stared back at me.

My whole body tensed up as Mr Lyon's warm lips came in contact with mine and for the first time ever, I kissed him back as my body relaxed a little.

I tilted my head backwards  as a small moan erupted from my mouth, I could feel myself getting wet.

This was wrong, kissing Mr Lyon was wrong, but it felt so right and tasted so good. I didn't want to stop anytime soon.

I groaned as I could feel Mr Lyon's tongue slowly retreating. This man could do mad tricks with his tongue.

"Maybe I'll consider your offer another time, not today" he straightened his back with a smirk. For the first time, I didn't feel so awkward despite the fact his tongue had been exploring my mouth some seconds ago.

Shit! Now I just made it awkward for myself.

"Sounds to me like you're backing out. Chicken." I folded my arms and watched his expression change.

"Don't flatter yourself Harlan." He turned towards the staircase and began walking. "You can take the guest room on the first floor."

Wait, seriously?

A small smile crowned my lips as I watched him walk away.

If I played my cards right, I could win this fucking game.

***
I slept like a baby last night, better than a baby infact. The room was so beautiful and smelled like wet sand- which I find very refreshing.

Although I woke up with a small headache, it wasn't as bad as I expected it to be.

"Good Morning sir!" I smiled seeing Mr Lyon walk down the staircase. I was a bit shocked that he wasn't in his usual suit but a tank top and sweatpants didn't look so bad on him. It looked freaking sexy.

He hummed in response and walked into the kitchen and poured some coffee beans into the coffee maker.

"Coffee?" He asked as my heart skipped a beat. Was he actually offering to make coffee for me. This couldn't be Mr Lyon, could it?

"Don't think you're special or anything, I made excess." He said, still backing me.

I rolled my eyes and walked to him.

Yup I'm pretty sure it's Mr Lyon now.

I wasn't really a fan of coffee but this was the first time Mr Lyon was offering me anything so I might as well take it.

"Whatever...I guess I wouldn't mind coffee."

He was quiet and continued preparing it.

Is no one going to talk about our steamy kiss yesterday!?

After a few minutes, I broke the growing silence.

"You're not in a suit today? That's new." I tittered as my eyes followed his.

"I'm on house arrest." He shrugged lightly like it wasn't a serious issue.

"Why?"

He was quiet for a while before answering me. "Apparently, I'm the main suspect in my ex girlfriend's case."

Oh, Camille. I had forgotten about her.

"Oh.." I stared down at my thighs. "I'm sorry sir."

I couldn't wait till the Malicious people responsible for her death were brought to justice.

"Did you know she was pregnant?" It probably wasn't the best question to ask but I did it anyway.

"I only found out after the article had been published about her. She called me that night but I neglected her and I never called her back. I wish I did call her." His calm quiet voice said as he, still backing me, poured the coffee into mugs.

I couldn't help but feel partially responsible for this. I mouthed the words 'I'm sorry' because my voice had betrayed me.

My face immediately squeezed at the bitterness of the coffee as Mr Lyon tried to hold back an amused look.

I watched him slowly drink the black coffee without so much as a facial expression. Did he enjoy bitter things?

I started to feel uncomfortable in my skin as I got up to go take a shower. "Excuse me sir. I need to take a shower." I walked out and headed towards the guest room.

I had no idea what I was going to wear after taking a shower. I'd have to repeat my clothes.

My bath was really refreshing and was a luxury I had never been privileged to experience before. Being here was like an escape from my frustrating life. Too bad it'd only last for a few more minutes.

My eyes widened slightly as I stared at the midnight blue hoodie and joggers arranged neatly on the bed. The thought of Mr Lyon leaving this for me seemed impossible.

I was kinda upset at myself that I hadn't locked the doors of the room when I went to shower but I was a little bit happy I didn't.

As I picked up the hoodie, a little note fell out. I squatted to the floor and opened the white paper.

'Exactly 700 hundred dollars. You can add it to the 50 million dollars you'll owe me in a few days. It's a little big though, I got it in my size." I rolled my eyes at the paper before stepping on it.

He can bet his ass, he won't get a dollar from me.

Despite the shitty letter attached to it, getting me a branded hoodie and joggers is really nice of him. Maybe he wasn't such a jerk after all. 

The color of the hoodie really did flatter my skin tone but it was way too big and long for me that it swallowed me... literally!

I packed my hair into a ponytail before leaving the room. I had gotten all my things and I was ready to leave.

Mr Lyon sat in the sitting room with his laptop open and he worked.

I tsked as I stared at him. He couldn't even relax on his house arrest.

"Goodbye sir." I said to him as my hands gripped the door nob.

"Don't tell me you're leaving." His voice called me back just before he scoffed. "Your days are flying like seconds. You have limited time and you're leaving??"

I bit my gum hard as I turned back to him with a glare.

Was this his way to telling me he wanted my company??

"Tell me you want me to stay without actually telling me you want me to stay.'' I murmured whilst walking towards a sofa, loud enough for him to hear though.

"Y'know, you could try to be a little nicer." I puffed as I sat on the sofa opposite Mr Lyon.

He ignored me and kept his eyes on the screen of his laptop.

It was impossible to have a communication with this man when I was totally ignored.

I was silent for a few more minutes before I picked up my phone. I pulled up to my Instagram account and saw I had three new followers.

My lips spread as I checked out thier accounts.

"Are you on Instagram?" I blurted out as I scrolled through reels.

"Yes. It is managed by my manager."

My facial expression twisted after he spoke. "What the actual-"

"I'm joking." His expression was bland as his eyes left his laptop to mine. "It was a joke."

"..oh" I laughed nervously and looked away from his. "Funny."

After that, we didn't speak for a while and it was killing to say something... anything. I really didn't like the silence.

Just then, like a withered flower in the dry season of Autumn, a thought dropped into my mind.

"I saw your childhood pictures."

His gaze on me darkened.

"Where did you see those?"

It probably wasn't a good idea mentioning Bryson's name anywhere near Mr Lyon but I needed answers.

"Bryson let me have a look at one." It seemed like Mr Lyon was trying hard to conceal his angers and since he hadn't blown up yet, maybe this was the best time to speak. "I know you might think it's none of my business but I do care. Bryson is your brother and I may not know what tore you apart but I'm willing to listen if you're ready to talk."

My Lyon looked reluctant for a good minute and hesitated before finally breathing out loudly.

I couldn't deny that we've developed a bond recently and he couldn't deny it too.

"Bryson is not my brother, he might be my biological brother but I do not want you referring to him as my brother. He broke my trust so many years ago and his actions are too grave to be forgiven."

"What did he do?"

"That isn't for your ears Ms Harlan." His eyes narrowed to me. "Nice try."

"Do you ever miss him?"

"Maybe when I was younger, not now. When I was younger folly was my dear companion, I only felt the impact when I was slapped hard by melancholy."

That shut me up.

I often wondered what made Mr Lyon like this, maybe I was getting my answers bit by bit.

Maybe he felt neglected and alone. Maybe he was in a state where he'd been hurt so bad and hugged by depression. Maybe that's what prompted his love for money, because money had no soul. Maybe I was jumping straight into conclusions, maybe I wasn't. I was so unsure of so many things at this point but I was sure of something. I couldn't let my family become homeless.

I felt a sting in my heart as he spoke and I knew I had developed a soft place for him but in this world, feelings never mattered, determination and hard work did. And I was sure Kristopher knew that.

💮💮💮
I know I haven't updated in a while but I'm baaack!
I wish you all the best and happiest holiday in this holiday seasons.