The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as Lyse settled into a cozy corner of the café. Jas, sat across from her, a sympathetic smile on his face. Lyse had sought him out, needing to share her heart with soone that she trusted.
"I still can’t believe what happened with Jean Pierre," he said, his voice filled with exasperation. "So, if Levi had not co at the right ti, he would have hurt you."
Lyse sighed, relief filling her at the fact that she only needed to wonder at what would have been. Her rescuer Levi had co in ti to save her from that trauma.
"I still think that soone is involved, naly that conniving like witch of a sister that you have." Jas said, his eyes narrowed.
Lyse frowned. "Co on, Jas. don’t say that. I know Brooke can be a lot but she is not that bad."
Jas pouted and rolled his eyes. "You underestimate her capacity to hurt you and that is why you get hurt all the ti." He huffed.
"You are just paranoid and you hate her." Lyse insisted.
"True." Jas smirked and took a sip of his mocha.
Lyse shook her head. She was used to Jas assuming the worst about Brooke. As much as she knew that Brooke was desperate and devious, she did not think that she would stoop so low.
Jas on the other hand was not budging from his belief that Brooke was responsible. Why else would that man try to rape a man as powerful as Levi Van Doren’s wife? Unfortunately, the man had died and only he could tell what had really happened.
And even though Jas was ready to point as Brooke as the culprit for anything that went wrong in Lyse’s life, he doubted that Brooke was powerful enough orchestrate his death while in jail.
"Whatever!" He said, then reached across the table and patted Lyse hand. "I am glad that nothing actually happened to you, and that Levi was there as usual to save you."
"Tell , how are you both?" He asked and raised his eyebrow suggestively.
Lyse sighed, her gaze drifting to the window. "I guess I am just scared to get hurt again. I don’t want to risk what happened with Brandon happen again... moreover, this is a contract. I would be stupid to expect more."
"I understand that, Lyse." Jas said gently. "But you can’t let past experiences dictate your future. You deserve to be happy, Lyse."
A soft smile crept onto Lyse’s lips. "I know, but it’s hard to let go of the fear. I’m so afraid of getting hurt again."
"You are not alone," Jas reassured her. "We all have our fears, but we can’t let them hold us back. I really think that you have found soone special in Levi. He cares about you deeply, and he is always there for you."
Lyse’s heart ward at the ntion of Levi. She had grown to appreciate his kindness, his humor, and his unwavering support. She was seeing him as more than a playboy billionaire, and she realized that she had developed feelings for him, feelings that she had been too afraid to acknowledge.
"I think that i might be falling for him," she confessed, her voice barely a whisper.
Jas grinned. "I knew it! You two are perfect for each other, why waste ti?"
Lyse blushed. "I am just scared to get hurt again. When the ti of the contract ends, what will be left for ?"
"Why don’t you deal with that when the ti cos, Lyse," Jas said confidently. "I think that Levi loves you. He is not going anywhere."
When Lyse did not look very convinced, he continued. "Are you going to give Brandon the power to control not one but two of your relationships? Live in the mont girl, and let the past go."
Lyse took a deep breath. "I think you are right. I need to stop living in the past and start focusing on the present. I need to embrace the future, with all of its uncertainties and possibilities."
"That’s my girl!" Jas applauded excitedly. "That man wants to make you feel good, allow him to do that."
Lyse blushed at his words and thought about how Levi had stared at her while they were out for dinner. Jas was right, it was ti she stopped being so afraid of living.
As they finished their coffee, Lyse felt a sense of peace and clarity. She knew that she had to take a chance on love, to trust her heart and embrace the future.
When they finished their coffee and croissants and Jas’s lunch break was over, they went out of the cafe and hugged each other and waved goodbye. Jas winked and blew a kiss at a flabbergasted Joel who was standing by Lyse’s car.
Lyse was laughing at her friend’s antics and as she tried to get into the car, a man stumbled towards her, his face pale and his eyes glazed over. Before she could react, he collapsed onto the pavent.
Alard, Lyse called out for Joel. "We need to get this man to the hospital." She demanded. Together, they helped the man to the car and rushed him to the nearest hospital.
At the hospital, Joel remained in the lobby while Lyse went along with the man who was imdiately rushed into ergency care. She was stopped at the door and she waited anxiously in the corridor, her heart pounding.
As she sat there, lost in thought, a familiar face appeared. It was Brooke, she seed surprised to see Lyse in the and before Lyse could react, Brooke lunged forward, aiming a slap at her face.
However, before the blow could land. Soone ca suddenly and shoved Brooke away, causing her to fall on the ground.
Lyse who had turned her face away to avoid the slap, turned. Her eyes widening at the person who had just saved her.
"Brandon?" A shocked Brooke asked.
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