War of Love

Chapter 12- Listen

Lyria

If Ethan tried to explain himself, I didn't care. All I remember from the point after those echoing words, I find myself aiming for the streets. With my apartment in mind.

I seriously wasn't doing this, why was I reacting like a jealous crush?

I shouldn't be, in fact I should be happy for them both. But why does something within me deep down twist painfully at the thought. I may try to convince myself that they look good together but for some reason, deep down it feels like a lie.

Twenty minutes later, I find myself in my apartment. I lock all doors, take a shower and make my way straight to bed. Due to the incident, I didn't feel like eating.

No matter how hard I tried, turned and shut my eyes as hard as I could. It still didn't get those words out of my head. It....

I don't let myself finish my statement, for fear that I may be broken beyond repair if I dared to act on it.

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The next day, Ethan isn't at classes. I wasn't surprised about that. I make my way silently through the hall ways. I chatter a taxi and get in.

I'm lost in my thoughts, when my phone rings snapping me out of my daydream. I pick up my phone, but still when I read the caller ID.

It was Ethan calling.

I answer.

"hello." I say calmly. He doesn't bother with the formalities.

"Lyria, come over to my house. There's something I need to talk to you about."

And then before I can speak, he hangs up on me. I apologize to the taxi driver and give him the address Ethan had texted me to come to.

On my arrival, I pay the taxi driver his fee with one last apology. Which he accepts after much hesitance.

I inhale sharply, when I find myself face to face with a tall gate. Its height and colour intimidating me.

I push the gate open, and walk in. The mansion was huge alright. And tall. There were little bushes of roses of different colours. A fountain in the center, and a balcony at each floor.

I look straight ahead, and aim for the entrance into the mansion. I walk in, and find Ethan seated anxiously directly opposite a window. And Layla by his side, she gives me a sly grin taking full advantage of the fact that Ethan's back was turned to her.

Ethan turns to me, and is instantly on his feet. The air in the room suddenly goes tense. What had Layla done now? And why was Ethan looking at me like that?

He opens his mouth to say something, but Layla immediately bursts into tears.

"why did you do this to me? I trusted you Lyria." Layla began. I arced my brow in confusion, shifting my gaze from Layla to Ethan. Silently urging him to speak up.

"What is she talking about?" I ask, confusion putting me in a turmoil.

Ethan straightens as he answers. "My girlfriend, thinks you are the one who orchestrated the entire kidnapping franchise last night so you could kill her." I flinch at the silent threat in his tone.

"not just sure, certain." Layla says, wipping her tears with a handkerchief.

"but... I have no hand in it." I say, panic already creeping in.

"then explain why you were there last night?" he asks me, and my heart drops at his question.

He didn't trust me.

"I... I was called there by someone. He said he had some important information." I said.

"You're lying." Layla says quickly.

"prove it." Ethan adds.

I fish out my phone, and check for the number who had texted me the other day. I show it to him and he's silent for a while.

"This number doesn't exist, Lyria." he says softly. Layla's smile widens.

"But..." I'm cut short by some approaching steps.

"you're here." Layla says, with her already wet face. Ethan just remains there, staring at me. I was falling apart from the inside.

"officer, she's the one please arrest her." I hear Layla say, I stiffen.

Arrest? Me?

I turn on my heels finally, and indeed they were officers.

Two of them grab me.

I panic.

"you have to believe me Ethan, I'm not behind this. It's all her plan to get back at me." I yell as they pull me away.

"Ethan! Please listen to me." I say, my heart breaking more and more by the passing minute.

"I'm innocent." I say, a tear sliding down my cheek. He doesn't say anything. Layla hugs him crying fake tears, while he stares at me.

His eyes were filled with uncertainty, confusion and disappointment. As they pull me into the car, I don't miss the evil grin Layla gives me. With her head buried in Ethan's chest.