violet .

02

Lyra's journey back to Wales was decidedly uneventful. As she settled into her seat for the long flight, a nearby baby suddenly vomited all over her, much to her dismay. The unpleasant experience put a damper on her mood, casting a shadow over the upcoming Christmas season.

Upon reaching the warmth and familiarity of her family's home, Lyra's mother eagerly greeted her with a deluge of images and information about seemingly eligible bachelors whom she had arranged for Lyra to meet. This sudden inundation of potential suitors orchestrated by Florence caused a noticeable spike in Lyra's blood pressure, adding further tension to her already weary state of mind as she tried to fend off Florence's matchmaking efforts.

As Lyra finally settled into her childhood bedroom, a flood of memories from her youth rushed back to her. She carefully unpacked her belongings from the suitcase, taking in the familiar surroundings that held so much of her past. As she was lost in her thoughts, there was a gentle knock at the door, and her aunt Nara's voice came through, "May I come in?" Lyra responded with a soft "Yes"

Nara slowly turned the doorknob, allowing the warm light from the hallway to spill into Lyra's room. A tender smile made its way across her face as she caught sight of her niece. "Hi, lovebug. How are you feeling?" she asked in a gentle tone, moving to sit down softly on the edge of Lyra's bed.

"I'm sorry about what happened with your mother," Nara continued, her voice filled with empathy. "Your papa and I have already spoken to her about the situation, but there wasn't much we could do when she pulled the 'I'm the one who gave birth to her' card." Nara's eyes conveyed understanding as she gave a sympathetic smile.

Lyra nodded, a small, resigned smile playing on her lips. "It's not your fault, Mama. I understand where she's coming from. Mathew is too young to get married; he's not even half a man yet. And Natalie... she's stubborn. Sometimes, I wish I could be as stubborn as her and not just bend to what Mother wants, simply because she's the one who gave birth to me."

Nara reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from Lyra's face. "You're strong in your way, Lyra. Don't forget that," she said softly, hoping to provide comfort to her niece.

"It failed with Zayn," Lyra confessed, her voice barely rising above a whisper, laden with the weight of past heartbreaks. Her eyes darted around the room, as if afraid the very walls might eavesdrop on her confession. "I don't know what will make things work this time. I don't know what will make it different. I'm not saying all men are the same, Mama, but until proven wrong, they're all liars and cheaters to me."

She paused, her gaze distant, lost in the painful memories of her shattered relationship. "I'm open to dating and even going further than that, but I'm not risking my mental health over a man ever again," she declared, her voice trembling with a mixture of resolve and vulnerability.

Nara nodded, her eyes reflecting a deep understanding and compassion. "You don't always have to follow her wishes, you know," she said softly, placing a comforting hand on Lyra's shoulder. "I can back you up if you don't feel like complying with her. I'm pretty sure Papa would love to do the same thing for you too."

The room fell into a contemplative silence, the unspoken bond between mother and daughter filling the space with a profound sense of solidarity.

-- -- --

Lyra was lounging on her bed, scrolling mindlessly through her phone, when a text message from Maria popped up. The notification banner read:

"Urgent: You're needed back in Germany for a sudden Christmas gala. Several colleagues are required to attend, and since you're unmarried, you're fit for the trip. It's in Paris for three days."

She sighed in defeat, her shoulders slumping as she read the message. While she loved attending events for her company, some invitations felt like a mismatch for her role. She was an engineer, after all, not part of the PR team. The thought of mingling at a gala, far removed from her technical expertise, made her feel out of place.

Nevertheless, duty called, and she knew she couldn't refuse. The allure of Paris, especially during the holiday season, offered a small consolation. As she thought about the event, she couldn't help but imagine the city of lights adorned with festive decorations.

Lyra rose from her bed and walked out of her room towards the kitchen, where she knew she would find Nara. She found her mother humming softly as she prepared breakfast, the comforting aroma of fresh coffee filling the air.

"Mama, I need to cut the holiday short," Lyra announced with a pout, her voice tinged with regret. She moved closer and laid her head on Nara's shoulder, seeking solace in the familiar warmth.

Nara turned, her brow furrowing with concern. "What's the matter, darling?"

"I have to go back to Germany for a last-minute gala," Lyra explained, her words muffled slightly by the fabric of Nara's shirt. "It's going to be held in Paris for three days, and they need me there because I'm unmarried and fit for the trip."

Nara sighed softly, gently stroking Lyra's hair. "I understand, sweetheart. Sometimes work calls us away at the most inconvenient times. But Paris, during Christmas? It sounds enchanting, even if it's for a gala."

Lyra lifted her head, meeting Nara's empathetic gaze. "I know, Mama. I just wish I didn't have to leave so soon. I was looking forward to spending more time with you."

Nara smiled warmly, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "We'll make the most of the time we have left. And who knows, maybe this trip will hold some unexpected joys for you."

Lyra nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. She embraced her mother, drawing strength from her unwavering support, before heading back to her room to pack for yet another journey. The sound of her phone buzzing again broke her thoughts. She glanced at it and saw a text from Junis, one of her colleagues.

"Hey, I heard about the gala. Looks like Paris is calling our name. Want to go some shopping? :)"

Lyra couldn't help but smile at her message. Her high spirit and humour always managed to lift Lyra's spirits. She quickly typed a reply.

"Thanks, Junis. I could definitely use some help."

Her response was almost immediate. "On my way. Paris won't know what hit it once we arrive!"

-- -- --