chapter 2

Honour

Campbell

When I informed Fabrizio of my urgency, he led me to the Campbell Circle. Yes, circle. I have six older siblings who work in five different occupations. Each one has their own building and all the building is built together in such a way that it forms a complete circle, along with one extra building for my parents while leaving the mid-portion empty for common cafeteria.

Thanking the Spanish boy who runs my Papa's fruit sale by himself, I ran to meet Derek Campbell. I was confused, what the big deal was. Derek Campbell never reached out to me. I was taken aback by his voice. In fact, he had my number.

When I got hit by the heavy water drop, I jogged faster. I was still far from building the man who started the Campbell company... his wine brand, especially sparkling wines. I wanted to call them Champagne but we can't name them Champagne because they're not made in Champagne, a place in Italy.

The grey clouds surprised me, I have astraphobia. These grey clouds indicate the possibility of thunders coming, that will kill me someday. Tightening the collar of my grey shirt I made a run. My priority was my shelter. I don't have confidence in Grey Clouds. What if someday I die from a thunder? Yeah, I'd be dead. No doubt.

(Astraphobia- phobia of thunder)

Without looking at the building, I nearly entered the building when the water droplets started to become stronger, more daring and dangerous. Of course, they're dangerous. They are accompanied by thunderbolts. LIFE-THREATENING THUNDER.

"I hate you," I screamed at the grey clouds on top of my lung. This is the game Nana taught me about avoiding thunder.

"It will hate you more... Kiddo." I heard a deep voice chuckling. This is a man... Yes, he was a man that was laughing at me. And this voice looks strangely familiar.

I turned around to watch the Greek god looking at me, with a smirk amused. Although the colour of his eyes was hidden behind his glasses, I could say that they must be mesmerizing to see. His trimmed beard suggests he likes his looks this way, but I wonder how he would look without his glasses and beard.

"Cha...." Travis came out from the inside, and of course, he didn't notice me. With a fake cough, "Mr Lyons... I know that your time is important and that this uncalled situation consumes it. But, we could get coffee and discuss the plans... your demands." He looked optimistic.

"I am very demanding." At that time, I knew that this man is Mr Lyons and looked at me with no hesitation. I don't like his way of looking at me. His hidden eyes are giving me a weird sensation all over my body.

Noticing Mr Lyons' absent eyes, Travis at last noticed me and welcomed me with a scowl. Like other people, he looked at me from head to toe and breathed a sigh. His habit. He doesn't like my slippers.

"What are you doing here?" Travis approached me, passing through Mr Lyons' bodyguards.

"I was called." With my short answer, I was willing to end our conversation. I knew he was going to taunt me for my hair and footwear. Not everyone is comfortable with heels, I like my slippers. I could carry them anywhere and of course I carry them everywhere. And for my hair, they're too thick and naturally wavy for any hairstyle... A simple high ponytail is a time saver.

"Change your shirt." Whispering angrily, Travis pulled out his phone. "I need you here... SHE is here... SHE needs your help." He murmured to the person on the other side of the call, as he walked away.

The sudden shift in his tone was enough to say he called his girlfriend, Iris. He only speaks to her that way, even if he's furious. He even misbehaves with Liam, when he is angry but never... never with his love.

Walking towards me, Mr Lyons pulled out his black blazer and handed it to me. "I'm sure you are uncomfortable."

I frowned. I didn't know why I would feel uncomfortable. I looked at his face during the longest period of my history when I caught a glimpse of my reflection on his frame-less glass. My plain black cotton bra was visible through my little oversized grey t-shirt.

That discovery was an embarrassment. Definitely, uncomfortable. All of a sudden, I was given a super speed and I took his blazer and didn't care about his opinions.

"Iris is on her way," said Travis, waving his assistant at us. "Peter, fresh towel." When my brother shouted, he caught other people's attention.

It didn't take long for Travis to re-establish his professional behaviour. He turned his back on me. Without Mr Lyons, Travis would have sent me away. It doesn't matter now, but getting his attention is strange. I don't know if I'm happy that my brother is worried or if I should be sorry that he doesn't want me here.

I could see the beautiful Latina holding an umbrella across the light droplets rushing up to me, ignoring Travis. She does this every time, even Star is the same. Both women are like my sister and I pray that Iris gets married to Travis. She's too good for him, for me, for us, and she makes a good team with Star and Hope against the rest.

"You are tying your wet hair... it's thick." Iris took the towel and opened my hair. Iris and her cosmetic advice. Instead of rubbing the towel on my scalp, she was squeezing water from my hair.

"Iris... can I have a word with you?" Travis insisted. That was nothing new. Iris was always worried about his family, and he wanted to be her priority.

Giving me the towel, she walked a few meters away from me while I started wiping my face, ignoring the STANDARD way of drying my face and hands. I was always worried that thunder would break out at any moment. I'm still not at that place where I could hide to save myself from the DEADLY THUNDER.

"You are scared." Once again, Mr Lyons disrupted my chains of thought. And as I saw, he looked toward the sky. "You're worried about the rain." He was amused. "It will never hurt. I am sure that your work will be done in time, Kiddo."

"I am not a kid." Whining like a three-year-old, I stared at him. "I am not afraid, either." Then a sudden noise made me jump. I was on the verge of dying. My heart burst for fear of my death.

Looking at my reaction, "It was the tyre squeaking." Mr Lyons laughed. That's the most masculine laughter I've ever heard. He looks like full blooded-male. Do I have an attraction for him?

Of course, He seems so perfect to be true. The absence of a blazer on a royal blue shirt fitted on his chest screams the quantity of time he spends in the gym. And the neck... with no tie, appears inviting. I don't know how his wife can control herself when he's around her. I guess she's lucky.

"You're not scared of rain." Pause, "You're scared of thunder." He concluded.

I did not answer him and I examined the couple who were talking about something serious. I hope Travis and Iris aren't arguing.

"That was my car." Once again, Mr Lyon drew my attention. "You have a problem with the expression." And again, I was unable to answer. The last time, Travis complained about me talking to his client. "Well, that makes it suicidal." Mr Lyons said. "Not speaking out is emotional suicide." He finally looked at me again. "I think you're related to the Campbell." Offering me his hand for a shake, "I'm Chandler." He introduced.

Chandler.

His name is Chandler. But he looks nothing like a Chandler. He seems fine... too fine. Maybe it's the way he wears clothes. It could be the material. It could be the bodyguards... I don't know. He had something familiar. He's probably as old as Liam. But I did miss something about this man.

"I am Honour," I murmured taking his hand, afraid of what my brother would think. Considering my history, no one trusts me. Nothing new would happen about the trust issue with Travis.

"People are generally Honour when they meet me." Caressing my fingers, He said. That was a little awkward. I tried to release my hand, but I was unsuccessful. He's Travis' client and disrespecting him would cost Travis his project.

I fought quietly, noticing I saw his hand. His right hand an old wristwatch with scars on the back of his hands despite the expensive fabric. I might call him a hard-working man.

"Mr. Lyons..." Fuming Travis called while Mr. Lyons laughed.

"See you around, Kiddo." Chandler Lyons smiles before he goes.

Kiddo.

That sounds familiar, actually.

"How do you know him?" Travis was angry, but I was looking at the man whose eyes widened with realization. He stared at me like he knew me for a long time.

Do I know him?