COSMOS.
Walking out of the airport, Joel found the assistant who had come to pick him up. He handed his luggage over to him and took out his phone. Upon seeing the message from Mirabel, he smiled and stuffed the phone back into his pocket and turned to the assistant.
''How fast can this meeting begin and end?''
''It depends on the people from the other end. If everything goes on smoothly, it would take less than a week for everything to be finalised''
''Let's make sure we use just a week for that, then'' he said and walked away.
...
Walking out of the hospital with her hands in her scrub top pockets, Carlien saw Lucas and Lazarus at a distance away from her. She quickly hid behind the pillar and watched them curiously. She didn't have any impression on Lucas but she knew Lazarus since high school but based on the explanation Paige gave her, it seemed she and Lazarus had a fight too, just like she did with Lucas before coming to Touching Lives. She knew they had bad blood between them but she still couldn't remember the exact reasons.
Looking at them, she frowned upon seeing Lazarus pushed Lucas but she could only see the moving of his lips but it was clear that they were not having a calm conversation.
''Tell me, what have you been planning with the old man?''
''Lazarus, this isn't a place where you can come and mess around. You better leave here or I will call security''
''Is she the reason why you are here? I heard she can't even remember you. Do you think you still stand a chance with her? Lucas, let me tell you today; whatever you desire, anything or person you take a fancy to, I will take them all away from you''
''Unfortunately, you can't take Carlien away from me. She isn't an object. She is something with her own values''
''Let's see about that, then. Whether the Carlien who doesn't remember you will still take your side or not? You can watch while I take her from you'' he said daringly and glanced towards the entrance. Lucas turned and saw Carlien watching them with an intense gaze. Lazarus smirked and walked towards her.
''Hi, Carlien''
''Hi, Lazarus'' Carlien looked at the two brothers. ''Fancy seeing you here?''
''I heard about what happened and decided to come and see you. You know that Lucas and I are brothers' right?''
''So I heard from Paige''
''Oh Paige, where is she by the way?''
''She has an operation and is currently inside''
''Can we speak alone for a moment; I have something to say?''
''Yes, sure. Lucas, Professor Glow was looking for you''
''Call me if you need me, Carl'' Lucas said to her and went inside leaving the two alone. Carlien smiled at Lazarus and started walking away and he followed her.
''So, what did you want to talk about?''
''Carlien, I'm sorry''
Carlien stopped walking and turned to face him, ''you are sorry? For what?''
''Paige must have told you what happened between us since you don't remember anything about that day. I admit, I was a jerk. I made use of your feelings for me and that was low of me. After not hearing from you for a while, it made me reflect on myself and the things that are important to me. You are important to me, Carlien and I don't want to lose the friendship I have with you''
''As long as you know you were wrong''
''I know you will find it difficult to trust me after that day, but, I still need to explain things to you. That's why I came here. Lucas and I are step brothers and no matter how good he portrays himself to be, he isn't as good as you think. His mother was my mother's trusted housekeeper who ended sleeping with my father behind my mother's back. now, even after so many years he is still the favoured child of my father while I the legitimate child is ousted out of the family''
Lazarus studied Carlien's expression but found nothing. Just like before, she was still expressionless and he couldn't read her mind. For once he even thought she wasn't listening at all.
''Carlien, are you listening to me?'' he asked.
''Lazarus, why are you lying to me?'' Carlien finally looked at him, locking gaze with him.
''Huh? What do you mean?''
''I might not remember anything at the moment but it doesn't mean I am gullible. Do you know what I hate in this world the most? Been used by someone, being lied to and most of all, treated as if I am stupid. For the second time, since the last time, you have treated me as someone who is easily fooled. Once was enough, but twice is overboard. Our friendship ends here''
''Carlien… are you taking the side of Lucas?''
''I am not taking the side of anyone. I just find you irritating and obnoxious. Don't pull me into your fight with Lucas. Also, stop the pity party act and be a man and accept reality. Excuse me'' she turned to leave and he held her hand tightly startling her.
''You…''
Lazarus suddenly pulled her closer to himself and lowered his head, giving her an unexpected kiss. Carlien struggled and pushed him away from herself. She lifted her hand and gave him a tight slap.
''You are despicable'' Carlien said and Lazarus chuckled but the next moment, he found himself falling to the ground after a strong punch hit him on the face and stomach. It was so fast that he didn't know when it happened.
''Sister, are you alright?'' Noah asked, pulling Carlien behind him.
''Can you beat him without hitting his vital points?'' Carlien asked Noah.
''Give me your word my queen''
''You have my word'' Carlien looked at Lazarus and smirked before going inside. Noah walked closer and pulled him by the collar up before dragging him away from the hospital to beat him up.
…..
Carlien washing her mouth for the tenth time and stared at herself in the mirror. She really wished she knew exactly what was going on but sadly she couldn't remember anything.
Walking out of the ladies' washroom, she saw Lucas at a distance and walked up to him. He inspected her worriedly and asked, ''are you alright? I hope Lazarus didn't hurt you?''
''He did, but let me ask you something Lucas. What exactly did we talk about on the night Paige hit you?''
''I…''
''If you don't tell me the truth, you can forget about being friends with me''
''I will tell you everything you want to know''
''Let's hear it then''
…..
Carlien sipped her cup of coffee as they sat on the bench near the vending machine in the hallway.
''I'm sorry. I know I don't have any right been here. I know I don't have any right asking you to take me back after what I did to you, but, I can't live without you. I have thought of how life would be without a lot of things but the thought of living without you is what scares me the most''
''I don't know what to say?'' she bit her lips and the thought of Lazarus forcing himself on her disgusted her. She turned to Lucas saying, ''I might forgive you if you allow me to test out something with you''
''What kind of test?''
''Physical attraction test. I want to see if my heart will flutter if you were the one who kissed me''
''Huh? Did Lazarus… kiss you?'' he clutched her fist tightly.
''Yes, but I didn't feel anything. Lucas, kiss me'' she said straightforwardly and Lucas flushed. His Adam apple moving up and down his throat.
''Carly, kissing is an intimate act''
''So, are you doing it or not?''
''I don't think it's right. You are not thinking straight right now and you might regret it later on''
Carlien busted into laughter seeing him stuttering for the first time, ''you are so cute but, you talk too much'' she said and touching his collar. Looking into his eyes, she pulled him closer and touched his lips. It was a light kiss that went as it came.
Frowning her face, she looked at him saying, ''I didn't feel anything at all''
''That's because we didn't really kiss. This is a real kiss", he said and pulled her head closer, closing the gap between them as he kissed her. Carlien's eyes were wide open as she allowed him to control the kiss. ''Close your eyes, Carl and you will feel something''
As if a robot working on commands, she closed her eyes and a slight moan escaped from her. Lucas let go immediately and with a darkened gaze, he asked, ''did you feel something now?''
''I need time to think it through first, excuse me'' Carlien stood up and ran towards her office. Lucas looked at her silhouette and chuckled. He touched his lips and smiled not believing what just happened between them.
''Whoa, did I just allow myself to be kissed by him? When did I turn into this kind of person?'' Carlien leaned against her door. She touched her lips and smiled, ''but, it didn't feel bad at all''