Becoming strangers again (Lily and Ryan)

CLARA

"We need more drinks," Xavier mumbled to himself.

I just want to go home and sleep. "I'll go get it." Who feels sleepy in a club? I guess that's me... perhaps walking around can make me more active.

"Please do check on your friend who left hours ago to dance." He quipped.

Catching on to the sarcasm in his statement, I chuckled. "She'll be fine. Knowing Lyra, I am sure she already found a company."

"She's that quick huh?" He muttered in a judgemental tone and I glared at him. "What?!" He blurted out, returning my glare, "This is her first time being in Manhattan, isn't she scared of being hurt? missing? Abducted?"

"In a busy club?" I drawled out with an eye roll. "She's an adult Xavier, and stop being an ass."

I walked out of the private booth, closing the door softly behind me. I was already halfway to the bar when I realized I didn't even ask him his preference.

Opting to get the drink he was currently taking, I continued to make my way to the bar. "Can I get a bottle of Yamazaki please?"

The barman eyed me suspiciously. "What did you say, ma'am?”

The look in his eyes told me that he heard me clearly but was skeptical if I could afford it. "I didn't stutter."

Suddenly, a hand draped across my shoulder, and out of reflex, I shoved it away before turning to put a face to the hand.

For starters, the male cologne wasn't familiar.

Turning with the intention of scolding I met a familiar face who smiled at me apologetically. "I didn't mean to scare you." He quickly explained, "I sighted you from up there and had my suspicions it was you, so I came down to check."

Smiling softly, I returned my attention to the barman, waiting for my order. "It's fine Dave, I had assumed that it was a total stranger."

The barman, his facial expression suddenly back to neural passed me the drink. "What are doing here? Nights out?"

He nodded. "Hanging out with bossman and Lisa."

I almost frowned. "You are here with Damien?" I asked and he nodded. Didn't Damien say he had an important meeting? "Is it work-related?"

Dave tilted his head. "You can join us, I'm sure Damien will be glad to see you."

I don't think so. If he wanted to hang out with me tonight, he wouldn't have declined my offer. "It's fine, I'm actually here with my brother and a friend."

"Dave?" A female voice called from behind me, before she showed her face. "Damien is demanding to see you." Her eyes flickered to me lazily. "Hello, Clara."

I have no reason to smile at her, not after the lie she told me about me being Damien's second choice. "Hello, Lisa." I greeted, the soft expression I had on for Dave flattening instantly.

"I have to go," Dave chimed in, "it was lovely running into you."

"You too," I responded, my soft smile returning. "And please you don't have to tell Damien that you ran into me."

Dave frowned. "Why?"

"You heard the lady." Lisa snapped, "And stop keeping Damien waiting, you know he hates that."

Dave hurried away into the crowd whilst I grabbed my order with the intention of going back to my booth because honestly there was nothing to say to Lisa.

"You knew Damien was here that was why you showed up right?"

I halted at her question. "Is that what you do?" fired back, turning to face her. "Would you show up in places he is just because he is there? That's stalking Lisa, and I don't stalk people."

"Yet you always show up in places he is."

I cocked my head sideways. "I would also say the same for you."

Her jaw clenched angrily, not that I cared. I took a step closer to her. "Why do you dislike me so much, Lisa?" The few times I've met her, she has done nothing but talk sire down on me. "Hate you?!" She threw her head backward and laughed forcefully. "I don't hate you, Clara."

"Maybe," I argued, "but you hate the idea of me and Damien together."

Her lips pressed with anger, and her eyes which were once taunting and sly darkened instantly. "I don't have to hate you because you captured Damien's attention momentarily, I'm certain it's not going to last

I'm not even in a relationship with Damien and She feels this way, what happens if we get into an actual

relationship? "You like Damien," bet

pointed out factly, "I get that, but you need to chill the fuck out. Don't make any woman that comes into Damien's life your enemy

She blinked, slowly and precise, before her lips stretched into a smile. If anything, she looked more like the Joker. "You think you're my enemy? You think you can handle the heat of being my enemy?" "Telling me that I'm Damien's second choice when you very much know that's a lie doesn't scream friendship does it?"

"You should be grateful that I'm trying to protect your ass."

Is she being real right now? "I do not recall going to you for protection Lisa, so you have to stop."

Her fist clenched. "If you were unable to handle someone as simple and easy to handle as your ex-husband, do you think you have what it takes to handle Damien?"

"Let me worry about that Lisa." I uttered firmly, "And let this be the last time you mention my failed marriage, you do not have the right to do that."

Smacking her lips together, she blinked rapidly. "You Are beginning to get on my nerves Clara Jones."

"The same way you're getting on mine." I retorted. "I don't know what your deal is, but stay off my back."

"You can never contain that dark side of him." She snarled, intending to close the space between us, but someone placed a hand on her chest and shoved her back. "I'm sure you can talk to my sister without having your mouth in her face." Xavier Interjected, stepping between, "I understand you run the place, but know your boundaries." "You should be lecturing your sister on boundaries." Lisa countered, moving her gaze to Xavier, "She had better learn it quick or I'll be forced to make an example out of her." She smiled...widely...ear-to-ear. "Even Damien is unable to contain me when I'm furious Clara, Do not piss me off or I'll push you right into the game and put the blame on Fate." Why is she being connotative? "If you have anything to say to me, give it to me straight."

Lisa chuckled again and shook her head. "That drink is on the house." With that, she walked away, climbing up the stairs and disappearing into the same room Dave walked in. "What was that about?" Xavier asked, taking the bottle from me.

"I want to go home," I informed him instead of answering his question.

"Well, I'm not ready to leave yet." He argued.

Halting abruptly, I turned and burned a hole into his body. "Since when did you start partying?" The usual rigid Xavier would have preferred staying indoors. "Tyla is back." He muttered and I froze.