Chapter 33— A Nightmare

Lena couldn't stop beating herself over her stupidity earlier. When Henderson leaned closer to her, she actually thought that he was going to kiss her, but he didn't. Rather he moved some strands of hair from her face and helped her wipe the remnant of her makeup before pulling away from her. She felt embarrassed but quickly covered it up with a smile. She was going crazy, she reminded herself that just because Henderson brought her to the awards ceremony and dedicated the award to her didn't mean he liked her or anything. They were just friends and he wouldn't just kiss her justike that. She wasn't going to want that, moreover she wasn't ready for a relationship. She tapped her forehead recalling that she got to see Axel after so many years, that was something she dreaded got the past few years and now meeting Axel was no longer just a nightmare, it had become a reality. "Lena, are you ok?" Henderson asked glancing at Lena before returning his gaze to the road. He observed she was quiet and acting weird ever since the drive. He had expected her to ask him questions about Vivian or even Axel but she didn't and he really was interested in knowing how Axel knew her or if they just met at the party and he was misbehaving with her because he knew she had come with him just to spite him. "I'm good. I was just wondering what you meant when you said thank you for my tough love and care," she lied. Well, it wasn't completely a lie because that was also one of the thoughts on her mind. Henderson chuckled as he peeked at her and then his gaze focused on the road. "I had to get slapped and yelled at to know that I was being an irresponsible father, your tough love helped. If you didn't say or do any of that, I'm pretty sure that I would have gone on with my promiscuous lifestyle, " Henderson stated. Lena sighed and her lips pressed together afterwards, "Do you really have to talk about the slap whenever we are together? It makes me feel horrible. Most people must have thought that I'm some kind of villain when they heard you say that." Henderson chortled, "A villain, it wouldn't suit you. Moreover, I haven't seen or heard of a good villain." Lena smiled, "I'm not that good. I kind of agree with the words you said to me when I came for the job interview, I might be a bit violent." Henderson shook his head, "No you aren't. I just had a way of getting on your nerves but I know better now." Lena smiled. Henderson glanced at her and then returned his gaze to the road. "About Vivian, she is my ex-wife Itzel's mom. I didn't really think about their presence before I decided to attend the ceremony." "I'm sorry. It must have been hard seeing her with someone else, "Lena's voice came soft with concern. She would have easily concluded that Vivian was Itzel's mother if they shared a resemblance but their eye colour was the only feature they had in common. "Actually, it wasn't. She and Axel deserve each other. Now that I think of it, I'm glad she left me, I don't need fake people around me. I learnt that the hard way, it was quite surprising that Alia my sister turned out to be no different from her, she stabbed me in the back just like Vivian." Henderson huffed. When Henderson made mention of being stabbed in the back by Alia just like Vivian did. She knew it had to do with Vivian being with Axel but she couldn't think of the possible reasons why Vivian did that, for all she knew Henderson was wealthier and better looking or maybe Vivian wanted something else, but how important was it that she willing to forsake her daughter. Even though Henderson didn't admit to being hurt by Vivian's betrayal, the pain in his voice as he spoke about it made it evident. "Alia loves you. What she did was wrong but I don't think it's the same with your ex-wife. Alia only cared about your happiness but she went about it the wrong way." "Really? You think Alia cares about me? If she loves me like you say then what was the need for all the drama she put up when she was at the mansion?" Henderson sighed when Lena said nothing else, she didn't know what to say to him. "Enough about Alia, I was going to ask you. Did you know Axel before the ceremony?" This was the question Lena didn't want to be asked. She wanted nothing to do with anything from her past and Axel was part of it. "Not really. I bumped into him at the awards, his phone screen broke and he got furious, " Lena was surprised that she had a series of lies in her, she marvelled at how smoothly the lie sounded. Henderson's eyes scrutinised Lena's face like he was in search of something before he averted his gaze from her and concentrated on driving. "That guy is an asshole. He made all that fuss because of a phone, he claims to be wealthy yet acts insanely cheap, " Henderson snorted. As Lena's frightened state back at the party flashed in front of his face, he could feel anger surging in him. How could he do that to Lena over a phone? It was almost hard for Henderson to believe that any human would act that way over an accident, but it was Axel and he was senseless and inhumane most times, the thought that Lena was lying to him didn't even cross his mind because he trusted her. When Lena and Henderson got back to the mansion, Cleo, Trent and Itzel were already asleep together in one of the guest rooms. They couldn't blame them, they concluded the three of them must have waited for them and fell asleep while waiting for them to return. Henderson told her to let the kids sleep in the same room as Cleo since they were already sleeping and it was better if they didn't disturb their sleep. "Thank you for today Henderson, " Lena smiled as their gaze returned to each other after they left the room. "Why? If there is anyone who should be saying thank you, it's me, Lena. So, thank you for everything, it was fun having you with me at the ceremony, " Henderson's sea blue eyes bored her hazel ones as they spoke, his piercing gaze didn't even leave her for a second as they spoke. "And I think today was one of the best days, " A smile embraced Henderson's lips and then his face turned serious. Lena's brows were raised as she wondered what he was talking about. "Finally you stop calling me, Sir. I used to think you hated my name, " Henderson pursed his lips. Lena chuckled shaking her head, "No, I don't. Henderson is a great name." "Lena is a beautiful name, it suits you." Henderson smiled. "Thank you. Thank you for your suit jacket, " Lena appreciated stretching the jacket in her hand to him. Earlier at the ceremony, while they walked to the car, the cold breeze that embraced Lena's skin made her regret her choice of dress, her mind was made up that next time she was never going to consider wearing an off-shouldered dress. Henderson noticed how cold she was since her arms were wrapped around her. He shrugged off his suit jacket and wrapped it around Lena. Lena was taken about by the gesture, from the rare times she had watched a romance movie, a guy would only do that for someone he liked, a love interest or probably his girlfriend but she was none of that to him, she shoved the thought away concluding that he was just being nice and deserved a thank you. After they said goodnight to each other, Lena and headed to their rooms. They didn't bother to have dinner because they had something to eat at the hotel before coming back home so they weren't hungry. After changing out of the dress into her pyjamas and brushing her teeth, Lena went to bed and it didn't take long for her to drift into the dream world. Lying flat on his back across the bed, Henderson's eyes peeked far away at the sky that had infinite stars twinkling. The white curtains danced to the rhythm of the wind that blew since the windows were opened. Henderson scrambled off his bed and paced to the window to get a better view of the beautiful sky that seemed to have enchanted him since he was unable to fall asleep. After getting enough of the view, he was tired of it and decided to head downstairs. He wondered if Lena had fallen asleep or if she was also finding it hard to sleep like he was. As Henderson raised his hand to knock on Lena's door, he paused when he heard her voice. The tone of her voice sounded like she was wailing, when the wailings increased Henderson didn't think twice he pushed the door. "No-no! Please don't do this," Lena cried out, her voice coming out in stutters as she clutched the bedspread tightly. She appeared to be having a really bad nightmare! Henderson scooted to her, sitting beside her he tapped her on the shoulder. She wrapped her hands around Henderson holding him tightly as she tried to calm her frantic heart. "Shh, it's ok Lena." Henderson purred, one of his hands patted her back while the other smoothed her hair. On hearing Henderson's voice, Lena's eyes were forced open and she pulled away immediately. Her eyes crinkled as she peered at Henderson.