Chapter 92—Is She?

Brighton kept a straight face as he answered Brian's question. "I am not joking. I'm damn serious, Lena is the lady." Brighton got to meet Lena for the first time years back in college when he bumped into her on his way back to classes and ever since he couldn't take her off his mind. It took him long to realise that he had fallen deeply in love with her. He always looked forward to seeing her in college and when he finally took the bold step to approach Lena and become friends before he could tell her about his feelings, he searched for her in college but never got to see her again. He was told by her roommates that she dropped out of school, after much persuasion, they gave him her contact but it never went through. Still, he didn't give up on his search, he still went on with it but he never saw her. For Brighton, it was love at first sight the moment he locked eyes with Lena, she awakened the feelings he never thought he was going to have. Unlike his friends, Brighton was a complete introvert and he was also very shy. The day he bumped into Lena, he couldn't even say a word to her he only regained himself once she was out of his sight and since then he couldn't take her off his mind, it had been years past but his feelings stayed the same. It came as a huge surprise to Brighton when he rang the doorbell and a few seconds later the door creaked open revealing Lena, the universe froze at that minute as he took in the sight of her. She was as beautiful as ever, it felt just like the first time he laid his eyes on her but his heart was shattered when Lena didn't even recognise him and then he got to know that she was his best friend's fiancee and their wedding was just a few days away. A deep sigh left Brian's lips as he peered at Brighton. "Do you still have feelings for her?" "Yes, " Brighton nodded drawing in a sharp breath. Brian exhaled in disbelief and his expression closed up. "This is not going to be good. What do you plan to do? Did you tell Lena?" Brighton shook his head, he was yet to tell Lena and he didn't even think he would tell her because she couldn't even recognise him, of what use then was telling her going to be and things were different she was his best friend's girlfriend there was no way he was going to ruin their relationship. "I don't know what I'm going to do." Brighton's voice was laced with pain. He had regrets, if only he had come out of his shell then and spoken to Lena none of this would have been happening but at the same time he didn't want to sulk it was going to be totally useless. "I know how hard it is for you at the moment but you'll have to get rid of those feelings, just try your best because letting the feelings grow and possibly letting them out will cause a huge disaster," Brian advised putting a hand on Brighton's shoulder. Brighton's eyes glistened with tears, he nibbled on his lower lips and glanced heavenward to stop the tears from falling. "I'll just do what I did then. Keep my feelings buried." Brian embraced Brighton after he heard him say those words, he felt sympathy for his friends. Brian and Henderson were well aware of Lena's existence because Brighton told them about the girl he was in love with on several occasions but what they didn't know was that the same lady would end up being Henderson's fiance. "Don't tell Henderson about this, please." Brian bobbed his head in agreement, "I won't, I promise." From the past days that went by Brighton's mind was troubled with deep melancholy, he was confused about what next to do. In the depths of his heart, he just wanted to bury the feelings and get rid of them but a part of him wanted Lena to know that at least they had attended the same college and that was where he met her. Controlling the immersing jealousy that started to course through him whenever he saw the display of affection between Henderson and Lena became even more difficult for him to bear, most times he would come up with an excuse and go out of sight so he wouldn't have to see that. But he knew someone other than Brian was going to figure it out if he went on that way. Brighton paid a visit to the house, only Lena and Madam Carmen were in the house aside from the workers. Henderson had gone to Trent's and Itzel's school to pick them up, Cleo was at the office and Irene had gone for a job interview. Lena and Brighton sat in the living room in utter silence just watching TV. After they exchanged pleasantries when he walked into the living room, she didn't know what else to say to him even though she wanted to start a conversation. It was the same for Brighton too. Mustering up some determination, Brighton averted his eyes from the TV and shifted it to Lena. "Lena, did you attend Prime College?" Lena turned to him the second she heard his question, and she nodded in response. "Yes, I did but I dropped out in my second year. How did you know?" Surprise etched her features? Brighton smiled, " I know because I attended Prime College as well." "Really?" Brighton bobbed his head, a smile still playing on his lips. "Yes. That was where I knew you from but I guess you don't remember me." Sadness marred his face he quickly covered it up with a smile. "Oh, I'm sorry about that. I was actually confused the other day you called my name I thought you knew me because Henderson told you. Maybe if you remind me I might actually be able to remember, what year were you in? What department?" Lena put on a polite smile. "I was studying business administration then I was in my final year. I have a picture." Brighton mumbled taking his phone out of his pocket. "Oh, let me have a look." Lena smiled getting off the couch was seated on, she sauntered to Brighton and sat beside him. His heart was beating so hard in his chest that he feared Lena might hear it, once again his tummy was filled with butterflies. "The picture.." Lena smiled politely bringing an end to the stare she was getting from Brighton. "Sorry, " Brighton apologised chuckling nervously. He pressed on his phone after finding a picture from his college days he showed it to her. "Woah, you changed a lot." Lena complimented. "Is it that bad?" Brighton's eyes bulged out at Lena's statement like he had just seen a horror scene. "No, it's a good transformation actually, " Lena laughed. In the picture, Brighton was somewhat shorter and he looked thinner compared to now, also he was wearing glasses but now he was way different, he had a muscular body, and he was taller and without any glasses. She looked at the picture again and suddenly it rang a bell. She recalled a day she was on her way to class, she was already late and a guy bumped into her but she didn't have a conversation with him. "It was you." Lena gasped. "You remember?" Brighton eyes lit up and his face brightened with a smile. "Yeah, now I do." Lena nodded. Brighton's lips pressed together, "I didn't apologise to you that day after bumping into you and I never got a chance to, I tried to look for you but I was told you left. I even got your contact but it never connected. I'm sorry." "No, it's okay. You don't have to apologise, it was a mistake and I didn't hold it against you. My phone got lost that's why you couldn't reach me but seriously you shouldn't have gone through all that hassle just to apologise for bumping into me." Brighton cracked a faint smile how was he going to tell Lena that the reason he looked for he wasn't only to apologise but to tell her how he had fallen in love with her? "I was clumsy, if I had been more careful then I wouldn't have bumped into you. So I'm sorry." Brighton insisted. "Apology accepted, you are really modest." Lena beamed warmly. A grin grew on Brighton's face, " Thank you. You are amazing, kind, sweet and beautiful." Lena gleamed, " That's a lot of compliments. Thank you." Little did Lena know that Brighton would have continued to shower her with more compliments if he hadn't stopped himself. He didn't want to end up blurting out his feelings, just like Brian had told him it wasn't going to be good for any of them. The door creaked open, and Trent and Itzel stepped in with Henderson right behind them. "Mommy!" They giggled running to embrace her as she got off the couch. "How are you sweeties?" She smiled kissing their cheeks when they broke the hug. "We are good," Trent answered with a smile. "Mommy, Daddy got you a gift." Itzel let out before the realisation hit her. "You are such a blabbermouth, " Trent grumbled. "Hey, don't call her that." Lena cautioned. "Baby, don't scold him. Zel told us she was working on keeping secrets but we guess she isn't putting effort into it." Henderson chuckled. "Sorry, I'm trying Daddy." Itzel sighed. "Yeah, we can see how much you are trying." Henderson's voice was heavy with sarcasm. "Babe, " Lena frowned and Henderson exhaled. "Sorry, Zel." Henderson apologised. "You too Trent." Lena beckoned. Itzel's brows snapped together, "you both are only saying sorry because mom is here." Trent and Henderson exchanged glances and they shook their heads. Henderson made to say something but Lena's eyes on him made him kick against it. "Uncle Brighton, good afternoon." Itzel greeted sauntering to him. "Hi, how are you?" Brighton smiled as she embraced him. "I'm good." Trent greeted him and embraced him next, " I hope you are good." Brighton asked. "Yes, I'm fine." Trent nodded beaming warmly. Trent and Itzel went upstairs afterwards. "Brighton, " Henderson and Brighton exchanged handshakes before Henderson turned to Lena. "Baby, I've missed you." Henderson purred draping his hands around Lena he enveloped her in a warm hug. Lena chuckled after they broke the hug"Honey, you were barely out for an hour." Henderson shrugged his shoulders, " Still that's enough reason to miss you." Lena smiled shaking her head, " Babe when are you returning to the office." "After the wedding and our honeymoon, that should be maybe in three months." Lena's eyes widened and her jaw slacked. "You are kidding, right? Our wedding is in a few days. How long is the honeymoon going to be?" "Three months, or is it too little?" Henderson asked with raised brows, a smirk tugging the side of his lips. His hand slung around Lena's waist and he pulled her in. "You are crazy, " Lena chortled wriggling her head. "I love you." Henderson leaned in for a kiss. "I love you, darling." Lena's lips curved up happily as they broke the breathtaking kiss. "Do you know what? I and Brighton went to the same college and I didn't even realise until he just told....me." She paused looking around. "Wait, where is he? He was seated here just now." Lena's brows furrowed in a frown. Brighton had walked out of the room but they were so busy with each other that they didn't even notice, he felt a pang of pain hit his heart as he watched Lena and Henderson and he just couldn't take in the sight anymore. "Maybe he went outside," Henderson muttered. "Ok, you should go check on him while I go check on the kids," Lena uttered. Henderson pulled the door to the living room open and stepped out, Brighton was there but his back was turned to Henderson. "Brighton, " Henderson placed a hand on his shoulder making him turn to him, but Brighton didn't stare at Henderson directly he was avoiding eye contact. Henderson's eyes scrutinised Brian's face. "Are you okay?" Henderson's voice was heavy with concern as he saw Brighton's tear tear-filled "Yeah, I'm fine." Brighton forced a smile, this time he tilted his head up to gaze at Henderson just to sound convincing but the tear that slid down his cheek betrayed him. Once again Brighton looked away, but now he didn't try to hold back the tears he just let them fall. Henderson took a long sigh staring at Brighton blankly. "Is Lena the lady you told I and Brian about? The one from Prime College?" "Huh!" Henderson's question threw Brighton off the balance.