Lily stood still staring at the smiling man. What the hell was he doing here? Having made her feel faint, he still came here? To do what … increase her torture? Was he that much of a sadist? Lily felt herself shake a little but then, decided to stay strong. She would never let this man know the power he had over her. Whatever fishy thing he was up to, would be disclosed. Inspite of all these, the strange man still smiled!
"Hi Lily." The man greeted, when Eucharia had introduced them.
"Hi Philip." Lily felt her voice was hoarse, but that was what she could come up with. It was the best she could do, to avoid falling over in horror. Philip looked around and seamed pleased with what he saw.
"Nice home." He said.
"Thanks Philip." Eucharia said. Jane was busy staring at him. She wanted to know his thoughts. Her mother didn't know that Philip was the reason for her discomfort, as she was yet to tell her.
"Coffee?" Eucharia asked.
"Yes, thanks." Philip replied.
"How do you like your coffee?"
"Black, thanks."
Eucharia left for the kitchen, to get him the coffee. How could he sound so polite? This was baffling to Lily. Instincts told Lily that the meeting between her and Philip were not coincidental. Sitting down there looking at him as he looked at her, was sort of unsettling and she opted to go to her room.
"Oh no… where are you going Lily?"
"Just going to my room, I am tired." She managed to keep her voice calm.
"Its good to relax, you really need it."
Lily was about retorting, but decided against it. She didn't want to encourage Philip into any conversation, it was best she left him there. So, she left the sitting room to her bedroom. She tried to relax but couldn't. Then opted to read her favorite books; the Paddington series. Her spirits lifted as she read. Smiles came to her and at some point, she laughed out loud, at the funny and simple minded bear. Thoughts of Philip forgotten … temporarily.
After reading two of the series, she watched some short moves. Having watched the movies, she felt hungry and checked the time. It was already 19:00. Had Philip gone? She wasn't sure he had. Because she knew quite well that someone like him, would announce his departure. He seemed egoistic. It was surprising her mum knew him. From where? Her mum wasn't friends with people who looked proud. Well… if my mum likes him, then I might as well … right? Lily thought.
Hence, she tip toed towards the sitting room and peeped through the little window that over looked it. Her mum and Philip were laughing at a joke. She stood watching them and smiled unconsciously. Eucharia seemed so free with this Philip of a man. That very moment, Philip whispered to her mum and she looked at the time.
"I thought you were passing the night here." She said.
"Not today … some other time perhaps. How about Lily?"
"Oh … she must be reading her novels."
"I would like her to see me off." Philip said seriously. This was his ever first serious look, since he came to their house.
"Okay, let me get to her."
After Lily heard this, she quickly but quietly tip toed back to her room, closed the door and pretended to read. Her mother mustn't know she had eavesdropped on their conversation. Seconds later, Eucharia got to her room and opened the door. She felt happy to see Lily reading.
"Wow Lily, I can see you're having a good time."
"Thanks mum." And Lily feigned a yawn.
"Sorry to disturb you, but Philip is leaving. Can you see him off?"
"Oh that … I thought he came to see you mum."
"Well baby … we talked about you, all through our conversation. So what do you think?"
" Okay mum, I guess I will have to see him off."
Lily looked in the mirror and tied her hair in a bun. She wore a necklace her mother had given her and left for the sitting room, to meet Philip. He saw her and stood up.
"Bye Philip." Eucharia bade.
"Bye Eucharia and thanks."
Together, Lily and Philip left the sitting room to the front yard. Just outside the gate, Lily said:
"Philip, I will stop here. See you some other time."
"Thanks." He said. Lily turned to go back to the house.
"Aren't you inquisitive I followed you to your house, From the shopping mall?
This halted Lily and thus, turned round. She was definitely inquisitive. Philip seeing he had her attention again said:
"I an here to warn you of a man, coming to see you soon. He is your nemesis and I am your protector. He was born to devour you and I was born to save you."
Lily absorbed Philip's words. She remembered her dreams ; the smiling man and the stern looking man. Oh, she now understood. The smiling man had followed her to save her from the beast or whatever he was called! She stood, with the incidents that had occurred, swirling around her thoughts. To her amazement, she wasn't freaked out with what Philip said. Lots of mind blowing things had happened. So she felt better when Philip said he was her protector. Since her mother trusted him, she should. Eucharia always selected her friends. Lily absently caressed her necklace, deep in thoughts. The necklace pendant was a crown.
"What's that necklace?" Philip asked.
"My mum gave it to me. Love it so much."
"Sure, remember what I told you. Here's my number, feel free to call at any time." He gave her a card and left.
Lily took the card and turned back to the house. I will watch out for any man that comes into my life. May not necessarily look like the stern looking man, she thought.
**********
Todd stood outside Lily's compound. He hid in the shadows. He had been on watch for about three hours now. His mentor had instructed him to do so. He was instructed to watch and take pictures of anyone coming in or leaving the house. The pictures were to be sent to his mentor. This was nothing as compared to the work he did in the hospital, so he gladly kept watch over the head nurse's house.
And true to his luck, a man walked out, of the gate with Lily. They stood for sometime and at that moment, Todd snapped them. He already knew Lily, the head nurse's daughter. What baffled him was the man with her. It was the same man who had held Eucharia's hand, when he pretended to be greatly injured at the hospital.