That face...
How could she forget?
It had appeared in nightmares she wished she never had, dreams that choked and consumed her until she turned into wretched ashes.
Her heart trembled.
Her body quivered.
How could he be here? Was he the one? Was he....?
"Are you alright?" Lester grip stilled when he noticed her tremulous motions and unsettled iris.
Her flesh tepid grew hot in his hold, forcing him to release her but shockingly she stumbled back, almost falling flat to the floor.
"Rena!" He was astounded.
He had expected she'd be surprised to see him but not this way...
Not this amazement that seemed to paralyse her being.
He tried to touch her, to keep her stable, steady but sounds erupted from her.
Words low but hard to ignore.
"No —" She uttered firmly. "Do not touch me!"
Rena was shaking, obviously.
Her breath were hitching as memories — ugly, dreadful invaded her mind.
Incidents that had occured. Images that frightened even herself.
She could still see her dispirited figure from eight years ago, hoping, praying, wanting earnestly to see him again.
Even if it was just a brief appearance, as long as he was in view, as long as he came, she would be okay a little but he never did.
He had ruthlessly deserted and ruined her life.
Her blood earlier cold boiled.
Her tremblings yet persisted but this time not from a dire astonishment but ire, one that made her fingers twitch and want to pouce.
Her teeth chattered, her face grew pallid as she snarled.
"How did you find me? How?!"
Lester rose a brow, confused at the livid tone used.
Anger wasn't unexpected.
It was infact anticipated.
But likewise, just like her shock, it was too intense, too ardent, too real.
"Rena..." He was cut off.
"Get out!" Rena screamed. "Get out of my house!"
She couldn't stand it.
His voice. His presence. It was heightening her emotions to the extreme.
She wanted him — all of him gone, out of sight.
Her flesh, her insides throbbed with the need of it.
Lester didn't listen.
Rena knew he wouldn't so she lunged first for her phone.
It was in a distance away, of course laying diligently on the couch.
She clutched it as quickly as she could.
Lester was benumbed until he heard the sounds of digits being dialed.
He didn't think she'd be serious.
He acted and grasped the phone away from her.
Though he wasn't the least bit afraid of the police or whosoever she could possibly be calling but he didn't want this moment between them to be interrupted.
He was bewildered.
He was taken aback and needed elucidations.
As far as he knew Rena, she would never have called the cops on him even at the peak of her wrath.
She had never been angry — this angry at him even.
Something was off, wrong and he needed — desired to be told what it was.
"Let's talk." He said with placation, his tone tranquil but his breathy voice quite giving him away.
"I'm truly sorry for leaving you back then Rena but let's talk it out."
"Talk it out?" Rena whispered to herself, disbelieving. When she stared at him, her eyes were sharpened in detest with a scornful jocularity underneath.
"There is nothing to talk about. Mr Lester, we only had a teenage fling years back. You must still be stuck on it."
"...What?"
"Don't cross the boundaries again or I will sue you for harassment. When you left, we returned being strangers and that we will ever be."
"..."
Her solemness made him speechless.
Rena snatched her phone from his slackened hand and approached the door.
When she turned back, her voice was as cold as frost.
"When I return, I don't want to see you here or the cops will escort you out themselves. Do not test me."
And then she left.
Rena took firm steps away, climbing the little steps down.
For a moment her face was glacial, only to crumple instantly as tears after tears slipped down.
'What is this?'
She was startled.
Why was she crying?
She shouldn't.
He didn't deserve such. She had cried enough for him, to the point of near blindness in the past. Why should she again?
He was scum. A lying twat who wasn't worthy of it. After eight years... Eight damn years, he came back.
Did he perhaps think she still loved him? That she would embrace and welcome him with open arms?
The possibility of it fumed her even more.
She wiped her tears harshly away and turned on her phone.
She proceeded to call Herman.
It mustn't have been long since he left, she needed to explain things to him as soon as she could.
Even if he had tried to doubt the sight, the obscene scene must have convinced him otherwise.
She called repeatedly but he didn't answer. She messaged but it was same.
No response. Nothing.
She knew, he was ignoring her. He must be gutted, angry.
No matter how eager she was regardless, she needed to give him space to calm down.
Herman wasn't so petty, he would definitely want to hear her out.
Sighing, she headed back.
She climbed the steps and stopped right at the door.
Had he left?
She hoped so. Her threat weren't just utters. She was really ready to do whatever it takes to not see him again.
Locking him behind bars was an option.
Slowly, she opened the door, only to come face-to-face with an empty room.
Lester was nowhere to be found.
~~~
In the car, the atmosphere was heavy and tense. Wallace dared not breathe too loudly, trying to shrink his presence as lowly as he could.
Lester was angry, he could feel it.
The man was silent, that wasn't abnormal but his hardened phiz and somber eyes told more than words ever could.
Wallace was nonplussed.
Earlier his boss had exhibited an exhilaration that shocked even him but now contrary to that emotion, he looked gloomy, pissed, with an aura that made his hairs stand at end.
What had happened?
He thought.
Did Miss Rena do anything?
What's up with even the injuries at his lips?
Some hours ago his boss had found the Miss at an airport and ordered her search.
Surveillance camera were reviewed, addresses were traced, identities were surveyed.
Did they probably get it wrong?
Did the boss find himself to be mistaken? Was the woman not the Miss?
As much as he wanted to know, to ask, he dared not even open his mouth least the man take it out on him.
He remained quiet, also.
His hand stilled at the sterling.
He could have driven off but how could he? When the boss haven't given the order? While he was yet gazing at the house through the window with such longing in his dead eyes?
"Investigate them." A voice deceptively impassive whipped the air.
Wallace was for a moment startled, then asked in confusion. "Sir?"
"Every male closest to her. Let me know their names."
"Yes." Wallace didn't delay.
A palm held a tablet in place while his fingers worked on the screen.
It only took five minutes.
He immediately conveyed it.
"There is only one, Sir. Herman Ross. Relationship, Boyfriend. Age, twenty six. Job, CEO of The Ross Enterprise."
Boyfriend.
Lester only heard one word.
His eyes already dim turned so dark no reflections could be seen.
Boyfriend...
How was that possible? He never thought she'd grant that title to someone else.
It's being years yes but he had hoped, had thought, had been sure...
He caressed his lips. They were cleaner than before, oozing slightly, healing but the wound was real.
His tongue tingled in support of that.
She had bitten him with no regret. Showed an after expression that relayed she'd be glad to do it again.
His heart itched.
Herman.
Was he the reason she had done it all? Was he the reason she had pushed him away, with both words and actions, not wanting him near?
Rage spiked his bones, making the ambiance in the car colder, arousing shivers.
"Boss." Wallace called cautiously. "How should he be dealt with?"
From the information gotten, he had a rough idea of what was going on.
Someone dared covet his boss's woman? He must be courting death.
Lester didn't reply. Didn't even look over.
But through the rearview mirror, no one could miss the ample flash of cruelty enclosing his gaze.