The astringent scent of disinfectant couldn't mask the underlying odor of sickness permeating the hospital hallway. Reynold paused outside room 428 steadying his breathing before entering. Visiting his mother here never got easier, though her doctors remained optimistic about a full recovery post-surgery.Inside the small utilitarian room, sunlight streamed through half-open blinds highlighting his sister Tia slouched in a chair absorbed in her phone. She glanced up as Reynold entered, relief breaking across her face."Oh thank god you're here," Tia exclaimed, stretching stiff muscles as she stood. "Mom woke up about twenty minutes ago,”Reynold pressed a quick glace to his sister, his heart clenching at remnants of recently shed tears tracking her cheeks.Approaching the bed, Reynold took his mother's slender hand mindful of the IV line and pulse monitor clamped to her index finger. Her skin felt like crinkled parchment, though a hint of familiar fire still glowed in her eyes floatin
Kayla had decided to go home. It was still around 3 PM and she felt very uncomfortable doing so. Leaving all these problems and going home to be consoled with the culinary skills of her husband just did not sit well with her.She needed a solution at all cost.At all cost meant she had to go to the extreme if need be, or else if news should reach her father - things could get very dire for her. It wasn't like he was going to listen to her flimsy accusations. He would end up taking her brother's side and if she's not careful, she might loose everything.And so Kayla decided to turn to where she hated going for help.Jaw clenched, she jabbed the call button to her father’s top floor office where Hamish was currently occupying in his stead. She had to make him see reason and intervene with Tate and Sean before their business blockade became an all-out corporate coup destroying her hard won credibility.The elevator ride passed in tense silence. Upon arriving at her brother's floor, Kayla
In an instant, Reynold's strong arms were around Kayla’s enveloping her shaky frame. He didn't speak, didn't pry for explanations; he simply offered the solid warmth of his body as Kayla broke against him.She cried until no more tears would come, inarticulate with pain and rage and bone-deep weariness. And still Reynold held her close, stroking her hair, bearing silent witness to the storm's passing.When at long last her sobs dwindled to hiccuping aftershocks, Kayla dared lift her head from Reynold's tear-dampened shirt. She opened her mouth to apologize but Reynold pressed one calloused finger lightly over her lips."Sshhh, now,” he soothed. “No need to say anything until you’re ready. Let me make you some tea.”As he attempted to leave, he was held back by his slender hand clenching his.She looked up with a tender grace shining in her eyes.“Can you stay?”“...okay.” Reynold’s voice stuttered. He awkwardly turned to her. Not sure what to do next.He closed his eyes, all his body
Kayla, in a haste, threw together an outfit. She selected a professional yet elegant slate gray pantsuit, tailored to flatter her slender frame.She paired it with a silky burgundy blouse and subtle gold accessories. The sense of urgency was palpable as she fumbled with buttons and zippers, attempting to remedy her tardiness.Checking the outfit in the mirror, she felt confident and ready to tackle anything the day brought, knowing Reynold stood by her side. She hurried downstairs where her car waited, thoughts filled with optimism rather than distressRey observed from the window, a subtle smile playing on his lips as she hurriedly prepared for the day.Lei, patiently waiting outside, greeted her with a quizzical look. "Your face seems brighter today. Did something good happen? By the way, did you hear? The supplier issue miraculously resolved itself.”Kayla, with a sly smile, replied, "Yeah, something good did happen." Her words hung in the air, a subtle hint that Lei was left to de
Reynold toweled sweat from his brow as he walked through the parking lot. A sleek black Rolls Royce idled beside his - the model at a glance was higher and more sophisticated than his. The rear door opened and an elderly man emerged. Though deep wrinkles creased his features, sharp eyes peered out imperiously from behind rectangular spectacles. His silver hair cropped close to the skull only enhanced the severe visage. Reynold glanced around the near-empty lot, certain this intimidating personage could not be seeking him out. At first glanced he missed it but looking secondly as the man spoke… there was a resembance. "Mr. Reynold.” the man stated rather than asked, in a gravelly baritone. "You will come with me. The Chairman requests an audience." His expectant look brooked no arguments. ‘Ah, of course. The chairman’s assistant!’ Reynold remembered and immediately inclined his head politely. The chairman, was Kayla’s father, and a shudder ran
The old man’s request stunned Reynold, and he blinked several times, wondering if he’d heard well. But he had.“I did hear from Reizei that you have taken up the hobby of learning martial art.” The old man paused then continued. “And you happen to be learning from one of his rival.” ‘Huh? Master Ren was his rival?’Reynold looked at the cold, stoic Reizei for a moment and brought his gaze back to the chairman.“To make things more comfortable for you. How about we strike a deal. If you defeat any selected individual from this place, you are free to have it your way. However, if you lose, you have to accept an aide.”Reynold lowered his head, frowning a little as he took to thinking the chairman's words. He was not that confident in his combat ability but he was sure he had grown from the way he used to be.‘All I just need to do is pick the weakest.’Reynold nodded at the chairman. “Deal. Let’s do this.”Smiling, he signaled for the commander and the man in charge to come. The hulky
Kayla sat complacent behind behind her desk. While there was a lot tugging her mind, she had more than enough reason to smile today.What had happened earlier this morning rolled over in head, playing out like a video on repeat. Each time, her face was adorned by a charming smile, then she would curl her hair behind her ear.She had not even been able to do substantial amount of work since she resumed in the morning - all because she was there thinking about a man.Was she being delusional? It was tempting and strange that Reynold was offering her pure love for no price at all. Even though he felt indebted to her, she didn't feel it to be the reason why he was showing her so much love.Maybe the poor boy just couldn't resist her charms. Kayla wouldn't say she was used to being chased around, she was beautiful no doubt but all that beauty was overshadowed by a rotund face.Her chubbiness spared no one's extra glance at her. It was one of the reasons why Reynold was a special boy to her
“Fight me again.” Reynold paid the young guy no heed. In fact this was getting hard to bear. He shook his head as if trying to shake of the brooding frustration within him. While keeping his eyes on the road. “I know you can do better than that but you went easy on me. So I want you fight me like you mean it.” “First of all young man. I am not going to fight and are you not supposed to be my bodyguard or something. This is odd, you are the one asking me to fight you when you should be protecting me.” Jovian frowned and looked away. He stared into the blurring buildings as the car zoomed forward, soon his face was filled with innocent glee as he admired views and appreciated the running wind. There was something about him that demanded that he should be let off the hook. He had an unnatural face, almost looking like a nerd but at the same time a subtle spark of ferociousness could be noted in his gaze. He arrogantly turned t