The Present Past

Rayna's POV.

I'd barely dropped my gaze to the document which I'd to review after Laura exited my office when I heard a knock on the door. Earlier, I figured that she wanted to say something but then, it seemed like she forgot and perhaps, now she'd remember hence her return to my office. Although, there were still loads of documents for me to review but then, I knew that I'd to answer her before going on with any other thing.

“You may come in, please.” I said, pushing the document to the side as I lifted my gaze to the door, awaiting her presence. 

However, as the doorknob was turned open from the other side and then pushed open, a rather familiar figure revealed himself as he took some steps into my office. As my gaze fell on him, I almost jumped out of my skin.

“Hello,” he mouthed, lifting a hand and shaking his fingers as a cynical smile pushed his lips to the side. “Missed me?” 

Staring at him, I blinked my eyes rapidly in confusion. How was it possible that he was standing right on front of me now? In the meantime, I mirrored his movements as he ventured further into my office, coming my way. However, as he did, he swept his eyes all over the place nodding his head as if satisfied with what he was seeing.

“Phoenix Inc, right?” he asked, with a raised brow. “I am so proud of you. I mean, look at what you've achieved in such a short time.” 

“What are you doing here Morgan?” I asked, my formerly calm face was disturbed by a hard tightening of my jaw. “And how did you find this place?” 

“Easy, alright?” he asked, lifting both arms in surrender as if trying to say he meant no harm. “Besides, won't you offer me a seat? My legs hurt from the journey I made down here.” 

“And why should I offer you a seat?” I asked, with an edge to my voice as I raised a brow. “Forget it. I won't allow you sit on that chair. Now, if you don't have anything reasonable to say then please, leave before I ask the security to throw you out.” 

“Well, I guess you've got that much power now.” he said, with a shrug of his shoulder. “Aren't you happy to see me again after two years? No hello? Or even a hug even if you'll have to fake it, huh?”

“What are you doing here Morgan?” I asked, narrowing my gaze at the words. “You should speak up now else you'll return to the very place you just came out from.” 

“And where would that be? Oh, it seems I recall now.” he said, with a hint of sarcasm edging his lips. “The prison right? Well, I am not going back there. Believe it or not I've come to stay.” 

“To do what exactly?” I asked, with a tinge of curiosity in my voice. “It is rather obvious that you don't want to put your hands to good use. So, it's either you tell me what you're doing here, or put your legs to good use by walking out of my office this minute.”

“Well, it must have been so good to send me there, right?” he asked, his brows merging into a savage line.

Well, I'd to do what had to be done. Aside, my uncle and Jared of course, he was one of those reasons why I disliked men. If I hadn't sent him to the prison then who knows what he would have done? At least that two year in the cell meant that he didn't go around trying to harass women just like he did to me. However, should I realized that the cell over there didn't teach him some manners, then I wouldn't mind enrolling him in another around here just until he learns to behave well enough. 

“I had to do what needed to be done.” I said, with ice in my voice. “But it seems that you've not learned anything yet.”

“You ruined my life!” he thundered, slamming a hand on my desk. “Is that what you had to do?” 

“Well, you tried to ruin mine first, or have you forgotten so soon?” I asked, with a raised brow as if trying to help him recollect the events of that cold night. “You see, men like you deserve what they get for trying to take advantage of women like us.” 

“That wasn't me.” he said, speaking through his teeth with forced restraint as he shook his head while forming his hands into a fist. “I was stoned that night. I wasn't aware of what I was doing.” 

“Well, perhaps you should drink less these days. Maybe you'll be in full control of your actions better.” I said, with a shrug of my shoulder. “Unless you want history to repeat itself again. Trust me, it won't be two years this time. It'll be double.” 

“Well, I figured that you would say something like this.” he said, pointing a finger at me as he bent over, leaning his body weight on the chair on the opposite side of my desk. “However, there will be no need for that. You see, I learned a lot in my stay over there and so, I thought that it wouldn't be nice if I don't pass on the knowledge that I've gained. I mean, that would defeat the entire purpose of learning in the first place, or don't you think?”

As the words fell upon my ears, my skin crawled but then, I kept a straight face.

“What do you mean by that?” I asked, narrowing my gaze at the words. “Do you realize that you're in my office right now? I could throw you out at will.” 

“But you haven't done so.” he said, shaking his head as if trying to pass a message across to me. “However, you don't have to worry so much. I failed to treat you well the last time but now, I will do right by you.” 

“Well, be my guest. You're welcomed to try.” I said, as smile pushed my lips to the side. “However, I must say that you should also watch your steps to avoid falling into my trap. Because once you do, you'll be going back to where you came from.” 

“And how sure are you about that?”