Since Mansion (Days Earlier)
“Have you found her?” Mr. Gillard Rafael asked, directing his question to Ruen who was standing against the balustrade of a VIP room of the Since Mansion. Ruen’s eyes were fixed on a scenery in front of them: a beautiful sunset, similar to what he was accustomed to way, way back in the past.
A female servant of the mansion had just left the balcony after preparing two cups of tea: one for Mr. Rafael who was sitting near the coffee table and one for Ruen. The former was wearing once again his most favorite hat, a white and black checkered fedora hat, coupled with a formal suit the shade of dark blue. He sipped the contents of his cup as he waited for the latter’s response.
“Yes, I found her finally, ” Ruen answered right after he heaved a sigh. God knows how many years he had been searching for her. He never gave
POV: LianneI didn’t have enough sleep at all the whole night taking care of my unexpected patient. Apparently, Ruen had a fever as high as 39 degrees Celsius because of his gunshot wound. To make things complicated, he was also in pain and he didn’t even take any pain medications to help him endure it.What was he even thinking anyway?! Kill himself to death?!I thought him courageous and strong though, that he went through this much to bear the pain while he met with me twice today and drove us to his house. I didn’t even notice his ailment until we arrived here and him suddenly falling, but even so…even so it’s just too twisted.Why didn’t he tell me that he was suffering? I could have helped him sooner.My arms and back ached a little. I had to position him on the large sectional sofa so that he
POV: LianneI diced the spring onions and sprinkled it on top of the bacon soup all the while I hummed. This tune had been inside my head since I was little. It always made me feel calm whenever I had stressful situations. Cooking however wasn’t stressing me but the tune just popped out of my head the moment I started cooking and it had stuck until I finished.There. I’m finally done.With arms akimbo, I stepped backward and surveyed my creations.A feeling of pride rushed inside me seeing the food I prepared for both of us. I always loved to cook, always had been at ease with the kitchen, but it was my first time cooking for someone other than Jen and my Aunt, and all the more for the opposite sex.I crossed my fingers, hoping that Ruen would like the soup, and maybe if he wanted, I’d be glad to share a pancake with
The look on Ruen’s face showed that he was stunned by my words. Then, some moments later his eyes softened likely realizing what I meant. He inched closer to me and ever so gently touched my cheeks. This time, the heat I was feeling ignited more.“Lianne, are you sure?” he asked me with doubt in his eyes.“Yes...” was my most ardent reply.He bent his head to kiss me. It was pure bliss. The feeling of his lips on mine, finally. I remembered back in the mansion, before my friends and I were to go to the cave, he bestowed a kiss on me like this. Although that one was a bit aggressive, possibly because he was jealous of Cain, but it was still the same, full of desire that was tangible on his lips.I let myself loose. I didn’t allow anything to nail me down or let any feeling of hesitation come over me.Free.Free to give
POV: Cain Von CavillPissing me off. It’s pissing me off!!As soon as Lianne darted away out of the door, a loud ring of my phone halted my intention of running after her. Shit! Another nuisance.“What?!” I snapped as soon as I pressed the phone to unlock. My secretary’s string of apologies hit the air and then the info about my clients.“All right, I’ll be there, ” I ground out then placed the phone back in my pocket.Tsk. Another bothersome business. Oh, the merits of being a CEO.I drove my car down the hill and onto the city highway. I guess chasing after Lianne could be deferred for the moment. Right now, I have big bosses coming from Cuba, and Guam ready to pick up their package.Yes. Package. A heavy one full of a newly-produced drug cal
It was six in the evening. I was sitting on the living room couch wearing Ruen’s white polo shirt when I received a call from Jen telling me that I should go back to the mansion. Apparently, Madame Brenda will be hosting a dinner farewell party for us and the other guests, since tonight would be our last night in the mansion.Ruen was in the kitchen, taking some cold refreshments out of the fridge when he cast a curious eye on me. I took a quick glance back at him and then turned to walk outside the open balcony where the night sky showed a sea of stars and a bright full moon.It was indeed beautiful to watch. Simply romantic.“Yes, I see.”“Okay then, so I will see you here in an hour?” Jen stated.“Yup, I will prepare to leave now Jen. See you there.”“Alright. Bye.”“Bye, &rdq
‘Why didn’t you tell me the truth?’Standing like a ghost in a flashback, I saw myself in a bedroom facing the door with my forehead pressed against the wood. I was banging the portal with my clenched fists, venting out my frustration with the poor inanimate object instead of the man who stood on the other side.Ruen. Yes. Him.He looked lost; his mouth in a thin line and his jaw tense. His palm was pressed against the door, trying to push it, but without success.‘Please calm down Lianne, ’ he said with genuine concern.I saw myself inhale deeply, my cleavage almost popping out of my corset.‘For all this time, I was suffering in this place. I feel restrained in my every move, and the fact that every day of my life I am drowned by the loathing and hatred I feel towards that man! You know what I feel! You know how much I am
I felt uneasy when we parted after our tour. The next time I would see Ruen would be in Fortville City and the hours without him, I knew, would be torture.He said that he would visit Mr. Rafael in the main city to talk to him about something, but he didn’t tell me what.I kept my worries at the back of my mind. It was Alona’s birthday today after all which was why I should wear a smile and a pretty beach dress.At twelve noon, my friends and I arrived in the Morlave Restaurant. The restaurant had a cool atmosphere, playing reggae music and with decorations like those in a fiesta. Banderitas and coconut husks and shells were everywhere. The building itself looked like a mixture of Asian and Moroccan style. It emitted a welcoming aura and with a mixture of sophistication.We headed to our assigned seats and almost immediately, the food was served and it was damn so good. The manager offere
POV: Lianne“Li? What’s the matter? You look sullen, ” Jen asked me directly as soon as I returned. They were all staring at me, confusion clear on their faces, and I had a feeling they knew something wasn’t right.I needed to lie to them again. If there was such a thing as a white lie, then this was definitely it. Before that platinum-haired man drags me out of this airport leaving my friends stunned and afraid of my welfare, I had to do this now.“I uh...I’m so sorry guys. I really need to stay here. There’s some emergency I need to go to, ” I said with heaviness in my heart. Jen stood up and took both of my hands, looking at me with understanding.“Go ahead Li. Don’t hesitate to leave us. I knew already this would come. We were actually waiting for you to say it.”&ls