Chapter 4 ~ Pain from the past

“Kiana?” The deep voice spoke once he had picked up. Kiana froze at the mention of her name. Her breathing changed as her heart felt constricted like someone was squeezing it several times.

The voice that spoke was a voice that she knew very well and it was none other than Arthur Reed!

‘How does he know it’s me?’ She thought but couldn’t bring herself to ask the question. Kiana felt like her tongue was frozen as so many thoughts ran inside her head. The feelings that she thought were long buried resurfaced like a volcano had suddenly erupted inside her chest.

“Do you have something to say or you called to waste my time?” Arthur asked coldly. Kiana quickly recovered from the shock and cleared her throat.

“Hi Arthur, I didn’t think this line would go through.” She began before Arthur cut her off.

“You don’t say..” He responded sarcastically and made Kiana attempt to give him a piece of her mind but she needed his help so she kept quiet.

She sighed before responding, “I know you’re busy and you probably hate me but please Arthur, I need your help.” Kiana pleaded but she was met with absolute silence.

She waited for him to say something and five seconds passed…

Ten seconds passed…

“Arthur please!” Kiana pleaded in a soft voice.

Arthur who was laying down his chair in his home office finally sighed. He had no idea why the woman who broke his heart without proper reason called him after ten years only to ask for help.

‘I should be mad and angry!’ Arthur thought but no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn’t get angry at her. “Are you in danger?”

“No. Not now at least but it might seem crazy but it’s very serious and I can’t speak over the phone could-”

“I’ll send a car to pick you up in a few minutes,” Arthur said and immediately hung up.

Kiana stared at her now black screen and balled her hands into fists. ‘What a rude prick! Arthur used to be so sweet, is it because I left him that he now became cold?’ Kiana thought as she rushed to her wardrobe to choose an outfit. ‘I’m meeting my first love after being forced to break his heart. It’s been ten years and I think it’s a good idea to look presentable.' Kiana thought but her heart couldn't stop beating so fast and so hard against her chest. Hearing Arthur's voice made her stomach twist in ways that couldn't be explained and made a shiver run down her spine.

Kiana settled for white pants and a pink top with heels to make her look like a serious businesswoman. Her brown short curls were tied into a bun with a few strands covering her face. Just as she was about to walk out, Juliana walked in. “Going somewhere?”

‘I remember this day when Juliana came to check on me. In my previous life, Angela had humiliated me indirectly and the tabloids picked on it. Daniel told me he would go with Annabel to check on the news articles and promised to get rid of each one but the next day, my name was all over the news and not in a good way. Since we didn’t have the meeting today will tomorrow’s event change?’ She thought as Juliana touched her shoulder bringing her back to reality.

“Hi Jullie. Yes, I have to meet someone.” Kiana smiled at Juliana as her heart swelled with relief once more. Every time she looked at her secretary, the image of that gun going off filled her mind and it broke her heart.

‘I will protect you this time.’ Kiana promised as she spoke to herself. Juliana nodded as she dropped the takeaway packs she had come with.

“I guess you will tell me later why you canceled the reading of the will earlier,” Juliana said before adding. “Mr. Williams might show up soon. Does he know you’re heading out?”

Kiana froze. In her past life, Daniel only showed up the next morning and proposed to her. Kiana was so focused on fulfilling her mother’s wish that she didn’t think about how she felt about him. They had dated for three years and Kiana’s mother loved him. So she said yes because she felt she would be disappointing her if she said no. But Daniel never came to her that night only Juliana came and left shortly so why would he come this time? ‘Are events changing?’ Kiana thought as she looked back at Juliana. “Did he tell you he’s coming here?”

Juliana made an expression she always did when she talked about Daniel and it used to anger her in her past life but this time, she wanted to laugh and join her. “I saw his car at the corner as I was coming here. But since you’re heading out, I better leave.” Juliana said as she turned to walk away but Kiana held her wrist to stop her. “No, I need your help. I have to leave now but Daniel can’t know. Stay here and when he shows up, tell him I’m on bed rest and won’t see anyone until tomorrow.”

‘I have to see Arthur before tomorrow’s meeting.’ Kiana thought as she remembered what happened in her previous life. The board had turned against her because of the articles that circulated until Daniel stepped in and she thanked him but that was her mistake. She realized that he was using her misfortunes to campaign himself so that when he killed her, he wouldn’t be questioned because everyone would side with him.

‘He made me look unstable for a whole year and like a fool I thought he would fix every mess because he cared for me not knowing he and Annabel created the mess in the first place. You will surely pay you two!’ Kiana vowed in her heart.

Juliana eyed her boss and frowned, “You don’t want to see him?”

‘I want him dead!’ She thought but didn’t say it out loud as she breathed out.

“No, I mean yes. Oh my goodness it’s a long story. I’ll explain later.” Kiana said and left when she saw a strange car pack outside her driveway. She closed the window and headed for the door.

But before she could walk out, a furious-looking Daniel walked in.