It was insane. They had only had a close encounter once in years but even now she could still tell his warmth and breath.
Her spine stiffened. She paused whilst feeling the world still.
She felt her flesh subtly quake.
Lester... How could he be here? What was he doing here?
She could not believe it. Perhaps had Joe already slammed her head on the table and she was now imagining things?
But no, she could feel his warm presence and even more of the mint scent which his skin emitted.
For a while, she wanted to bask in here. The sense of safety and security his presence gave her was strangely soothing, dulling her brain and everything else.
Promptly every of her surrounding faded in blurs and all she could feel and see was him.
Until his hand touched her head, in placid strokes, intending to perhaps comfort her but that seemed to only bring her senses back from the haze it was in.
"..."
What was she doing?
She was shocked at her own overwhelming emotions.
All of the past and her pain which at that moment seemed forgotten arose in waves, causing her to push him away abruptly.
Her body tensed as she frowned upon the man who was now a few steps away.
"Are you alright?" He didn't seem to care about the push which he had most likely let happen. Concern was quite boldly stretched across his face.
Rena didn't reply.
She was still utterly stunned.
Staring at the man before her who stood evidently, she was baffled.
Some time ago she had ultimately hoped his absence meant he might have given up on her but his presence here?
She gritted her teeth as she spat out. "Why are you here?"
Her aversion was obvious. She felt even more disgust for her earlier reactions.
How could she feel to cling to him?
It was outrageous. She felt an immense detest for herself.
The man looked for a second pained but then responded candidly the next.
"Can you not ask now? Let's leave here first."
And that was how she remembered where she was.
The surrounding which had in a moment of lost turned into blurs, cleared, revealing the people who were currently staring at her in extreme bewilderment. Most of the stares were thrown at Lester.
Hearing the pool's trembles, she recalled something and turned back, just to see Joe stuck, trying to swim but failing due to his excess fat.
It was no doubt it was Lester who had placed him there.
Her heart faintly itched...
He had done something similar years ago because of her.
Not wanting to think any further, she stopped just in time to hear Estella speak.
"W...who are you? How could you do such a thing?" Estella was wide eyed.
Just before the bitch's head could be torn open by the glass, someone had as swiftly as the wind saved her and kicked the heavy Joe to the pool which was quite some feets away.
Joe literally flew!
And the person who had done it was this man who was as ethereal as the moon.
She felt a momentary frozenness.
Such a man... How powerful could he be?
He was dressed in a sleek black suit, a crisp white shirt and a dark tie, exuding an irrefutable air of power and sophistication.
She couldn't take her eyes off him but at the same time she couldn't erase the fear and caution seeping into her bones.
Lester glanced around, his expression sharp and somewhat impassive but his voice carried a colossal chill that descended the space.
"What do you imply? You mean how I interrupted the act of torment enforced by all of you on a disadvantaged party?"
"..."
Everyone felt their breath hitch. There was too much implications in those words
Estella was the most perturbed. His words aggravated her anxiety further, she couldn't help but shudder, her voice heightening almost immediately.
"What do you know? We were just playing a game!"
"A game? Did she consent?"
No. The answer was undeniable.
Estella fingers folded, her nails almost scratching her flesh.
Her fear soared but at the same time she wondered.
This man...
Since he came for the sake of Rena he must be close to her. Rena was just a server at her father's restaurant, if this man was as powerful or affluent as he looked, why then did he not employ her somewhere better?
As the thought intensified, she felt her heavy growing anxiety subside.
Yes, he must not be as he appeared. Someone close to that bitch must be as poor as she was, even though higher they most definitely weren't at her level.
Feeling a pounce of courage form, she rasped out, her countenance turning into a thick frown.
"What is your business in all this? You dare barge into my house and question me? I can have you arrested!"
Just as she spoke, a part of her words struck her.
Since he came, she had not pondered om how he went pass the gate. How could that be possible?
She had two security men at her house and had strictly instructed them not to open the gate for anyone after Rena's entrance.
Could they had disobeyed her?
Angry and confused, she glommed at her maid.
The maid reading her gaze shook her head.
She too was perplexed.
A smirk tugged at the corner of Lester's lips but it was not one of amusement. It was of cold mockery.
Even though Estella had pacified herself with his presumed status, seeing such, her chest yet tightened.
"Wallace, deal with all of this and join us in the car."
"Yes."
A man who no one knew when he had arrived appeared onto the scene.
Lester held Rena's hand and moved with her.
Rena tried to pull her hand away, only to earn a raised brow from Lester.
"Be good." He warned.
Although his tone was soft, it carried a command that was hard to defy.
Rena scowled, a bit irritated but listened.
She was no fool.
She knew now, only with his help could she leave this place.
Albeit it was a little displeasing to accept but as long as her departure could be guaranteed, she could cope a little.
She followed Lester in silence but paused right in front of Estella.
"What is it?" Lester asked.
Rena didn't respond to him.
With a face as fierce as possible, she snarled out.
"Give it to me."
"Wh...."
Rena didn't let her continue. She forced her bag out of Estella's hand, causing a pin to slightly graze her skin.
"You bi..." She wanted to curse but halted right after sensing Lester's chilling gaze.
Rena left.
She didn't want to remain in this place any longer. She had longed to leave, so as soon as she went beyond the gate, it felt as though the air became fresher.
"Are you okay?" She heard a voice besides her.
Turning towards it, she saw Lester.
His eyes which had formerly held a frigid beam had now softened faintly.
Facing such a gaze and eyes that seemed to suck, Rena's heart pounded stupidly.
As if remembering something, she pulled her hand out of his abruptly as if she had just been scalded.
"Don't touch me." Her tone was harsh.
She knew she opt to be grateful for his help but yet she didn't want to express such.
The sight of him gave her a bitter feel and her head seemed to burn with details she didn't want to see.
Lester didn't seem to mind her rudeness. He inquired again.
"Are you hurt?"
Rena was adamant on ignoring him but something in his tone showed his persistence and his will to ask no matter how much she remained unresponsive.
His eagerness was obvious but his patience was there.
It tugged strongly at her.