POV: Lianne
Ruen’s request was enough to raise my pulse even more. I couldn’t tell him the details of my encounter with Cain for two reasons.
One, I am ashamed that I let myself get caught up again with his advances. Although Alona and Rachel basically pulled some strings, I should have known he had been the one who arranged our more-than-VIP treatment in the camp. I could have avoided meeting him then.
And two, I didn’t… didn’t want to let Ruen know that a part of me – tiny as it may be – felt something for Cain. I just don’t know yet what that could be, but a big chunk of me had been screaming ‘danger.’
Ruen waited for me to answer. I took my time on making a good response but his probing gaze made me anxious.
He pressed his lips in displeasure sometime after and that was my cue to break the silence.
“He just kissed me, Ruen. That’s it. Nothing more.”
He released a hard sigh and cupped my chin. “Nothing more?” he furthered, seemingly not content with my confession.
“Yes, ” was my simple reply. If I had used more words, I would have stammered. Technically, Cain had just kissed me, but it didn’t hide the fact that he almost had his way on me again if my knee-jerk reflex wasn’t reacting.
“Then answer me this, Lianne, ” he held my shoulders tightly like he didn’t want me to escape.
As if I wanted to.
“You’ve been with him a while ago, what did you feel back then?”
I choked.
This was exactly the second reason why I didn’t want to answer him, but his query was definitely demanding. An answer was due sooner or later.
“With what he did to me two days before, of course, it was a given I’d feel angry and afraid towards him, but there’s… there’s something about Cain I can’t put my finger on, ” I said with all honesty. Maybe Ruen would have an answer to this too aside from the many questions overwhelming my head.
“Forget about him, ” were Ruen’s stern words before he embraced me.
With his arms wrapping firmly around me, my face got pressed up against the crook of his neck and I could definitely smell his inviting scent.
I was enjoying taking in his smell, plus it was very familiar to me. A musky smell with a hint of jasmine and rose. It somehow evoked feelings of nostalgia.
I don’t know why but I suddenly felt as if I truly missed this smell, this kind of warmth, this unexplained feeling with him.
“Ruen, who are you?” I croaked, dismissing the thought of Cain and everything that happened in the cabin. This man right here embracing me was my priority.
“I know you remember something, Lianne. Our past. You and me together, ” he calmly said.
I let out a soft chuckle. “I honestly don’t know if that was a past memory, Ruen, but yes, I saw memories of a woman looking like me, speaking like me, and was called with the same name as I have now. I saw you or rather a man who looked exactly like you. The memory was a good start, but it wasn’t enough. I need to know more. I need to understand more. I’m confused myself. I hope you could fill in the gaps.”
Yes, I still don’t understand everything that’s happening to me now. The visions I have so far were fragmented. It can’t give me a bigger picture. It can’t reconcile my feelings towards the two men who seemed to know me before this lifetime. However, one thing was for sure, out of the two, I am truly drawn to Ruen.
“Then let me make you remember the past, Lianne. Come with me, ” he said with confidence.
I was caught off guard. I didn’t realize he would actually agree to it.
Before, he said that I’m the only one who could help myself remember, but now he says he would actually help me!
I know Jen and the others would flip out if they knew I left the camp with a man – a stranger in their eyes no less – but for the life of me, I couldn’t let this opportunity go.
Before I could stop myself, I nodded.
He released me, took me into the camp parking lot, and invited me to ride his magnificent Bugatti Veyron silver car. I was reluctant at first to ride it, not really because I’ll be outside the camp in a few seconds but because of the high-end interior of the automobile. Practically speaking, this would be my first time riding a car like this.
It looked so sleek. Very clean. Very stylish. Damn very expensive.
He ignited the engine like a pro and wheeled it out of the camp like a pro. I just sat at the passenger seat, staring at him with my mouth hanging. Did I mention he was wearing his signature black trench coat? This kind of clothing, coupled with black chic sunglasses was exactly what one would expect in some hot-shot male leads in movies.
We didn’t start any conversation while he was driving. The thought of where he was taking me gnawed on my bone, but I kept myself occupied looking at the scenery outside the window instead. A few minutes later, I texted Jen informing her that I would be coming back late. At least through this, she would know I’m in good hands. She actually texted me back telling me to ‘take my time, ‘ as if hinting something erotic would happen.
I was glad Ruen was busy driving else he would have seen me blush furiously.
We climbed up a mountain and passed by curves and curves of road along the mountainside until we reached a narrow road surrounded by tall trees. We ended up in a gated area. Ruen pressed a button on his touchscreen monitor and without delay, the imposing barrier opened on its own.
He stopped the car right at the entrance of the house. I didn’t wait for him to open the door for me. I opened it myself and climbed out of the vehicle.
I was immediately in awe then. From where I stood, I could see the whole of the resort and the fa? ade of the Since Mansion lighted with neon blue searchlights.
Never had it dawned on me that Ruen would have a house in this area. All this time I thought he was just visiting the resort like me, and stalking me even, but I guess it wasn’t the case.
“Wow, ” was the one word that escaped from my mouth as I stared at the breathtaking view ahead of me.
“Lianne, come inside, ” I heard Ruen say. I turned around and found him already offering his hand to me.
Without delay, I took it and gave him a reserved smile.
We entered his house and the first thing I noticed was the interior that boasted a modern and stylish design. The furniture was cleaned, the marble floor was polished, and the fireplace in the living room had fresh logs ready for use.
I didn’t see anyone greeting us on our way in so it made me think that we were possibly alone inside. Not that it would worry me.
“I stay here from time to time, ” he said as he placed the car key on an available slender table right beside the doorway. He took his coat off and I instantly blushed.
‘What is wrong with me?’ my mind screamed. ‘I’m acting like a bloody newlywed woman!’
“Do you live alone here?” I voiced out, eagerly waiting for his reply.
“Yes. I clean the house myself and cook my own food.”
“Wow, that’s surprising to hear.”
I walked into the open balcony connecting the living room and surveyed another new view before me: a sea of trees surrounding the house, a stretch of the blue ocean some miles away at the east side, and a busy town on the north side.
“This place is beautiful, Ruen. How did you find this place?” I asked whilst looking at a blanket of stars on the night sky.
After a minute, no answer came from him, so I turned around to face the living room.
My eyes instantly widened when I saw him lying on one of the sofa chairs in an odd position, with his eyes tightly shut, his face with profuse sweat, and his breathing labored.
“Ruen!” I cried out and ran to his side. “Hey! What’s happened to you?”
I touched his shoulder and from there I felt it. “Oh my God. You have a fever?!”