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.”
‘Huh? Say what again?’ I was now the one that was confused.
Alona stepped forward and placed her hand on my shoulder. “Don’t be shy to admit it, Li. We know it would be hard to part with your man. Before you would be miles away from him, go ahead and spend more time with him.”
“Yeah, ” Rachel butted in. “Unlike Jen here whose boyfriend lives in Fortville also. You should listen to the calling of your heart and be with the man you love.”
‘Oh my… they are misunderstanding this. But, whatever. This is much better actually. They wouldn’t be worried of me.’
I wonder though. If this would be the right thing to do. Being with Cain again who most openly showed his affections for me, I am pretty sure this could be a trap. And what about Ruen? He’d be angry when he finds out. However, I would prefer to solve this problem myself. I don’t want his life to be in danger just like before.
“Thanks, guys. You’re the best!” I hugged each of them tightly and smiled in appreciation. Good thing they didn’t pursue asking what kind of ’emergency’ I was saying. “Do text me when you guys arrive at the airport. Okay?”
“Sure, ” Jen replied. “And you, ” she pointed her green nail-polished finger at me, “take care, okay? Don’t let Ruen ravish you so much!”
I glanced at the platinum-haired man and saw him watching his wristwatch, looking rather impatient.
“I better go, ” I finally said, taking my luggage with me.
“All right, Li. Be careful, ” Jen nodded with a smile while Alona and Rachel waved their hands.
‘Flight 356, MidAir Travel Airbus, going to Fortville City, passengers are requested to board bridge two now.’
I heard an announcement about our flight.
“Well, that’s our cue too!” Rachel exclaimed.
“Bye guys, take care!”
We waved at each other and went our separate ways. I intentionally let them get to the bridge first before I turned and approached my ‘chaperone.’
I despised this idea, but knowing the necklace was an integral part of my past, I needed to get it from Cain. I didn’t miss him say back then that it still held power.
Yes, most of my past memories had returned, so I had an idea that the necklace was my family’s heirloom and that it was ‘magical’. The fact also that I was reborn and Ruen, transcending space and time because of the necklace, would be proof enough of its power.
Another thing also.
Cain.
He stood as the third proof.
I hadn’t remembered much about him, but a part of me wanted to remember him… of what he was in the past and what we had back then. This was exactly why I’m feeling nervous now. I am afraid of what visions I might see. However, as much as I had this feeling of instant animosity towards him, I would like to still understand him and know the reason why he was so willing to go through such length in order to possess me. I thought that we were best friends in childhood as what the vision showed me a few days ago. I wonder, what happened in the past for me to feel this unwelcoming towards him?
This must be exactly what I must patch up. Living in the present wouldn’t be as peaceful as I wanted it to be if I’m still dragged with whatever ill feelings I had of the past.
The platinum-haired man stared at me as I stood a few feet in front of him. He then smirked, pulled his black sunglasses out of his dark violet coat, and placed it on his face to cover his eyes.
“Come with me, ” he said and then turned around, walking towards the escalator down to a basement parking lot.
I shouldn’t cross with this man. He looked menacing enough to hint me a warning.
I quietly sat inside the Bentley limousine, never bothering to ask him where we were heading to. It was clear already that we were going to where Cain was.
As he drove to our destination, I found it hard to suppress my quickening pulse. I was beginning to feel nervous. The sparkling wine in front of me placed in a customized cooler didn’t even help me as I took a sip on it.
A few minutes later, however, I started to feel groggy and sleepy which was weird. Why would I feel this way now when I’m about to meet Cain?
My body felt like it was on cold ice, numbed. Or like I just drank a whole lot of alcohol, my body floating high up on the clouds.
And then my eyes fell on one object alone. This could be the reason for my unexplained sudden reaction. It seemed the platinum-haired man drugged the wine.
My brain seemed to swirl round and round and eventually, I hit my head on the cushioned seat. The last thing I saw was my driver checking me on the front-view mirror and then black.