His to take

7. And then found

I glare at him as best as I could considering the fact that I was freezing. The man had the gall to look shocked “What are you doing here?” He asked and i fought to speak through my shattering teeth

“What am I doing here? You locked me up and you are asking me?”

“Locked you up? What the f**k are you saying?” He asked and I could feel the heat creep throughout my body. I was so angry, my frozen hands fisted. I was not going to waste the effort it took for the fist to form so I swung at him with it. He dodged it easily but my own legs gave out underneath me and I fell. The impact I expected to feel from landing on the graveled floor never came. Instead, I felt strong arms wrap securely around me and carry me up bridal style. I was only half awake and was barely aware of what was going on as he carried me off the roof and down the stairs to the elevator.

I was aware that he was walking quickly probably for my sake. He whispered for me to “Hang in there” and “hold on” like I had any other choice. When he stepped out of the building, the cold wind hit me once more and, against myself I tried to burrow into warm skin. He pulled me tighter against himself when he realized it and my mind melted.

He paused and struggled to grab something from his pocket. Then he wrestled the door open-i have no idea how considering he was still holding me- and put me in. My eyes fluttered as I watched him half run to the other side of the car and open his own door. He started the car immediately and blasted the heaters. “It will warm up soon” He tells me rubbing his hands together. I did not reply but the moment the seat heaters warmed up, I moan in relief. That felt so good. “I should take you to a hospital” He says and I hear him put on his seat belt. I fling my eyes open.

“No” I say firmly but he did not seem to hear me because he fixed his belt securely and stretched across me to fix mine. I held his hands as they crossed over me “No” I say again looking into his eyes so he knew I was serious

“Why not? I will not have my company sued”

“I do not want to sue you. I just don’t want to go to the hospital. They will call my sister” I say and he seemed to think about that for a moment

“You don’t want your sister to know?” He asked and I shake my head. He sighs and lets go of the belt then put his hands on my forehead to feel my temperature. He seemed to be satisfied because he sits back in his chair and just waits it out.

I must have slept off because when I come to, I was covered in a jacket I was sure I did not see on him and I was feeling a lot better. I open my eyes and look beside me to see him also blinking awake. His gaze snaps to me “Are you okay?” He asks and I nod. He looked really worried. He reached for me and I involuntarily flinched away from him. He winced before he could stop himself

“You really did not lock me on the roof?” I ask and he rolled his eyes

“What would I have achieved by doing that?” He asked me and I shrugged because I also could not think of anything “I did not lock you on the roof”

“I am getting that” I tell him

“Most people are too busy working to go up there and since I am usually up there, they do not want to anyway” He said sounding smug

“You sound pleased”

“If your employees fear you, it means you are doing something right. Business one oh one”

“Right” My eyes caught the clock in the car and I gasped and sat up straight in my seat. It was past seven “Thank you for your help. I will get out of your hair now.” I try to open the door but it was locked. I look at him in question and he shrugged

“Why did you lie to me?” He asked with a frown

“I did not lie except by omission” I argued and he laughed, once, without mirth

“That is a very rich argument” He nodded “Tell you what, you can have your job back, if, you tell me what exactly Ren did to your sister”

“I keep wondering why you are so obsessed over this. You said you guys were not friends”

“We are not” He answered firmly like the very idea churned his stomach

“So rivals? You want to use my sister to ruin him” She asked and he shook his head

“Not that but you are getting warm” He agreed and i pondered on that for a moment

“No” I answered

"No what?" The look he gave me told me he understood but I still explained it. For clarity's sake

“I cannot let my sister face scrutiny just so you get you can have some fun with Ren” I say and unlock the door

“The stunt you pulled at the wedding," He starts as i open the door you know he will come after you right?”

“He wouldn’t dare” I say turning back to him but I was not quite convinced of it

“You ruined his marriage and exposed him in front of half the business world. Trust me, he will” He says

“When he does I will handle it” I tell him. I did not need anyone butting in on mine and Estrella’s matters

“Handle it with what? You are weak. You will not be able to do jack” I was about to retort smartly to the insult but he added” And your sister will suffer more for it. Elizabeth Kingsley isn’t it?” He asked and I just stare at him. I knew he was going to investigate me “She now has one successful spa and an upcoming one if my information is correct”

“And?”

“A call to the papers, a call to an old friend, a return favor. In my world, that is all it will take to ruin her chances at a successful business”

“No” I shake my head. I had been impulsive. If he chose to ruin her business, it would break her. Her career was all she had.

“But if you work with me, I can help you. Not only will I get revenge for your sister, I will help her in her business. I know a lot of investors, foreign and local”

“What did Ren do to you for you to want to ruin him?”

“That is my business” He says. His voice is not as sharp as the first time I asked

“Elizabeth does not want him punished. I do not want to go against her” I tell him then step out of the car “Thanks again”

I waited a while to catch a cab but they seemed to have all gone on strike as none passed by. I considered going to the bus stop but I was tired. I waited a few more minutes hoping for a cab but when I still found none. I start at the bus stop. On the way, I thought about all that had happened today. I was fired, I was locked on a roof and almost frozen to death, I was saved by the same man who fired me, I was offered a chance at retribution and I turned down said chance. It reminded me of a time in high school when I tried to get into the cheerleading team. The memory made me shudder. I would forever hate pom-poms. I wanted to check the time but my phone was still out for count and I have yet to invest in a solid wrist watch. The fancy one I was currently wearing was more of a bracelet than a watch and it had not worked for over a year. I heard the sound of the bus and realized it was already at the stop but I was too far away. I ran to try to catch up, but of course, if a day started out bad, nature declared it must end the same way. I missed it. Crap.

I sat on the bench trying to catch my breath. I had to wait for another bus now. The thought was unappealing. The weather was cold and the occasional lightning was promising a torrential downpour. I rubbed a hand over my arm to generate heat. Was I going to almost freeze to death twice in one night? I wanted to take my phone out of my purse when I realized three things. One, my purse was still at work. Two, my phone was in Nathan’s ca and three, Elizabeth would be worried sick. I needed a payphone. I was glad I kept some cash in my pockets for emergency runs or I would have been truly stranded.

The first drop fell unto my shoulder as i stood up to look for a payphone and it all fell downhill from there. The rain started to pour as if on cue. I ducked under the roof of the station but the wind blew the wind unto me. Why wasn’t the bus coming? I felt tears fill my eyes at the horror show that was today when a shadow appeared beside me. I was bracing to run or scream when an umbrella was held over me shielding me from most of the rain.