His Ex-Wife Returned... Powerful!

9

“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked, voice louder than intended.

Did he hear about Imogen? I tried to read his expression for any sign of shock or just anything!

He had an unreadable one on.

“I waited for so long last night, but you never showed up.” His voice was calm, but with an edge of frustration to it. “I don't like having to wait long.”

He stepped forward, shoulders tensed. “I couldn't sleep all night. You have to give me answers, Lisa.”

For a second, I didn't react.

Mostly because I took the time to study his face. He didn't look like he had heard.

I let out a breath of relief. Thank God, he didn't hear me.

Drex must have noticed, because he frowned. “What?”

“Nothing.” I placed a hand on my hip, more than grateful to know my daughter was still a secret.

“No, you look… relieved. Why?”

It was then that my brain snapped, and I stared up at him. “Wait, if I get whatever s**t you've been saying straight… you're telling me that because I didn't meet you last night, you decided to stalk me?”

“I'm not stalking you.”

“Oh? Then explain how and why on earth you're here.” I snapped, keeping my voice low, but sharp.

Drex's jaw was tight when he continued. “Because I need answers, okay?”

A dry laugh escaped me. “I don't owe you, or anyone at that, any f*****g answer.”

He ran a hand through his hair, gripping a few strands. “You can't say that. You left for five good years, even almost six years, then you return looking like this, and with a child. How the heck don't you owe me an explanation.”

Hearing that usual dominance in his tone made something rise to my chest.

Irritation.

But I willed myself to calm down. He definitely wasn't worth it.

Instead, I took a step forward, locking gaze with him. “You and I… we have no relation. And I have no reason to answer you.”

He opened his mouth to speak, so I raised a hand, instantly shutting him back.

“You know what,” I continued, “I think you're right. You deserve to know this one thing.” My heels hit the ground with a loud click when I took another step forward. “The little boy you saw is just three years old.

“Think about it.” I brushed past him, about to walk away, when he spoke.

“I don't believe you.”

I rolled my eyes, but paused. “It's funny that you think I'd care.”

“Listen, Drex, this has to be the first and the last time you ever do this shit.” I said. “I do not like the idea of being stalked, and believe me when I say if such repeats itself, I won't take it lightly.

“Don't test me.”

Something crossed his features. Amusement? Shock?

I wasn't sure, but he looked speechless for a moment.

“You're so… You're so different.” He mumbled, then shook his head, probably to snap out of wherever he'd been. “Okay, I apologize for following you, but I just wanted to talk. And as it is, I think I still have more to ask.”

“If you have questions, you can look me up on the internet. There's plenty of answers there.” And like that, I turned and walked out, unlocking my car, so the door slid open and I got in.

I wasn't really sure what just happened, but I hoped I had managed to create boundaries.

Just because I was back in California didn't mean I wanted to have anything to do with my past.

He had better get that straight.

••

– Drex Drane –

“I don't know how to explain it, but man she looked sexy just by talking!” I said to my best friend over drinks that evening.

Richard laughed. “You're kidding.”

“No. Definitely not!” That afternoon, as I stared at her put me in my place, every part of me just exploded.

It was the first time anyone would ever speak to me that way and I loved every second of it.

I didn't want it to end. “I just started spilling s**t after.”

He took a sip of his wine. “Woah. This is lit, man. I don't even know what to say.”

“Same here.”

“So what're you going to do?”

“To be honest,” I took another sip, “I'm not sure.”

Richard frowned. “That's lame. You've beaten yourself up ever since this lady left, and now you have the chance to get her back and you're just going to waste it with ‘I'm not sure’?”

I rubbed my temple, knowing he was right.

Heck he was very right.

After Lisa left, my life felt like hell. I didn't even realize I had deep feelings for her until that weird guy handed the divorce papers.

It broke me.

I thought five years would be enough to forget her, but it just wasn't.

And now, it was like God had given me a second chance to rebuild what could have been. There was no way I could ruin it again.

“I don't know what I'll do for now, but I will try to get her back.”

“It's easier said than done, man.” He patted my back. “But I'm sure you'll work it out. Somehow.”

That was all I could hope as well.

“Thanks.” After one last cup, I checked the time. “It's nine already. I've got to go.” As it was, I had things to attend to at the company the next day.

He nodded, finishing his own cup. “Yeah, me too. I don't think I want to risk watching Hailey create another scene if I get home late again.”

We both left for our cars, and offered a goodbye nod, before getting into the passenger’s seat and the driver went off.

The entire ride, all I could think about was Lisa and how great it was to be given a second chance.

Also how it felt seeing her today.

I really needed to see her about the little boy, which was why I had Finn tell me where her company was located and when she would be leaving. Also where she was heading.

When I got there, she seemed to have been talking to her mother.

Whatever she'd said, I didn't know, but her reaction after was something I may never forget.

“We've arrived, sir.” The driver said, voice cutting through my thoughts.

I got out of the car, then went into my mansion, my feet moving me up the stairs and down the hall till I was by my room’s door.

It wasn't locked, so I pushed it open, already pulling my shirt over my head when the bathroom door pushed open.

My head tilted halfway, watching as Cassie stepped out, wrapped in nothing but a robe.

“You took so long, baby.” She said, “I thought you weren't gonna come.”