Repeat and Retribution

Chapter 49

The man definitely didn’t look like a pushover, more or less someone who can easily be tricked.

His grey eyes showed no hint of any kind of fear nor remorse, nor does his posture and any movement give away any hint of weakness. The man was emitting a really ice-cold persona, now that she was looking at him from afar, quite different from when they were at his office.

Though he still looks good especially wearing gym shorts that hugged his thighs and a fitted shirt that still showed his well-built body.

The man just got back to his car that was parked a few meters away from her and was currently on the phone. Crystal watched intently as he threw in his duffle bag into the trunk, appreciating every motion that the man was doing since every move that he made flexed and showed the nice bulk and lines on his biceps.

There was something with the man right now that seemed so different from the young Larse that she knew, both from her alternate and real-time line.

It didn’t really help Crystal’s thoughts that she kept thinking how it felt to comb her hands on his nicely cute hair, as it was still wet, shining, and a bit disheveled.

Larse was already walking her way when she decided to turn so that her back was facing him. She quickly raises her book to hide her face. She didn’t want him to be seen there right now.

Yet it seems her change of outfit and pink sun cap were not enough to completely conceal her identity. As the man was quick to notice her though he was still busy talking on the phone.

“I need to go, I’ll talk to you later,” Larse said frowning as he tried to properly identify Crystal who was wearing a white off-shoulder blouse and a knee-length pink asymmetrical skirt that showed her long porcelain legs.

“Crystal? Is that you?” the man had this surprised tone, deciding to finally approach her, after managing to catch a glimpse of the woman from the side.

Having her cover blown, Crystal had no other choice but to face the man, she didn’t want to look too suspicious since she was already seen. Putting on her sweetest smile, she turned towards him, letting out a somewhat surprised look.

“Hey Larse, I didn’t see you there,” she greets him as he angled herself towards him.

The man’s face was suddenly cheery again, the ice-cold look completely gone like he was a different person all of a sudden.

“What are you doing here?” he states looking around.

“Am I not allowed to be here?” She couldn’t help but joke quite amused with his question.

That made Larse chuckle, feeling a bit awkward. “No, no! I mean, this is the first time I’ve seen you here,” he reiterated, trying to redeem himself.

Thinking that this might be a good chance, Crystal decided to improvise as she didn’t want to waste this chance.

“Well, this is the first time that I’ve been out for quite some time. And I heard the restaurants here are very good,” she says still trying to keep her facade to avoid suspicion.

“Well, there are quite a few here that I can recommend. Though It’s still a bit of a surprise to see you here,” Larse was still a bit unconvinced with the excuse, since he seemingly had other thoughts on his mind, making him smirk.

Sensing that, Crystal quickly tried to keep the subject to avoid being caught. “I just recently realized that being single again has its perks. I get to relax a little bit once in a while now, see my friends, enjoy some me-time without worry.” Putting her book down she places both her hands on her legs before crossing them together.

That somehow made Larse grin while raising one brow. “I mean, don’t you have work today?” he let out, trying to make sense of the reason behind the woman being there all of a sudden.

It seems that Larse had something playing on his mind at that moment but Crystal just shrugged it off.

The man was definitely observant and keen on things, which made her a bit confused, knowing it was impossible for Dana to just get away like that.

Knowing that she was at her wit’s end she finally decides to use her last resort, having no other choice.

“I’m just joking, my friend actually just opened her shop here, so I’m showing my support that’s why I’m here.” She laughs at him, waving her hands in the air.

“Which store exactly?” Larse had this strange look on his face as he stared straight into her eyes like he was trying to get something.

The man must have thought that it was just another ruse since he didn’t even though of looking around, giving her the upper hand this time.

Crystal let out a half-smile as she was now the one who was raising one brow on him. “The one with the inflatable dancing man and flowers which says just opened,” she points to the store that was just inf front of them.

That quickly erased the grin on the man’s face, suddenly feeling dumbfounded at the realization that what Crystal was saying might be true.

“Oh I see,” he quickly takes a quick look at the said shop, though he was suddenly caught off guard, he was still seemingly unconvinced.

“You want a cup? They currently have a fifty percent off right now,” she offers, raising her half glass of milk tea to further convince him.

Before the man could even answer, their conversation was cut off by a happily panting Brittany who appeared beside her all of a sudden, immediately grabbing a hold of her arm.

“Crystal! C’mon, let’s take a picture with Damien,” she tries to pull her out of her chair, completely disregarding the man that was just standing in front of them.

It took her best friend a while to notice Larse. Looking up, brow’s creasing when finally, she recognizes the person in front of them.

“Oh hey,” the man greets with an awkward smile.

Brittany quickly straightens up. “Hey,” she says back.

“Brit, you remember Larse,” Crystal intervenes seeing that her friend was looking at the man like he was some kind of criminal.

“How could I forget,” Brittany states folding her arms.

“Uhm, excuse us for a moment,” She quickly says, standing up to avoid any kind of confrontation right there.

Knowing full well how her best friend is, she knew that there’s a chance that she might say something inappropriate that would cause trouble for her. Especially since she already revealed a few things to her.

“No problem at all, I was just leaving,” Larse nodded, scratching his nape as he laughs.

“Oh, It was nice seeing you then,” she just waves goodbye not wanting to further trouble the man.

“You too,” he does the same.

Crystal let out a smile before turning around and pulling her friend to go back into the shop. She was thankful for her best friend's sudden appearance catching the man by surprise, seeing how Larse demeanor quickly changed as he blushed, realizing his mistake.

“Girl is this the reason why you suddenly ditched work and decided to show up to our opening,” Brittany scolded when they were finally away from him.

“I didn’t ditch work, I just took an early out, It’s not illegal in my work you know. Besides, I just don’t want to repeat my mistake of missing out on important things,” she quickly reasons out, not wanting her friend to sulk over her other motive.

Brittany ended up pouting. “Girl, though I’m liking all these new changes with you, I can’t stop but worry sometimes,” she shakes her head in disapproval.

“Relax, I’m a changed woman,” she tries to laugh it off to no avail.

“And I hope the change is for the best,” Brittany says with a meaningful glare making her swallow hard.

“Stop worrying so much already,” she snorts, trying to turn the subject aside.

“Girl, I wouldn't be if I ain’t noticing some weird s**t,” Brittany’s face crumpled even more as she was turning into her usual nag mode.

“Oh c’mon, I came here to support you on your new business, what’s so weird about that,” Crystal tries to soften things up by giving her friend a quick hug.

Brittany was still not convinced pouting even more, though she could see a bit of a smile on her face.

“That better be true,” she says with a stern tone.

Crystal not wanting to incur her friend's bad mood anymore she decided to set aside her other motive and focus on just being there for her friend. Though it was true that she went there for the opening, she just couldn't resist passing up that chance to confirm something between Larse and Dana.

Though it didn’t end up as she planned, she was glad that she wasn’t really caught, even if it was really a close call.

Deciding she had enough investigating for one day, Crystal focuses her attention on celebrating with her best friends in her new store.

She was happy that the place was quite famous and was already packed on the first day, making it quite a success. Though she did feel a bit envious seeing her friend happy with a man.

There was this part of her that kept thinking that if only she had listened to her friends and family before, she wouldn’t have ended like that.

She tried to dismiss it by taking stolen pictures of her friend and his new boyfriend, only stopping when a small little child suddenly bumped into her.

Crystal could not hide her smile seeing a cute chubby little boy, dressed in a jersey uniform, basketball shoes and even wearing a little sweatband. She couldn’t contain herself and just ended up sitting in front to level with the toddlers as he started picking his little ball.

“Oh, hello there!” she greeted giving a soft little pinch on the boys' cheeks.

The boy just stared at her, wide eye while clasping his toy close to his chest, he remained quiet while looking closely at her.

“Lawrence, s**t!” a gasping Larse shouted as he ran towards them startling the little kid.

The man almost dove to the boy to grab a hold of him. Making the toddler shake. Lips curve and eyes bawling though he was still trying to hold his sobs.

“What did daddy say about running off like that!” Larse hissed, teeth grinding as he glared at the kid.

“Hey, don’t be so hard on him,” Crystal was unable to remain quiet any longer seeing as the man seemed to have lost his temper.

Larse not realizing that it was Crystal who said that, quickly scowled at her, only to end up being taken aback in surprise upon recognizing her.

“Crys! I...I Didn’t see you there,” Larse ended up gawking as he didn’t know what else to say at the moment.

Crystal was unable to hold her laugh upon seeing the look on the man’s face, he almost went pale as if he had seen a ghost.

“I noticed,” She teases.

Averting his eyes Larse let out an uncomfortable chuckle. “Sorry, I...He’s always like that, I don’t know where he got it from.” Standing up straight, he tries to make the boy do the same as the little one was starting to throw a fit.

Crystal enjoying the little kid’s company took a piece of chocolate she was keeping in her pocket and gave it to him, stopping him from crying.

“Your little boy’s really cute, how old is he,” she says messing the child’s hair.

“He’s turning three in a few months.” Larse was still avoiding her gaze, seemingly tense all of a sudden.

“Oh, he’s so cute. Well, it’s nice to meet you, Lawrence, you better listen to your dad now so he wouldn’t worry, okay,” he giggles patting the boy’s head.

That managed to calm the man down, seeing as how genuinely pleased Crystal was with the boy.

“Sorry,” Larse ended up saying as he kept watching how Crystal tried to calm the boy down by continuously playing with the little tyke.

“It’s all right, I love kids, especially cute ones like this little fella, make’s me wish I had one of my own,” She said unintentionally.

There was a time that she had thought that she would be having kids, but now that it had come to this Crystal knew that it was no longer an option for her.

A half-smiled appeared on Larse’s face upon hearing it. “Really?” His eyes twinkled like he had seen something fascinating.

When she had managed to calm the little boy down she let out a playful clap remembering something.

“Oh, we still have free cake samples if you’d like,” she states standing up as she waves to the store.

“We really should be going since it’s a bit late,” Larse said hesitantly as he felt a bit ashamed for declining.

“Of course, don’t want the misses to worry,” Crystal couldn’t help but joke.

But that put a very unamused smile on Larse face as once again he was unable to look her in the eye.

“Y.e.a.h,” he said in a slow and slightly scornful manner.

Crystal could feel the man’s discomfort, not wanting to further increase his agony she decides to bid farewell to them.

“I hope to see around then, you too Lawrence,” she gives the boy another soft pinch on the cheek since she seemed to not get enough of his cuteness.

Larse carried the boy in his arms as he gave her a nod before leaving, he had this disappointed look on his face as turn around and left.

Crystal couldn't help but watch the two leave, there was something with the boy’s face that reminded her of someone, but it was definitely not Larse.