Chapter 5: Unexpected Reunion

Vivienne's POV

It's five years later...

The California heat hit me the moment I stepped off the plane. I wrinkled my nose in dissatisfaction as the dry air filled my lungs, so different from Europe's cool humidity.

"God, I forgot how hot it gets in this country." I muttered, pulling off my blazer and draping it over my arm.

Despite my complaint, a faint smile tugged at my lips. After five years away, I was finally back. Back to the country that held countless memories. The place that had broken me. But also the place I would rebuild myself into completeness—stronger, smarter, and ready for my revenge.

The airport  bustled with activity just as I remembered. Crowds of people rushing with luggages, families reuniting with tears and laughter, businessmen barking into their phones. It chaotic and loud—a typical Californian airport, and I actually missed it.

"It's good to be back home, Dr Duarte." I said to myself proudly.

That's right. I wasn't the same pathetic woman who'd left five years ago with nothing but heartbreak and regret. I was Dr. Vivienne Duarte now—a renowned physician and researcher whose work had made waves across Europe. My brothers had supported me into school, and I'd thrown myself into my studies with a resignation, earning my medical degree and doctorate in record time.

I wasn't the weak woman who was cheated on and begging for affection from Marco. I would make him regret everything he did to me. And I was going to make sure of it.

I adjusted my designer sunglasses, pulling my carry-on behind me, my heels clicking confidently against the polished airport floor. My main luggage would be delivered to my new penthouse later. For now, I just needed to get through customs and meet my Uber driver, who was supposed to pick me up.

My phone buzzed in my purse. I pulled it out and saw texts from both of my brothers at the same time.

Jadon: Did you land safely?

Jacob: I hope you've arrived safely. And you better stay the hell away from that Blackwell family or I will come and take you back from that country. And I won't listen to Jadon this time around.

Jadon was a man of few words as usual, and it was obvious how much he loves me. My other brother—Jacob, also loves me very much, but he doesn't know how to hide his emotions and gets easily agitated. I could vividly remember how he almost chewed me out on the plane five years ago when we were all leaving the country. I had somehow survived it thanks to Jadon restraining him.

I chose to reply my oldest and coolest brother first

[I just arrived. Thank you for taking good care of me, Jadon.]

Then my hot-headed brother...

[Yes, Jacob. I'm going to be fine. And I'll stay away from Marco.]

I lied.

For five years, I had felt nothing but anger and hatred for Marco and Belinda. In my mind, I had planned over and over again the different ways I would take my revenge on the both of them, Marco especially. I had hidden the main purpose behind my seriousness and return to California.

I had been approached by multiple men but I ignored them to the point that I didn't recognise any single one of them. My brothers knew something was on my mind but they couldn't imagine what their sweet little naive sister was about to do.

I passed the customs checkpoint as they scanned my luggage. Then as I was walking towards the exit while checking emails on my phone, there was a hard tug on my shoulder from behind. Before I knew it, my purse was snatched away from my hand by someone in a big black hoodie and he ran off into the crowd.

I was stunned.

It was a precious purse I had bought very recently and it was expensive. I couldn't let it go that easily. So I chased after the thief as fast as I could, looking for his traces in the crowd. But he was so fast that I lost him within seconds, my heels making it impossible to keep up.

"That bastard!" I seethed with anger after losing him. I couldn't even run properly due to my high heels. If there was a consolation, my phone was still in hand so I didn't lose that.

I eventually stepped out of the airport and was trying to reply my brothers' texts as I was approaching the car park. That was when I bumped into someone's chest and stopped in surprise.

"Oh, what the hell? Can't you watch it?" I snapped in a annoyed tone, raising my head to see the face of the person who didn't know how to walk properly. I was still in a foul mood and out of breath from having my purse stolen and being unable to catch the thief.

A strong scent that awoke memories drifted into my nostrils. My gaze drifted higher up before I realised it was a man I had bumped into. I looked at the familiar face of the man who had an angular jawline with neat black beards, and my eyes met a pair emerald eyes staring down at me with an unreadable expression.

He was wearing a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up halfway to his elbows. His suit coat draping over his arm. The crowd moved quietly past the both of us as I stood there in shock.

It was him.

The man I met at the bar five years ago. I hadn't been able to forget those broad shoulders that pinned me down to the hotel bed as he gave me the most intense waves of pleasure that I'd ever experienced. The man I had left a thank you note with some change at the table.

He had occupied my mind for the entire five years I spent away and that was why I swore I'd never go near that bar so I wouldn't cross paths with him. But here he was again, right here in front of me.

My heart beat wildly in my chest. I felt heat rushing to my face, the noise of the airport fading into oblivion. My breath caught in my throat.

His hands on my throat. The taste of whiskey. The way he'd looked at me like I was the only woman in the world. The way he'd devoured me and gave me heaven in that hotel.

Everything came crashing into my mind.

His eyes widened in recognition and his lips parted gradually. He took a step closer, his hand lifting slightly as though to reach for me.

"You—" The word came out as barely a whisper, but his tone felt like it was loaded with something dark and possessive.

Panic shot through me. And without thinking, I turned around and fled.

"Wait...!" I heard him call out behind me, but I didn't stop.

I pushed through the crowd towards the exit where my Uber was waiting, not daring to look back. Hot sweat trickled down my spine.

Of all things that could happen just as I came back, I had to run into him.

I wished my purse was in hand so I could bite into it.