THREE.

He was quick to dodge. His eyes widening at his neardeath.

"Hey!!!!!" he turned to her in a half-yell, but before he could have a say, she grabbed her heels and bolted out the door. 

His eyes returned to the shattered glass. Is heart thudding loudly with each beat.. 

"is she a baseball player or what?" he scoffed at her perfect throw and slowly climbed out the water. 

The light that once illuminated the pool water seemed to focus solely on him. The water dripped from his wet hair cascading down his abs and torso. He obviously didn't skip leg day at the gym either. Every part of him was perfect. 

He grabbed the towel he'd laid down on one of the pool chairs, his crystal ocean eyes travelled back to the door she'd bolted through. 

He'd seen her appear before the door, trying to make out what laid beyond the glass doors before pushing the door open. That was when he dived to the bottom of the pool. All he needed was minutes alone before he'd head in for the party. His mind was crowded more than he expected having been transported back to this city just an hour ago, but she crashed in on him and the pool area wasn't even part of the celebration zone. 

He'd expected her to realize and walk away but seeing her walk in and even attempting to sit.... Staying longer at the bottom meant he'd die soon. He slowly rose to the top, definitely not to scare her, but he'd hidden because he wasn't ready for another foolish girl fawning over him and to think he was barechested. 

He ran the tower over his face, picked his bottle of water and began walking away...

.

Talia didn't stop running, only halting when she could hear the chattering and clicking of glasses again.

She panted in heavy breathes. Her eyes darting backwards... She was surprised at how far away from the hall she had wandered.

Her heart thudded even more as she remembered the man from the pool... She didn't wait to see his face... She didn't even want him to see her own face... That was the 'scene' they warned her to avoid.

She quickly wore her heels on, but her legs grew wobbly the moment she remembered throwing the glass. 

_what if it killed him? _

_what if he's knocked out?! He's in a pool! He might fall back in and drown to his death?! _

Her mind raced. 

Her body shook with fear. 

She turned towards where she'd come from... Her mind fighting her. A part wanted to go check if he was alright. Another reminded her to stay out of trouble.... The first warned her about cctv that might have captured her in the pool should the mind wind up dead. She was in a billionaire's mansion! It was only logical they had cameras everywhere! 

Her hands trembled. 

Her grip tightened around her purse. 

"and where are you headed looking like a lost pig?" a voice spat from behind her. She turned in fear to face Nora Sanderson. 

She'd finally come, looking really elegant as always from the rest of the family. Something about the way she carried herself and the way she spoke, but Talia staggered backwards as she realized the one person that would gladly take on the role of prosecuting her in court and maks sure she rots in jail should that man be dead....is Nora. 

"Even if you might be completely stupid, your eyes and ears should be working as compensation... The hall is that way.... That's where the laughter you're hearing is coming from" she scoffed and began walking towards the hall. 

Talia had never retorted when Nora spoke to her, she didn't have the right. She chanced the pool's direction one more glance but Nora was back and pulling her arm towards the hall. 

"Do not annoy me tonight Talia". 

She dragged her in and towards their family. 

"Nora," her mother threw her arms around her daughter like she hadn't seen her in ages. 

"I heard the Reed's grandson is present tonight" the older woman giggled with excitement. 

Talia just stood behind Nora shaking like a leaf. Aria scoffed at her mom's words... 

"Nora would rather be buried in her office than care about a mom's touch mom. Leave Ethan Reed to me" she smirked. 

Nora didn't say a word. Her mind was barely there... It all remained on the man in the pool... 

"Ahhh Ahhh", the sound doubled with the aid of the microphone. Everywhere fell silent and everyone turned to the voice. The real party was about to start. 

He'd gotten their attention, his mic was loud enough, his voice was clear, he carried on. 

"Goodevening ladies and gentlemen... Introducing myself would mean stealing the spotlight from the man of the night", everyone chuckled but there was not a single soul in the room that didn't know him... Well asides Talia. 

He was Ronan Slade... The Reed's patriarch's Secretary. He had grown with the family over the years that he had basically become family to them. 

"Well.... Tonight! We have gathered to honour a man who has touched so many lives with his love, wisdom and generosity! But tonight wouldn't be happening without you all present.... So I'm saying thank you once again... For coming tonight"...

The claps were uniformed and died uniformly.

He continued.... 

"Now without further ado.... Please... Help me welcome the man of the hour....the walking Saint.... Chairman Victor Reed!!!"

The doors behind opened and cheers filled the hall.

The old man stood tall, his pretty wife beside him. They both walked down the path, almost a reiteration of their wedding.

They looked stunning beside each other.

His immediate family followed behind. His two sons and their families(his grandchildren), but someone was missing....

"Where's Ethan?" Bianca whispered to Aria.

Aria tapped her mom who was looking confused as well. She was sure her intel was trustworthy. Nora pretended not to care, but her side eye glanced at the locked doors hoping to catch a glimpse of the city's most elite bachelor walk in, but the doors remained shut. 

They walked up to the front and took their seat, but the old man and his wife continued up to the stage. He took the mic from his secretary and in his own voice and witty slangs, he welcomed the audience yet again. Urging them to enjoy the night to the fullest.

Their claps erupted again, and even though Talia had her eyes on the man on the podium, she heard nothing he said. She'd completely zoned out until Julian nudged her roughly.

"what are you moping around for?! Go get the painting!"

Talia apologized and ran out immediately. Carefully, she took it out the trunk after finding their car in the cluster of the garage.

She exhaled and walked towards the hall again, pausing briefly to glance towards the pool arena.... Her mind painting a picture of his body floating already and the pool turned to red with his blood.

She shook her head profusely.... Refusing to accept such imagery. She hurried into the hall and other families had already stepped forward to present their gifts and greet the old man.

"You're really going to be slow with everything" Julian hissed. 

Of course the painting wasn't their family's gift. It was his personal gift. They all had prepared something individually to impress the family and as it finally got their turn... Chairman Sanderson spoke first.... Greeting the older man chairman to chairman.

Chairman Reed didn't hesitate to express his gratitude for his help at the orphanage earlier during the day and just as they kept going back and forth in conversation.... Talia heard the most familiar voice she'd recognize even in her grave.

"lady in black..... You nearly maimed me back there", his warm breathe grazed her shoulders....

Talia froze...

"Ethan!" his mom called out to him, causing every eye to turn.

His lips spread into a smile so charming, "Grandpa," he walked forward from behind her, his cologne melting her being.

"He's fucking hotter in person" Bianca squealed, but Talia couldn't move.

"You're late," his grandpa frowned as Ethan kissed his grandmother's cheek.

"I nearly got killed and then I missed my way. It's one big mansion you know.... "

"got killed?" his grandmother queried, but Ethan chuckled.

"just kidding, am I right lady in bla......."

His words trailed off, his smile disappeared, his expression turned into one of horror...

"Lia..." her name rolled off his lips.