Reina’s POVI listened to Richard as he pleaded, rather too earnestly, for me to have known how much of a lying cheat he could be. I swerved to the side, before walking back into the room, from the balcony I had been leaning on. “ I told you he isn't supposed to be believed. Not an iota of his words” Jackson chipped in, almost the same time that I had walked in. He had clearly seen an opportunity, and he wasn't wasting any time in letting me know that he wanted me back. “ You startled me!” I had a hand on my chest, while walking in. My flip-flop making a sound on the checkered marble tiles. “ I had to come,” he stood up, trying to hold me, but I flipped his hands away, almost absentmindedly. It wasn't clear to me why, but I didn't just feel comfortable with his hands all over my body. I could feel itches, whenever he touched me, and I had to force a smile on my face all the time. It didn't boil down well with me. “ Is something wrong?” He probed, his brows furrowed into an arch as

Richard's POVI stood by the side, as I listened for the tapping of her legs on the checkered marble tiles. Jackson had left earlier, to make preparations. I could just about guess that, he looked so happy as he skidded away, like he had won the lottery. He would have enough time to do whatever he had in mind, but that doesn't involve him taking her away from me. I was going to make sure of that. “ Reina” I stepped out of the shadows, wrapping my hands around her wrist. Startling her in the process. “ I never meant to” I quickly apologized, taking in how she had flinched as though she was irritated by my touch. I gnashed my teeth. At a loss at what to do, but still, I ambled further. “ Don't! Richard! Don't!” Her fingers were pointed at me, letting me know that I wasn't supposed to come any closer. I sighed deeply, rattled by how she looked so serious, and I didn't know what to do. “Reina, please, you have to understand”She let out a chuckle before snapping back, as though sh

Reina's POV“Are you sure that you are okay?” Nina asked again, as she sat beside me on the couch, handing me a cup of tea.Flashing a smile at her, one that, I hoped, would be convincing enough, I nodded. I held the cup of tea to it, rather too firmly, wondering for a while if anything would be wrong with it, but I shook my head. She wouldn't hurt me. Nina wouldn't. “ Why don't you have a taste of it?” I pushed it towards her, nudging at her to have a taste when she pushed it back. “ Why?” She looked uneasy, and I didn't know what to think. Was this laced? Maybe? Was that the reason for her reaction? “ It has your drugs in it, you know I am not supposed to take that, right? So why are you pushing that at me?” she questioned. I wasn't satisfied with her explanations. “A sip wouldn't hurt you, it haven't before” She shrugged, taking a seat far away from me. “ I hope this isn't laced with anything? I don't know, your reaction is unexpected, and I don't know what to make out of it”,

Richard's POV “ This can't be happening” my fingers grazed the decorated font all about it. It was really happening. I might have seen it as a joke but now, this is happening.Dropping on the chair just beside me. I stared around, Ryan was staring back at me. As though he was letting me know that he was here still. “ Are you sure that this is real?” I probed, staring straight at the ceiling. I was broken. I never knew that she meant this much to me. When she smiled, my whole world lit up and now, I didn't know how to feel anymore. I was numb not feeling anything. “Richard.. you have to take this in like a man, be strong” I erupted into chuckles. Tiny ones that rocked the room. “Be strong?” I questioned to which he nodded. “Why? Why do I have to be strong? Why should I be the one who loses her? Why should I let her go when I was the first one who she always wanted?” He shook his head, showing that he was silent just like I was and he couldn't say a word. “ What are you going

Reina's POV “ Gosh Reina….” “ Mother” I whispered as I tried to sit upright, but she held me back. Stopping me from doing so. “ What happened to you? I was worried, I mean your secretary called and said you slumped, and you were rushed down here and. …”“ Take a chill pill, mother,” I said to her. My voice almost came out in a whisper. I tried to recall what exactly had landed me here, but no matter how hard I attempted to. I just couldn't. “ I am fine, mother,” I answered her. “ Jackson said otherwise”“ Jackson?” My brain was muddled as I tried to get in, who exactly was that. “ What are you saying? Jackson, your fiancé, he was here, and he said that'' I threw my head back. “ I have a fiancé?” She looked disappointed. “ Don't tell me you have forgotten that? Jackson, your childhood friend? Does that ring any bells at all?” “ Yes, I am engaged to him?” My eyes moved to my finger which had a ring on it, I didn't know what to feel as it felt surreal. The door was pulled open,