At the Deventon airport, his plane had landed.

He slowly opened his eyes, his face void of expression. His family had come home a week ago which he should have been part of them, but he just couldn't bring himself to this town.

With lies of extra work, Ethan Reed locked himself away in the office, mentally preparing himself for this visit he could not miss, yet even as he stared out the plane's window, the memories flooded in with a rush..

Why, of all cities, would his grandfather choose to settle here?! Why Deventon?!

This city had left a permanent scar in his heart and as his feet touched the ground away from the plane, Ethan shielded his eyes with darker shades. A black face cap sat on his head and he walked away to get his luggage.

Five years ago he was in this city, and the day he left, that same day he vowed never to return.

His phone rang in his pocket, the screen boldly displaying MOM. He swiped green.

"You're not planning on skipping grandpa's birthday are you?"

Ethan exhaled. He really wish he could if it was an option.

"I'm at the airport mom. I just landed", his voice weak and dry.

"I thought you're planning on keeping us waiting all day! You've missed the important part already. You know the orphanage is the main deal for your gra....."

"how about you nag me in person hmmm? I haven't even taken in ten breathes of Deventon's air and you're making me wish I didn't come". He sighed.

"Well if you didn't come, I'd make you wish you weren't my son", she scoffed and cut the call on him. Ethan managed a smile at the dimly lit screen of his phone. He threw it into his pocket and kept walking whilst reasurring himself that there was no way he'd run into her. He didn't plan on touring the city. He'd seen enough of it...and her family can't possibly be attending this party.

Yes! This crazy would soon end like it never happened and he'd go back to his life.

Meanwhile back at Sanderson's mansion, Julian tore her bra off. His fingertips pinching at her cold and pointed nipples...

She shivered......not in pleasure.

Locking her up was the kindest he could be and seeing her naked body like that....he just couldn't control himself.

Asides a beautiful talent, Talia had a beautiful body - what he called the perks of having your own human. She could be anything to him...at anytime he wanted her. She lived for his satisfaction.

With every thrust he gave, her heart bled even more, but he focused more on the adrenaline rush and dopamine that coursed through his being...caring less of the useless and worthless tears that fell from her eyes.

He bent her however he pleased over the couch. She'd been sold to him anyway, how could she resist him when he owned her.

Careful not to release in her, he spread it all over the floor and rose from her. His sweat-covered body glistening in the bright bulb that luminated the room. He slapped her legs close. A lone tear ran down her eyes. He saw it but he looked away. He pulled up his pants and began walking away.

"Get dressed and looking pretty", his voice came through just before he disappeared through the door.

Talia sat up and pulled up her panties. She cried badly. She'd expected the tears to stop flowing now. It's been five years already, but they weren't stopping. The hurt she felt wasn't stopping. This was her hell....but she couldn't understand why?

Wasn't hell meant for those who'd been evil? People who had done bad all their life?

The essence of life was hope....but there was no light at the end of her tunnel! It was plain darkness! And even scarier, she knew it was going to remain that way till her death!

Her death was only escape!

Her chest tightened in pain, but to avoid another hell breaking loose....she quickly stood and got to cleaning his semen off the floor first.

She walked into the storage room where he had her keep her stuff as her own closet and she got out the gown his sisters rented for her for the night.

The painting was for the old man who loved arts and collectibles, so Talia washed up quickly and packaged the painting first, then began dressing up.

She'd sustained too many marks to count, there was need flaunting her body. It wasn't perfect. But the black gown they'd gotten was perfect. It flowed to her heels and was long-sleeved as well. It covered the marks on her back and the little on her face, she did the magic with her makeup.

At exactly ten minutes after seven, she was done and stepped out to see him on a call which he ended right away.

"you're lucky, I would have hated to come check on you myself", he snorted and began walking.

Not a single compliment on how she looked. She wasn't even expecting it anyways. She simply trailed behind him...meeting the rest of the family in the larger living room.

"I really don't know why she has to come..." Bianca - the last daughter of the family rolled her eyes on seeing Talia.

Talia clutched tightly onto her purse, her eyes on the floor as she felt their million eyes on her.

"Don't fucking say a word and disgrace us there!" Aria - the second daughter warned.

"Where's mom?" Julian asked as he stared around the living room.

"I'm here," the elegant woman descended the stairs with grace, her husband solidly behind her with an even more commanding presence.

"you don't look so pitiable today..." her mother in law charged at her. Talia bit her lips.

"of course! I picked the perfect dress. How else would a rodent look manageably presentable on her own?" Bianca giggled and her mother nodded.

"Hmmm" chairman Sanderson cleared his throat, "let's go else we're going to be late". They all nodded and headed towards the door when Julian's voice rose again.

"And Where's Nora?"

"she said she'd meet us there" Aria responded dryly.

Nora was the eldest daughter and first child. Julian came after her and then Aria, before finally Bianca. She wasn't a doctor like the family wanted. She was more stubborn and studied law instead.

Chairman Sanderson and his wife drove in a separate car. Aria and Bianca drove in another, whilst Talia gauged her breathing as she sat beside Julian in another.

The ride was a suffocating and long one, but soon they were driving into the largest compound, littered with cars and flickering with lights and breathtaking decorations..

The compound was filled with people.

The Sanderson's cars parked in and they all alighted.

"if you don't want to sleep with the dogs tonight, do not cause a scene" Julian warned sternly buttoning his suit. His face relaxed into a smile, ready to mingle with the flow of affluence all over.

"I know you've never been to any gathering such as this... Thanks to us you're experiencing one...better stay out of trouble leech!" Bianca spat and walked away with aria.

Talia exhaled..

What could she possibly do to cause a scene? They just needed a reason to call her names tonight, but she exhaled and walked in. The night was yet to start but she wished it was over.

Stepping into the hall that was solely for the birthday celebration, she couldn't even admire the decors enough... Who knew? That might be her 'disgracing the family and causing a scene'

She tore her eyes off the chandeliers and the rested on Julian who was shaking hands with big smiles with men she guessed were wealthier than himself. His mother and father stood beside him with smiles as well.

She exhaled again, quickly grabbing a glass of champagne off from the waiter that passed with a tray full of it..

"they shouldn't be needing me for anything" Talia sighed and took the stairs on her right.... She didn't know where it was leading to but she wanted somewhere quiet.

It was definitely not that route. She returned to the hall and left through the doors.

If it was possible, she'd rather just go sit in the car and wait till its all over...but she kept moving, turning away from every corner that had atleast fifteen persons in it till her feet finally brought her to a glass door. She pushed open and came to face with a pool.

A smile spread across her face for the first time since today.

The way the lights above danced in the blue waters of the pool, it was calming to watch. Her eyes glanced around, finally a place without people.

Talia walked in fully, taking in the cool breeze till she finally stopped. The pool called out to her but she couldn't jump and 'cause a scene'... Even more, she couldn't wet the rented dress.

She settled for the pool chairs instead, releasing her feet from the shackles of the white heels she wore and gently placing her purse down. She emptied her glass of champagne and shut her eyes, savoring the taste and the way it worked down her throat, not to mention the quietness around her.

She smiled again, letting her eyelids part to capture the glory of the night stars in the sky, but from the corner of her eyes, an image formed. Blurry and slowly rising from the water.

Her eyes widened immediately. In reflex she flung the glass, her eyes tightening shut and a shrill cry escaping her throat..."ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!"

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.

Talia was long gone....right from the moment he'd whispered in her ears. Her heart thundered in her chest. Her chestwalls tightened with every breathe. She felt lightheaded. Everyone turned to her, the obvious question dancing on their faces. Talia stood frozen in time unable to say a word, her gaze completely locked in on the one man she'd silently prayed for throughout the past five years.

The very eyes she loved to get lost in stared right back at her, confusion and shock laced his gaze.

"do you know her, son?" his mom's voice sliced through, every ear anticipating his answer.

For a second or two, Ethan didn't reply. He slowly blinked, composed himself and turned to his mom with a smile. "No.. No.. Not really".

"you just called her name.." Bianca fumed.

"her name?" he feigned ignorance.

"yeah! You said Lia".

"I don't think I did" he chuckled and took his seat beside his younger sister who was quick to lean in and whisper... "You're so spilling later..."

Bianca glared daggers at Talia but Talia wasn't even looking. Not planned... But she couldn't tear her gaze from him. From his smile. From his shoulders that had grown broader. His hair that was sleeked to the side. His Adam apple that stood out more.

She watched his younger sister lean into him and whisper something that had him staring back at her. Julian's nudge shook her off her frozen state, her gaze transferring to her husband's terrifying one.

She gulped.

"is that a painting?" the old chairman broke the tension and Julian turned to him with a smile.

"yes sir. You're a man of great wealth. You could get yourself anything out there, so I went for something timeless, one of its kind... There's no replica". He bragged proudly, his parents even prouder of their son.

"one of its kind? You got the artist make this? You didn't buy it at an auction?"

Julian nodded.

"who are they?" the old man was literally in love with what his eyes was feasting on.

"well... Its my little secret, but there is more from where that came from sir".

Ethan needed only one glance at the painting to know whose handiwork it was.

His gaze reverted back to Talia in black.

Deventon was really cursed for him. It wasn't even a fucking small city so how the hell did he run into her again?!!!!

"is she your wife?" Ethan's grandmother made the situation worse by asking. Talia slowly gazed at Ethan as Julian snaked his hand around her waist.

She watched his jaw clench, his gaze deepened. Julian pulled her close, his neck nodding in response to the question.

"she is beautiful"....the old lady mused.

Talia couldn't even smile. Her eyes blinked thrice in a second. Her lips struggled like it was learning to smile for the first time, her veins visible on her neck. She was trying so hard to compose her shaken self.

The Sandersons had to move to give chance to the other guests present to present their gift. The moment they were far away from the family of the night, Bianca jerked Talia's arm, dragging her away to a darker corner.

Her eyes darted around making sure no one was close in sight, her voice falling into a slow whisper.

"I'm not deaf nor dumb! I know what I heard and the way you went white? Tsk!.... How do you know Ethan Reeds!?!"

Talia couldn't even speak, she just knew her system had changed. Her body was far from comfortable. Bianca tightened her grip on her wrist. Her glare intensifying.

"you heard him Bianca. He doesn't know me. I don't.... I don't know him"

"Lia.... Lia" she chuckled clicking her tongue ".... He fucking shortened your name you sl*t!!! You went missing just when we got here. Is that when you ran into him!? When you tried to seduce him?! Do you have no shame? You're married! "

Talia's head throbbed with pain. She just wanted to get out of here.

"Bianca -"

Nora walked over to them just in time. She too had her questions as her eyes travelled from Talia to the black suited man across the room on his phone.

"save your drama for when we get home. The walls have ears" she warned her younger sister and walked away.

Obviously she wasn't going to stop her from picking on Talia... It was to save it for the house! Tsk!

Bianca fumed and walked away. Talia shut her eyes... Her back finding support on the wall.

He really was the man from the pool. She nearly killed him. He was ETHAN!

Talia walked back to Julian side, but her body suddenly felt ill. She wanted to go home. Sadly, she wasn't in that kind of loving marriage where she just states what she wants and boom! It gets done.

Julian greeted more people, and mingled along. The night had become even longer and Talia was even more scared of walking around alone now. She didn't want to run into him. She avoided looking at the table where they sat.

Ethan on his part had his legs tapping hard against the floor beneath the table. Whilst the parents that came to greet his grandfather stepped forward, they had female children who didn't hesitate to throw advances at him, but his mind was somewhere else.

Subconsciously, his mind and eyes travelled to Talia who was meters across the room.

He couldn't believe she was actually standing there... married to someone else. She actually left him for money! She broke up with him just to get married to....that!

His mind quickly comparing Julian's features with himself. He was better in every way. He couldn't believe her... But the feelings on his inside was more unbelieveable.

He couldnt tell if he was mad or sad. A part of him wanted to stand up and march across the room, grab her hand and pull her out, bombarding her with all his questions! A part also wanted to feel her warmth in a hug....

The more he was lost staring at her, the more his rage grew. He suddenly stood and walked away.

Aria noticed him walk away and followed immediately after.

"Ethan" her cool voice ran after him.

He stopped for a moment and turned to her.

"aria. The name's aria."

"well you do know mine already"

Aria chuckled, "who wouldn't"

"I really hope you're enjoying the party....."

"oh yes... Of course.... I really -"

"that's good to know then. If you'd excuse me" Ethan walked away without giving her a minute to grasp what just happened.

He kept walking till he found himself in his room. He collapsed onto his couch. His hands quickly undoing another button from his shirt.

She was here again!

She was really before him again.

He knew keeping the thought of her away whilst in Deventon was going to be an impossible job. This whole city screamed her name but now seeing her....?

A knock interrupted his thoughts. She didn't even wait for him to respond before stepping in.

"leaving a party you were late to midway?.... Grandpa's not going to be happy" his sister - Sonia walked in.

Ethan shut his eyes. No words in response.

"who's she?"

Ethan didn't respond still.

Sonia emptied her glass of wine into the pits of her stomach. She gently placed the glass on the little glass center table in the room. She joined him on the couch.

"lemme guess...? The reason you left Deventon five years ago?"

"I left Deventon because grandpa got sick" his eyes finally snapped open.

Sonia smirked.... "but she's the reason why you never went back to Deventon, no?"

Ethan swallowed, his eyes up at the ceiling.

"you sounded like Deventon had become your home few months before grandpa's hospital stay and finally when you returned, you looked dead. You had Steve go get your stuffs back. Its like this city had been blessed with a plague or something and now I see her.... She's a very beautiful plague"

"you talk too much"

"....well since I'm not too far from the truth. Maybe I deserved to know what happened and what's wrong?"

Ethan scoffed.

_what happened?!!!! What happened was she ditched him for someone wealthier! She wasn't different as he thought!_

He still remembered that day vividly well. How she left him standing on the streets.... Watching her walk and walk and farther away with everyone staring at him pitifully.

He watched her disappear, leaving him wondering maybe she wasn't it.

Maybe she wasnt the one for him from the beginning... Now he thinks about it. She got him really good. She played her cards right and dumped him when she was done. Yes....Funny enough...he'd scoff at her presence. She irked him off so bad he couldn't stand her. Yes! He remembered vividly.......