Chapter 26
[ 673 words ]
At 7:30 PM, Stella, clutching a bunch of tulips, stood eagerly at the airport exit.
Wrapped in her beige trench coat, with a cute bun atop her head, she looked both adorable and composed.
A chilly breeze, finding its way through unseen crevices, made her sniff and instinctively pull her coat tighter around her.
They had agreed on 8 o’clock. Sure enough, as the clock struck eight, a familiar silhouette caught her eye.
The sight of the man, tall and dignified, triggered a flood of memories in Stella’s mind – all those moments he had held her close, comforting her.
Dressed in a black trench coat complemented by a gray scarf, he exuded an aura of gentle warmth.
Yet, Stella knew all too well the brutal and frenzied soul that lay beneath that composed exterior. Ronald Quinn, the man who had taken her into his world. Their eyes met, and Stella felt the chilling authority in his gaze, instantly lowering her own.
Enveloped by his shadow, his familiar scent surrounded her.
Tentatively, Stella offered the tulips, “These…these are what you like.”
She was guilty and scared.
The man didn’t take them, his presence growing even more imposing.
Despite the bustling crowd, it felt as if they were the only two people in the world.
Her arm, having stretched to hold the flowers, weakened, and she reached out hesitantly to touch his scarf, “Ronald!”
Her soft, plaintive call seemed to momentarily soften him. Her wrist was firmly grasped before she could react, and she found herself pulled into his embrace. “Getting bold, aren’t you?” his voice was tinged with dangerous magnet.
It had been almost three years. And not once had she reached out to him, her rebellion so stark, just as everyone said, had he spoiled her too much? Stella’s heart fluttered, “I…I…”
“You can start thinking about what you’re going to tell me.”
His tone remained perilous.
Tears threatened to spill from her eyes. Before she spoke, Ronald released her, taking her hand and leading her out of the airport.
Idris, waiting outside, respectfully opened the car door upon seeing them.
Stella gasped at the sight of the vehicle, “You had the car shipped over?”
This was Ronald’s car back in Ferrowland.
Its presence here meant he wasn’t planning to leave Portis City anytime soon. Her originally clenched heart tightened more at the thought.
Looking down, the man cast a glance at Stella, who reached only the height to his chest, swallowing hard by his stare.
“Ms. Quinn.” Idris greeted her respectfully.
Stella nodded both guiltily and politely, “Hello, Idris.”
Before she could say more, she was swiftly lifted into the car by the man behind.
Following suit, Ronald’s imposing presence forced Stella into a corner.
Yet, there was no escaping him.
As the car started, her slender arm was grasped by the man’s large hand; without waiting for her response, the next second, the man put her on his laps. “Ronald, you…you shouldn’t…”
“Hmm?”
Her cheeks flushed, “I’m not a child anymore.”
Their close proximity, with her sitting across his lap, felt dangerously intimate.
His cold fingers gently caressed her chilled cheek, finally resting on her chin.
Stella couldn’t bear to meet his gaze.
The imminent threat in his silence made her inwardly recoil, yet she had no escape from Ronald.
“Not a child anymore, so you think you can act tough now?”
Stella stammered, “I…I…”
“Enjoying your little adventure these past three years?”
The word “enjoying” felt like a sharp jab to Stella’s heart.
Despite facing numerous challenges recently, she hadn’t felt this vulnerable and even behaved as fiercely as them.
Now, in front of Ronald, her emotions overwhelmed her, tears welling up uncontrollably.
She sniffed, “It hasn’t been three years yet.”
She looked like a child who had been bullied, a picture of utter grievance.
The man scoffed, “Two months shy of three years. Does it make a difference?”
That marked Stella’s return to Portis City, just two months short of three years.
Stella attempted to look away, but Ronald didn’t let her, his strong grip forcing her to meet his eyes, “Nothing you want to say to me?” “So much, too much…”
She had tons of things to tell him. Each time she was bullied, she longed for him to fend off those enemies.
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