Chapter 2 An Unexpected Turn

Riele remembered it like it was yesterday.

*"May I?" A low, baritone voice snatched Riele's attention from her phone and her light brown eyes widened a fraction when they settled on the man before her.*

Gilbert's voice was impossibly pleasant, and she loved how it resonated through her ears and stirred butterflies in her stomach.

She remembered the first thing that popped into her head in that moment;

*He's beautiful....*

*The young man's jet black hair fell in parted bangs just a bit below his violet colored eyes.*

*His skin looked like it had never seen the sunlight, and his smile was bright and most captivating*

*"Are you expecting someone?" Gilbert asked after a short silence and broke into a smile when Riele shook her head. "Then, it's okay if I sit with you, right?"*

*"Ah, well, yes" She breathed, taken aback by his sudden request.*

*She stole glaces at the handsome man who plopped down across from her. He was dressed in a black turtle neck and blue-gray pants; colors that only emphasised the paleness of his skin.*

*One look at the menu and he thinned his peachy lips, then dropped the peice of cardboard before looking at her.*

*Riele immediately averted her eyes and squeezed it shut with embarrassment as he had caught her staring.*

*"Honestly, " Gilbert breathed, earning her attention once more and beaming when her eyes met his. "I saw you from across the room and wondered what kind of person you are"*

*"...what?" Riele breathed.*

*"I want to know more about you, miss. Starting from your name"*

That moment would forever live rent free in Riele's head. The way he grinned confidently at her, and the warmth in his eyes when they met hers.

It was one of those meetings that Riele took as fate doing its best. I mean, how else would someone so beautiful approach a dishevelled and sleep lacking woman holed up in the corner of a cafe; drinking coffee.

But it didn't matter to her, because even if the first meeting was timed by fate, the next one, and the one's that followed after that, was the result of that one special, and unexpected meet.

And after six months, she found herself signing marriage papers.

There was no wedding, and through the three months they remained 'married', she never questioned his decision to keep it a secret. Back then, she just loved the fact that he was by her side.

Even in the moments when she'd often feel something was off, she didn't question it. Afterall, she wanted to be with him, and she believed he felt the same way.

Well, until the day she knew he didn't.

*"You're...leaving?" She breathed under a shaky breath, and her teary eyes met his. She couldn't decipher what the look in his eyes meant, but his face held an indecipherable expression, and her heart dropped at his next words;*

*"I..." He trailed off with a breath and grabbed her hand; clasping it in his and planting a soft kiss on it. "I wish you happiness, Riele. I truly mean it."*

*He placed her hand on his chest, then placed it on hers, shooting her an assuring smile.*

*"From my heart... to yours"*

A goodbye that never failed to cross Riele's mind. And each time it did, she would recall the way those very lips smiled brightly at her on that 'fated' day.

Did he ever love her? Did she ever truly know who Gilbert Wilde was? Why did he leave? And what did his goodbye mean?

Three years after he left, and Riele was still left with anger, frustration, and a million questions.

☆

"Urrgh" Riele groaned as she massaged her temple with her left hand and held the phone up to her ear with her right.

"I feel like my intestines keep pulling on my brain"

"Weird way to describe a hangover, but you brought it upon yourself" Tara voiced from the other end of the line and Riele let out a sigh.

"How am I going to survive work like this? I look like shit"

"Again, you brought this upon yourself. Why would you drink so much when you know you have to go to work the next day"

"I was reminded of Gilbert. I couldn't help it"

"Just stop by a cafe and grab a strong cup of coffee."

"Wayy ahead of ya" Riele breathed and hung up the phone when she entered a bricked building with a chalk board out front.

"Coffee. Black with one sugar" she ordered and let out a low groan when her brain throbbed.

"Here's your order. That'll be 4.59"

"Thank you" Riele said, grabbed her coffee, then walked out of the cafe. As she made a turn to head for her car, her eyes widened, and she stopped dead in her tracks.

*"I wish you happiness, Riele. I truly mean it"*

His words echoed in her head and she felt the sounds and colors around her fade. Everything seemed to stop. Even time.

Everything except her, and the man she saw through the cafés window.

*"Honestly, I saw you from across the room and wondered what kind of person you are"*

*Gilbert!*

She found her mind calling to him unconciously, and her feet moved like they had a mind of their own.

*"I want to know more about you miss..."*

*Gilbert!*

*"....from my heart, to yours."*

*GILBERT!!*

When she came to, she was standing behind him, staring at the familiar broad back that seemed large enough to pose as a sturdy wall. His jet black hair had grown, and fell in light waves just above his shoulders.

His colongue filled every part of her, and she felt her heart speed up at the thought of calling to him.

*Will he be shocked? Will he hate the idea of seeing me? Does he remember me? Of course he does! But, did he...miss me at all?*

While Riele raveled in her thoughts, the young man got to his feet and turned; bumping into her with a light thud. Luckily, her coffee was covered, and his cup was empty, so nothing was spilled.

Well, except the tears that unconciously fell down Riele's cheeks when she looked up at him.

*It is....really him.*

That porcelain skin , his violet eyes that always managed to trap and leave her entranced. It was Gilbert. After three years, Gilbert stood before her, taller and larger than she remembered.

She fantasised everyday what their reunion would be like. What she would say, how she would act, and the questions she would ask him.

All of that went out the window when she saw his face, and the tears she'd been holding back for years, rolled down her cheeks.

"You're back" She breathed and almost choked on a sob. "You're-"

"Who the fuck are you supposed to be?" The familiar baritone voice spoke out, and Riele froze up.

*This voice....*

*It's his alright. But, why does it sound so...different? It's intimidating*

*And...*

She flinched when she caught the expression on his face. His brows were scrunched up, his eyes darkened and the peach colored lips that always seemed to smile next to her held a deep frown.

He looked at her with a coldness that sent an ice dagger piercing through her chest.

*...what is with this scary look on his face?!!*

"Gi-"

He brushed past her without hesitation, not even sparing her a glance and she watched him walk out of the cafe.

Riele felt the anger, sadness, and pain she had stored up until that moment, crumble down like one would take apart a brick wall.

She didn't know how she felt about his reaction, but she did know that it wasn't what she had expected.

Things took an unexpected turn.

☆☆

"Manager Riele" Natalie called; getting to her feet at the sight of Riele walking in with Oliver; the trainee.

"What's wrong? Everyone seems to be in a frenzy. It's the first time I've seen Damon Banks look so terrified"

"Well, that's the thing. Our new Director arrived today"

Riele rose a brow at Natalie, then looked over at the rest of her teammates who nodded in confirmation to her silent confusion.

"I don't understand. The previous Director was involved in the embezzlement?"

Natalie nodded a reply.

"And he was replaced already?"

Natalie nodded again.

"That was quick...."

"That's not the only thing" Natalie let out with a nervous laugh. "Damon Banks isn't the only person on edge. The new Director called for a meeting with the team managers the minute he arrived In his office. Since you were absent, I joined in as your replacement, but he sent me out immediately and asked that you see him the second you get back "

*What the hell....? Why does it feel like we've got our hands full with this new guy?*

Riele glanced over at the closed door situated at the far end of the floor.

"He's in there right now?"

Natalie nodded and Riele let out an exasperated sigh.

"Alright. I'll get going now, then"

Natalie shot Riele a 'goodluck' smile and Riele couldn't help but shudder at the thought of who and what she was going to meet.

Natalie was rarely fazed by anything as she mostly had on a poker face, and Damon Banks was a cunning and annoying old man who knew only how to smirk at his rival's misfortune.

Both seemed shaken, and so was everyone else in the department. It seemed like she was the only person in the office who had not been attacked by the mysterious Director.

As she came face to face with the door; a sudden wave of ice cold air brushed against her skin and sent shivers down her spine.

*What is this aura?*

She knocked on the door, then entered the large office, and stiffened when she closed the door behind her.

*What....what is with today?*

Behind a large mahogany table holding a desktop pushed to the side, a closed laptop and a few documents, sat the one person that had never left her mind; not through those confusing three years, nor that day;

Gilbert Wilde.