Twist Of Fate

Chapter 13

He smirked at her, expecting the reaction he thought he would get and he got it. Her eyes widened in shock, her usual composure shattered by the unexpected sight of him. The smirk on his face only deepened her unease, as if he had anticipated her reaction all along. Confusion and surprise played across her features as she struggled to make sense of his sudden appearance. She couldn't understand why he was there or what he wanted from her.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, it felt as if time froze. Dread crept into her veins, mingling with the surprise already coursing through her. Something was unsettling about the way he peered at her as if he held some secret knowledge or ulterior motive.

Fear flashed across her face, her breath catching in her throat. Memories of their past interactions flooded her mind, the hurt and betrayal they had brought. The unexpected encounter resurrected feelings long buried, reopening wounds she thought had healed.

Her mind raced, desperately searching for an escape route from this uncomfortable situation. She felt vulnerable and exposed under his gaze as if he possessed some power over her.

"M-Mr. Gray!"

Her tongue faltered as she tried to maintain her composure, masking her fear and vulnerability. This sight of hers only made his smirk wider as he eyed her from top to bottom. Oh damn, that was the response he had anticipated for her. Completely stunned and speechless.

He took a step closer, his presence seeming to loom over her. Tension became thick in the air and all the eyes were on him. Confidence and authority radiated from his gaze. His voice dripped with a mixture of confidence and a hint of something unsettling.

"Aren't you glad to see me, Ms. Brown?" The words hung in the air, momentarily causing a hush to fall over the room. The tension grew thicker and the ambience was transformed into a palpable sense of unease. His question was loaded with implications, hinting at a shared history that she desperately wanted to hide.

"Who is he, Ness?"

Her eyes travelled to her confused friend whose eyes were travelling back and forth from her to the mysterious man in the room who was wearing this enigmatic smile on his face.

"Well, aren't you gonna introduce me, Ms Brown?" 

"Yes, Ness, who is this handsome man?"

Danger danger danger! All she could hear in her mind. Sweat trickled down her skin and her heart pounded. She knew she had to think quickly, to come up with something that would divert attention and protect both her sister and her friend from the dangers that lay behind this man's smile.

"Oh, uh...this is my boss, Mr. Gray," she stammered, desperately trying to maintain an air of nonchalance. "We work together, and he has helped me with the loan from the company. Right, Mr. Gray?"

Her voice wavered, but she hoped that her words would convince her friend and shift focus away from the unsettling aura surrounding him. She shot him a pleading look, silently begging him to play along.

His smile widened, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Quite right, Ms Brown," he replied smoothly. "I must say, you're truly valuable to me… and to our company."

His eyes gleamed darkly which didn't go unnoticed by her and the meaning his words were holding behind.

She fought back a shiver, forcing a polite smile onto her face. She needed to keep up the facade, to hide her fear from the prying eyes in the room. "Thank you, Mr Gray, but it's not necessary-"

"No, Ms. Brown. I simply had to express my admiration," he interrupted, placing a hand lightly on her arm. A jolt shot through her, but she forced herself to remain composed.