Fall |NHC|

seven

|| U N E D I T E D ||

Iliana immediately set her hair straight and push all hair to one side, holding the frame close to her. The man was now closer to her; he put his hands around her shoulder, worry clearly glossing his face. "What are you doing here, at this time, love?"

"Uh George..." she thought and said the first excuse that struck her mind, "I had a friend of mine give this to me today and I... like- completely forgot it when I was with you..." she smiled in a convincing way, or atleast tried, and continued, "I had to get this by today." She held out the wooden framed photo and he was, much to her relief, convinced.

George offered to drive Iliana home and she could not have been thankful enough. Who wouldn't be? Standing in the middle of the city in the dark - apart from streetlights - and with no means to get home earlier? Or even get home.

After reaching her home George, assuming she'd agree to this offer too, asked if he could stay there for the night to which she denied, in a nice way though. He did not force her but let it slide.

No sooner did George's car drive away than another car, no surprise to our lady, Reece's car stopped in front of her house. She thought it was best to close the door and act like they never met before but at the same time, she wasn't immature. She waited.

Reece came in with a face full of regret and apologized immediately. If you remember the talk about Reece in the first paragraph of the first chapter of this work, you would have figured Reece to be an infallible man, also the perfect guy; in fact, it had been a very long time since he ever apologized. But how could Iliana know this?

"Mr Bibby, please don't trouble yourself apologizing after every act you make that you know well before would end up being a mistake; a full-knowingly, purposely done mistake. And I'm afraid I'm not gonna let you in because I don't want you in here because this is my house and I rule here so don't even think about asking it. Bye."

She slammed the door at his face.

Just. kidding.

He caught it before it shut, inviting himself in and locking the door. "Iliana," he said sternly, although he had no place to be stern. "Listen, sorry. I'm really sorry."

Three sorrys in the same day. This was a wonder. Iliana sighed, "Sorry does not bring a dead man alive."

"Well, you're not dead." Reece tried to joke, and slumped on the sofa like he's come to his cousin's plave for the holidays.

"Is that why you've come here?"

"No! I mean... that was a joke-"

''-a poor one."

"Yeah a poor one." Reece ran a hand through his hair and froze in his spot. Why? He remembered something he should not remember. He remembered how he had her head in his hands few - not very few - minutes ago.

Iliana, as if she could sense what he was thinking, made the best move. She walked to the door and held it open. "Thanks for ruining my time. You may leave. See you no other time!" She smiled sweetly and this, out of doubt, vexed Reece. But to avoid getting more frustrated,  he stood up,went out soon and to his car. He drove back to his penthouse.

Now I have no reason to meet again, they both sighed.

And just before she could sigh once more, to get satisfied, Iliana held her head in her hands and cringed at the cell phone on her sofa.

It was Reece's.

Why did he have to leave? Did he want to meet again?

Out of sheer curiosity, she took his phone and went to her bed, after assuring all the windows and door were locked.

He had a pin code password.

What could that possibly be?

She took her phone and searched for his number, typing four consecutive numbers from his phone to see if any of it works. Then, she tried the lame trick.

0000.

Password incorrect. Try again.

The phone got locked for twenty minutes, after seven more tries. She again tried random numbers. Then, she tried these two pairs of random numbers.

2498.

Password unlocked.

Now, what could these numbers mean? After fifteen seconds of useless pondering, she found out it was the consecutive digits in her phone number. She shook her head at her foolishness, then gasped.

Her number, why would that be his passcode

It might be just a coincidence, right?

Meanwhile, Reece forgot he even had a mobile. He was right now on his bed, with his laptop, stalking Iliana's social media. The birthday on her Facebook said August 2nd, 1928. But when he had searched through her formal personal details, it was April 2nd, 1928.

Facebook was wrong. She had it wrong on Facebook. Whatever maybe her reasons. He convinced himself.

He searched for his phone and took out the personal phone. Without knowing it was a different phone, since both had same wallpapers but different passwords, he tried the password.

2498

2: The date she was born.

4: The month she was born.

98: The year she was born.

Password incorrect. Try again.

"What the fuck!" Reece roared and called Benjamin from his landline.

"Hello? Sir?" He was awake till then, with his date.

Reece outright cut the crap. "Ben. Did you take my phone?"

"I never have, sir."

"The password is incorrect. Why?"

"Is it your phone, are you sure, sir?"

"Yes, it is mine."

"I mean, it must be your personal phone."

Reece did not say anything and tried the other pin. 3745. The numbers of his flat.

Password unlocked.

For an eligible bachelor, he surely has lame passwords.

"Yes, but where's my other phone?"

"Sir..." he could neither snap nor say that he doesn't know to such a vague, lame question.

"I... I think I know where it is. Sorry to disturb, Ben."

"It's okay, sir. Good night."

"Yeah." He cut the call and stormed out of the house again, this time locking, like he is supposed to have done earlier.

He found his car in the parking and started it up, driving out of the flat, to the road not un-travelled by him few moments ago.

Where was he going?

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