Breaking Her Resolve

Chapter Twenty Two

Monday morning came by so fast, Seline walked into her office,greeting Alana and requesting for her schedule for the week. She had spent her Sunday with Luke, cooking, lazing off and finishing up her reports while he bothered her all the while. He left her house directly for the airport with a promise to call her each night before she slept. She sat down on her desk and drunk the coffee she was holding when her chief of staff came in. She had back to back meetings through out the day, that would keep her busy. "Mr.Harrison called, he wanted to see you. Should I schedule him in?" Alana asked.

"Do I have time to see him?" she wrinkled her forehead with concern.

"Your schedule is full until seven o'clock."

"Okay, tell him I'll see him then. For now,let us slay the dragons." she joked humorously.

She was winding up her last meeting of the day, "Thank you Martha, Alana will call you on Thursday to confirm the attendance." She got up from her leather chair and escorted her out. Seline returned to her desk and removed her blazer, she was exhausted and could not wait to get home to a lavender bath and scented candles.

"Madam secretary, Mr.Harrison is waiting for you downstairs." Seline was taken back by that, she had forgotten about him.

"Why is he waiting downstairs?" surprise marred her face with a bit of annoyance "he says he will only answer that to you Ma'am "

She hurried off to the lobby where Reynold was standing with his back to her. "Mr.Harrison, may I know the purpose of your visit and why you refuse to come up to my office?" he turned to look at her, his face a blank page of expression "I want to talk to you in private," he darted his eyes around .

"My office is private," she countered back unable to mask her irritation.

"Dammit Seline,for once in your life don't fight me on this," he ran his hand through his hair,almost pulling it out.

"There's a park two hundred meters from here, we can talk there," she said. He just nodded, dragging his feet. She preceded him to the park, the stroll and fresh air would help clear her mind. The sun had gone down and rush hour had passed. Liam and his partner followed discreetly a few steps behind them.

When she got to the park, she indicated to a bench where Rey sat and she followed suit.

"What do you want Reynold?" she used her strict no nonsense voice. He looked like a man hunted , he had been wearing that look since she saw him three days ago.

"What is wrong?" she repeated. Louder this time,thinking he had not heard her the first time.

The man literally started to sob, tears streaming down his cheeks. In all the years she had known him ,Rey never cried. It was unbecoming of him and unheard of though seemed to be his undoing lately. Her heart bled for him but she did not move an inch nor offer any comfort. He wiped his tears on his shirt sleeves,sniffed and raised his eyes to look at her.

"I can't lose her Seline, I can't... not right now, she is my responsibility. I made a vow to her father to protect her."he sighed deeply. Her heart twisted and she really hated the effect he had on her.

"Reynold , I am doing everything I can to make sure she comes back, you have to trust me on that," she reaffirmed.

"What can I do to help? Is it money? can I pay for her release ?"

Of course that is what he thinks can solve the situation, typical billionaire. They think if you throw money around all will be resolved. She bit her inner cheek and held her tongue to avoid adding insult to injury.

Seline was shivering at this point, she had removed her blazer in the office before she came down to meet him, her silk blouse did nothing to protect her from the cold. Rey noticed this and removed his coat to hand to her

"No thank you, I'm good. " she raised her hand as a gesture of refusal of his coat.

"Do you always have to be stubborn and unrelenting? When will you realize that I'm not the enemy? I know that I hurt you and you're wary of my actions but... "

Seline stood up then to escape the panic that threatened to attack her. She did not want this to be an apology she never got once upon a time.

"Listen Reynold, I will keep you updated about Brenda, until then you and I are not friends and definitely not lovers. So yes, if you have nothing more to say...good night." she strutted off without turning back, her hands pushed in her pockets for warmth and self control. He had unintentionally brought up the past and she felt like slapping him for the emotional blackmail.

Her phone rung just as she eased into her bathtub, determined to have her lavender bath. It was Lucas calling just as he promised before he left yesterday.

"Hey love," he purred when she answered the video call.

"Hey you," she smirked back at him. Relieved it was a personal call.

Luke always made her day, whether he was two feet or two thousand miles away. She smiled, grateful for the distraction.
"Whatchu doing?" he asked curiously
"Taking a bath..."she teased , showing him her bare shoulders.
"Woah... talk of perfect timing huh!" he sounded pleased.
She laughed... " Wanna join me?" Clearly seducing him.
"Dammit, you got me soo hard already," he slapped his knee.
"Can I see more?" he begged.
"Mmh... what will I get for it?" She played along.
"Lucas Sinclair!" Somebody called him, he looked up suddenly like he had forgotten where he was.
"Shit Love, I gotta go, its daytime here and my appointment is already here!" he regretted.
"Please tell me we shall continue this when I get back to my room?"

"You crazy idiot! You were conferencing in public while I was in the bathroom?" Seline was surprised.
"Anyhow, this was a one time offer, It's expired now. Goodbye." She blew him a kiss and signed off.
She put the phone aside and relaxed in the tub, a smile painting her lips from what just happened.