UNEXPECTED REUNION

As I gazed out the car window while he drove through the vibrant city of Sydney to his workplace, a picturesque scene unfolded before my eyes. The beautiful streets exuded an undeniable charm, buildings stood tall and proud, their glass facades reflecting the sunlight and casting a shimmering glow. The streets were bustling with activity. Pedestrians strolled leisurely along wide sidewalks, immersed in lively conversations or deeply engrossed in their own thoughts. The walkways were covered in the enticing aromas from cafes and eateries. The streets were dotted with vibrant storefronts that offered a variety of tempting wares. Bright storefront signs gently swayed in the breeze. Trees lined the sidewalks, providing patches of shade, their branches reached out gracefully, forming a natural canopy over the bustling streets, Sydney's indeed a beautiful city, I couldn't help but mutter.

He had attempted to persuade me to stay back earlier that morning, but I remained resolute. I woke up early, prepared eagerly, and waited for him to finish his own preparations so I wouldn't be left behind. Eventually, he relented and gave in to my determination.

We quickly stopped by a store to find an outfit for me. During our time there, he seemed preoccupied with phone calls and unable to help me choose a dress. As a result, I had to make the decision by myself. In the end, I settled on a simple long-sleeved gown and a large designer bag that only held my phone. I gave him an angry look from afar because he left me alone, but he seemed completely oblivious to my feelings. He gestured for me to hurry, indicating that time was running out. If I had previously referred to him as a gentleman, I apologize, because this man is simply a clueless and annoying son of a wealthy business man.

A sense of anticipation welled up within me as we approached the towering structure that proudly displayed the name "KINGS TRAVEL CO." a business that created custom travel experiences, assisting customers in organizing their ideal vacations or unique adventure trips.

As I stepped through the entrance, I noticed the employees, dressed in their impeccable business outfit, going about their tasks with precision and dedication.

Walking confidently by David's side, the employees regarded me with admiration, unaware of the secret that lay behind my elegant attire. Clad in a nice dress befitting a successful businesswoman, I exuded an aura of authority and confidence that further fueled their assumptions. If only they knew that I wasn't there for business purposes but to serve as a distraction.

I followed him silently, admiring the building's magnificence as we made our way to his office, which was on the top floor. He appeared to be busy, interacting with his staff along the way.

His office was another beauty, surpassing the size of his own sitting room. Adorned with expansive glass windows which provided a breathtaking view of the outside world. Through those transparent panes, I could witness a bustling cityscape, a mix of towering skyscrapers and modest structures, with streams of cars moving like colorful ants and people, seemingly miniature, engrossed in their daily routines.

As I curiously reached out to touch the glass, he playfully cautioned, "Be careful, one touch and it will open, throwing you out."

Caught off guard, I instinctively recoiled, only to realize that he had merely been teasing me. A warm smile spread across my face as I acknowledged his playful prank "You actually got me".

While he busied himself with his work, attending to his employees and diligently managing tasks on his laptop, I settled comfortably onto the plush couch, diverting my attention to the television before me.

After a while, I felt like I'd given him enough time of quietness. The tranquility had stretched on for too long, and I yearned for a taste of violence, for peace had overstayed its welcome. With a sense of restlessness consuming me, I rose from the comfort of the couch and made my way toward his table, positioning myself directly across from him.

As he noticed my approach, he lifted his gaze slightly, curiosity etched on his face "What is the matter?" he inquired

"I'm bored, hungry, and tired." I replied, my voice laced boredom.

"You know you are welcome to help yourself to anything in there, right?" he reminded me. Simultaneously, he rose from his seat, clutching a file in his hand, and ambled towards the nearby shelf to place it down.

Trailing behind him, I muttered "What I want isn't in there"

With a resolute determination to express my desires, I swiftly positioned myself in his path as he made his way back to his seat, leaving a mere two-inch gap between us

"What do you want?" he asked softly, his voice tinged with concern.

I found myself at a loss for words, captivated by his gaze, which stirred up a flurry of emotions within me. My heart raced as his intense brown eyes delved into mine, searching for answers.

In that moment, the door swung open, revealing the unexpected presence of Mr. Kingsley.

"Uhm! Hope I ain't interrupting anything" he quipped, his face adorned with a playful and inquisitive expression.

"Mr. Kingsley!" I exclaimed with excitement. Unable to contain my joy, I quickly ran up to him and embraced him in a warm hug. It's been like three years since I last actually saw him because I had been in college.

"Jane!" he exclaimed, equally thrilled to see me. His eyes beamed with affection as he returned the hug.

"Hi, Mr. Kingsley" I smiled. "You look as young as ever."

Returning my smile, he chuckled softly. "And you've grown up quite a bit" he remarked, prompting me to blush slightly. "Hope my son hasn't been giving you a hard time?" he asked

"Not really, sir" I assured him with a smile

"If so, you can always come over to Grandma's" he suggested, clearly eager to make sure I was comfortable.

"She's fine, Dad" David interjected, joining the conversation. "Besides, I'll be taking her to meet her dad tomorrow at the park."

"He's right, sir" I nodded in agreement, a smile spreading across my face.

"If you say so" Mr. Kingsley replied, a touch of resignation in his voice.

Leaving them both to discuss work matters, I excused myself to continue with the movie I was seeing. I settled on the couch and eagerly began watching the latest episodes of the TV show 'The walking dead.'

Time flew by, and after about an hour, Mr. Kingsley rose from his seat, signaling his departure.

"So, Jane, I'll be returning to Wollongong next month, I'll see you then" he announced

"Alright, sir" I beamed with an exuberant smile "I'll be expecting you"

"And do remember to always seek solace in prayer. God is always there to guide and protect His children" He added, and with a gentle wave, he bid farewell as he closed the door behind him. I pondered the reason behind his statement, speculating that it might be due to my getting lost. That seemed to be the logical explanation. My lips formed a tight 'hmmm' gesture, subtly expressing my need for guidance.

"I'll be right back" David said, as he accompanied his dad, leaving me momentarily.

Moments later, he returned, walking toward my seated position.

"I'm sorry I couldn't respond to you earlier. Is there something you'd like to have?" he asked with sincerity.

"No, thank you," I replied, my attention firmly fixated on the movie playing before me.

"Are you okay?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.

"Yeah, sure" I replied casually, not wanting to divert my attention from the movie

"Okay!" he replied, a tired yawn escaping his lips. It was evident that he was exhausted from the day's job making me wish I had contributed and helped him with at least a portion of his tasks.

"I got these" he said as he stood before me with Anott's family cookies "Remember these? They used to be your favorite" he added.

"It's still my favorite," I smiled, my heart warmed by the thoughtfulness he had shown.

"You want to go home now?" he asked

The mere mention of home brought a sense of comfort, a feeling of belonging. I nodded slightly in response.

"Alright, let's go" he responded

* * *

On our way back home, we made a stop at The Flavor Vault, an enticing eatery nestled in the heart of Sydney. As we arrived, David skillfully steered his car into the big parking lot, finding a suitable spot among the busy surroundings.

Stepping out of the vehicle, we were on the cusp of entering the eatery when a voice pierced the air, calling out David's last name.

Turning our heads in unison, we noticed a young man in his late twenties who seemed acquainted with David approaching us with a grin plastered across his face, with him was a blonde lady in her mid-twenties. David, on recognizing the young man took me by my hands as we continued moving forward. However, the young man swiftly closed the gap between us, blocking our path with an air of familiarity.

David's expression darkened, a mix of weariness and frustration flickering in his eyes as he stared at the young man. It was evident that his presence was unwelcome.

"Hey, hey, don't be in such a rush," the stranger smirked, his words dripping with casualness. "I just wanted to check up on my favorite cousin. It's been ages since we last caught up. Wasn't expecting to run into you here."

The stranger seemed to be a cousin, but the atmosphere between them was tense. David's eyes locked onto his cousin, exhaustion seeping through his gaze, even as he refrained from uttering a single word. Although his expression wasn't overtly hostile, it carried an undeniable intensity. His grip on my hand remained firm, serving as a protective gesture.

"I sense you're not particularly thrilled to see me," his cousin continued, undeterred by David's silence. "Don't worry, I have no plans to usurp your little empire, at least not yet," he chuckled, the sound resonating with a hint of mischief.

By his little empire I suppose he meant their company. I realized there was so much I didn't know about David Kingsley yet.

"And she must be…" he turned his attention to me, flashing a grin. "The new chick?" He took a step forward, seemingly intent on greeting me, but David forcefully pushed him away with an unexpected strength, causing his cousin to stumble.

I gasped in shock, taken aback by David's sudden reaction, never having anticipated that side of David.

"Hey!" the blonde lady glared as she rushed to his side, assisting him in regaining his balance.

"What the hell, man?" his cousin demanded, his tone a mixture of confusion and annoyance.

However, David chose to ignore him, instead firmly grasping my hands once again, leading us towards the entrance of the eatery. The background noise of their cussing and hissing faded as we moved farther away. The blonde lady seemed equally bewildered, attempting to comfort her companion while casting curious glances our way.