On his Lap

~~ On the Ride ~~

The car blast reverberates through the air, leaving an eerie silence in its wake.

On the plush backseat of the Rolls Royce, Peony, her features contorted with shock and disbelief, turns to Benedict. "Wh-what just happened?"

The acrid scent of burnt metal and the distant wail of sirens intensify the surreal atmosphere.

"This is why you should answer my call," Benedict's gaze holds a mix of concern and repressed hurt, his eyes reflecting the lingering chaos.

"What will happen to Garret now? Please take me back," Peony pleads, her voice quivering, hands trembling like delicate leaves caught in a storm.

Stifling his anger and sorrow, Benedict gently clasps her hand. "You're still thinking about him?" The wreckage around them casting shadows on his face.

Peony, with a sense of righteous concern, asks, "Shouldn't I think about him? He might be injured. I'm worried." The flickering emergency lights outside create a play of shadows on her face.

From the front seat, Timmy interjects, "No need to worry about that cheater. He is with that b*tch Shyla anyway." His voice, a mix of disdain and spite, cuts through the tension.

Peony, now noticing Timmy, says, "Timmy? Is that you? It's been a while." Her eyes, still wide with shock, register the unexpected presence.

"You seem to be familiar with everyone except me, Miss Drama Queen," Benedict playfully whines, a fleeting attempt to lighten the heavy atmosphere.

"And when will you stop calling me that?"

"Never, I have a copyright to the title.", Benedict smirks.

"What in the world! Leave. Now, continue what you were telling me, Timmy." Peony turns to Timmy, her eyes searching for answers in the dimly lit car.

"Well, here." Timmy hands his phone to Peony, the glow of the screen casting an ominous light on his face. The picture on the phone shocks her – Garret and Shyla captured in an intimate position from outside the car.

Peony's eyes widen, her breath catching in her throat as she takes in the scene. "Well, he promised me he wouldn't cheat, right? It's not taken today, right?" Her voice wavers, desperately grasping for any shred of hope.

Timmy, with a sigh, adds, "Believe it or not, it also has the time and when the picture was taken. Also you recognise his outfit right?" His tone carries a mix of sympathy and blunt honesty.

Peony's fingers tremble as she swipes through the phone, her disbelief transforming into a painful realisation. Benedict, still holding her hand, observes the turmoil in her expression, his own emotions hidden behind a stoic facade.

As the reality sinks in, Peony looks up, her eyes filled with a mixture of hurt, disgust, and anger. "I was a fool to kind of trust his words again. Although I didn't want to see it, the signs were there, weren't they?" Her voice carries a bitter edge, a self-directed frustration underlying her words.

"Well now you know who to trust? After all this you can't think about being with him anymore.", Benedict confidently adds, his voice carrying a touch of protective concern.

Remembering Mr. Gonzalez's threat using her mother, she shivers, "I don't know anything anymore. I don't know. I'm so much indebted to you yet I fail myself. I don't even know how you magically happen to find me in these sorts of situations. It can't go on like this. Please, take me back to Garret. I want to make sure if he is safe.", She refuses to take more help from him.

Seeing her breakdown to this extent wasn't part of Benedict's well knitted escape plan.

Peony, her voice soft and shaky, responds, "I just need to know if he's okay. I can't live with the uncertainty."

Anger grips Benedict finally. He snaps, "You can't meet him like this." Then he cools his head and continues, "You're not well, and I can't let you meet him, not knowing when someone plots your murder."

Timmy interjects, "Don't worry, Peony. This guy doesn't have tact. He might not show it, but he has already called the cops well before to ensure everyone's safety around the place, and I have just received an update that they are safe. Currently, the police force is investigating the ground."

Thank goodness," Peony heaves a sigh of relief, her emotions a turbulent sea beneath the surface.

"You're always kind-hearted to the wrong people," Benedict jabs, a trace of frustration and concern etched on his face.

"What did you say?" Peony stares at him, her eyes reflecting a mix of confusion and hurt.

"Whatever you heard, Miss Drama Queen?" He smirks, attempting a playful tone.

"I didn't even ask you how you know everything. I might know who is after my life but did you receive a letter this time as well? Why can't my life be normal?" Peony doubts, her eyes narrowing with suspicion, her voice cracks as the unfortunate events pile up.

"Well, when your life is a soap opera, normalcy becomes a rare commodity. Besides, abroad was really boring without you," Benedict continues with a stoic facade.

"Ben, control yourself," Timmy playfully interjects, stifling his fun but unable to hide the amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Stop the car," Peony angers, frustration lining her voice like cracks in porcelain.

"No, continue. What are you trying to pull in the middle of nowhere with your weak body?" Benedict persists, a mixture of concern and exasperation in his eyes.

"I am already indebted to you. I don't need your help anymore. I will call a cab."

"Didn't I say your life is in danger. It's for your own good." Benedict snaps, his tone carrying a blend of urgency and genuine worry.

Simultaneously, Timmy signals the Secretary, "Do it."

The car screeches to a sudden halt, leaving Peony momentarily disoriented in Benedict's lap. Benedict, his concern for Peony overriding his frustration, steadies her as she sits up.

"What's the matter with you two?" Benedict's tone sharpens with anger, his eyes narrowing at Timmy and the Secretary.

Timmy, realising the gravity of the situation, quickly says, "Sorry, Ben, but we had to ensure Peony's safety. It's not a normal situation."

Benedict's jaw clenches, but he takes a deep breath, trying to rein in his frustration. "We can't afford to play games right now. Peony, are you okay?"

Peony, still catching her breath, nods.

"I want to tell you everything. But not now, you cannot leave right now. Everything will be fine, I promise you, Peony," Benedict looks at her seriously, his eyes reflecting a sincerity that tempers the frustration.

Peony, feeling dizzy from all the events and lack of sleep, finally nods off. Her exhaustion overcomes the turmoil, and as she drifts into a restless sleep, Benedict watches over her with a mix of concern and an unspoken promise to shield her from the storm.

~~~~~~

~ At the K City International Airport ~

The arrival hall buzzes with a mix of anticipation and reunions. The large board, adorned with vibrant digital displays, flickers to life, casting a warm glow across the bustling crowd.

[WELCOME TO K CITY]

"After 26 years, I have finally returned," Irina murmurs to herself, in a solemn tone, her voice carrying the weight of time and the bittersweet memories she left behind.

As she walks through the polished halls, a subtle hum of announcements and the scent of distant coffee shops fill the air. Each step she takes is a poignant reminder of the scars etched into her past, as if the very air is infused with the memories of her departure 26 years ago.

She continued, her voice tinged with sorrow, "The place that left me nowhere and took away my everything."