Chapter 67

*Sierra*

"Sierra," a voice said behind me.

I turned around wondering how I hadn't seen anyone standing near the doorway. My heart skipped a beat as I came face to face with Jayden.

After all these weeks, there was Jayden standing in all his glory. A part of me wanted to run up to him and hug him but I restrained myself. How did he find me? Did Cynthia let it slip I was here? No, I don't think Cynthia would do so.

He walked up to me and pulled me in for a hug. I reluctantly hugged him back and took a whiff of his body scent.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him and took a step back.

"I was here to close a business deal and then for a short holiday. We are staying at the resort."

"We?" I found myself asking.

"Frankie and I," he said quickly. "What about you?"

A cough to my right made me blush, "Jayden this is Llewellyn my friend and the owner of this bakery. Llewellyn this is Jayden, he was my former boss."

I saw that Jayden was not happy to be introduced as my employer but I hadn't told Llewellyn anything about my life and I was not about to do so either. If Jayden was uncomfortable then that was on him.

"Can I talk to her?" he asked in a possessive manner looking at Llewellyn. Llewelyn put up his hand and excused himself as he went behind the counter and to the back.

"I will be at the back in the kitchen if you need me." He called out.

"Who is he?" was the first thing Jayden asked. I wanted to toy with him and say he was his replacement.

"He is a friend, though I do not see how and why that matters to you."

"It matters because you are mine, Sierra," he growled, taking a seat. I took the chair opposite him and looked at him. I had missed his presence and that face was just as handsome as ever.

"I don't belong to you or anyone, you made sure of that when you slept with Olga," I reminded him. He had the grace to look ashamed. I also wanted to mention that I knew Olga had moved in with him but doing so would most likely expose Cynthia.

"How is she? Has she moved in with you finally as she wanted?"

He remained silent at that question and I shook my head.

"Well not that it bothers me," I said nonchalantly. I leaned back in the chair and sighed.

"Sierra you should know that I love you a lot and I would do anything to have you back in my life."

"Unless you can turn back time, what's done is done." I told him.

"Tell me that you don't miss me," he said, taking my hand. His hand felt so big and comforting compared to my small hand. I pulled my hand away because my body was reacting to his touch, and I didn't want that.

"How long have you been here?" he asked when I refused to answer his previous question.

"Not long," I told him. "I am just passing by before I go elsewhere."

A look of disappointment washed over his face. There was no way that I would tell him I now stay here. Knowing him, he would board a plane every evening to Seasbury just to come and see me.

"So you are staying at a hotel or with him?"

He doesn't have the right to be jealous. But It was so cute and charming. I just smiled at him and kept silent.

"Well at least tell me when you are leaving this place."

"I don't have a set date yet."

"What about finances are you okay?"

"I am certain that you and Frankie signed my last paycheck," I pointed out. I knew that I was making conversation hard for him but I was protecting myself.

"There you are," Mrs. Wango's voice said behind me. "Sorry I was busy in the back finishing your orders."

"Oh hi Sierra, I didn't know that you know Jayden."

Mrs. Wango handed Jayden a gig wicker basket that was covered by a tea cloth. "I see you have already met my son. He is the baker who makes most of the pastries and breads, but today just for you I baked this basket worth of goods."

Jayden took the basket and peeked inside with a smile lighting hisface. He entered his pocket but she shook her head.

"You tipped the store an amount to cover the rent for seven months. I am not accepting any payment from you."

"Well as a form of payment then, allow me to tell you my decision about what we had discussed earlier." Jayden said. I was curious as to what the two had discussed.

"I will take your advice and go the people's way. I talked with my advisor and she agreed it would be better not only for you as a whole but also beneficial for me. However, let us keep this between us."

"My mouth is sealed," she said and gave him a hug. "I hope to see you around more often."

Did he mean Frankie by advisor? He did use 'she' and Frankie was the one he had traveled with. I was also curious as to what business the two were talking about. It affected me because if they would be interacting that meant sooner or later I would have to bump into Jayden again.

I will have to talk to her when we are alone. I just hope that she will not mention me or the cottage at the moment. Fortunately she went back to the counter and Llewellyn joined us a minute later.

"I should get going too," Jayden said. He got up and so did I.

"How are you headed?" Llewellyn asked.

"Back to The Tropical Resort," Jayden answered.

"It is part of the way to my place. We can walk part way unless you come by car," Llewellyn said.

"Actually I was out in the ocean enjoying the winds and the marine life. I had met with your mother in the morning and she told me to come in the evening for this treat basket."

"Yes, she told me how you helped her. Thank you for that."

We were now walking on the road heading towards the main street. Llewellyn and Jayden were talking about their newly discovered mutual hobby which was birdwatching. Jayden went on to explain and narrate his trip to one of the islands where many birds nested.

As for me, I was just enjoying the evening breeze and the setting orange sun. I was also enjoying listening to his voice though I pretended not to pay attention to what they were discussing.

We were now at the docks where commercial ships docked for loading and unloading. I rarely came to this side because I found it dull and watching men hauling heavy loads was on the bottom of my list of activities to do when bored.

"That loader looks out of control," Jayden said as he pointed at the machine that was going down the ramp.

A few screams and loud shouts pierced the air as the vehicle rolled down the ramp approaching the waterline. I could see the figure struggling to simultaneously stop the vehicle as well as try to open the door. Unfortunately the vehicle plunged into the water and sank very quickly with the sole occupant still trapped inside.

I watched with bated breath expecting to see the person's head break the water surface and gasp for air. I waited and waited and finally forced myself to breathe. Two dock workers jumped into the water but they resurfaced quickly shaking their heads.

"The water is too deep at that point, unless he is a strong swimmer and can hold his breath, by the time they get to him he will already be in Davy Jones locker." Llewellyn said.

He grabbed my hand and held it reassuringly. I saw Jayde's gaze shift towards my hand when he did so. A scowl appeared on his face for just a second.

The three of us watched as another diving team was hastily arranged and the five dived into the water. They stayed underwater for a much longer period of time but they too appeared empty handed.

One of the dockworkers came near us and Llewelyn stopped him.

"What happened?"

The man looked warily at Jayden and then at me but his frown lessened when he turned to Llewellyn, "The loader just lost its brakes and it started rolling down the road."

"Is it a new guy who was operating the machine or what?" Llewellyn inquired.

The man nodded, "Yes but he wasn't at fault. He just moved here a while back and was the most hardworking of all. He was just promoted recently to operate the heavy machinery and he was a pro."

"Too bad," Llewellyn said, shaking his head. "It will be a hassle to identify him and alert his family."

"Why?" I asked, looking at him. But it was the worker who answered me.

"Majority of the workers here are illegal immigrants so getting their family information is hard. However, this guy wasn't an illegal, he is a citizen by birth in this place. I heard rumors that he came from Selspur City though I am not so sure."

Jayden and I exchanged a look and he asked the worker, "Might you be so kind as to give me his name?"

The worker looked strangely at Jayden and then broke into a toothy grin when he saw the crisp hundred note.

"He kept to himself much but we all called him Mark."

I let out an involuntary but loud gasp and the sky swirled before I blacked out.