Chapter 16 Boss
VICTORIA
“Boss.”
That was Mr Thompson, I was sure of it.
That voice and cologne would never leave my memory; I would remember it anywhere, even if it was five years later.
My fist clenched, and my legs began to tremble at the horrifying situation I had found myself in. My cold, trembling hand rubbed at the sweater, and I flushed in embarrassment.
"Victoria, I know it's you,” he muttered, and I bit my lips. I slowly turned around and stared up at him, my heart racing like crazy.
His face remained stern, and his expression cold and unreadable.
"I thought you would never come back,” he muttered so casually that I wondered if he ever worried about my disappearance.
I forced a smile on my face and shook my head before reaching down to take my purse, which had fallen on the ground.
He still stared silently at me, his hand stuffed into his pants pocket.
“Need help with that?" He suddenly asked, and I jerked my head up, surprised at his behavior.
“Huh?"
He chuckled, and I could swear I saw his eyes flash with amusement as he bent down before me.
"You still haven't changed, have you? I thought you'd stop acting dumb after leaving that scumbag,” he muttered, and my throat knotted.
He hadn't changed either. He still had that sharp tongue and intimidating impression with him.
“That was rude," I mumbled, my eyes fixed on the ground.
“What?" He asked.
I raised my head and stared deep into his eyes.
“You still haven't changed either, you're still rude and full of yourself!” I snapped.
For the first time, I saw the color drain from his face.
Silence reigned between us as he stared at me, shock swerving around his eyes.
My heart raced and my fist clenched as I maintained the awkward eye contact with him.
He suddenly broke the competition of our gaze and chuckled.
“I wasn't expecting that bold move from you, Miss Victoria," he muttered, and I felt relief wash over my body.
He stood up and stuffed his hand into his pants pocket while swinging his head to the side.
“Your father told me you got back yesterday. I was pretty busy with some cases, so I couldn't—"
“The serial murder case?" I cut in.
His brows narrowed and his lips slanted to the side as he looked at me with pride. That was the way he always looked at me whenever I successfully solved a case or cracked a clue. I missed that look, and the thought of seeing it again warmed my heart.
“You already know about the things happening in the country? I'm not surprised, though," he said.
I stood up and dusted my sweater, then moved closer.
"The serial murder is a sensitive case. Anyone will hear of it the moment they step into the country,” I replied.
He sighed and ran his hand over his hair, cursing.
"It's crazy, I've tried my best, but it's not…”
"I understand, we’ve been through it a lot of times in the past, remember?” I said.
He gulped hard and nodded, then looked up at me again, his grey eyes piercing into my eyes.
I felt my heart skip a beat when the name ‘Skylar' crossed my mind.
I gripped my sweater and cursed when a warm feeling coursed in between my legs.
“Are you okay?"
I jerked my head up and nodded, forcing a smile on my face to cover the nervousness.
Mr Thompson ran his eyes over my body, his brows furrowing.
“Do you want to go somewhere with me? I'd love to talk with you," he said.
My heart skipped another beat, and I nodded.
“Come on then," he said and waved his hand towards a car parked a distance away.
I forced my reluctant feet to follow him while wondering what he wanted to talk about. My instincts told me that it must be about the ongoing days.
He stopped at the car and pulled the door open for me, then stepped aside.
I hesitated for a moment before sliding into the car.
He slammed the door shut and walked over to the driver's side, got in, then started the engine and swung into gear.
I wanted to ask him where we were going, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I let silence have its moment in the car until he stopped in front of the coffee shop that was close to the CID building.
My heart burned, and I felt pain wash over me as I stared at the coffee shop from the car. I remembered crashing out in front of this shop the day after that disastrous wedding anniversary. My hand clenched the edge of the seat, and tears gathered in my eyes as I watched a recap of that painful, elusive moment.
“Let's have coffee," Mr Thompson's cold hand touched my shoulder, and I gasped, jumping out of my thoughts.
“Huh?" I gasped.
“Let's have coffee. The last time we were here, you weren't able to have the coffee I got for the team," he replied. His unreadable face made it difficult to find out what was going on in his head.
“Oh, yes, that day…” I trailed as my throat knotted.
"I… I would love to go home. I had lunch with my dad, and I don't think my belly can fit in anything," I said. I pleaded with my eyes while hoping he would listen to me, but knowing Thompson Westwood, he would never.
“Then you watch me drink while we talk," he said and unfastened the seatbelt.
"Out, out!” He ordered as he pulled the door open and got out. I sighed and cursed before leaving the car.
My hand clenched beside me as I strode behind him into the shop.
“A cup of coffee, please, add a teaspoon of milk," he said as we walked over to the bar and took a seat at the booth beside the window.
This used to be his favorite spot whenever he came here to drink away from the building and team.
“What do you plan to do now that you've returned?”Mr Thompson asked after his coffee was served.
"I don't know yet, I'm thinking of joining one of my father's companies,” I asked, and he chuckled.
“So… you haven't made up your mind yet?” He asked, and I nodded.
Silence descended on us again as he picked up the cup of coffee and sipped it slowly while staring out of the window.
“Why are you interested in that?" I asked. He looked away from the window and faced me, a smirk on his face.
He dropped the cup of coffee and leaned into the seat, sighing loudly.
“Miss Victoria…” he paused and leaned closer, his eyes darkening.
"Will you join us again?”
My heart stopped, and my blood froze. My hand began to shake as his words echoed in my head. My father's offer, my quest for revenge, and the disturbing case.
This was complicated. On one hand, I wanted to accept my father's offer and pull Simon and his company down. On the other hand, I wanted to feel the thrill of finding whoever this killer is.
But… I came back for revenge.
“I would appreciate an answer at the moment," he added.
My breath hitched, and I felt my chest tighten at his words.
I paused to answer, but a familiar voice that called my name stopped me.
My eyes dimmed, and I craned my head back.
My breath stopped, and my eyes bulged out when my eyes locked with a set of familiar eyes of deceit.
“Erica?" I whispered in shock.