There is something about knowing you look good that just automatically boosts your mood.
Reyona was feeling that effect as she drove to the company.
The fact that she was about to get into her element was also another mood booster for her.
Yes, she had been working from home and pulling her weight without slacking off.
Yet there was something about actually clocking in that she had not noticed she sort of missed until she got closer to the company.
It would also be the first time she saw her new company in daylight as well.
Apart from the pictures and videos, she had only seen the company at night when she came over after she arrived in Sydney.
Then she had firmly told herself to stay away.
After all, if she was to make her plan work, there was no point in outing herself even before she could achieve her goals.
As she got closer to the office, the anticipation grew in her.
She was feeling very good and looked forward to a very productive day.
She hummed in her throat and nodded her head to the song playing on her stereo.
Life was good, why bother herself with irrelevant things when she could focus on the things that were working so well?
After today, maybe she could even work out an arrangement with Phil so that she could come in from time to….
She shook her head at herself as she reminded herself of the reason why she had stayed away.
"Don't push it. Let's just get over the day," she muttered as she drove towards the boisterous area of Martin's place.
Highrise buildings housing multiple companies and offices greeted her even before she got to one of the rare low buildings that one could see in such an area.
Summit Edge Accounting building stood proudly as a connection between the highrise buildings and the other part of Martin's place that led to where shopping centres and malls were located.
For a while, Reyona admired what belonged to her before she drove into the parking lot of the company.
She had been really lucky in acquiring the place.
Personal parking lots and company-owned buildings were a very rare thing to see in such an area, yet that was what she had been able to snag.
While other business owners and employees had to park their cars in the commercial parking lots, and then walk to their companies, Summiy Edge had its own parking space.
Which gave them the luxury of having their own security personnel as well, unlike others.
The SEA logo stood proudly at the front of the three-story building and Reyona couldn't have been more proud of herself at that moment.
The company's facade was predominantly made of sleek, reflective glass panels that create a mirror-like surface. The glass was interspersed with structural steel elements that added to the building's contemporary look.
Just as she had requested, the company had been renovated and its predominant tone of silver and grey had been changed to beige and gold.
Soft gold accents were incorporated in the metallic trims, window frames and structural highlights, while warm beige was used for the entrance canopies and the lower facade sections to provide a balanced look.
The result was even much better in the daylight than when she had seen it at night and how the images had portrayed it.
With excitement, Reyona parked in the section of the parking lot marked CEO. It was the only available spot anyway.
She was just leaning over to get her bag when she heard "Excuse me, ma'am. I am sorry, but you cannot park there."
Not again. Reyona thought as she froze in place.
All her gay mood and excitement went down the drain as she heard that sickening voice again.
She was more than certain now that this couldn't just be a coincidence anymore.
Was the bastard stalking her?
What on earth was he even doing in Australia?
Of all the places that her goddamn ex could disappear to, it had to be the place she had chosen to start over?
"Ma'am? Miss, I think you should move your car, please," he said politely again.
What do you know? The bastard knew how to speak politely after all.
Since she couldn't sit forever in that spot with her face turned away, Reyona came to a decision.
Her eyes went to the clock on her dashboard and she swore beneath her breath.
Recalling Tara's breathy voice and hoping she could pull it off, she adjusted her shades and turned to face him.
"I…"
"It is you!" he exclaimed.
Damn it! He recognised her.
He got closer and leaned towards the car window after looking over his shoulder.
"This must be fate. I thought I would never see you again after you left yesterday without so much as a word. Isn't this beautiful? I had no idea that God would answer my prayer so soon, you know."
Bastard. Of course.
Reyona's eyes narrowed when she saw the logo of Ironshield security on his grey uniform.
That name rang a bell.
If he had that uniform on, and he was accosting her in SEA's parking lot, then that meant…
Almost losing the voice she had decided to imitate, she asked suddenly "You work here?"
He readjusted his uniform self-importantly, as he said "Actually, I am a man of many means, but for now, I am working here. More for the culture, you know. Like I said, I am new to Sydney."
Then he looked behind him again and said "You really can't park there. It is not allowed."
Reyona nodded and gestured with her hands for him to move back from the car. "Step back."
He straightened and said "Okay, then. You can just make use of one of those commercial lots, you know. If you want, I can give you a recommendation, so they won't charge a beautiful lady like you too much."
Instead of driving out as he expected, Reyona got out of the car and locked it.
Behind her, he said, "I said…"
"You don't need to worry. The CEO told me I can park here."
"But…"
"If you don't believe me, you can ask him," she said with her back still to him, as she fitted her glasses firmly against her face.
Behind her, Thomas was already calculating. "Oh wow, you know the CEO. That is…"
Reyona turned just as he pulled out a pen and a jotter from his pocket. "Why don't we keep in touch? I am not here with my phone, but you can call that number. I can meet you up after work and…here."
He quickly stepped forward as Reyona ignored him and started walking towards the entrance.
When she didn't stop, he quickly tucked it into the edge of her bag.
The audacity!
When Reyona turned her head to glare at him, he winked at her as he said "I know you like me too. Let's catch up soon. I will make it worth your while."
Then he quickly hurried away when he saw another security man moving in that direction.
As Reyona heard the man asking him what was going on, she looked up towards the edge of the building.
When she found what she was looking for, she smiled.
And tucked the paper into her bag.