Since the reason had now become moot after he had suddenly dropped on her and disappeared again like a ghost, Reyona supposed there was no point in trying to hide her location from the woman again.
Even at that, she had not been able to bring herself to remove the number from the blacklist.
She just knew she might not be able to handle the woman's hurt at the moment.
She had been to Sydney twice after all!
Shrugging the disturbing thoughts off her mind, Reyona focused on the present.
Which had to do with getting some nice clothes for her baby and nothing more.
That, and that was the only thing worth occupying her mind right now.
Then that determination went right out of the window as soon as she got outside.
He was standing…no, pacing close to her car.
At that moment, he had his back turned to her as he ran his hand through his hair.
He half-turned towards the entrance of the hospital, then turned towards the car again in agitation.
But then, he seemed to have caught a glimpse of her when he turned earlier, because he sharply turned around again, and she could see relief wash over his face.
His slightly angular face.
With his eyes intent on her face, he took a step towards her and then stopped.
He gave her a beseeching look, then he strode towards her as fast as he could. He moved his hands like he wanted to hold her, then dropped his hands again.
"Are you okay?" He asked anxiously.
That was his first statement to her?
He wouldn't leave her alone and even stalked her there just because he wanted to know if she was okay?
Right.
As much as she wanted to stalk past him, his appearance stalled her for a moment though.
She had been right the first time.
His face did look gaunt.
"Is he okay?" she wondered anxiously.
Instead, she said, "What do you want?"
"I just want to talk, okay? I know I shouldn't have scared you like that yesterday. I just…you…" he placed his left fist over his mouth and stared at her for a moment, before he said, "Please, tell me."
"Tell you what?" Reyona asked in confusion.
He pointed at the building she had just come out of and said "Are you fine? Why did you need to come to the hospital?"
Reyona's heart thumped as she quickly thought of a suitable excuse. "I just came for my regular check-up. Not that it is any of your business."
"You? Willingly come to the hospital when you are perfectly fine? You hate hospitals."
Why did he have to know that?
"Okay, don't pretend you know me, okay? What I do is none of your business. Now, leave me alone." she said hurriedly to cover the sudden fluster she was feeling.
She tried to walk past him and hoped she could get to her car fast enough.
What the hell was this feeling?
She thought she had those all well forgotten and done with.
She hated the fact that his damn cologne could still find a way to dredge up memories in her.
She hated that she was momentarily bothered by how he looked and she…
He was following her.
She had no intention of looking back, but he was surely following her.
Yeah, she was sure of it.
If anything, that lingering cologne of his seemed like it was stuck to her skin instead of his and the fact that she was tempted to turn swiftly to bury her nose in his skin made her walk faster.
Stupid hormones.
If not, why would she suddenly feel like bawling right then?
She could imagine how she would look to anyone if she suddenly broke into tears right there.
Especially in front of him? The ground might as well open up right now.
She reached for her car door and pulled it before she remembered that she had not even unlocked it yet.
Shit!
"Can we talk, please?" he asked behind her suddenly, and she forgot what she had intended to do.
"About what?" she asked as she scraped her hair behind her ear without turning to look at him, or entering the car to leave too.
Right, she had not opened the door.
She reached for her bag as he said, "I am not here to upset you, Reyona. I just want to…understand. I need to understand, and I have things to tell you too. Just give me some time, okay?"
"Fine. Fine," she said as she turned to him.
She looked away from the intensity of those eyes for a moment before she continued "You have something to say to me? Then go ahead."
He looked around the parking lot where they stood and said, "Can we change location, please? I don't think it is appropriate for us to talk here."
Reyona raised her brows at him, but then she said "Fine, let's get it over with. We can have this talk at one of the many bistros around."
A public place.
That was the only thing that could work for her right now. If he should say no to that? Then…
"I am okay with that. Thank you," he said almost immediately.
"Fine," she said as she finally got her door opened and entered
When he only stood there with the hint of that memory-stirring smile of his, she gave him a questioning look.
He smiled fully as he said "I don't know the bistro we are going to. I can't call you, remember?"
Right "Where is your car?" she asked as she looked around.
"I came in a cab. Can I just come with you?" he asked with an innocent expression.
Reyona didn't trust that look one bit, yet she knew it would be ridiculous to say no at that point.
"Fine, hop…"
He was almost at the passenger door before she could complete her statement.
Great. Just great.
She couldn't think of a possible way for her not to regret her momentary decision soon enough.
Yet as she looked away from him as she maneuvered the car out of the lot, she found herself smiling.
Damn hormones!