Reyona wished Toria was with her at that moment.
Her sister had to leave for Sydney that morning.
The realtor she had been in touch with called her just that morning to say that he saw a perfect property for her in Sydney.
Coincidentally, the owner of the property was also an interior designer who was relocating.
The clause was that the owner wanted to see the person who would take over her property.
Reyona could see that Toria loved that particular property. It was perfect for the vision she had for her home design company.
Sydney was also a perfect spot for such business.
Despite how excited Toria had been at first about the discovery, she had been very hesitant that morning.
"I shouldn't go," she said multiple times, even though Reyona had told her she was fine and there was no need to babysit her.
She practically pushed her out of the door and shut the door in her face.
Still, Toria shouted, "Call me if you need anything!"
"Yes, mommy!" Reyona had responded with a smile.
Her smile died as she listened to Toria's car drive away.
"Today is the day," her subconscious reared its head.
"Today is just like any other day," Reyona said out loud.
With determination, she got ready for her day.
"Just another day" became her mantra whenever her mind wanted to wonder.
She was able to finish getting ready for her day without thinking of a certain forbidden topic.
Just as she got to her car, Reyona looked in the direction of the path that led to Jordan's place.
She knew she should check on Celia.
She was sorely tempted to get in her car and follow the path until she got to what Maxwell had called the hideout the night before.
But just as she had been doing for days now, Reyona couldn't.
"Coward," she muttered to herself as she entered her car and drove off.
"Who could have believed that a tiny baby who couldn't even speak yet could chase you off?" her subconscious whispered mockingly.
Reyona closed her eyes briefly but quickly opened them back when she heard cars moving beside her.
The light had turned green.
Reyona had avoided telling herself the main reason why she had not reached out to Celia since the latter gave birth.
Oh, she had deceived herself into believing that it was because she didn't want to intrude on the privacy of the family, but that wasn't the real reason.
It was the reaction she had had to the baby earlier.
Reyona had no idea how she would react to seeing that beautiful bundle of joy again.
She had not known that she wanted a baby as badly as she felt the urge when she saw that downy-haired creation.
"No, better to stay away than run off like an idiot again," she thought to herself as she took the turn that led away from ReyDexter LLC.
She was there in no time.
Michelle received her with her usual sunny disposition.
"Come with me, ma. He is waiting for you."
Reyona followed her as she briefly wondered if things would be awkward between them that morning.
"Not that there was any reason for it to be, though," she thought to herself just as Michelle knocked and stepped aside when a response came from within.
"It was just an enjoyable dinner and an evening of companionship," Reyona thought to herself as a weird feeling fluttered through her when she saw him standing as she entered.
She was surprised to see him dressed in a navy suit and tailored dress pants in a matching shade.
Peeking out beneath the suit were a pristine white dress shirt and a sleek black tie. His sharp dressing was complemented with luxurious black leather Oxford shoes.
He was a far cry from the shirt-and-shorts man she had met in the same office a while ago.
"Oh, you know how to dress properly after all," Reyona blurted out just as the word popped into her head.
She stopped in her stride and absentmindedly heard the click of the door as Michelle closed it.
Reyona wished she could swallow her tongue at that moment.
Of all the things to say.
His roguish smile helped to put her at ease, though.
"Yes, my mother managed to teach me that before her death. Thank God," he said as he came out from behind the desk.
Reyona winced. His mother was dead.
Way to go, Reyona. She thought to herself as she automatically reached out her hand to accept the handshake he was offering.
He leaned forward a bit as he said, "We still haven't established what I should call you. You seem to hate me calling you Mrs. Lanoth. And you know what?"
"What?" Reyona asked automatically.
"I hate it too," Maxwell said with a wink. Then he gestured towards the setee close to them.
Reyona could see a folder on the glass table in front of it.
She hurried over to sit and realized she had been unconsciously trying to decipher the smell of his cologne.
It had been less strong the night before but it was more pronounced right now.
Reyona prided herself on knowing her customers or potential customers right down to the last details.
She meticulously notices things as small as the cologne her major customers like.
In her free time, she had been known to go to stores that carry men's scents.
Just with the memory of what they smelled like, she could determine what kind of scents they liked.
It's the kind of information she filed away to be used if the need arises.
So, she was not new to deciphering men's cologne.
His was different, though.
The night before, she chalked it up to the brain-damaging alcohol she took but it was the same thing this morning too.
His scent was confusing, though.
It was almost like they were multiple scents blended into one.
"You still haven't told me."