Jen

The anguish in his voice cut through my anger and reach to my soul, I look up into his eyes. And there he is, deep in the blue depths, the shattered and frightened guy whom I desperately want to comfort. Rick is the man who'd never quite fit in the world he'd found himself in. I know he went through a lot of hell, the place itself reminds me of the turmoil of his past. And this place also reminds me of his wicked game of love, he is quite top on his game. And maybe he is playing again, for nothing than taking his Revenge for killing our...his kid.

I stare into his eyes again with a clear head, begging him to stop his actions. I am not that naïve Jen anymore, I hate this intimacy, hate this place and I damn hate him too. My words somehow reached him, he released me hesitantly.

I jerk my hand free, and Rick sag against his seat, gulping air. Without uttering a word, I also took my seat. What the hell should I say? I have sealed my soul and self-respect to this devil, My entire arm is numb, my fingers lifeless in my lap. Rick leans back in his seat, as though he is going to tip the little chair right back and go toppling on the floor. But his eyes still so fix on me that I have to lower my eyes, breaking the connection.

"Next time be careful Jen, I won't be this understanding" Taking a deep breath, I glance back at him with silence.

"Now as you have ruined my breakfast, go make me something to eat, I am starving" He ordered not even bothering at all.

"What?" I gawk at him with a questioning gaze.

"Do I always have to repeat my words? Since when you became this dumb" He answered with a sly smile.

"I am not cooking, that's final" I spit back with fierce.

"Oh, you are" Rick smile back and stood from his seat. I almost forget to take a breath, is he going to reiterate his horrific action? But, instead, Rick started gathering up the broken pieces and his ruined pancakes of the floor which he made with efforts...solemnly and quietly, as if he is picking up the pieces of his own broken heart. It breaks my heart, I decided to make breakfast rather than watching him aloof.

"Wait" I stop remotely, as he has all control over me. Damn!

Rick removed pieces of glass out of my way and cleaned my path.

"Now, you can go" Kneeling on the floor, he looked above at me with a dimpled smile, swallowing my feeling of remorse I directed my way towards the kitchen, ignoring Rick. I don't understand, what is there to feel guilty about? That thought went a long way toward easing my conscience, but it also made me wonder if I'd taken enough steps to protect my own heart if it isn't already in jeopardy.

I could feel his eyes on me the entire time while I tried to concentrate on making some decent breakfast for us. Yes, I am starving too. I made Scrambled eggs and toast on a record time, when I placed the breakfast on the table, I noticed Rick's victory smile on his face. I almost forgot how his dimple could get deeper or his smile wider when he smiles with all his heart, very rarely we get to see this sight of Rick...

"No wonder, why you are happy. You won again" I spitefully commented on Rick, his smile fade away.

"Sometimes we should think above winning or losing" Filling a plate with scrambled eggs and toast, he offered me first. "You observed right, I am happy. Not because I forced you to make breakfast for me, but with a thought that I am being fed by you." his words made me angrier, yes he is all charming today. Does he consider me in a fool, to fall again on his flattering act?

"Whatever makes you happy Rick.." I cut this topic there itself, I shoved his plate to him and took another plate for myself. He didn't argue on this, we both ate in silence.

"Why didn't you ask me to stop?" Rick asked once we finished our breakfast. I scrunched my eyebrows at his question.

"You could have stopped me when I...um.." Rick seems hesitant to complete his words.

"Literally tried to rape me, you look uncomfortable to put the right word in your sentence Mr. Adam." I could be as bitter as I can, my venomous words cut through him like a knife. I can see the damage in his sad eyes.

"Rape? Is it the right word, Ms. Davis or should I call Ms. Milano" Hearing my last name after ages shook me to my guts. The vengeance flashes in his eyes while he took my last name. Milano, he hates my last name and I can't blame him for that..

"Ms. Davis will be fine because Ms. Jenifer Milano died a long back," I answered looking straight into his face, my words hit him hard to produce a deep bruise.

"Jen" Rick's face shows nothing but I sense remorse in his tone as he addresses me. In return I gave him half-hearted smile, he lost for the words.

"The answer to your question, I didn't stop you because why would I bother? We are here only for that sole purpose, A rape with my consent." He grimaced at me.

"I didn't force you" He fisted on the table and yelled.

"Of course not, you just set the circumstance" I retort with the same passion. We glare at each other for several seconds, as if daring the other to speak. But, finally Rick hiss. "I don't care how it happened, as the truth is, we are here for a reason" his arrogant self is back, he winked at me with a smug smile.

I just shake my head and got back in my room, away from his reach. The stay here won't be easy, every moment I have to guard myself, most importantly my heart.

I don't know how much time passed, but I had dozed off when he came to my room and shook me awake.

"Jen, come let's go outside for a stroll" Rubbing my eyes I look at him, his expression is not readable, he is standing next to my bed looking at me with tender. A warm smile wanted to crawl on my face, but I halted the affectionate behavior.

"Why?" I scowl.

"The weather seems good, you used to like lakeside a lot."

"You said by yourself, I used to"

"You misunderstood Jen, I didn't ask you"

"You can't force me" I glare at him.

"Try me" he glared back, his arms crossing over his chest in an intimidating stance. Shit, I knew he would. The last thing I wanted was another encounter with his crazy self.

After a few minutes, we reached the lake. This place used to my stress buster during my stay here. The silence and the calmness of this lake soothe my soul. I wrap my arms around me and enjoy the beauty of this place. This place also brings up the good memories which I had shared with Daniel. I still wonder why Daniel didn't answer my calls, it's totally not him. An unvolunteered sigh escaped from my lips as a thought came across in my head, why would he? Every time he looked at me with hope for our prosperous future but each time, I responded to him with a lack of interest. I am sure this would have hurt him. I might not offer what he expects, yet I miss him and will adore him to my last breath. I recollected his grumpy face whenever I used to call him Danny boy.

"A Penny for your thoughts which brings such a lovely smile on your face?"

"Daniel" I blurted out without even thinking, then the understanding hit me like a fist in my stomach. Rick's eyes darken with some indefinable emotions.

Rick closed his eyes for a moment, as though stealing himself then said with a sad smile "You never missed a chance, huh?" He turns his back on me, his hands fisted at his sides, his head down and his back is rigid. This time I didn't mean to hurt him, it came out genuinely. Daniel is dear to my heart and this place reminded me of those beautiful times.

Rick looks utterly defeated, I took one step towards him, then another, cautiously. But before I could say anything, Rick pulled off his shirt out of his head and jump into the lake. It's freezing cold here and Rick is swimming in the lake carelessly. Then I remembered he doesn't feel anything underwater, actually he enjoys swimming. Watching him swim making my heart flutter. I stand there on the side of the lake and watch him, at one point his eyes met mine and the memories of us flash before my eyes. The memory of his favorite fountain, the memory of us floating in the water, the memory of our laughter, the memory of our lovemaking under the open sky, and the memory of his lips on my skin. All the memories of us clog my heart with deep sorrow. His eyes never left mine until he swam to my side, walking out of the cold water, he reaches for me. My heartbeats fasten, my senses went into overload as I smelled his musky scent. Walking up to me, Rick placed his cold hand on the side of my face and I instinctively rested my head in his hand. His thumb gently brushes across my lips, his mouth parted open and I rub my lips with anticipation. I found myself lost in his blue eyes, it's the way if he is looking into my soul with the way they pierced my eyes.

"Smile one more time for Daniel and you would regret the day, I promised" Rick placed his lips on me coldly for a short and quick kiss then he took a step back. I instantly wanted to yell in protest, but I guess his words awoken me and reminded me why I should guard my heart near him. I stand still there as Rick walks ahead of me. I chose to sit here alone rather than following him, it seems Rick also needs his space as he doesn't call me back.

Hello my lovelies!!

Wish you a very Happy, Prosperous and Safe Diwali to you! 😘😘😘

Hope you will enjoy this Chapter... Please share your thoughts about this chapter, would love to hear from you.🤩🤩🤩

How many of you remembered the chapter of His Revenge wherin Rick and Jen went to Rick's favourite place and enjoyed like real couple in love. And for the first time they behaved crazy and careless people in love.. Honestly, I checked that chapter before writing the lake scene.

Love, love and loads of love to you all!

See you soon again 😉😉