Damaged Beyond Repair by Kashmira Kamat (KittyKash) (best short books to read TXT) 📗

Rowan's expressions turned catatonic, "I was out for a walk and she just met me on my way back."

"So you're telling me, it's a co-incidence?" did he think I had single brain cell? "Because co-incidences are so rare in real life."

He gave me the sting-eye, Oh God. I didn't want to be pushed out of the car, "You think I'm lying?"

"I never said that."

"You're insinuating it, Alana." The Rowan Masters Anger Show was on.

"I'm just asking if you met her." I already knew there was something else he was hiding; "Besides I know absolutely nothing about your past relationships and it didn't bother me until Nina informed me about seeing you leave in your car with that woman. Heck! I don't even know her name. I'm sounding like a jealous girlfriend, but I have a right to know if you still have feelings for her."

"I did, but now, I don't." His features shouldered, "Her name was Lauren and she was a gold-digging, ungrateful, lying bitch who cared for herself, and I was just her idea of recreation. When I chose to live away from my family, she decided I wasn't good enough for her. Lauren used me in every way she could, Alana and I was foolish enough to think it was love."

When I remained silent, he continued, "What else do you want to know?"

"Why did she leave you?"

Rowan smiled at the painful distant memory, "Because she thought I was crazy. She wanted her 'freedom', and according to her, I was stopping her from getting that freedom. I still remember her last words before she walked out the door, 'you're plain crazy, Rowan and call me when you find the woman who'd handle someone like you.'"

That bitch.

"I'm sorry, Rowan. I didn't know."

"Don't worry about it." I could still hear the torment in his voice; the old scars hadn't totally disappeared even though he kept saying he'd gotten over her. What could have she done to him? "And I would never cheat on you, Alana. You have to know this. You're nothing like her. You're almost like an angel. My own personal angel."

"My turn to ask," I smiled back at him as he continued, "tell me about your past relationships."

"Sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Masters, but I never had a boyfriend before you."

He grinned over at me, obviously enjoying the discomfort, "Ms. Alana Hayes, I could never guess a pretty, wonderful woman like yourself could go unnoticed. What kind of guys went back in your previous college?"

"Creatures from Ape Land." I answered.

Rowan chuckled as I continued, "Well, I'm glad I saved myself for the best."

I think Rowan's cheeks turned crimson; it was very rare to see him become like that, "Are you trying to flatter me, Ms Hayes?"

"It's working."

"You really have a thing for older men, don't you?"

"Yeah, actually, I'm a hopeless pervert and I go by the line 'the older, the better.'"

I think we never laughed so hard since a long time, and the atmosphere had turned lighter without the either of us trying. Rowan's bad mood began subsiding when dumb phone vibrated in the mug console, I reached for it but he was quicker. The amused expression slowly dissolved as he scanned the number, and my instincts were telling me it was the same bitch. He switched off the phone and let it tumble back into the console.

"Why didn't you answer it?"

"It wasn't an important call."

I didn't press the issue any further, the Alana investigations would have to wait. An hour and a half later, a very posh looking house loomed in front of us, which was more of a mansion that had my jaw hanging for a while. It was a uniquely designed three storey modern red bricked Italianate architecture house, with a large maintained garden and separate parking spaces for each car from which four were already occupied and two of them were vacant. Rowan parked the car in one of the vacant lot.

"You ready, my lady?"

"I guess."

"Let's go."

****

Rowan had probably picked on my nervousness since he held my hand in his as we made our way into the foyer and crossed the hallway entering the living area which was equally impressive with expensive looking carpets, droopy curtains and matching decor. Claire seemed settled in a leather couch with a tall good-good looking Asian guy. She strode over to me as she saw me approach, "Alana."

"It's so good to see you." She caught me in a tight awkward embrace.

"You too." I patted her back.

"You're looking gorgeous." She complimented, her eyes doing the once-over. The Asian guy stood up at once and quickly closed the distance, standing beside Claire.

"Alana, this is my friend and co-worker, Kyo Tachibana and Kyo-kun she's mybrother's girl."

"Hajimemaste!" The handsome Asian guy bowed at me, I followed suit.

"He says nice meeting you," Claire poked at Kyo's ribs, "Trust me, he speaks better English than me, but likes to flaunt with his Japanese."

"Claire-chan!"

"And then he goes back to Japan and flaunts with his English. That's his pattern."

I doubled over with laughter.

"Well, I tagged along with Alana too." Rowan poked his head between us.

Claire punched him in the stomach, "You guys are late for dinner."

****

Claire led us towards the Dining area where I noticed a few heads turning in our direction like those scary dolls with a key. As we neared the table, the three of them stood up to greet us. The middle aged woman in a long sober looking gown smiled warmly at me, her golden brown hair tied in loose bun, "You must be, Alana."

"Mrs. Masters." she pulled me in a hug, seeming genuinely pleased to see me.

"I've heard a lot about you from Claire, thank you for joining us for dinner."