Her Return, His Regret

Chapter 29- An explosion

Lora arrived at the Davis & Co. JJewelry Company, ready to forge ahead and grow the company that her dear father entrusted to her. She had just stepped out of her car when a familiar voice called out to her. Lora...

Lora turned around and found Ryan looking at her with a wistful look on his face. She frowned and placed her car keys in her branded handbag.

That morning, she wore a short white skirt and a statement-making jacket which were complemented by white pointed stiletto shoes. Her hair was pulled up into a neat ponytail and it accentuated her beautiful facial features "Mr Kingsley, what are you doing at my company this early morning?" She asked.

I've been calling you several times but my calls went unanswered. Lora... I mean, Miss Davis, let's talk," Ryan remarked.

"There's nothing to talk about, Mr Kingsley. I thought I made it clear last time: Our partnership is over," Lora replied coldly. She was determined to cut Ryan completely out of her life.

The last few days hau proved just how deadly getting involved with him was back then and now. She didn't want history to repeat itself.

Ryan got closer, ignoring Lora's coldness towards himself. He said, "You only decided on your own, Miss Davis. I didn't agree to end our cooperation."

Lora furrowed her eyebrows. She replied, "I don't need to ask for your permission and after what happened, I want nothing to do with you or your company. Can you please stop harassing me?"

Ryan's jaw tightened. He remarked, "Our cooperation hasn't ended. You only completed the design draft and without the final product, we can't put it out on the market."

"But that's not my problem, is it?" Lora questioned, her brows furrowing in irritation.

"It is part of your problem.... You see, Miss Davis, as the designer, you need to be present to ensure production is conducted in line with your design and no mistakes are made," Ryan explained, his gray eyes staring into Lora's hazel eyes.

Lora sighed. She asked, "What are you up to, Mr Kingsley? I've already fulfilled my part of the deal and created not one, but three designs for your company. Lended the cooperation because I want to and I'm not changing my mind."

She turned around and was about to walk away but Ryan grabbed her hand.

"Wait.."

Sparks flew and tingles shot up Ryan's arm when he grabbed Lora's hand. He raised his eyes sharply and glanced at Lora... her hand was just as warm and soft as Larisa's. His heart began to race like a galloping horse as a complicated feeling crept into him. Lora quickly pulled her hand out of Ryan's hand like it was made out of hot coal. She said sternly, "Please

refrain from touching me next time, Mr Kingsley. We are not that close," " Chapter 29- An explosion.

Ryan furrowed his eyebrows as his mind reeled with confusion. He shook his head and brushed his thoughts and feelings away before saying, "Look... we already started this. I need you to come with me to the warehouse to check the raw materials... you indicated that special stones are to be used for your designs, so I need you to check the quality... don't you want the jewelry made from your designs to be a hit on the market?"

Lora's resolve wavered. Her designs were important to her, so she needed to ensure the quality wouldn't be compromised in any way. Moreover, Ryan didn't know who she was and she couldn't avoid him forever.

She glanced at Ryan and relented, "Fine. Let's go to the warehouse."

When she agreed, a small barely-there smile crossed Ryan's lips.

It didn't take long for them to arrive at the warehouse. Ryan led Lora into one of the warehouses where they kept the raw materials for the jewelry company.

"Go ahead and check the materials," Ryan said, walking beside Lora as she examined the various precious stones in the warehouse.

Suddenly, an explosion went in the nearby distance and Lora suddenly screamed and crouched down, covering her ears with her hands...All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Ryan frowned. "Lora, are you ok? It seems there's an explosion at a nearby flammable warehouse-* Another explosion went off, shaking the ground beneath them and Lora screamed again, fear evident in her eyes. She began to shiver and breathe heavily, her heart pounding so hard she could hear it in her ears. Ryan crouched down and pulled her into his arms. He held her close and said, "Hey... I'm here, don't be afraid. Nothing will happen to you."

Lora trembled in Ryan's arms and clutched his shirt for dear life as more explosions went off in the distance. She was so frightened and her reaction left Ryan helpless.

"Lora..." Ryan softened his voice. He held the back of Lora's head and buried her face in his chest. "You're safe with me. Please calm down."

They stayed like that for a while until the explosions stopped. Only then did Lora come back to her senses.

When she realised she was in Ryan's arms, she quickly pushed Ryan away and got to her feel, avoiding his gaze. She awkwardly remarked, "Um... thank you."

Without waiting for a response, she turned around and walked out of the warehouse with quick steps as if she was being chased by someone.

Ryan frowned and glanced at Lora's back as she walked away... the way it felt to hold her in his arms... the way she shivered after hearing the explosions. He recalled the fear and helplessness in her eyes... it looked like she had experienced something like this before. 'Why did she react like that? Is she afraid of explosions? Why? He squinted his eyes as a seed of suspicion crept into his heart, his hands balling into fists.

'Lora Davis, are you really not Larisa?"