Chapter 13: With Him

POV: Lianne Deivin



Meet me where the moon and the waters kiss.

Ruen's message was vague. It didn't say exactly what time and where we should meet, but since it was already night time and that the note mentioned 'water', I opted to go to the only body of water the camp had: the lake. Now I'm walking along the shoreline trying to find him and hoping I was right with my hunch.

With the pristine lake and the reflection of the moon on its surface, this could be possibly the one he was talking about.

Nobody was around, I presume, because of the camp show and that proved to be an advantage. It provided me an easier way to find him.

And yes, just over the distance, I noticed a man standing near the shore. The water almost touched his boots, but I think he was too engrossed with staring at the lake that he didn't notice it.

My heart skipped a beat this time. Oh my God. Is it him?

I was doubtful to approach the man. If it was really Ruen, what am I to say to him then? Should I tell him that I met Cain again? Or that I dreamed of him? That it could possibly be a fragment of my memories of a life long ago? I just didn't know what to say. However, with all the doubts in my head, I willed myself to approach him.

I felt nervous. I kept controlling my hand from trembling as I neared him. When I finally arrived a few meters behind him, I stopped, feeling hesitant if I should cut his reverie. I didn't make a sound. I just gazed at his back...his wide slender back for a minute, until he turned around to face me. I was surprised.

His eyes rested on me. He didn't smile or frown. He didn't even greet me, or say one damn word. He just stood there as if waiting for me to speak.

'Speak Lianne!' I ordered myself, but no words would come out of my mouth.

The tension was too much. I felt butterflies in my stomach. My heart started to drum faster against my chest and my palm became sweaty despite the cold air surrounding us.

Still, he continued staring at me.

I couldn't believe how awkward it was for me just standing with nothing to say. I shifted my eyes past him and into the lake behind him. At least, this would calm down my nerves. I took a deep breath and gathered my confidence again.

A strong gush of wind passed my back, tossing my long hair to the front. I immediately reacted and brushed it back in place.

Then out-of-the-blue, he started to speak. I was taken aback.

"That necklace definitely suits you, Lianne. It reminds me so much of the past."

"The...past?" I uttered feeling lost. Cain said the same. Were they actually saying that I had a life in the past other than this one?

~ 0 ~



POV: Ruen Waitsince



It seems she did get my note. I couldn't keep a smile forming on my lips as I saw her walking towards me.

No turning back now.

I felt like I'm in Cloud Nine just thinking that she'll be close to me again, but when I noticed a brief reflection of a green light from her chest when she was still in the distance, my eyes thinned. The emerald necklace. How did she get it? Or more importantly, who gave it to her?

My mind reeled with the many questions inside my head. I turned to look at the lake and closed my eyes, trying to calm myself down before she arrives.

But when she did, I couldn't keep myself from interrogating her.

"Cain gave it to you?" I asked, pointblank. I just need to know quickly who gave it to her.

"Ye...yes," she answered, albeit reluctantly. She routed her eyes on the ground looking guilty.

My head seemed to battle inside. How? When? Where? A lot of questions emerged, but I didn't want to pressure her from answering. I didn’t want to scare her away.

"Does it bother you seeing me wearing this?" I heard her say. I was surprised how blatant her question was.

I paused for a second, thinking. Then, I neared her. She just stood there, not at all showing any hint of fear towards me. I touched her arm softly, tenderly like a fragile vase and then pulled her to me, whispering my answer on her ear.

"I don't know what to say. I am happy to see you wear the necklace, Lianne. You own it after all, but I don't like the person who gave it to you."

"But I don't own this necklace. It belonged to her," she replied, most likely referring to herself on the painting that she saw in the dungeon-now-turned-basement. I saw them visit there through the surveillance cameras installed. I had unlimited access to the Security Room of the mansion after all.

I shook my head. "No Lianne, you are her."

She bit her lip and let out an unsure exhale. "Cain said the same thing."

"No, please," I placed a finger on her lip and shook my head again, "Please don't mention his name, Lianne. For me to wait for you for a long time; the desire to have you close to me; isn't it obvious I am truly bothered by his presence in your life?"

"I...I'm sorry. I don't know you feel that way," she stated, blushing a little. She most certainly doesn't know what I feel, but she will once she remembers everything of our past together.

"I was in my cabin when he gave this to me," she added. "I don't really want to accept it but-"

She paused, somehow unsure if she should go on or not. My heart sank again, but this time in the lake of jealousy.

"What did he do to you?" I asked, painstakingly trying to make it sound as calm as possible. But oh how I would love to break his neck right now.

In response, Lianne gave me a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, he did nothing. I was able to defend myself this time."

Her words relieved me a bit. Just a bit. At the back of my head, there was still this concern jutting out, wanting to know what really happened between the two of them inside the cabin.

"Tell me everything, Lianne. I want to know," I asked once again, this time my tone possessive.

~ 0 ~



POV: Lianne Deivin



Ruen's request was enough to raise my pulse even more. I couldn't tell him the details of my encounter with Cain for two reasons.

One, I am ashamed that I let myself get caught up again with his advances. Although Alona and Rachel basically pulled some strings, I should have known he had been the one who arranged our more-than-VIP treatment in the camp. I could have avoided meeting him then.



And two, I didn't...didn't want to let Ruen know that a part of me - tiny as it may be - felt something for Cain. I just don't know yet what that could be, but a big chunk of me had been screaming 'danger.'

Ruen waited for me to answer. I took my time on making a good response but his probing gaze made me anxious.

He pressed his lips in displeasure sometime after and that was my cue to break the silence.

"He just kissed me, Ruen. That's it. Nothing more."

He released a hard sigh and cupped my chin. "Nothing more?" he furthered, seemingly not content with my confession.

"Yes," was my simple reply. If I had used more words, I would have stammered. Technically, Cain had just kissed me, but it didn't hide the fact that he almost had his way on me again if my knee-jerk reflex wasn't reacting.

"Then answer me this, Lianne," he held my shoulders tightly like he didn't want me to escape.

As if I wanted to.

"You've been with him awhile ago, what did you feel back then?"

I choked.

This was exactly the second reason why I didn't want to answer him, but his query was definitely demanding. An answer was due sooner or later.

"With what he did to me two days before, of course it was a given I'd feel angry and afraid towards him, but there's...there's something about Cain I can't put my finger on," I said with all honesty. Maybe Ruen would have an answer to this too aside from the many questions overwhelming my head.

"Forget about him," were Ruen's stern words before he embraced me.

With his arms wrapping firmly around me, my face got pressed up against the crook of his neck and I could definitely smell his inviting scent.

I was enjoying taking in his smell, plus it was very familiar to me. A musky smell with a hint of jasmine and rose. It somehow evoked feelings of nostalgia.

I don't know why but I suddenly felt as if I truly missed this smell, this kind of warmth, this unexplained feeling with him.

"Ruen, who are you?" I croaked, dismissing the thought of Cain and everything that happened in the cabin. This man right here embracing me was my priority.

"I know you remember something, Lianne. Our past. You and me together," he calmly said.

I let out a soft chuckle. "I honestly don't know if that was a past memory, Ruen, but yes, I saw memories of a woman looking like me, speaking like me, and was called with the same name as I have now. I saw you or rather a man who looked exactly like you. The memory was a good start, but it wasn't enough. I need to know more. I need to understand more. I'm confused myself. I hope you could fill in the gaps."

Yes, I still don't understand everything that's happening to me now. The visions I have so far were fragmented. It can't give me a bigger picture. It can't reconcile my feelings towards the two men who seemed to know me before this lifetime. However, one thing was for sure, out of the two, I am truly drawn to Ruen.

"Then let me make you remember the past, Lianne. Come with me," he said with confidence.

I was caught off guard. I didn't realize he would actually agree to it.

Before, he said that I'm the only one who could help myself remember, but now he says he would actually help me!

I know Jen and the others would flip out if they knew I left the camp with a man - a stranger in their eyes no less - but for the life of me, I couldn't let this opportunity go.

Before I could stop myself, I nodded.

He released me, took me into the camp parking lot and invited me to ride his magnificent Bugatti Veyron silver car. I was reluctant at first to ride it, not really because I'll be outside camp in a few seconds but because of the high-end interior of the automobile. Practically speaking, this would be my first time riding a car like this.

It looked so sleek. Very clean. Very stylish. Damn very expensive.

He ignited the engine like a pro and wheeled it out of the camp like a pro. I just sat at the passenger seat, staring at him with my mouth hanging. Did I mention he was wearing his signature black trench coat? This kind of clothing, coupled with black chic sunglasses was exactly what one would expect in some hot-shot male leads in movies.

We didn't start any conversation while he was driving. The thought of where he was taking me gnawed on my bone, but I kept myself occupied looking at the scenery outside the window instead. A few minutes later, I texted Jen informing her that I would be coming back late. At least through this, she would know I’m in good hands. She actually texted me back telling me to 'take my time,' as if hinting something erotic would happen.

I was glad Ruen was busy driving else he would have seen me blush furiously.

We climbed up a mountain and passed by curves and curves of road along the mountain side until we reached a narrow road surrounded with tall trees. We ended up in a gated area. Ruen pressed a button on his touchscreen monitor and without delay, the imposing barrier opened on its own.

He stopped the car right at the entrance of the house. I didn’t wait for him to open the door for me. I opened it myself and climbed out of the vehicle.

I was immediately in awe then. From where I stood, I could see the whole of the resort and the façade of the Since Mansion lighted with neon blue search lights.

Never had it dawned on me that Ruen would have a house in this area. All this time I thought he was just visiting the resort like me, and stalking me even, but I guess it wasn’t the case.



“Wow,” was the one word that escaped from my mouth as I stared at the breathtaking view ahead of me.



“Lianne, come inside,” I heard Ruen say. I turned around and found him already offering his hand to me.



Without delay, I took it and gave him a reserved smile.



We entered his house and the first thing I noticed was the interior that boasted a modern and stylish design. The furniture was cleaned, the marble floor was polished, and the fireplace in the living room had fresh logs ready for use.

I didn’t see anyone greeting us on our way in so it made me think that we were possibly alone inside. Not that it would worry me.

"I stay here from time to time," he said as he placed the car key on an available slender table right beside the doorway. He took his coat off and I instantly blushed.

‘What is wrong with me?’ my mind screamed. ‘I'm acting like a bloody newly wed woman!’

“Do you live alone here?” I voiced out, eagerly waiting for his reply.

“Yes. I clean the house myself and cook my own food.”

“Wow, that’s surprising to hear.”

I walked into the open balcony connecting the living room and surveyed another new view before me: a sea of trees surrounding the house, a stretch of the blue ocean some miles away at the east side, and a busy town on the north side.

“This place is beautiful, Ruen. How did you find this place?" I asked whilst looking at a blanket of stars on the night sky.

After a minute, no answer came from him, so I turned around to face the living room.

My eyes instantly widened when I saw him lying on one of the sofa chairs in an odd position, with his eyes tightly shut, his face with profuse sweat, and his breathing labored.

"Ruen!" I cried out and ran to his side. “Hey! What’s happened to you?”

I touched his shoulder and from there I felt it. “Oh my God. You have a fever?!"