Chapter 11 Don’t Be Afraid of Him

I froze right on the spot. The voice… The laugh…. It was Reynaldo! I couldn’t believe how unlucky I was. How come I ran into him everywhere? I was totally screwed. Reynaldo, in a suit, stood not far away from us, exuding an air of refined nobility. A mere look from him was intimidating enough. He used to be a meek pushover, yet now, he was such a big shot, and no one could afford to mess with him.

I couldn’t help but sigh again, finding it hard to believe he was the man I used to marry. Lavonne had always been the one who disliked him the most. Whenever his name was brought up, she was always indignant. Yet, now, perhaps stunned by his imposing presence, she didn’t say a thing. Winston chuckled. “Reynaldo, weren’t you at the hospital?” I was surprised. Reynaldo went to the hospital? Was he hurt?

Chapter 11 Don't Be Afraid of Him I couldn’t help but size him up but didn’t see any wound. Thinking back to how wild he was in bed, I didn’t think he was injured anywhere. Then there was only one possibility. Kimberly was hospitalized, and he was with her. No wonder he was so horny; she was injured and couldn’t satisfy him. Reynaldo had already walked over while I was lost in thought. He looked at me, his sullen look sending a chill down my spine. I dipped my head, not daring to explain. Lavonne leaned closer to me, whispering in my ear, “Is this really Reynaldo? The meek pushover? His temperament has changed so much. I can’t even look him in the eye. Gee, being rich does change people, huh?” His temperament wasn’t the only thing that had changed, OK? Other than his physical appearance, everything else about him had changed! I smiled awkwardly at her, not saying a word. Reynaldo stared at me dangerously for quite a while before turning back to Winston and asking him again, “You offered to help her. On what capacity?” Winston glanced at me gently and then said unhurriedly, “It depends on Ralda.” Reynaldo sneered.

Chapter 11 Don't Be Afraid of Him Clearly, he was upset. Then he looked at me again and said before I could say anything, “Did you hear that? It depends on you. In what capacity do you expect him to repay the debt for you?” Though he maintained a smile while asking me this, his eyes and smile were devoid of any emotion. I grew nervous and said, “Don’t get the wrong idea. I’ve never thought of asking him to help me.” “Ralda…” Winston looked at me with distress in his eyes. “Don’t be afraid of him. You have me. If you don’t wanna owe him anything, I’ll pay him back no matter the amount.” Lavonne chimed in indignantly, “Exactly. He took advantage of you in the first place. If it weren’t for him, Winston and you…” Suddenly, Reynaldo turned to look at her. Instantly, her voice trailed off and eventually became totally inaudible. I totally got it–Reynaldo’s gaze was truly terrifying, reminding one of a predator. Lavonne tugged at my hand under the table discreetly and whispered in my ear, “Is this really Reynaldo? Are you sure he doesn’t have a lost twin?” I pulled a wry smile. She had a richer imagination than me. As the atmosphere was utterly tense, Winston suddenly said to Reynaldo, “Tell me. How much did you pay for her family? I came back a bit late, or you wouldn’t have had the chance to help her at all.”

Chapter 11 Don’t Be Afraid of Him “Oh, really?” Reynaldo sneered. “If not me, it certainly wouldn’t have been you.” Winston retorted firmly, “I don’t think so. If I had been in the country, Ralda would have come to me first.” Ask for Winston’s help? I didn’t know whether I’d do it. Hypothetical questions didn’t have definite answers. Reynaldo’s expression darkened even more. He tapped the edge of the table with his slender finger, his seemingly casual appearance radiating coldness. The atmosphere gradually grew more tense and oppressive. I became more and more uneasy as the sounds of him tapping the table echoed in my ears. Unable to bear it anymore, I wrapped my arms around his arm and smiled at him fawningly, “Have you eaten? Why don’t we go home? I cooked for you today.” He looked at me expressionlessly. Then he said mockingly, “Go home? You always snuck out to meet someone as soon as I left. Would you be willing to go home?” I was at a loss for words to refute. After all, he wasn’t exactly wrong. Explanations seemed unnecessary.

Chapter 11 Don’t Be Afraid of Him Reynaldo brushed my hands away indifferently and said to me with a half–smile, “Sorry for disturbing your party.” With that, he glanced at me meaningfully and then stood up to leave. His tall figure exuded an indescribable coldness. Panicked, I subconsciously wanted to chase after him. Winston pulled me. “Ralda, why are you playing up to him so fawningly? You weren’t like this in the past.” Lavonne sighed, “Can you blame her? Reynaldo has changed. He seems so scary. Besides, she owes him money.” “How much? I’ll help you.” Winston looked at me seriously. I had told him that I had feelings for Reynaldo, but he still held hopes up for us. Realizing this, I was a bit irritated. I gently brushed his hand away and said to him earnestly, “Winston, thank you. I mean it. But this is between Reynaldo and me, so I hope you can leave this to me. OK?” He stepped back dejectedly, took a deep breath, and said to me, “You said you loved him, but… Do you know he already has someone he loves?” I was stunned; Winston knew Kimberly, too? Meanwhile, he continued, “She means a lot to him. To him, she’s so special that no one can be compared to her.” “You mean Kimberly?” I asked.

Chapter 11 Don't Be Afraid of Him A trace of surprise flashed across his face, and then he looked even more dejected. “You knew her? Then how come you still fell for him? Ralda…” He gripped my shoulders anxiously. “Listen to me. Cut all ties with him. I don’t wanna see you end up heartbroken.” Lavonne nodded in agreement. I was utterly upset as his words “She’s so special that no one can be compared to her” kept echoing in my ears. If she meant that much to Reynaldo, why did he sleep with me? Was it really just to humiliate me? My mind was in turmoil. I pried Winston’s hand away and said in a low voice, “You don’t have to worry about me. I promise I won’t end up heartbroken. I’m sure of it.” Promises were always easy to say, but only a few could actually keep them. As I strode out of the restaurant, I was glad to see Reynaldo’s car at the entrance. I shook my head to get rid of those troubled thoughts, got into the car quickly, and smiled at him cheekily, “Why are you still here? Are you waiting for me?” He glanced sideways at me and said, his voice extremely flat.