Chapter 25: Chapter 25

"Russeli!" I gasped as I looked at him with a shocked expression, how come is here, how is Russeli who has been dead for four years now alive. Was this real?

"How do you know my name?" Russeli asked her with his hands still stretched out. I knew they were all looking at me and if I continue this way I will be discovered before I even start my revenge.

I knew I had to get back to my senses if I wanted to find out the truth, how a man I watched die to be here, alive and still has the same smile and look as before.

"You know, I have heard a lot about you." I shook his hands and smiled, luckily I was still wearing my sunglasses and they hadn't figured anything out, I was still safe at least for now.

His hands still have the same warmth as they did four years ago and his eyes have that glint as before, now I just wonder why, why he didn't look for me if he was alive, why I did not hear anything about him for the past four years, but then I figured out that there was only one man that could stop it and that man was here and smiling as he had just won a lottery for having me over, me who he had sent away and looked down on.

"I am curious about it..." Russeli's hand was still on mine and my gaze was on his, that familiar look on his eyes but this time I knew it was different, I was not the lover he once had. "Good or bad?"

"Well good." I withdrew my hands, it was becoming awkward and I didn't want anyone to recognise me, not now. "You are so popular so I get pieces of information about musicians." I lifted the corner of my lips and sat down.

The others followed, I would rather leave my sunglasses on, but it would be absurd to do so. I took it off and I could see Gilbert Ryan squint his eyes and raise his brow like he was comparing something, but then the expression left his face.

I smirked, sure enough, he wouldn't recognise me, even if he tried, I am so changed and not like the girl he knew. I look at Russeli who seems to be staring at me, but not in a familiar way, it was more like he was admiring me.

I was glad he didn't recognise me, but a part of me wants him to, a part of me wants to embrace him and tell him how glad I was that he was alive, but I was angry deep inside me, he should have looked for me!

"Let's go straight to why I am here," I told them. I knew if I stay here for long I will lose my bearing. Just looking at Russelli want to bring out the emotions I felt in the past, and I want to be done with this meeting and leave.

"Pass me the document." Mr Gilbert Ryan told a director present and he did, he handed the document to me and I glanced through it. "It is a joint contract of the music duet you would be doing with our company." He went further explaining.

I close the document and lean back to my chair, then scan the people in the room with my eyes. "It is not about doing the duet." I made sure to sound cold. "It is all about the people I work with." I paused and settled my eyes in Russelli. "I work with experts," I said in a businesslike voice.

"That shouldn't be a problem, my son here.." He pointed at Russelli. "And the producers can confirm that."

I was silent for a while and let my eyes rest on Russeli's face. I can't still figure out the reason why his father claimed earnestly that he was dead, why he Russeli doesn't remember me, but I know I have to find out the truth, one way or the other, I have to know what happened.

"I will sign this after seeing their abilities." I pushed the document to my assistant but my eyes didn't leave Russeli. "I heard your son here is a good musician.

"Yes." A broad smile spread through Mr Gilbert's lip, he looked so happy after what he had done years ago, no matter anything, he was responsible for their accident and separation.

If he had not told his guards to chase after us if he had not made any effort to tear me and Russeli apart, then, I would have been living happily with him now, In the island, we had planned to go, and all this dark heart and hatred I had put on, wouldn't have been there, I wouldn't have turned into this cold person I was now.

"He even produced his sixth album four years ago and the music ranked in the top 10 in the music industry." He continued proudly and I stared at Russelli, this must be the reason I have heard nothing about him in fours now, he had not sung any other music and the sixth album Gilbert was talking about was the one I assisted Russeli in.

Life was funny and I played a lot of tricks!

He had become so quiet, like a changed person, yes he wasn't much of a talker, but he always speaks for himself, but right now, he had just said a few words when he greeted me and had not said any other words.

Was it maturity or was there more to it?

"Top 10 you said?" I lifted my brow and looked at the proud Gilbert who was now benefiting from his son's hit music, this was the reason he held us back, all because of his greed. "I will be the one to decide how great he is." I turned my eyes back to Russeli after seeing the expression on Mr Gilbert's face change.

I tilt my head to the side and stare at him, who will blame me for staring, I have missed him so much and his face and his smile and everything about him, that it saddens me that I can't touch him and kiss his lips right here and right now, it hurts me that I can't scream out to him and tell him that I am the Malinda he loves and wanted to be with forever.

"The document says I am doing this duet with you," I said with my eyes on him, waiting to hear his mesmerizing voice again.

"Yes." He nods and looks at his father like he was asking permission or something, I still don't understand why Russeli changed so much and how he was alive and right here, sitting across the table.

"I hope you don't mind Mr Gilbert Ryan, I want him to sing any song for confirmation," I said to Mr Gilbert but my eyes were still on Russelli. It would be suspicious if I didn't take my eyes off him, but I just couldn't.

"No, I don't mind." Mr Gilbert responded.

"Then, let's see your music room." I turned my eyes to him and he nodded as he led the way and we all went over to a large studio. It was nice and comfortable, normal I will say, I was not here to admire the place so I urged him to begin.

Russeli walked over to the mic stand and put on his headphones, a signal was given and he began as a beat played through his ear. I folded my arms across my chest to listen to his masterpiece, but shit! This was not Russelli I knew.