Chapter 25: Chapter 25

Lennox blinked, staring at the foggy meadow that he was surrounded by, big yellow sunflowers glowed in the dusky atmosphere. He felt a presence behind him and he turned to see, his heart hammering against his chest as he came to face Melissa. A burst of soft laughter reached his ear and he turned to see Sophia, all bright and smiley as she held a flower towards him, waving him over.

Melissa grabbed his hand, her grip bruising and forcing him to stare at her, the hate in her eyes like choking fumes.

"You let me die, and now you're happy with her, you never loved me".

Lennox shook his head, grabbing at her hand and pulling her closer even as she fought him off. "No you're wrong, it's you I love, you're the only one I'd ever loved".

Melissa shoved him off, her skin turning an ugly pale color. "Liar, I hate you. You killed me because of your selfishness. I hate you so much, Lennox. I'll never allow you to be happy with her!" She screamed, her voice like screeching sounds piercing through his ear. Lennox hunched over in pain as he tried to block out her screams.

"Melissa stop... It's you I love, I didn't mean for you to die, it was all my fault".

"Liar, I will never forgive you, never... I'm going to make sure you follow me here too. You belong with me" she said rushing at him.

******

Lennox gasped awake grasping at his pillow and looking around widely, the shadows on the walls making his heart rate increase. He dragged his hand through his hair, as he tried to drag air into his lungs that felt parched.

"Damn it! Damn it all to hell" he yelled, the day of the accident flashing through his head until he felt like his head was splitting in two. Melissa was right, he didn't deserve to be happy, not after how he'd cut her life short, all because she went out of her way to love him when he was undeserving.

******

The feeling followed him to work, and he was glad that the workers picked up on it and kept quiet as he stepped into his office, Sophia was also not at her desk.

Lennox forced himself not to think of where she might have gone to and also why no drinks or food were on his desk as usual. Lennox focused on working, he knew he didn't deserve to be happy, and the dream had been a wake-up call, reminding him of the monster he truly was.

Raised voices registered, snapping him out of his thoughts and before he could figure out who was causing the racket, the door to his door flew open and a lady who bore an uncanny resemblance to Sophia walked in riotous fury.

"You must be Lennox Ray" she stated, snapping off her dark-rimmed sunglasses.

Lennox stood up, glancing over the woman to see Tzuyu's pale form, darting around his door. He turned back to the woman. "Yes I am, how may I help you?"

"So you're Sophia's boss then" she stated, then stepped closer to him threateningly, as she thrust a dainty finger in his face. "You better watch the way you treat her, or else you'll have me to deal with, and trust me, mister, even your pretty face won't save you. Do we understand each other" she Snapped?

Sophia's heels clicked against the tiles as she ran into the room, her face ashen with panic as she rushed to grab her mother, who jerked in surprise.

"Mom are you trying to get me fired" she whisper yelled, dragging her towards the door even as the woman fought to get her voice heard.

"I'm warning you, Lennox, if she complains one more time about the way you treat her, I'm going to come for you".

"Mom, stop, this is so embarrassing" she begged until she succeed in dragging her out of the office.

Lennox sat down, surprised at what had just happened, he would have found it hilarious except that he was in a bad mood, and when Sophia stepped into the office, it darkened.

Sophia opened her mouth to speak when he cut her off, standing up from his seat.

"Miss Sophia, do I need to remind you that this is a company and not a social house where anyone can just come in and do what they want. How can an assistant not be at her desk, or allow her mother to come into her boss's office and issue threats? Don't you know that I could have her arrested for this"?

Sophia's eyes widened. "Sir Lennox! You can't do that, I was just going to apologize for what happened. I didn't know she was going to come here... I had to go to the warehouse to sort something out on your behalf... "

"I don't want your explanation. You're so incompetent, this place is not a playhouse for crazy people to just come in and do whatever they want" he said, flinching as he forced himself not to take it back or acknowledge the hurt in her gaze. The hurt morphed into anger as she clenched her fist, her chin rising in deviance.

"Are you referring to my mother as a crazy person?" She scoffed unbelievably, her voice chilly. "That's crossing the line, you dirtbag. You're such a jerk, You can say what you want to me, but I won't have you insult my mother"

Lennox swallowed, his jaw clenching. He made to speak but she stopped him, her gaze hard.

"Save it, and before you go on your power trip and tell me I'm fired... I quit! Yes, I'm quitting my job as your assistant. Yes, you pay me a lot of money but it's to put up with your shitty attitude, to clean up after you, to make your workers happy, to get you bloody smoothies and breakfast. That wasn't on the company fucking tab Mr. Lennox, I did it all because I cared, and you never apologized for smashing my phone, or for shouting at me, or for throwing drinks at me." Her lips quivered, making his insides feel funny. He hated himself for hurting someone once more that had genuinely wanted to help him. "I tolerated your excesses but you don't give a crap about mine. I'm fucking human Lennox, and I have feelings, but all you care about is yourself. I hope you're freaking happy now. I'm out of here" she stated, walking out angrily, her hand shook as she banged the door after her and for a moment, Lennox thought the door would shatter but it held firm.

He took in a deep breath that he hadn't realized he was holding as he fell back into his chair. The dream had messed with him, causing him to lash out, but one thing had been right, he didn't deserve to have anyone caring for him or fulfilling their promises.

Sophia had said she wouldn't leave, and he'd gotten hopeful, but now she was gone, and it was all his fault.