Leanna-Chapter 253: [LEANNA] 2.1

Cain shouldn’t be the one giving out explanation of the new software. Something like that was supposed to be handled by his staff.

But along the way, there was something like a strong, irrefutable force pulling him –– urging him to come out and give the speech himself. He didn’t know why but he couldn’t seem to disobey that pull.

Following his gut, he stepped out before Zhane could even take a single step from behind the curtains.

Since it was his company, of course, he knew everything they developed, including the new design software, so explaining the ins and outs of it didn’t even make him sweat.

Only, his eyes were straining, looking left and right, up and down. His heart was beating more than usual. He didn’t know why, but he was searching.

Searching for something.

Anything!

His eyes were searching for that something in a hurry while his mouth spoke as his brain handled all the matters that needed to be said so he could search for that something –– yearning for it.

But he couldn’t find it.

He swept the place. Left and aright, up and down.

. . .

. . .

But nothing.

Only the gaping mouths of the audience. The men’s envious, reverence stares. The women’s flirtatious looks and . . .

. . . a lone woman who walked towards the toilet.

She was chubby, around forty years old, with terrible posture –– mahogany-colored short hair, almost like that of a boy.

It was a pity he didn’t catch her face.

. . . A pity? He shook his head a little as his lips hooked in a small smile. He was taken aback that he could still feel pity and to a woman, a complete stranger, no less.

He sighed, giving up his search and focused his attention on his speech.

----

I looked at the crowds who were huddling around Cain Fay and a group of dazzling figures near the stage. Their sparkling, intangible air made me and people like me, who were a nobody, backed away.

But for those who had thick skins, like some of my colleagues, shoved their way into the group of celebrities. Hoping to shake hands or even just meet Cain Fay face to face.

I took a deep breath. My migraine was acting up with all the buzzing and the swarm of people. I gulped my wine, hoping it would ease the pain in my heart. This said organ hadn’t been cooperating with me, causing me to think I was having heart problems. I had missed the whole speech because of it. Because I was stabilizing myself inside the toilet.

Who would think I would have a break down after so many years? All the past memories, my mother’s untimely death, my father’s depression, Lawrence’s cancer, and Lance’s accident.

I sighed and shook away the memories as my eyes stung while my nose pricked for a sniffle. I finished another wine before I decided to leave early, back to our hotel. After I informed my colleagues, I walked out of the hall.

But before I did, I took one final peek at those frosty eyes. Searching for it amidst the sea of crowds. It didn’t take long before I found his silhouette. I didn’t know why I was praying that he would look my way. Even just a glance. Hoping to get a glimpsed at his eyes –– one last time.

When God answered my prayers and his face turned my way, my lips curved in a small smile, and everything stopped.

But before our eyes could meet, a middle-age man blocked my sight.

"Hi, I’m Nixon Mandeville. I can’t help but notice that you look bored. Can’t blame you, that new software isn’t much. I know a software that can beat that lousy one at a reasonable price. It’s so happened VIOS is a renowned brand, taking advantage of the company’s fame to extort the people. Can’t help it, the man behind all that is an extortionist who only has a pretty face to save his damn ass."

My forehead creased. I didn’t know why this man appeared before me, and grabbed a wine, and gulped it all down after he ranted his unwanted opinion.

I raised an eyebrow and shoved my handkerchief against my nose, not afraid if I offended him with my blatant gesture.

He reeked of alcohol! And one look, I knew he was drunk.

"Excuse me," I said with a flat face as flat as my voice and scurried away from him without looking back.

----

Cain busied himself, nodding and acknowledging the men and women who came to congratulate him and his friends.

He didn’t understand why he didn’t leave the moment the seminar was finished. He didn’t like to entertain nor exchange pretentious words.

But somehow, before he could think after his speech, his legs already brought him down the stage. His eyes were searching again as his heart hope once more.

Hope to find what he was searching for.

He wanted to kill and strangle all the people surrounding him as they blocked his sight from scanning his surroundings. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

After a long time, he gave up. He let his eyes roamed around the small gaps in between the hordes of people. Then his sight caught a familiar dress of that chubby middle-aged woman. He didn’t know why his eyes turned restless as his heart beat like he was racing 400 km/hr.

His eyes searched for her face –– and the face of Holly Goldwood appeared out of nowhere, blocking his view.

Holley tiptoed and kissed his lips before whispering the words, "Cain, let’s go home. Our kids are already waiting in the car, and they’re getting grumpy by the minute."

He restrained a sigh.

Before he could stop himself, his hands grabbed Holley’s shoulders and shoved her aside, and the frail-looking woman stumbled as she tried to regain her balance.

Without a care, his eyes zoomed in the direction of the chubby woman with a pixie cut mahogany-colored hair.

. . .

. . .

But she was gone.

Nowhere to be seen.

And his heart beat no more.