Chapter 16

Flashback

I had just walked into the restaurant. I was supposed to meet Alex for a celebratory dinner before heading out tomorrow. I missed my babies! I loved these trips but I always got homesick.

The scene had gone well but there was still so much to be done. I was so busy texting and emailing the second director and the stunts-men about extra footage scenes that I barely heard or saw anybody else.

I couldn't even hear what the waitress said. I tuned in long enough to ask for an iced tea with extra ice. Then it was back to work.

I hated dealing with people on the phone. I couldn't give them a proper piece of my mind over the phone. Right now I was starting to understand why people drink after they deal with Frick the second director. It was as if he purposely wanted to contradict and knock down every idea I came up with. What was wrong with this guy?

I was still communicating when I heard someone clearing their throats and call my name. I pressed send and looked up.

I had to blink a couple of times to make sure that I was seeing properly. What in the blue hell are they doing here? Were they stalking me or something? Or did we just happen to be at the same island at the same time?

"Diane. I need to talk to you" Collins said to me in a gentle and nice tone. That was a shocker. Last we spoke he was anything but nice or gentle. What happened since then. But I couldn't deny his appearance. He was still as handsome as he was nearly eleven years ago. The years had been good to him. He had matured nicely. His body looked worked out. But there was something different in his eyes. I was pretty good in reading people, and there was something that did not sit quite well with me. His eyes held some sort of emotions, like he was in conflict with himself.

Mr. Timmons on the other hand had aged nicely. He had streaks of grey in his hair. He was still clean shaven. And his eyes were still as cold as ever. He had a set and stoic face.

I took a deep breath. It is comforting to know that I felt no anger towards them. They were no better than strangers.

"Yes?" I answered with no emotion. I think I did it perfectly. My face was neutral of all feelings and emotions. I was in full business mood. All my thoughts and feelings were not in the way. But that didn't mean I wanted them here.

"How have you been?" he asked me whilst taking the opposite booth. Had I asked them to sit down I don't remember.

"Fine. Yourselves?" I asked civilly.

"Good" | nodded. Mr Timmons still had said nothing. He was just staring at me. Almost like he was trying to read me or figure my angle.

"It's been a long time Diane" Mr. Timmons finally spoke, looking at me with a hard and long look. At this moment I couldn't care what was going through his mind. I didn't care of his opinion, I never asked for he was feeling.

"Not long enough" I said under my breath. I guess they heard me. I am pretty sure that I was taking them by surprise. I was not showing any fear or trepidation. The girl they once knew was still here. But they pushed me into having a backbone that I would not have known had. I was the same but different Diane

I saw Mr. Timmons eyes quickly darken. If memory still served me correctly he hated being contradicted. But guess what sir, I am not about to shrivel up and shrink back from his attempt at a Medusa-like stare.

I finally broke my void emotionless face and replaced it with a look of amusement on my face. That certainly threw them off.

I saw Mr. Timmons eyes go back to normal. He was trying to control his temper. Okay, this was weird. The Timmons I knew never, ever tried to control his temper around me. Why on earth was he trying right now?

"Diane. We-I mean I really need to talk to you about something important" he quickly spoke. I think he sensed that a fight was about to break out.

"Well, as you can see now is not a good time. I am about to have lunch. But thanks for stopping by" I said and nodded my head as signal for us to leave. Then I went back to my phone. I had already missed fifteen text messages and 5 emails.

"Diane" Mr. Timmons growled. Finally. This was the man I was used to.

I just rolled her eyes. And went right back to answering my text messages and emails.

"Please leave" I asked one more time. I just wanted a nice dinner with my friend. But I couldn't have that.

"Diane please" Collins said in a strained voice. I could tell that he was losing his patience.

"Please just leave" I asked once again, firmly this time.

"I really need to talk to you" he said to me again, ignoring my demands and requests.

I sighed in defeat "Now's not a good time I am expecting someone "

As soon as the last words left my mouth, I saw a look on the faces. I didn't know why though.

"No we need to talk. I am not leaving this table until we talk" to emphasise his point, he folded his hands across his chest and gave me a long stare. Something must be wrong with Collins.

He only folded his hands when he was being completely serious. When we were still together I used to tease him about this behavior. Always pouting when he didn't get his way. I called it the cute tantrum pout.

I let out a deep breath. Well I tried and I was not going to get any where with these two. I grabbed my phone and my purse and proceeded to head out.

I hopped to leave them alone. I was so done with their badgering and this whole conversation.

I finished relating the story to Nina. She had been quiet during my whole tale.

As soon as I was done, she got up and walked to my window and stood there facing it with her back towards me

"Diane, people like Collins Dwight don't suddenly get reconnected for no obvious reasons."

"I know that's what I am afraid of" I said sighing to myself as I stood up to join her at the window.

It was silent for a while.

"You know when Delores called saying that you needed to see me imediately, I had a feeling that it had something to do with them" she spoke softly to me.

"We knew this day would come. The past can't always be avoided. And in your line of work, they would pop up on some way" she continued.

"What do you think he wants?" I asked with no feeling.

"I think you know" she said still facing the window.

"Why now? Why?" I asked. I wasn't as worried as I thought I would be.

"I don't know. Though I have an investigator who can look into it" she assured me.

"What are my chances, Nina?" I wanted to know. I was the kind of person who always wanted to know every detail no matter how good or bad they may seem.

"I can honestly say, you have a one hundred percent chance.

The ball is in your courts" she turned away from the interweaving there.

I sighed in relief.

I turned towards my seat and saw her grabbing her coat from the chair.

"I am going to head out now. They don't have a chance with you. But I still want to know how the king was killed. I'm going

to find more about what the Timmons and Dwights want"

I smiled. And went back to my chair and leaned back.

Her hand on the door handle she turned to me "Everything is going to be fine Diane. As much as I dislike them, l've got to hand it to the Dwights, for thinking ahead. The legal document

is impeccable. Kudos to their lawyer. The documents are in order. It's alright."

"Thanks Nina"

"Anytime sweetie" and she walked out of my office.

I sighed in relief once again.

"You feeling better honey?" Delores asked walking into my office, without knocking.

I breathed out and smiled "I think so. So what's next?"

"You have to go meet Cara. But I can do that for you" she suggested.

"Ha-ha. You wish" I grabbed my files and headed out.

Four and a half hours later I was back in my office.

typing a proposal to the ending of George's movie

and was about to send it to him, when I heard commotions coming from the front of my office. I could easily make out Delores and Katya and Blaine's raised voices.

Who on earth could they be arguing with?

Now my office is slightly soundproof but they were yelling at the top of their like lungs. What was going on? And where is security?

I heard Delores say "Katya take down this note, send roses for this man at St. Luke's Hospital in the ICU department" Then I knew I had to intervene.

I quickly stepped out of my desk and yank the door open

"Can someone please tell me what is going on here?" I called to the people. It was divided into two groups. My office staff and some men in suits.

"He is the cause" Blaine yelled pointing at a guy who was facing them with two security men.

"Excuse me gentlemen but who are you and why are you embarrassing my staff?"

The men stepped away to reveal another man who turned to look at me.

" well that will be me." Collin replied

I'll be damned.