Vulcan had gotten into his car, ready to drive out of this godforsaken place when he remembered he left his cell phone in the Mayor’s study. Damn, he had almost banged his head against the steering wheel for that little slip-up. Groaning, he opened the door and stepped out. The valet that had brought his car came rushing to him.

“Are you staying sir?” The young man had asked.

“I am just going back to take my cell phone.” He explained, while handing his car keys to him. “Keep it running. I will be right back.”

With those words, he had rushed back into the party heading towards the staircase with his aim being, to take his phone and then dash out of there. The mayor and his minions, as he came to recognise them by, were descending the stairs and the man looked pissed. In fact, Mayor Denis Marshal was so angry that he had not noticed Vulcan even as he walked passed him to take the stairs. Vulcan had only started to wonder what caused the old man’s foul mood when he saw Davina leaning against the pillar. He almost grinned. So he was not the only one who got ticked off by that sassy little one’s sharp tongue. Well, he did not want to know what she had said to the man and that was none of his business anyway. He was there to pick up his phone and that was what he was going to do. But as he headed towards the mayor’s office, his gaze wondered to where Davina stood against the pillar. He could not help but admire the way her body looked in that dress. And those legs just went on for miles. His blood pumped rapidly through his veins, rushing down south and getting him hard instantly. He tried not to dwell on the fact that he would not have minded making her his mistress if only she were not his enemy or working with his enemy to bring him down for that matter. His eyes swept over her, once again. That was the moment he finally noticed it.

Davina was not standing beside, but instead leaning against the pillar. Heck, her injured leg was suspended in the air and that pillar was the only thing keeping her from falling. “Davina,” he called but did not attempt to go close. She remained plastered against the pillar and her shoulders shook. At that moment, he did not have to be a genius to know that she was crying. He watched her with utter surprise as she pushed her weight off the pillar and started to hop away down the hallway.

Vulcan was shocked to the spot. He did not know how to react. Davina was crying. How did that happen? He wondered with eyes glued on her as she turned into the next hallway, still holding her injured leg in the air. What happened? He wondered, finally getting over the shock. Tracing her steps, he saw her heading to the balcony at the end of that hallway. Her sobs echoed through the empty hallway, carrying with it dreadful anguish that tugged at his heartstrings. He saw her move to the corner and then totally disappeared from sight. However, her cries still reached him. Doubling his steps, he reached the balcony in a flash. That was when he saw her seated in a lounge chair, bawling her eyes out. One look at her and he knew he was ready to comfort her.

Davina willing leaned into his arms when he offered a shoulder for her to cry on. To say that had really shocked him would be an understatement. This was the first time Miss King was willing doing something without arguing with him. But then again, she was too desolate to pick a fight with him. Vulcan held her close, allowing her to shed all her tears on his shoulder. Her fingers dug into his chest as she held him tight. He could feel the intensity of her sobs in his bones and feel her trembling in his arms. His heart broke, just hearing her, feeling her and actually seeing her breaking down right before his eyes. He did not know this Davina. No! And he did not like this one either. He wanted that Davina King who talked back at him when he spoke. He wanted the one that argued with him, the one that challenged him and the one that gets him so angry he feels like pulling his hair.

“Davina,” his voice was hoarse, even in his own ears. Vulcan’s jacket was soaked in tears and sipped through to his shirt and then finally reaching his bare chest. “What happened?” He wanted to know so badly, so that he would go right away and deal with the person who caused this. However, her sobs rather worsened at his words and she moved her hand to his neck, hugging him to her.

Vulcan found himself loosening the ribbon she used to hold her hair and allowed those wavy curls fall loose. His fingers ran through her hair in a soothing motion, massaging her scalp here and there along the way. This was the way he knew how to calm someone in tears, especially a woman. Being the only boy in the family, and the eldest of three, he had to learn how to soothe the cry-babies. His sisters were very emotional. Therefore, when one found her heart broken, that was Tamera, or the other could not finalize a business deal, that was Samira, they came crying on his shoulder. He had to learn the art for his own sanity. Therefore, he was not too surprised, when he felt Davina start to relax against him. Her heart-wrenching cries were reduced to mere whimpers and her breathing returned to normal.

Time elapsed. Even Vulcan had no idea how long they sat there, but eventually, the tears stopped. The snuffles ceased and her arms fell from his neck. She shifted away from him, and he watched her wipe her face from the corners of his eyes. Vulcan clasped his hands together and waited. He wanted to hear what happened to her. Was it her ankle? His gaze quickly flickered to her legs, which she stretched out before her. The bandaged ankle laid limp and he could not help the swearword that flew passed his lips. “The fuck, Davina!” He averted his gaze to meet hers as she turned puffy eyes on him. “What were you thinking putting that leg in heels?” His heart pumped rapidly as his eyes flashed red. “You knew you are not supposed to leave the house. Not the bed even. But what were you thinking coming here? What did you hope to gain by stressing your leg this way?” His gaze swept down to her ankle. “Now look at you!” He bent forward to touch that bandaged spot but she moved her leg away.

“Don’t touch me!” It was a warning and he was surprised at how she managed to make it sound stern even after crying for long.

“Davina,” he gave a helpless sigh.

“It’s Miss King to Mr Alvaro!” She snapped. “We are not friends, so you cannot address me by my first name.” She created space between them to emphasis her point.

“I think we can address each other by our first names after everything we have been though together.”

Davina’s neck turned so fast, he was surprised it did not break. “After everything we’ve been through together?” Her glare was on point, her tone, in disbelief. “The only thing we have been is enemies and that is not about to change now.” Her tone was cold and her expression, downright hard.

“Wow, even after I offer my shoulder for you to cry on you still consider me the enemy.” Vulcan said, a look of incredulity crossing his features. The enemy here, was her. She was working with the devil for goodness sakes. And he had helped her even knowing that. So what was she talking about?

“Of course you are.” The scorn in her eyes surprised him. “I hate you with a burning passion Vulcan Alvaro.”

 
Davina glared, wanting nothing more than to wrap her hands around Vulcan Alvaro’s neck and strangle him. The man was the devil’s spawn and she hated him so much. After the words the mayor spoke to her, she was more than convinced that the two were in on it in that shady deal. Gosh, she has never hated someone as much as she hated this man sitting beside her. The mere presence of him made her want to throw up. She would have gotten away from him if only her leg did not throb like a bitch. Damn, she could not even stand the sight of him.

“You hate me?” Davina had no idea why he sounded surprised. Yes, she hated him. She hated him so much, she wished he would just disappear off the face of the earth. Gosh, such selfish and greedy people did not deserve to live. “Wow, Davina I know this little issue…”

“Little issue?” She cut in, almost yelling. “You connived with the corrupt mayor and stole people’s homes and now you want to pull them down to build a hotel. Does that sound little to you?” The incredulous look on Vulcan’s face stayed. “You think playing with people’s emotions is fun? Well, let me tell you something Mr Alvaro. You are no god. And you will burn in the fire of hell for every evil crime you have committed.” Their gazes locked after Davina’s outburst. She watched Vulcan Alvaro’s expression morph into anger and almost flinched at the intense heat she saw in his brown eyes. Whatever! Of course, he would be mad that she was onto him. He probably never thought she would find out just how despicable he was. Or maybe he thought she would not confront him about his evil ways. Well, Davina never lied about the way she felt about anybody. If she liked you, she said it to your face. If she hated you? Well, same thing. She isn’t going to start changing that about herself for Vulcan Alvaro. Especially not him. She hated him and she was going to tell him to the face! She was not afraid of anybody. Him especially.

Vulcan Alvaro quickly shot up, buttoning up his suit. He continued to hold her gaze and Davina continued to challenge him. She dared him to say something. Anything. However, the silence stretched. His eyes narrowed into slits, which he watched her through. His nostrils flared and a hard vein popped in his temple. His lips were held tight and jaw was set hard. Davina waited for an outburst. However. Vulcan Alvaro did the most unexpected thing. He turned on his heels and walked away. Davina watched his back with confusion. Her eyes followed him. His strides were quick, his fists clenched and his cold demeanour told how upset he was. As he turned in the corner, she could have sworn she saw him punch the wall. But whatever! He could take a rope and hang from it if he wanted and she could not give a flying fuck.

Averting her gaze to the bright night sky, she let out a defeated sigh. Great, her only chance of getting home was now gone. She felt like slapping herself right now. Could she not have waited until he dropped her off at home before she rained all those insults on him? Great, Davina. Just great. She thought sarcastically. You just had to let your anger carry you away. Now whom could she call to come pick her up. Mandy was out of the question because she was out of town. The only other person she could call was her dad, but she really was not looking forward to that phone call. If only she had more friends in this town. She thought bitterly while pulling out her phone.

 
Vulcan was glad his car was still upfront and the meter was still running. He thanked the valet although he would rather remain silent and then got behind the steering wheel. He sped out of the compound of the mayor’s lavish mansion. He did not care that he was breaking speed limits. Neither did he care about the cloud of dust behind him as he moved. Really, the authorities of this town needed to work on their roads more. He made a mental note to get in contact with the right authorities to get that started. That would be later of course. Because now, what he needed was a drink. ASAP. With the shitty way, he was feeling right now, only a drink could solve his problems.

Vulcan stepped hard on the gas pedal, his fingers gripping the steering wheel. Gosh, he could not remember the last time he was this upset. That had been years ago and it was because his father had kicked him out of the house. He had had everything right to get angry that day the same way he had the right to be angry today. Davina King had surly crossed her limits with him. She had crossed all limits. And he did not know why he had not put her in her place but instead left. Shit! He banged his hand against the steering wheel, which in turn gave a loud honk that startled him.

The devil’s spawn? Unscrupulous? Corrupt? His evil ways? Damn, he had never been made to feel so lowly. Vulcan Alvaro was an honest businessman! He strived to conduct genuine business that benefits his company and everyone involved. He had never been shady in all his dealings. He remained true to himself and never cheated. But Valdes, that man deserved those words she poured on him. She was working with the devil and had the guts to call him a devil. He felt like punching something right now. He felt like screaming on top of his lungs. He felt like…

A loud honk disrupted his thoughts and drew his attention to the road before him. A small Toyota car was coming towards him on top speed. “Slow down!” He shouted before realizing that he was the one driving at top speed. What more, he was on the wrong side of the road. “The fuck?” He swore, slamming his leg down on the brake and swerving his car away. The tires screeched against the gravelled road at the sudden turn. The car threw him back into his seat and he held on tight to the steering wheel. With bulging eyes and rapidly beating heart, Vulcan knew his time had come. He could not believe it. He was going to die through an accident. What a horrible way to die. He thought bitterly. He did not even get to say goodbye to mum, his sisters or even Gary.

Then came the hard impact that knocked him right out!