Entangled With My Rival CEO

Chapter 59

Reynold entered the elegant bar, scanning the upscale crowd for Vivan with keen eyes.

The lustrous scenery and impeccably dressed customers seeped an air of exclusivity, producing a refined environment in which hushed dialogues flowed seamlessly.

As he navigated through the elegant crowd, his anticipation intensified with every passing moment as he searched face after face for the one he was searching for.

And there she was, Vivan, seated in a secluded corner, absorbed in her glass, her concentration focused on the amber elixir within.

Amidst the fashionable surroundings, her composed behavior and refined presence set her apart.

With unwavering resolution, he advanced towards her, effortlessly maneuvering through the stylish groups of customers.

The mutters and clinks of glasses became distant echoes as he closed the gap between them.

As he drew nearer, the ambient noise faded into the background, and he was met with a warm smile gracing her lips as she glanced up from her drink, realizing his arrival.

Upon reaching the table, he gracefully dragged out a chair, ready to join her.

"Hey, sorry I'm late. How are you?" he greeted softly, a gentle curve cropping up on his lips as he savored the sight of her.

Settling into the cool leather seat, he felt a wave of ease wash over him.

"Just fine," she replied.

"Do you want to order something?" she asked, but he shook his head, refusing her offer.

"No, I'm good. I'd rather sit here and talk," he responded, resting his forearms upon the wooden surface of the table, his gaze fixed intently on Vivan.

"So, what's up?" he asked after several minutes of comfortable silence.

"You sounded urgent over the phone earlier this afternoon. Is everything alright?"

Vivan raised her eyebrows, her shoulders shrugging. "I don't know... you tell me," she replied, taking another sip of her cocktail.

Reynold's brow creased, genuinely baffled by her question. "Tell you what?" he questioned, his face freezing for a moment before returning to its guarded state.

"What's going on between you and Clarissa?" she clarified, setting down her glass and leaning forward on the table.

His guarded expression held for a second, caught off guard by her direct inquiry about him and Clarissa, before he smoothly and without delay replied, "Uhh... I'm not exactly sure where you're getting at, but we're fine."

Vivan arched an eyebrow doubtfully, and he let out a sigh.

"Look, Vee, you've just returned to town, and here you are already playing detective. Let's talk about something else," Reynold said, his eyes shimmering as he tried to change the subject.

Vivan countered firmly, her gaze locked onto his dark brown eyes. "You're avoiding the topic, why?"

Reynold swerved uncomfortably in his seat, his voice tinged with unease. "I'm not avoiding anything. I said we're fine. Why are you even asking? Is that the reason you asked me to meet you here?"

"I'm asking because Clarissa showed up at my house this morning, hurling deep accusations and insisting that we're having some kind of affair," Vivan clarified.

Reynold took a deep breath, realizing that the truth was already out in the open.

"What's going on, Rey? You can tell me," Vivian implored, gently setting her hand atop his to steady his fidgeting fingers.

He swallowed hard before speaking, his voice filled with remorse. "I'm so sorry for any trouble Clarissa may have caused you. I honestly didn't expect her to stoop so low," he admitted, avoiding her gaze as his words spilled out.

Vivan pursed her lips at his answer, withdrawing her hand from his and placing them on her lap as she inclined back in her chair.

"That still doesn't answer my question. What's going on between you two?" she pressed, her tone insistent. Reynold let out a quiet groan, his shoulders sagging.

"I requested a divorce, and Clarissa's reaction was far from accepting."

"She's been searching desperately for a justification, and the only explanation she could come up with is that my affection for her has weakened due to another person in my life," he disclosed, his voice carrying a gentle tone laced with deep emotions.

He averted his gaze, unable to meet hers as he spoke, carrying the weight of his admission.

Vivan stared at him, her face carved with deep shock, rendered momentarily speechless by the shocking disclosure.

Reynold observed her for a moment, his fingers nervously tapping on the table, before abruptly standing up.

"You know what, I think I'm gonna need a drink," he muttered, making his way to the bartender to place his order.

After a couple of minutes, he returned to his seat, holding a mug of beer, trying to regain his poise.

Vivan shook her head in incredulity, still wrestling with the weight of his words.

"Oh my, it's much worse than I thought," she whispered to herself, taking a small sip of her drink and exhaling lightly.

"But just to be sure... There is no other woman, right?" she tentatively inquired, her gaze fixed on him, taking note of the apprehension in his broad shoulders as he sipped his beer.

Putting the mug back on the table, he wavered for a few seconds before answering.

"To be honest, I wish there was another woman, but sadly there isn't," he replied, his words laced with bitterness and defeat.

Vivan opened her mouth to speak but stopped herself, instead carefully observing his body language.

She noticed the sadness, regret, and despair emanating from every pore of his being, and how he seemed to physically deflate before her.

After a moment of observation, she began to speak again.

"From what I understand... you're deeply hurt by something she did to you, and although you initially tried to hurt her back by trying to get involved with another woman, you couldn't go through with it."

"And now, you want a divorce because you believe it's the only way to..." Her words trailed off as her mind began to piece together the puzzle of his emotions.

"...break her, just like she broke you," she completed the sentence, a gasp escaping her lips as she finally learned the true nature of what was unfolding.

Vivan locked her gaze with Reynold's, their eyes holding severe contact.

She noticed the tears glistening in his eyes, despite his efforts to retain a stoic expression.

She watched as his jaw tightened, his grip on the beer mug intensifying.

"Don't tell me, Clarissa..." Her voice trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

The look of utter anguish that flashed across his face confirmed her worst suspicions, and she swiftly reached out to place her arm on his.

"Rey..." she whispered, but he instantly averted his gaze, not wanting her to see the turmoil within him.

He sniffled and forced out a strained chuckle.

"You're trying to analyze me like one of your therapy patients, but the truth is, Clarissa, didn't break me or do anything to hurt me."

"We simply grew apart, that's all, and that's why I asked for a divorce, nothing more," he lied, only daring to meet her eyes after the words had left his lips and concern etched his face as he observed her reaction.

"You're... You're bleeding from your nostrils," he blurted out, his voice filled with panic.

Vivan blinked, reaching up to touch the underside of her nostril and seeing the blood on her fingertips.

She quickly recognized what was happening and hurriedly retrieved her handkerchief from her pocket to clean it up.

"I'm fine," she hastily reassured a visibly worried Reynold.

"Are you sure?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.

"Maybe we should go to the hospital. That doesn't seem normal, and I want to make sure you're okay," he pressed, already starting to rise from his seat.

However, she seized his hand, motioning for him to sit back down.

"Vivan," he protested, but she countered firmly, "I'm fine."

Though not convinced, Reynold chose not to argue with her and instead changed the subject.

"I suppose you didn't come with your car?" he questioned, and Vivan nodded in response.

"Come on, let's go. I'll take you home. It's getting late," he urged, rising from his seat and offering her his hand, which she took.

"Thanks," she said, offering him a weak smile.

"But this conversation isn't over," she said firmly, her determination evident and he chuckled lightly, a genuine sound this time.

"Yeah," he replied, nodding. "Sure." And they both stood up and steered through the crowd, making their way toward the exit of the establishment together.