Frozen

Leonard’s point of view.

“What do you mean you don't have an update yet?” I yelled at my secretary who visibly shook at my anger before repeating the phrase he had been saying since he came in.

“We haven't found anything about where she is.” He backed away when he saw me reach across my desk.

“You're fucking incompetent. Get the hell out!” He didn't need to be told twice. I yelled in frustration and swiped my laptop off the desk. The resulting shatter did nothing to calm my nerves.

“Fuck!!!” I yelled out. For the last five years, I've searched everywhere I knew she could be to no avail. I hired investigators but everyone came to a dead-end after she left me.

I went to her parent's house and asked that they tell me where she was but I was thrown out which was fair given how badly I treated her. I wished I couldn't go back in time and not let her go.

I wronged Trista. I've tried to make it up to her but it was hard to make it up to someone who wasn't ready to be found.

I left the office. There was nothing left for me to do here. I picked up my bag, mentally noting to tell my new Assistant to clean up the mess before I come in next.

I chose to drive myself these days. I found it easier and more economical to do so.

I saw someone who looked familiar through the window and I had to rub my eyes to see if they weren't playing tricks on me.

The car couldn't pack fast enough and I rushed out to head to the woman I had seen.

“Trista.” I was correct. It was her. After a long time of paying huge amounts of money to look for her, here she was, casually strolling through the streets.

She froze, recognizing my voice. She turned to me and before she could say anything, I pulled her into my arms and kissed her. She tasted just as she did. Sweet and perfect. I wanted nothing more than to be lost in her lips. I sighed with want.

She resisted me and succeeded in pushing me away. She slapped me but I didn't feel the sting. All I could think about was the fact that she was right in front of me.

“What the fuck do you think you're doing? Don't fucking do that to me again!” The passers-by were staring but I paid no heed to them. We might as well be alone right now.

“I'm sorry, Tri. I was wrong and I hurt you. I'm so sorry about everything. Please, let me make it up to you. I want you back.” I pleaded but I wasn't ready for the disgust that filled her face.

“In your dreams, Leonard.” My name on her lips brought back several memories. The only other time I heard her speak my name with such malice was when she caught me cheating on her.

“Trista, please,” I begged. I was willing to go on my knees if that's what she wanted. I knew I wanted her back and I was willing to do anything to get her back.

Even as she walked out of the house that day, I knew I was making a mistake but my pride stopped me from going after her, coupled with the head of my P. A had decided to reward me as a parting gift. I had let her go soon after but it was too late.

Trista has packed up and left. I knew she was not with her parents, but she refused to see me. It was unlikely she had been in their house for the last five years, I would have caught a glimpse of her otherwise given how often I paraded their home until they nearly filed a restraining order against me.

“Leave me alone. Don't ever stop me like you just did or I swear, you'd hate yourself.”

I couldn't let her go. Not when I have just found her again. She was going to drop off the surface of the earth once more if she did and I didn't want to spend another five years searching again for her.

“Just give me a chance, please. Just one more. Think about the love we shared.” The moment the words dropped from my lips, I knew I had made a mistake. Her eyes darkened at the words. She must have remembered how I vehemently said I never loved her, an apparent lie.

“I don't want to ever see you again, Leonard. That's a warning.” She tried to walk away but I pulled her back by her hand, preventing her from leaving. She looked at the place where my hand made contact with her skin and looked back up at me with disgust.

“Please,” I said. She was about to respond when we were interrupted by someone else.

“I think she was pretty clear about not wanting to have anything to do with you.” I turned around to see someone who looked vaguely familiar. I couldn't place where I knew him from but he wasn't welcome.

“And I think you should learn not to buy into strangers’ businesses. Now, buzz off and find something else to occupy your time with.” I dismissed him and turned back to Trista who was staring at the man with familiarity. She knew this geezer? He does seem to be the type to walk in her circle.

“You put your mouth before your brain, don't you? Leave her alone.” I signed, releasing my hold on Trista before turning to the bastard who had interrupted us.

“Who the fuck do you think you are to speak with me in this manner?” I was getting annoyed by his interference.

Before he could open his mouth, however, Trista spoke from behind me. “He's my boyfriend!”

Boyfriend? This guy is her boyfriend? I couldn't believe my ears and I hoped she was talking about someone else. There was no way this man in front of me was her boyfriend.

I watched as she walked towards him, placed a kiss on his lips, and then hugged him before resting her head on his shoulder. “Hey, baby. Thank you for coming to save me from him. He just tried to scam me right now.”

She pointed at me and my heart shattered. I couldn't believe her. Trista spoke with a detached tone, as though I was truly a stranger to her.

“So, you did try to scam my girlfriend and you dared talk to me in that manner.” I stood there, dumbfounded. I still didn't believe it was real. They couldn't be together. They looked so…unnatural.

“Come on, baby. He's not worth it. Let's go. Hopefully, he learns not to harass women on the road just because they seem to be alone.” She glanced at me with a glare before dragging the man away, leaving me by the sidewalk, frozen.