An Unexpected Visitor

 Chapter 7: An Unexpected Visitor

The morning passed slowly, each hour dragging by as Lena found herself glancing at the door more often than she cared to admit. She'd gotten used to Jace's routine visits—his cheerful greetings, his playful banter, his insistence on calling her "Ms. Shop Owner." It was strange, really, how much she looked forward to that little disruption in her day.

But as noon rolled around, there was still no sign of him.

Maybe he was busy, she reasoned, trying not to feel disappointed. After all, he didn't *have* to come by every day. He was just a customer. A really friendly, chatty customer. A customer who…

Her thoughts trailed off as the door chimed, and she looked up, expecting to see Jace's familiar, grinning face. Instead, a woman stepped in, her heels clicking softly on the floor as she entered.

Lena's breath caught. The woman was striking—raven-black hair cascading down her shoulders in sleek, perfect waves, framing a face that was both beautiful and intimidating. Her skin was porcelain-pale, and her eyes—bright red, sharp, and alert—seemed to pierce right through Lena. She was dressed impeccably, in a dark fitted blazer and matching slacks, looking every bit the image of elegance and power.

It took Lena only a second to recognize her: Reina Sinclair, the daughter of Harold Sinclair, one of the wealthiest and most influential business owners in the city. Lena had seen her in business magazines and on the news, always poised, always ruthless in her ambitions. But why was she here, in Lena's small, unassuming shop?

Reina's gaze swept across the store, a faint frown tugging at her lips as she took in the modest surroundings. Finally, her eyes settled on Lena, and a small, unreadable smile curved her lips.

"Are you… the owner?" Reina asked, her voice smooth and polished, with an edge of authority that made it clear she was used to being in control.

Lena straightened, trying not to let her nerves show. "Yes, I am. Can I help you?"

Reina tilted her head, studying Lena with a calculating gaze. "I was hoping to find someone here. A friend of mine, actually. He mentioned he visits this store often."

Lena's heart skipped a beat, but she kept her face neutral. "I see a lot of people here. Who exactly are you looking for?"

"Jace," Reina replied, her red eyes narrowing slightly, as if daring Lena to react.

So she did know Jace. Lena's mind raced, trying to piece together what little she knew about him. He'd always been vague about his background, but it was clear that he was… well, different. But she hadn't imagined he'd be acquainted with someone like Reina Sinclair.

Lena forced herself to stay calm, carefully choosing her words. "He's… been in here a few times, yes. But he hasn't come by today."

Reina's expression remained cool, though something flickered in her eyes—disappointment, perhaps, or irritation. She clicked her tongue softly and glanced around the store with a slight air of disdain.

"I'm not surprised," she murmured, almost to herself. "Jace does have a habit of… wandering off."

Lena's curiosity got the better of her. "Are you… close to him?"

Reina's gaze snapped back to Lena, her eyes sharp and assessing. For a moment, Lena thought she'd overstepped, but then Reina's expression softened—just slightly.

"You could say that," Reina replied, her voice carefully controlled. "We grew up together, in a way. His family and mine… have a long history."

Lena nodded, her mind spinning with questions she didn't dare ask. She wanted to know more—why Jace had never mentioned Reina, what kind of history they shared, and why someone as influential as Reina would be looking for him here, in this small-town convenience store.

Reina must have sensed her curiosity, because she tilted her head, a faint, amused smile playing on her lips. "It seems you know Jace well enough to wonder why I'm here," she said, her tone light but laced with an underlying challenge.

Lena swallowed, trying to keep her composure. "He… comes by often. He's been very supportive of the store."

Reina raised an eyebrow, an almost imperceptible flicker of surprise in her expression. "Has he now?"

Lena hesitated, then nodded. "Yes. He… well, he's here almost every day."

Reina's smile grew a little wider, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Interesting. I didn't expect Jace to take an interest in… small-town life." Her gaze lingered on Lena, as if she were sizing her up, trying to understand what Jace might see in her or the store.

"Well," Lena replied carefully, "I don't know much about his life outside of here. But he's… been a good customer."

Reina let out a soft, humorless laugh. "Good customer. That sounds like Jace." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a sleek, silver business card, placing it on the counter with practiced precision. "If he shows up, would you let him know I stopped by? I'd appreciate it."

Lena picked up the card, glancing at the sharp, elegant lettering: *Reina Sinclair, Sinclair Enterprises.* The name alone felt weighty, carrying a sense of authority and privilege that contrasted sharply with her humble store.

"Of course," Lena said, slipping the card into her pocket. "I'll let him know."

Reina nodded, a hint of satisfaction in her gaze. "Thank you, Ms…?"

"Lena," she replied, feeling a sudden self-consciousness under Reina's scrutinizing gaze.

"Well, Lena," Reina said, her tone softening ever so slightly. "Thank you for your help. I hope we meet again."

With that, Reina turned on her heel, her movements as graceful and deliberate as a dancer's. She strolled out the door, leaving Lena standing behind the counter, staring after her.

The door closed with a soft click, and Lena let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She felt as if a storm had just swept through her quiet little store, leaving a whirlwind of questions in its wake.

Who was Jace, really? She'd always sensed there was more to him than he let on, but Reina's visit had opened up a new realm of mystery. She couldn't shake the image of Reina's sharp red eyes, the way she'd spoken about Jace as if he were more than just an old friend. There was a connection between them—something deeper, something complicated.

Lena absentmindedly reached for the silver card in her pocket, running her thumb over the engraved letters. She knew that if she saw Jace again, she'd have a thousand questions for him. But for now, all she could do was wait.

As the minutes ticked by, Lena found herself glancing at the door, half-expecting Jace to walk in and explain everything with one of his usual carefree smiles. But the store remained empty, the silence thick with unanswered questions.