(Peyton's POV)

Mason leaned back in his chair,skeptical.The two police officers exchanged a glance.

"Mr.Reed,I do not understand what you're implying,but we've received a missing persons report and verified the owner's disappearance,"the older officer said calmly.

"What's your relationship with the owner of this phone?"

"She's my needy ex-girlfriend,"he replied impatiently."We broke up two years ago."

"I see.The last call that was made from this phone to you was from the owner before her disappearance.So,what did you both talk about?"the younger officer asked,his eyes piercing.

I recalled calling him for help during the attack,but couldn't remember what happened next.

"I didn't pick up the phone,"he said,his eyes cold."I didn't need to."

I should have known better.If only I hadn't called him that night,maybe I'd have been alive.Before the accident,Mason was my rock,and I could vouch for him that he'd never hurt me.

One time in college,when my phone fell off the balcony during our call,he rushed to my apartment in five minutes.Relieved to find me safe,he hugged me tightly.

I later found out that he bought an apartment nearby to be close to me.For over a decade,he was protective of me.

But that night,everything changed for the worse.

"Mr.Reed,please elaborate on your relationship with the missing person,"the older officer pressed further."And why are you certain that she's faking her disappearance?"

Mason took a deep breath.

"I'll say it again:Peyton and I are over.She's just resentful because I'm engaged to someone else.She's playing missing to entrap me."

The officers exchanged skeptical glances.

"How long were you both in the relationship?"the older officer asked.

"About ten years,according to others."

"How long since you broke up?"

"Two years,"he said,obviously less concerned.

"And what was the reason?"

"I no longer felt anything for her,and our personalities clashed.Simply put,we weren't compatible."

"Mr.Reeds,you said that your personalities clashed,right?"The younger officer questioned.

Mason nodded in response."Yes,that's what I said."

"Care to describe Miss Vaughn's personality?"

A sinister smile appeared on his lips,"Oh,I'll be more than happy to tell you.Peyton is obsessive,controlling,manipulative,and not to mention,a chronic liar."

The officer's questions kept rolling in successions.But Mason's answers sent shivers down my spine.Each word that came out of his mouth made me out to be the villain,while he portrayed himself as the victim.

In the middle of the questioning,he handed his business card over to the officers.

"Find her,and please,don't press charges.I wouldn't want her wasting more of public funds."

When he said that,he gave them my address as well,playing the card of the perfect law-abiding citizen.

I rolled my eyes at the charade before me.If I didn't know better,I would have found his act believable.His hypocrisy made me want to puke,but I guess spirits didn't puke.

The older officer's expression changed upon seeing the card."The Reed Corporation's successor?"

Mason smiled slightly."I'd advise you all not to waste anymore of your precious time looking for Peyton.She will surface soon when she's done playing hide and seek."

He got up,adjusted his clothes by straightening out the imaginary lines on his clothes before saying,"I have business to attend to,so I'll get going now."

And with that,he left without uttering another word.I wondered what his expression was going to be when he saw my body.Was he going to realize his stupidity all this time?

The more I thought about it,the more I realized that even I could pay a fortune just to see that.

____

(Peyton's POV)

As Mason took long strides,the station seemed to fade into the distance.As he left the building,his face grew darker than when he first entered.

I hovered nearby,observing him closely.He walked hastily to his car but didn't get in;instead,he brought out a cigarette,lighting it and taking a deep puff out of it.

The fiery ember illuminated his chiseled,troubled face.He looked like his was lost in thoughts.I wondered what he was thinking about.

"No way...there's no way…"he muttered to himself,a flicker of panic appeared laced in his voice,"She wouldn't actually be in trouble…I mean,Peyton is good at manipulating others to do her bidding"

He took several deep puffs but it didn't calm his frustration and it showed in the way he grunted.

His slender fingers tappedimpatiently on the car door,as if weighed down by worry.

I watch,unmoved.

Who is this show for?The police or himself?

If he truly cared,he'd have told the police about Harper Reese's apartment.

Is he worried about himself?

His phone rings,breaking his thoughts.

He answers,seeing Harper Reese's name on the screen;his tense expression softens.

"Harper."

"Mason,I heard that Peyton is missing,is that true?"Harper's voice trembled

"Don't speculate;it's unrelated to you,"Mason Reed soothes,"Police found no concrete evidence;don't overthink,rest well."

"But...I'm worried about Peyton and you..."Harper Reese's voice cracks.

"I'll be right there;wait for me."

Mason Reed hangs up and drives away.

I watch,thinking I've once again misjudged him.

Of course,Mason Reed wouldn't worry about me.

He probably wishes I'd disappear forever.

My life is less valuable to him than a strand of Harper Reese's hair.

I shut my eyes,hoping to catch a break from him when I open them,but I found myself at Harper's temporary apartment.Mason kneels before her,embracing her warmly.

"Don't fear;I'm here,it's okay."

Harper Reese nestles into his arms,tearfully.

I look away.

Though I've lost expectations,watching them intimately is cruel.

Mason Reed gently pats Harper Reese's back.

Harper Reese gazes up at him adoringly.

"Mason,hold me tight?"

Mason Reed hesitates before embracing her.

Just as their lips meet,Mason Reed's face contorts;he shudders violently.

"Aren't you...?"Harper Reese asks,alarmed.

Mason Reed pushes her away,clutching his chest.

His face pale,sweating,breathing rapidly.

"What's wrong?"Harper Reese asks,concerned.

Mason Reed doesn't respond,his eyes shut,struggling to breathe.

Has he finally realized his cruelty's consequences?

(Peyton's POV)

"Mason,what's wrong?Don't scare me!"Harper Reese panics,trying to support Mason Reed,but he pushes her away.

"Don't touch me!"Mason Reed growls,his voice hoarse and laced with pain and fear.

I'm stunned.

"Mason,what's happePeyton?Are those brain residual images resurfacing?"Harper Reese asks anxiously."It's strange...this always happens."

Residual brain images?

I look at Mason Reed,who nods painfully.

Does this mean...whenever they try to get intimate,Mason Reed's mind flashes with uncomfortable images?

"Stop talking!I feel dizzy."Mason Reed closes his eyes,clutching his head as if to block the visions.

"I'm sorry,Mason;I shouldn't have asked,"Harper Reese says softly."How are you feeling?Do you want me to get you water?"

Mason head,his clothes soaked in sweat.

Harper Reese sees his state and refrains from further questions,going to fetch water instead.

I float beside Mason Reed,amused by his twisted expression.

It seems the car accident left both of us with lasting effects.Mason Reed has post-traumatic stress.

This isn't about watching them be affectionate;it's about Mason Reed's karma.

If this persists,Mason Reed's future relationships will suffer.

Harper Reese returns with water,and Mason Reed's emotions stabilize slightly.

He drinks half the glass,feeling somewhat better.

"Mason,what's happePeyton every time...?"Harper Reese asks worriedly."Did you take the medicine the doctor prescribed?

Mason nodded."Yeah,I do."

"Okay then.What do you see in those visions?

"I can't make out the images;they flash too fast...just colors and outlines,"Mason Reed replies tiredly."I'm fine;just overworked.Rest will help."

"But—"

"Don't worry about it."Mason Reed interrupts,his face displeased."Rest;I need time alone."

Harper Reese swallows her concerns and leaves.

Mason Reed remains,lost in painful memories.

"Damn it!"he curses softly,eyes snapping open in frustration.

"Why her again...?"he mutters."Why always her?"

A bad feeling creeps over me.

Are Mason Reed's visions connected to me?

"Peyton..."

Mason Reed drifts off to sleep,his whisper barely audible.

But I hear my name clearly.