The assets Vivienne held in her hand scattered to the floor in a heap as she bump into someone. "My apologies" she quickly said to the person then dove to retrieve her things from the ground.

"No, it's was my fault I'm sorry" the familiar voice of Reese Lockwood made her head snap up, he was helping her take her things from the ground, "Ms. Sterling, it's nice to see you again" he smiled politely.

"Likewise Mr. Lockwood, thank you for helping me" Vivienne turned ready to leave when a hand reached out and grabbed her wrist.

Images of the basement flashed before her eyes and she flinched away letting out a pained cry.

Reese was more dumbfounded at the girl's reaction, what the hell was that? "Vivienne, I'm sorry if I hurt you, I didn't mean to" he apologized in a rush.

Noticing that she was drawing attention to herself and Reese she hurriedly composed herself "no, I'm the one that should be apologizing I have no idea why I reacted the way I did" she forced a smile on her face and tried her best to act normal.

The girl was clearly lying, her face was extremely pale and cold sweat had broken out on her forehead. Although she smiled, her eyes and body language clearly showed apprehension and fear.

She thought I was going to hurt her.

Reese thought back to his meeting with the Sterling family, he remembered the way they all acted even his friend. Like everything was rehearsed a thousand times over just so they could get it right.

"C-can I have my arm back now?" Vivienne asked quietly.

Reese tilted his head slightly, then grinned "how would like to join me for a cup of coffee?"

I've never had such a thing.

Vivienne didn't want to seem rude and decline, this was the first time she was stuck; it was also the first time in her life that she could make a decision without her mother's approval.

It both scared and intrigued her.

Vivienne was brought out of her thoughts when she heard Reese chuckle, she was confused as she saw amusement written on his face.

"You've never had coffee?" disbelief clear in his voice, Vivienne shook her head shyly as she realized she had voiced her thoughts.

"Would you like to get some with me?" Reese watched her; he came to a quick realization that her mother has her on a tight leash, most likely her siblings too. He sympathized for them.

Vivienne nodded her head eagerly; she smiled brightly as she let Reese guide her to the food court in the mall. They entered a placed titled Starbucks Coffee and waited in line till it was their turn.

"So Ms. Sterling, where were you coming from when we collided?" Reese questioned curiously.

"My tutor's house. She gave me some books to read."

"What kind of books?"

"Medical books."

"That's some pretty heavy duty stuff; you're interested in becoming a doctor?"

Vivienne frowned but nodded silently. She wasn't the least bit interested in being a doctor, in her opinion it was a gruesome job. Dealing with the sickly and injured, she couldn't bear to see anyone in pain and the sight of blood turned her stomach, so how could she possibly operate on someone while the sight of their insides made her want to drop dead?

If it wasn't for that monster she wouldn't be doing something she didn't want.

"Vivienne?"

Her head snapped up at the mention of her name, she saw that Reese was already holding two white cups with a green logo on them. He had a smile on his face "let's go find some seats."

She followed him until they came across an empty table and they sat down. "Here you go."

"Thank you, allow me to pay you back" Vivienne said while reaching for her purse. Reese's hand quickly covered hers, seeking her eyes he shook his head "no need, it's my treat."

"Thank you."

"No problem."

Vivienne looked at the cup of coffee in her hand, curiosity got the best of her and she took the cap off. Peering into the cup she frowned at the dark liquid, it looks lethal.

Reese watched her silently as a smile tugged on the corner of his lips, she looked like a child examining a new object, her brows drawn together as her eyes questioned it. Reese forced himself not to laugh. He watched carefully as she brought the cup to her lips and took a sip of the coffee.

Vivienne's face scrunched up in distaste, "this is awful" she shrieked as she tried to get the bitterness from her mouth.

Reese could no longer hold in his laughter, the young girl had piqued his interest and drew him to her. He watched as she pouted and glared at him "I don't see what's so funny" she mumbled.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to laugh, but you are a breath of fresh air."

Heat rose in Vivienne cheeks, his words had suddenly warmed her insides and she had no idea why.

"Thank you...I suppose."

"So Vivienne, what's your story?"

"My story?" confusion was written all over her face, what did he mean?

"Yea, tell me about you. What are your hobbies, what do you do in your free time. What interest you?"

"I study during my free time, I like art. But I don't have any hobbies" not that I've had a chance to explore what I like and do not like anyway.

"So in other words you're still figuring out what you like, a work in progress, don't sweat it you're still young you've still got plenty of time to explore."

"How old are you Mr. Lockwood, if I may ask?" Vivienne was curious about the man in front of her; she wanted to know more and more about him. What on earth is this feeling?

"Please call me Reese and I'm twenty-two."

"You're the same age as Sim!" she blurted.

"Looks that way" Reese chuckled. She's adorable. Realizing what he just thought he shook his head.

"You're really young to be an agent" Vivienne noted "don't you get scared in your line of work?"

"Yes I do, but its ok, I know my colleagues have my back as I have theirs so there's no need for me to be scared." Reese told her. As they were on the topic of his work, he noticed that not once since they bumped into each other has she asked if they were closer to finding her father.

"I see. It must be nice have so many people to trust."

"It is. My team is like family to me, just like you, your two brothers' and your mother" at the mention of her mother Reese saw as Vivienne shudder and cringe. She wasn't a big fan of the woman; that much was obvious, her reaction was similar to when he had talked to Simeon about his mother.

"Vivienne."

"Yes?"

"Are you experiencing problems in your household?"

Vivienne could feel herself pale, "why do you ask?"

"Earlier when I grabbed you, you thought I was going to strike you. At the mention of your mother you shiver, I promise you can talk to me. I will listen."

Vivienne was on the verge of breaking down, her eyes darted to the exit. She had made a mistake, closing her eyes she stood. "Thank you for the coffee Mr. Lockwood but I best be going now" she snatched her bags up and turned to leave but Reese grabbed her wrist again.

He frowned at her, she was hiding something and she was afraid. He wanted to protect her, but that was only if she let him.

He dug into the pocket of his blazer and took out a card, "if you need anything please don't hesitate to call me."

Nodding, Vivienne took the card and bolted from the mall.