"You are not ready yet?!", Kyle exclaimed when I was sitting on the dining table all by myself looking out of form. My forehead was resting on the table and my eyes fixed at a random spot on the floor.
"I'm ready....", I mumbled.
"Little louder", he demanded.
"I'M READY!", I banged my palm on the huge wooden table. He startled by my action.
"What have I done to deserve this?", He complained amusingly.
I rolled my eyes and checked my phone. There was nothing, no call neither a simple text from Taehyung. I knew there was nothing he would text or call me about but I somehow hoping for something from him, like a sign.
"Had your breakfast??", Kyle spoke again. At this point everyone's mere voice was annoying to me.
"How it is like to be as annoying as you?", I tightened my jaw.
"I wonder how you don't know even after being one", he chuckled looking into his phone.
I had no energy to argue with him so I turned quiet or else would have thrown something at him.
It was been nineteen hours he left and I heard nothing from him.
"What are you upset about??", This annoying man asked. I stayed shut.
The silence took place but then his phone rang up making me exhale in displeasure.
"Hey Taehyung....", I lifted my head as if I saw light for the first time, when Kyle attended the call. Kyle looked at me like he had seen a ghost mounting out of nowhere.
"IS IT HIM?! PLEASE CAN I HAVE A WORD WITH HIM!" I was desperate and begging. I was overwhelmed and on the verge of crying, once again.
Kyle's expressions changed showing sympathy to my restlessness. He drew his cellphone away from his ear.
I thought he was passing it to me but he kept it to himself.
"I was kidding", he threw a nervous smile. I glared at him. This wasn't the time, he triggered my last nerve.
"Can you stop? What gave you the hint that I enjoy having conversation with you at the first place??", I was being impolite but it was my frustration speaking which was the reflex of his unnecessary tricks.
His face stiffened.
"Cool, still, want to accompany me for Jade's shopping or should I leave?", His voice turned stone cold making me feel guilty of what I just said to him.
My mood swings were showing the worst of me which seemed more horrible than what I usually had during my menstruation.
I stood up as a sign that I was going along, gladly he perceived it and walked ahead of me without saying a word.
I decided to slide at the back seat but right then he opened the door to the front one. I sat without arguing.
Putting on our seatbelt we headed to the shopping mall.
The journey was in silence meanwhile I kept trying to contact Taehyung just to lead all my hopes to futility.
I rest my arm over the given space on the door as I look outside the window. My brain had numerous clouds of doubts.
Has he accepted the end of our relationship?
Was it never 'love'?
Won't he ever talk to me?
What if Catherine tries to hit on him?
I squeezed my eyes at the last one and shook my head.
"Did you catch up with Catherine recently??", I spoke out of impulse. He didn't utter a word but a moment later his head shook in denial.
I inhaled roughly and continued to look outside when my brain decided to rewind that dark day when I took that trashy decision to end things with Taehyung. I couldn't believe anyone could be a blockhead like me.
We stepped down and entered the shopping mall. My brain was half occupied although I was trying my best to focus on the shopping.
We went aisle to aisle to get the daily stuffs for Jade also the mattress which would help her at home before we bring her back from the hospital.
I pulled out my credit card but Kyle took it away to give his instead.
"I can pay", I tried to retort but he passed me a glare. I frowned but he looked away to get the bill and things packed.
"What's wrong with you? Who do you think I am?!", I fumed up as we walked away from the counter to exit.
"I just got you along because you know better what Jade might need, never asked you to pay, pay for your own things, Jade is my responsibility at the current moment", he spoke curtly and walked with a fast pace leaving me behind.
I rolled my eyes and did a little run to match his pace.
"Why are you even sulking? Just because I said those things to you lately? I already have things going on in my life and you are adding fuel to my existing problems", I ranted.
"Then learn to stay calm, everything going on in your life is all your fault, the same impulsive behaviour you are displaying right now ruined things for you. If shit going on in your life learn to not spill it over others' who has nothing to do with you. Get it?", He chide.
"Stop making me regret for being amiable to people, can you?", He added.
I took a moment to ponder while he didn't wait for me and entered the parking lot.
He was back in few minutes and halt it right in front of me.
"Get in", he muttered. I did right after.
"Can you stop near that turn?", I said pointing to the spot. He didn't ask me why but did pull over at the place.
"Come out~", I demanded, he took a moment to scan around before coming out being disinclined.
Just few shops away there was an ice-cream parlour Jade and I often visited in the past.
"What icecream flavour would you like to have?", I asked before giving the order.
"I don't want", he spoke with disinterest.
"Will help you calm down", I tried to be playful.
"Then you need it more", he said gravely.
No wonder he's was still Mr. Kyle Collins.
"Just say it! Can you!", I exclaimed already done with his sullen self.
"Your patience level is just of three seconds", he scoffed mocking me.
"One mint chocolate andâ", he turned to me to ask but my face scrunched in disgust.
"Why spending money here when you can simply consume the toothpaste", I commented at his choice.
"Your opinion is the last thing I want", he said without looking at me.
"Someone who prefer mint-chocolate do not even deserve to take my opinion", I scoffed back.
"One chocolate fudge brownie please", I passed my order to the man who was standing with zero amusement at our debate.
I realised his glare on me.
"What?", I spoke as the man passed us our icecreams.
"You think you are brave don't you?", He uttered as we seated at the branch kept near.
"Think?", I scoffed.
"I am~", I stated.
He just hummed. It was strange and fishy because he was a man with big mouth, could never shut up.
"Let's go", he announced after eating his toothpaste while I hadn't even finished mine.
"Eat in the car~", I heard him mumble. I agreed and slide inside.
"I'll drop you at Jade's place so you can arrange her bed according to what she prefers, I believe you know it well", he looked at me to seek for my approval. I nodded while having my icecream's final scope.
"Till then I will pick her up from the hospital", he spoke.
The rest of the ride went in silence. I often was checking my phone if I, some how, missed calls or texts from Taehyung although I was aware that I would be notified if there would be any.
Kyle dropped me at Jade's place and kept the new mattress in her bedroom.
I engaged myself in cleaning and forgot about my worries for the time being.
Taking a deep breath after finishing up the task I lied down on her sofa and took a nap till they come.
I was in slumber when I felt a pull of my hair strand. I ignored and stayed frozen at my spot but I felt the pull again. My face wrinkled, I scratched my scalp and turned the other side with my eyes shut.
I felt a blow behind my ear and a simultaneous pull at my scalp. My eyes opened and I turned just to scream at the sudden appearance of a face.
I hid my face into my palms immediately simultaneously realising that it was Kyle. I removed my palm in a second when he bust into a laughter including the injured lady on the wheelchair.
I sat straight and hit at his arm.
"WHY YOU HAD TO DO THAT!", I complained.
"Just showing to Jade how brave people looks like", he said between his laughter.
"How are you feeling?", I walked towards Jade ignoring this exaggerately smart man and knelt down holding Jade's palms.
"Way better......thank you for taking care", she said keeping a swift kiss at the back of my hand. I nodded with a brief smile before standing up.
Kyle took Jade to her room while I followed.
"Waitâ", Kyle spoke to Jade who was trying to lift herself to transfer to her bed although it was impossible.
He carefully lifted her in his arms and made her lie on the bed. I noticed a blush on Jade's cheeks. My lips curved as she gazed at me. I wriggled my brows at her but she immediately looked away.
"Ms. Y/n you can stay if you want, that will be nice for one person to stay back with Ms. Jade", I frowned at his sudden formal implications.
"Sure Mr. Kyle", I reciprocated his formal way.
He acknowledged and left the room.
I sat over the other side of her bed.
"How's Mr. Kim?", She asked. I couldn't tell her because she might blame herself although it was me the total airhead.
"He's good.....went with Cathrine on this business trip. They have to sort things out with some 'mysterious brother' these twins have.....", I shook my head quoting the last thing from Taehyung's voice note.
"Brother?", Jade frowned. We stared at eachother for a moment and our eyes widened all together.
"Ashay?!", We both exclaimed in unison.
"What about him?", Kyle entered the room with a bowl of hot soup resting within the serving tray. He was wearing an apron looking....ahem....hot?
"Can you reveal things about Ashay??", I spoke with an urge.
"It's no more about your step brother but Jade's ex who is trying to harm her", I made him realize.
He dragged a chair towards the bed so he could sit near Jade.
He blew on the hot soup before feeding it to Jade. Jade and I gave eachother a quick subtle look.
"He's my step brother, as you've been told lately....and a douche.", He gave a quick glance to Jade before continuing.
"He never gave me good vibes and one time that basterd tried to be ass with Catherine by entering her room using a spare key. She can protect herself and did it but there was no way I would let her stay under the same roof as that basterd......The world is round indeed, it was unbelievable when I got to know he was Jade's ex.....she told me how you guys met eachother, you and that basterd.", He said, conveying it to me particularly.
"Of course, he always is aware what's going in our business and who we are dealing with. Uncle takes care of him as if he is his own son, he thinks otherwise about Ashay. The old school isn't ready to understand so we let it be, couldn't push him", Okay, that was some rich people's cliche life story although I felt bad for Catherine but indeed she could protect herself.
My cheek still could feel her slap from the past.
"So Catherine and Taehyung now went to convince that uncle to give the rest of the shares to your private limited, right?", I said in horror because Taehyung wasn't aware about the existence of 'Ashay' and also that he was the same 'Ash' we met before and the one with a load of history with Jade.
My heart filled with worry, what if he tried to harm him?
"What's wrong?", Kyle asked watching my face going lifeless.
"What if he tried to harm Taehyung?", My voice wasn't the bravest. Knowing that he had tried to kill Jade and even walked around her by making a total fool out of me.
"He'll be okay, you don't have to worry....", He said with assurance but I couldn't unsee Ashay's ability to be a sinister.
[Taehyung's point of view]
After waiting for almost two hours we finally were permitted to see Catherine's uncle.
"Uncle, this is Mr. Kim Taehyung, our business partner for the latest project.....", Catherine introduced me as we sat near the old man bounded with numerous medical equipments.
His condition looked severe.
"How's Ashay? I haven't seen him in a while.....", I heard him for the first time, his voice was fragile and obscure. Catherine told her stepbrother's name is Ashay and he was 'evil' for some reason.
"Who knows about him.....it's just you who care, did he ever ask you about your well-being? Last time I remember you told me he came to you to force you to give him the rest of the share you have of the whole property......he just isn't worthy of it and is going to misuse the capital over something totally worthless......", Catherine spoke.
"Taehyung........are you married?", He spoke, I looked at Catherine in hesitation.
"Not yet, sir......", Wasn't up for this conversation.
"Do you like Catherine?", I didn't want the conversation to go where I wasn't ready for it to lead.
"We are just business partners, nothing more......", He let out a broken chuckle at my reply.
"Don't be scared, I'm not going to spill my last wish about you two to get married", okay, I was relieved to hear that because I wasn't about to give a heed to his wish after he would die.
"Uncle can you stop.....", Catherine whined like a child, which she actually was to this uncle if her.
"Just a kind of conversation every old school does, about marriages.....", He confirmed his clean intentions.
A silence took over which was broken after her pressed a bell kept near his pillow.
A man entered in grey formal suit with a stiff file.
He held it to the old man and passed him a pen by which be signed over the papers that file contained, with his shaky hands.
"Better late than never.......so many things played in front of me but it will be better if I kick the bucket without revealing those. I decided long back that Ashay do not deserve my trust......these last shares. Seventeen percent of this is going to the organization I was working with and the rest is to you both, Kyle and you.....you should take your leave now......", The old man went breathless and turned away his face.
I had no idea what was going on and why I was here at the first place if it was a cake walk to convince the senior Collins.
We stood up but Catherine walked towards her uncle and kept a kiss on his forehead.
Soon, we walked out.
"It's almost evening, should we roam around the city? I can show you places", she asked when we sat in the car and the driver drove off to our hotel.
"I'm really tired, couldn't sleep last night either so I'll prefer going back to my hotel room", I spoke making sure to not sound coarse.
She nodded looking slightly off but I ignored it.
My phone was dead finally after not having network since I stepped at this place. I knew I couldn't do much but at least would know how Y/n was doing.
At this point I wanted to forget the time which held the memories of Y/n and I being together. I was passively raged too, how could she? I shut my eyes before the thoughts overflow which might blame Y/n for everything and later I might feel guilty for having those thoughts.
"So what were the places you were talking about?", I turned to Catherine. I didn't want to think about Y/n anymore, I wanted a distraction and that could be anything.
Catherine smiled.
{At night}
We came back to the hotel. The journey wasn't bad. Catherine was like a tourist guide, she looked at bliss when she was talking about the place she spent her childhood at.
I took a bath and came out in my robe before I join Catherine for the supper.
I switched on my cellphone just to find it with no-network. I threw it on the bed and walked to the mirror. The doorbell rang right after.
"Catherine.....", I spoke finding her standing outside.
"Can I use your cellphone? Mine has no network", she shrugged.
"Mine hasn't either", I mirrored her shrug. She sighed.
"I wanted to inform Kyle but couldn't reach him", she spoke to which I nodded.
"You just took a bath?", She asked looking at my fit. I nodded my head again.
"It's December and freezing outside, you will catch a cold.....", She spoke in worry.
"I'm fine", I passed her a brief smile.
"Dinner?"
"Just have to change"
"I'll wait for you....."
"Get inside", I invited her before stepping back to the bathroom.
I came out in a tshirt and sweatpants.
I could sense Catherine's gaze on me but I refrain looking at her all this time.
"Let's move", I announced sliding into a warm hoodie.
We had our food in silence.
"When's the flight tomorrow?", I asked.
"We are going the day after", I paused eating to give her my whole attention.
"Why? The work is done right?"
"It is but there was no flight for tomorrow,"
Her phone rang up.
"It's Kyle!", She exclaimed attending the video call. Catherine came and sat over the chair near me.
"Where are you??", She asked but I immediately recognised the place. It was Jade's apartment.
"At Jade's, we just brought her home", he spoke.
"We?", She emphasized.
"Y/n and I."
The mention of her name made my heart to leap.
"Uncle signed the papers!", She announced.
"Yes, I had a brief talk with him this evening, was trying you as well but couldn't reach. He couldn't talk much just said you went to him with a handsome man.....", He looked at me. We all chuckled in unison.
"His tone told me that the deal was done..... let's talk when you'll be back...... tomorrow?",
"Nah, the other day."
"Fineâ",
"Mr. Kyle!", I heard Y/n, she was there too. I wanted to see her but suppressed the feeling.
"Will talk to you later", he spoke and hung up.
"Isn't that the weird secretary?", Catherine rolled her eyes but I stayed quiet.
Just a secretary.