Chapter 18: Chapter 18

Zed's POV

"Jamella," I mumble as I type on the Google search box the name of the restaurant Ella and Kim talked about during the meeting.

Photos of both the exterior and interior views of Jamella then appear on my screen. I gasp in surprise. What greets my eyes aren't simple views of a common restaurant but the mighty elegance and luxury of a five-star establishment.

"Wow!" I turn to Ella, who sits by my side inside the car.

"What?" she asks, holding my questioning gaze. If she's amused at my surprised look, her expression doesn't show.

"You own this?" I ask, showing her the photos of my phone.

She nods but sighs afterward. "My father, but he left them to me when he passed away."

A glint of sadness flickers in her eyes for a mere moment. I get curious, so I hold her gaze.

"Sorry to hear that."

She chuckles, "It's alright. It's been years ago. I'm long past the mourning stage."

"How's your mother?"

"She also passed away several years ago. Being an only child, I'm now alone."

"Oh, sorry to hear that as well. At least you have a boyfriend. And a baby on the way. So, what makes you say you're alone?"

She scoffs. "I can't be with him."

I look into her eyes, waiting for her to talk more about her boyfriend. But she doesn't.

"Why, if you don't mind? He's married?"

She smirks and says, "Someone unhappy with his life doesn't want others to be happy."

"Do I hear bitterness?" I turn the engine on; I don't expect she'll answer anyway.

I steal a side glance at her while the engine roars to life. I see her staring at me, but her thoughts seem far away. Yet, even with a candid glimpse, her face looks angelic. Her soft, wavy curls flow along the contour of her heart-shaped face, its golden shade accentuating her flawless and creamy skin. And her peach-blossom eyes, though empty and distant, speak with grace and wisdom. So, no matter how much I refuse to admire a woman's beauty other than Yen, I still can't take my eyes off her.

Silence rules over us, and no one dares to speak until I pull into the highway. "Speaking of bitterness, I also see pain in your eyes. Especially when you steal glances at Miss Yen."

"I was only looking at you," I chuckle; it's true after all. To spare myself from getting affected by Yen and Kim's presence, though we separated amicably three years ago, I set my eyes only on Ella.

"Come on. I saw your discreet glances."

"I admit it's not easy."

"I understand," Ella says. "But they say only a heart can treat a broken heart. Haven't you found one?"

I shake my head; my eyes are still on the road. "No. There will never be anyone else. You're, in fact, the first woman I talk to without reservation."

"You can only say that now. But when the right person comes, you'll realize why your past relationships didn't work."

I let out a soft laugh. Talking to her about personal things seems odd to me. "May it be so. But I have already closed my doors."

She chuckles as well. "I envy Miss Yen. She has your undying love."

"Same thing goes for your boyfriend. You're willing to go against the world for him."

She laughs, perhaps remembering what she told me during our first meeting. That she's here to avenge someone. And that makes me wonder who her boyfriend is. What status does he have in society? And who goes against their relationship?

"I sense something in your tone. It sounds like she's not doing the same thing for you."

I laugh, tossing my head backward. Not because I find her presumption funny, but because she is damn right. Who am I against the owner and CEO of Kim Yuan Microelectronics International? And how do I deserve the daughter of a famous business tycoon? Not that I see Yen as someone who values status above other qualities, but in our case, Kim's power played a lot. He won Yen over me. If it were not for their children, I would have fought to the end. I may be on the losing side, but at least I put on a fight.

"It's something complicated," I tell her, pursing a smile.

Finally, the facade of the hotel Ella is staying at comes into view. Lit by millions of silver sparkles spreading out into the tiled surface, it still looks radiant and mighty despite the shadows cast by other buildings nearby. Surrounding the building are bustling establishments, looking alive amidst the night sky.

I slowly turn along the curves of the parking lot before I stop, waiting for her response. And when I switch the ignition key off, her right arm creeps into my chest. My eyes follow her hand, and I see the card she drops on my pocket.

This is now goodbye, I tell myself. She now returns my card, and I no longer have a reason to see her again.

"I have also returned the money. All I need is a new phone to get some funds. Thanks again for trusting me."

I smile, looking into her eyes. "You're welcome."

"Zed, by the way, how I wish I knew your story," she says, smiling back at me. Her dull stares moments ago now flicker with a sense of eagerness.

"It's not interesting. Yours is." I lean into my backrest, then stare into the distance.

"I admire your sportsmanship. I can't imagine myself in your shoes, smiling and treating them well like-" she stops, shaking her head at me. Damn her, the way her eyes pop out as she emphasizes her point draws my eyes to her. I find her attractive that way.

"It's never easy. I'm glad you're there. You're such a good actress." My mouth curves into an amused grin and she laughs.

Recalling how she acted like a sweet girlfriend moments ago sends waves of thrill inside me. She leaned into me without flinching and wrapped her arm around my waist without the awkwardness. She didn't even cringe when I kissed her temples. I then wonder how it feels to give my heart a second chance.

"No, you act better than me. I even wondered if you're a movie star before."

I laugh hard. Little did she know how much I struggled deep inside. Yen, sitting beside Kim, kept flashing me the smiles that always draw knots in my stomach. She talked to us gracefully like she had already forgotten that three years ago, there was us.

"So, I should head out," she says after a moment of silence follows my laughter.

"Yes. Thanks for tonight."

She unfastens her seatbelt then extends her hand to me. I hold her hand instead and draw her close to me, kissing her temple.

"So, this is goodbye already," I tell her. I'll be back to my distant self again, aloof from all the women out there. Not all women need help like Ella, so I guess there's no stopping to whatever I want to do with my life.

"Yes. Thanks for everything."

I get out of the car and walk to her side, opening the door for her. "Bye, Ella."

"Bye, Zed." She starts walking away while I lean on the car's side, watching her. But then she suddenly stops and turns around. "Zed, may I have your number?"

The corners of my mouth turn into a zipped smile. "I'm sorry, Ella. I want a life away from all women. I hope you understand."

Ella's brows furrow, but then she smiles, "Alright. Good luck."

While I watch her go and finally disappear from my sight, my mind tells me to keep her. We're both heartbroken, and perhaps, we can help each other.