Chapter 41: Chapter 41

Yen’s POV

It’s all over between us. Zed’s coldness when I kissed him for the last time was enough to tell me I’m no longer the one he treasured in his heart. I felt something inside me had snapped when the realization hit me. It hurts, but it also means the end of the guilt I have harbored all along.

I had said everything I wanted to confess to Zed. I had long wanted to tell him that ever since the day he accepted his defeat. And I still remember that day. He appeared in my lawyer’s office and told us he wouldn’t contest the petition for our marriage annulment. He even wished us a lifetime of happiness. Yet, we never got the chance to talk alone and long enough. Because if we had, we would have been more hurt than we already were.

He only showed up in the first two stages of the annulment process. But after that, only his lawyer appeared. We were only informed that Zed had left the country and was no longer coming back. It made me emotionally sick. Because I knew that his decision was prompted by the pain I had caused him. The guilt was eating me up. Because Zed was too good and kind to deserve all that cruel ordeal that stemmed from me.

I glance at my watch. Ara had told me she was going to meet me right after she arrives in the city. Because the incident today has ruined my mood to do anything, I no longer went to the company. Instead, I have decided to just stay in Jakara Hotel and wait for Ara’s return.

“Why are you not in Kim Yuan’s?” Ara asks, her tone and expression suggest immense surprise as she walks toward me. I choose to stay at the lounge and drown my emotion with cups of coffee. I pretend to do something on my laptop because there are eyes around me, but no piece of document has ever registered in my mind within the entire period I have spent here.

“Do you still have the nerve to ask?” I scowl. I seldom get angry at Ara because I have always tried to understand her, but what she had done to me today was already beyond my limits.

Ara freezes for a while before her eyes flicker as she looks at me. “You’re angry because I let Zed drive you home?”

“That’s just one among the many times you had put me to shame and embarrassment this morning.”

Dear skies, she has no idea how her behavior grilled me in shame!

Not only that, I should not have seen the evidence of Zed’s recovery.  It killed me deep inside. The rolling onions on the floor, the littering herbs and other spices, and Ella’s laid-out crotch told me how sexually dominant and aggressive Zed has become.

And that framed photograph of two naked bodies! It sent shivers up and down my spine that I got afraid I would faint any moment.  Never had I imagined Zed would be as bold as that, even at the confines of their room. I'm now wondering how it would be if he did it with me?

I should be happy because that was the proof of his complete healing, but it also made me jealous. Because that’s how Zed had failed in our marriage.

Ara pulls a chair across from me and shrugs once she’s seated. “I did it intentionally so that you two can talk and settle everything. You’re always complaining that you never had the chance to talk to him heartily. So, how did it go?”

Crap! Ara always gets her way out! And she’s damn right.

“It’s fine. But you have no idea how the scenes there had killed me deep inside!"

“What's being fine? Have you spilled it or not?” Ara ignores my other sentiments and I feel like an idiot. I'm now thinking if she's still my best friend who is willing to listen to my emotional outpour.

“Yes," I say, gritting my teeth.

"And how did Zed react?"

"Of course, he comforted me and said it's all in the past and we should move forward."

"Then why are you sad?”

I heave out a sigh before I dare to answer. I can’t risk telling her everything because she can’t tame her tongue. And she and Zed have already developed some form of attachment she calls friendship. I envy them both. If only I knew this would happen to our marriage, we rather have stayed as friends.

“I’m not, just exhausted after a lot of paperwork.”

Ara rolls her eyes. “I won’t argue with you as soon as I can have my café latte right away.”

I press the buzzer and an attendant comes right away. And after he takes our order and leaves, Ara leans forward and whispers a question in my ear.

"Did you do it in the car? For the last time?"

I reach out and pinch her side. She shriekes. "You're really silly. Aren't you?"

She only giggles hard while I'm fuming with anger.

________

“Good morning, Miss Yen!” I look up and Ella’s sweet smile greets my eyes. Then, she glances at Kim. “Mr. Mori.”

“Good morning!” greets Kim, gesturing for her to take a seat. We are at Kim Yuan’s mini function room, expecting their coming today. Two cups of steaming coffee sit before us on the table.

The door opens again and Zed’s massive figure appears in the door frame. “Good morning, everyone.”

Zed isn’t in his usual three-piece suit, but his long-sleeved polo shirt that hugged his lean build makes him look more gorgeous and elegant. I haven't seen him like that before. It seems that he has developed more muscles through the years of working it out.

“Good morning!” Kim and I answer in chorus. “Please, come in.”

Zed moves his gaze to Ella and the latter smiles at her. The tender look in his eyes screams for his love towards her but pricks me deep inside.

“Thank you, but no. I’m just accompanying the preggy beauty. I’ll wait outside.”

“We don’t mind. It’s better that you listen to what we will be discussing. After all, you will be a part of her plans and can help her in making decisions," explains Kim.

Zed walks toward us and pulls a seat beside Ella. He kisses her head before he sits down. Damn it. Of all people in the entire face of the earth, why does Kim have to choose Ella?

“Coffee?” I offer, moving my eyes between the two lovers across from me. I'm only hoping I am successful in pretending they don't affect me.

“Sure, thanks. But I need a cup of hot water for Ella, please.”

I pick up the wireless phone and ask my secretary to bring in Zed’s request. Then, my eyes unconsciously fall at Ella who reaches out to Zed in a whisper.

“Don’t worry, dear. I'm bringing along with me a chocolate powder mix,” Zed says, and Ella smiles radiantly after a few seconds of surprised look. Zed also bends over to kiss her temple.

A pang of pain pinches my heart. Zed had also anticipated all my needs before that I didn’t have to worry if I go out without an umbrella. Because whether it’s raining or not, Zed always appears with everything I need.

But Kim is different. He's the bossy type that demands your time and attention. I know he loves me greatly by his own standard, but Zed loves and takes care of a woman in his peculiar ways. He attends to your tiniest detail and makes you feel special even in simple things like what he is showing now to Ella.

“So, let’s proceed to the discussion,” Kim suddenly butts in. He must have seen my reaction as I fixed my eyes on the lovely couple. “What’s your decision, Ella?”

“I had a meeting with the board and they find the offer unrealistic. Let me be straightforward, Mr. Mori. What’s your motive behind this offer?” she answers confidently with an air of power and dominance about her. And for a second, I saw a glint of anger in her eyes.

Zed’s eyes fly wide, and so are mine.