Zed's POV
I pull the car to the side as soon as I see the renovated building just outside the business zone where Kim Yuan Microelectronics is located. On its right side, stands a billboard that says, “Soon to open, Jamella, Philppines! The font-size is so large that anyone from afar can read it. And at the bottom, it also says, “…a five-star restaurant that will serve continental cuisines at its best! At the center is the building and design plan. It looks luxurious and attractive, just as what is expected of my girl.
I stare at the building just like seeing Ella, herself. My heart swells of pride for her, even if I can’t tell her that in person. I don’t want to make everything hard for her, including her decision to leave me. But when missing her seems too much to handle, I send her flowers but I don’t write my name. I don’t mind if she thinks it comes from James.
Ever since the renovation started, I pass by here every day and do what I’m doing now. It’s not far from the only XYZ Coffee Shop I frequented anyway. Some of the scaffoldings from the front are already removed. And I can tell that the completion is almost done. Perhaps, the construction of Jamella in other Asian countries where there is Kim Yuan are also ongoing. Or probably operating already. I smile at myself. Who would ever think that my Ella is such a wealthy woman? But I don’t need her wealth, all I ever want is her.
My phone rings from the car stand. I look down to see the caller and I see Ara’s name.
“Where are you?” she asks.
“Coffee shop.”
“Near the airport?” I smile because she guesses it right. She apparently knows this is my favorite branch.
“Wait for me. I’m hungry.” I laugh. This chubby beauty is always hungry and never gets tired of talking about food. And ever since Ella left, she always makes excuses to see me. And urges me to go abroad. But no, I’m not running away anymore. I still cling to the slim chance of having Ella back. We may have not seen each other for a long time already, but I’ve watched her from afar.
“What do you like?”
“Panini, green salad, and Choco frappe.”
“Only that?” I laugh, wondering why her demands have reduced.
“I’ll think when I get there.”
Calculating the time she will arrive at the shop, I leave the site after twenty minutes. But before I maneuver the car out of the road, a silver car stops in front of me. I don’t know why, but my heart suddenly raced. Before I can blink twice, the reason to my crazed heartbeats has revealed.
Ella steps down from the car, and she looks heavy with pregnancy. I have never felt this way before, but I get jealous at the man who had her first. I even wonder if she also tossed and moaned as hard as she did with me. What am I thinking?
My lips curve into a smile as I stick my eyes on her. With her emerald-colored dress, she looks like a pretty praying mantis, sauntering into the building in a turtle pace.
My heart then aches for her. I want to run to hold and stand by her side, making sure she’s safe and doesn’t trip over. But I know James have eyes and wolves, ready to pounce me as soon as I get near her.
To resist the strong urge of such temptation, I pull out from the side of the road and head back to the shop. Ara is already there, sipping her coffee. She sits at her favorite corner by the side of the wall.
“Hey!” I greet her and sits uninvited across from her. “Has the food you ordered not served yet?”
Ara rolls her eyes. “They move like turtles. You should just fire them all.”
“Ugh!” I clutch my chest and groans.
“Or, perhaps, it’s your fault. Because you forgot to call them after I told you.”
“I did!” I lean on my chair, then snaps my finger at one of my men. He walks towards our table right away.
“Is Miss Ara’s order not done yet?”
Before he answers, another attendant appears at her back, holding a tray.
“Oh, it’s here already!” Ara squeals and the attendants leave at my signal.
“So, what’s up?” I ask her lazily. The truth is I want to come back to the site and watch Ella leave. Maybe, I have to rent a different car everyday to follow her around, now that her due date is close.
“When are you leaving?” she asks.
“There you are again.” I sigh. She’s like a broken cassette tape, pestering me with the same question for the past three months.
“I’m serious, Zed.”
“I will leave, alright. But I can’t as of now. I still have something to settle.”
“Probably, when is that?”
“Maybe, three weeks from now. We’re going to Bhutan, the country that resisted technology for a long time.”
“That’s too far. How about you go with me, first? So that you can visit Matthew in LA."
My eyes sparkle at the mention of my godson. I almost forget that he’s with Alex, Ara’s husband, in LA. His parents are already old and they want their only grandson to be with them. Alex’s family knows that Matthew is not his son, but they accepted him as their own. Just as how Alex accepts Ara and Matthew.
“That would be nice, but Aliyah is flying with me.”
“What?!” Ara puts down her spoon and fork, then glares at me. “Why the hell is she going with you?”
I shake my head. “Ar, what’s wrong with going abroad with her? She’s my business partner. We’re going to do the groundwork there together in preparation for The Quartet’s branch.”
“She’s a woman, Zed. And she has feelings for you!”
“Ridiculous!” I exclaim. Aliyah comes from a prominent family, even if she has not relied on them when they started our company. It’s impossible that she will set her eyes on a man who has failed in marriage like me. Her family is keen on reputation, and I would be a shame to them. But most of all, Aliyah is not my type.
Ara slaps the table and stomps her way to the restrooms. I shake my head as I wait for her to come back. But after several minutes, she has not. I rise from my seat to check on Ara. But just as I reach the entrance to the restroom, I hear her shouting. Judging from her one-sided replies, I can tell that she’s talking to someone over the phone.
“Are you crazy? You’re letting him leave with her? My goodness, she wears her heart on her sleeves! And how true is the rumor I have heard? That you’re marrying Mr. D?”