I don't understand what Ara says, but what she says on the phone makes me curious. It makes my heartbeats accelerate, but I don't know why. Who is she talking to? And who is marrying Mr. D?
Soon after, the door swings open. Ara and mine's eyes locked, and instantly, her mouth drops open. She then hurries to cover her mouth with a hand while a panicked look spreads on her face.
"What are you doing here?" she asks, her voice shaking.
I point a finger to the next door, which has a metal plate the shape of a man. The shock on her face softens, and then she gives me a curious look.
"Are you eavesdropping?" she accuses, throwing me a lethal glare.
I scoff. "Is it my fault? You should have taken that call outside. Even my men can hear you."
Her eyes flicker in fear. I can even feel her entire body shaking.
"Ar, come here. Are you hiding something from me? Are you still my best friend?"
She rolls her eyes, but I can still see her odd reaction. "That was some women's talk. You shouldn't interfere."
"I'm not interfering. Just asking."
I reach for her arm and lead her back to our table. Then, I take my seat slowly, waiting for her to settle down and be comfortable. I'm not into gossiping, but Ara's expression seems odd, like what they are talking about has something to do with me. I know her all too well, and seeing her fidgeting across from me tells me she needs more air. However, I can't wait. My heartbeats have gone crazy, pounding wildly against my ears.
"Who wears a heart on her sleeves, and who is marrying Mr. D?"
Ara heaves out a sigh like my question sounds trivial and irrelevant. "Nah, it's Yen's secretary."
I stare at her for a couple of seconds, searching for deeper clues in her reaction before I concede. I take slow breaths, calming myself. Her answer is acceptable, but I can't scare the daylight out of her.
"Okay. So, why are you here?"
"Still the same reason. I want you to go with me."
I heave out another sigh. "Ar, I'm not running away anymore. If you're scared I'm going to hang myself on a tree, I assure you I won't."
Arah was the only friend who knew the extent of my pain before, and I understand that she doesn't want me to walk through the same path.
"It's not that, Zed. I'm afraid James is going to avenge himself."
So, James is his concern and not the fear that I'd do something unthinkable because I'm lovelorn once again.
I shrug my shoulders. "Don't worry about me. I'm not a helpless puppy."
"But James is known for his notorious activities. He has people under him," she argues, glints of fear emitting from her eyes. Zed, just please go with me."
But I can't. I have my own reasons to stay. I even resisted my business partners' plan to send me to Bhutan with Aliyah. This is a big leap for our company, and I should be as happy as the whole team since we have found a huge investor who covers our needs in expanding. But I'm loathing at this investor's tradition to expand first in Bhutan.
Bhutan is a small and forested country in south-central Asia, located in the eastern mountain ridges of the Himalayas. It is south of China and bordering the Indian states. Surveys have it that the people there are the happiest in the world and are less materialistic. The government has even resisted technology for a long time, but then we are going there to provide IT solutions to their growing need to connect to the highly-civilized world outside. Although we will be staying in Thimphu, the country's capital, but is still 60% forest, and I don't think I will be able to adapt to the people's way of life there.
"Ar, I am not defenseless as you think. I appreciate your concern, but I'm not leaving until my goals are completed."
Defeated once again, Ara leaves with a heavy heart after a fruitless argument.
There are so many questions in my mind after Ara leaves that I remain in my seat and get lost in my thoughts for a long time. I only snap back to reality when the boisterous sound of thunder breaks from the sky, followed by a burst of lightning. Raising my head, I look at the sky through the shop's glass wall and I see thick and dark clouds covering the entire space my eyes can see.
It's going to rain. I grab my keys from the table then hurry out to leave. But as soon as I open the door, I see the most beautiful woman in my eyes before Ella came into my life, standing a meter away from the door.
"Yen?" I ask, furrowing my brows. What is she doing here? It's almost midnight already.
"Zed. May I have a moment with you?"
I look around, wondering if she has a companion or a driver. It isn't safe for her to wander alone at night.
She also looks around, stopping her gaze at the familiar and sleek BMW in the parking lot. She's still using the car Kim had bought for her when she was still with me.
"Kim is inside," she says it like she's warning me, but a broad smile spreads on her face. "I ask his permission to talk to you."
"Why not invite him in?" I offer, casting my gaze on the car. I know Kim is also looking at us.
"No. I would be quick."
"So, what is it?"
"Uhm, Zed, Ara asks me to talk to you. But I'm not here on Ara's behalf, but mine." She looks straight into my eyes, grabbing my entire attention.
"Kim and I will arrange a private plane to take you somewhere safe. You have to escape before James' men act on their plan."
I stare at her, ensuring her sincerity. I can believe she wants me to be safe, but what about her husband? No matter how professional Kim may be, it could not change the fact that we were rivals before.
I am even suspicious of their plan in offering Ella to handle his company's food management program. To think, Jamella is opening soon, and I'm sure the company has already started catering to the employees through Kim Yuan's cafeteria.
"What does your husband want in return?
Yen's brows pull closer to each other. "Nothing, of course. We just want you to be safe."
My lips curve into a smirk before overlapping it with my award-winning smile, but I can't be openly rude. Yen looks sincere in her offer, so I have to be kind in return.
"Zed, please think about it."