“Made from finest silk fabrics, this gown is embellished with 1000 diamonds. But this is not the most expensive wedding gown. Kate Middleton’s sparkling wedding tiara alone had 1000 diamonds.”
Zed’s face pulls into a stern frown. “Are you meeting me just to show that off? Damn you, Dennis! I admit I can never afford a lavish bridal gown as you do, but believe me, the beauty of the wedding lies not in the expensive gown a bride wears, but the weight of the affection she carries in her heart.”
I raise my head this time and peer at these men squarely. I may not have met Dennis yet, the one they call Mr. D, but I heard many things about him from Yen. She even calls him eccentric. And judging from what I am seeing now, he looks far more bizarre than how Yen describes him. How can a man in his right mind calls an ex-fiancé just to show off?
“I’m seeing you because I want to ask for your suggestion.” Mr. D shrugs like he doesn’t care about Zed’s reaction.
I look at Zed and see him flushing in anger. Zed’s patience may stretch a thousand miles, but I’m afraid it has shortened enough to crush Mr. D’s face with the stress he has on his plate right now.
“Is that all?” Zed is now gritting his teeth.
“No. I’m selling this to you for only 100 dollars.”
The next thing I see is Zed’s fist flying towards Mr. D’s face. But the latter dodges it with a lightning speed that I am almost tempted to applaud him.
“Don’t waste your strength. I am a product of Krav Maga, the deadliest martial art in the world.” Dennis returns to his seat, even gently placing his right leg over the other. He looks at Zed indifferently like he’s only selling merchandise.
The siblings! Growing from different worlds since they were young, it’s frightening to see them at each other’s throats.
“Don’t be too confident. I’m also trained to be a tough Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter.”
I move my eyes to Zed and see him standing with his hands clenching into fists at his side. Catching the raging fire in his eyes, I expect the table to overturn any minute from now. I clutch the fabric on my chest, bracing myself for a coming bloody scene.
“Stop it!” I finally dash towards Zed’s side when I see him taking a step backward, positioning himself for another strike. Both of them look in my direction.
“The best friend,” Dennis exclaims, looking at me. “Take him away. I don’t want the bride to worry.” Then, he looks at Zed, “I’ll prepare the painting and have it delivered to your house.”
“Are you even using your head? It’s not enough that you now have her. You even slap the reality to his face. Don’t you know what it means to be hurt? Anyway, you speak like a machine, so your heart must also be like a robot’s.” I flail a finger at him in my anger before dragging Zed away. I’m sure my face now looks like a ripe tomato.
But as I turn my head towards the door, I see a woman looking at us, glints of interest written on her face. So, with my huge mouth, I also turn and glare at her.
“Are you amused?”
“A little chubby, but pretty,”
Feeling insulted and preventing the issue from escalating, I storm out of the room with my right hand on Zed’s arm.
As soon as Zed settles behind the steering wheel, he looks at me. “Why are you here?”
“Zed, hurry up. You need to go!”
“Where?”
“Zed, I won’t come here if it isn’t urgent. James has sent people to pick you up. And Ella said he is escaping tomorrow.”
“No, I won’t. I’m not so helpless as you think, Ara. I have asked my old team’s assistance already. And they are expecting the worst.”
I take a deep breath. It’s a relief to know that he has a team backing him, but James’ ways could still be smarter than those behind Zed. They have been trained the underhanded way.
“Zed, Ella has prepared something better than your people. She has already sent Aliya and a private plane for your escape. You won’t be leaving forever. You can come back here as soon as everything gets controlled.”
But Zed only shakes his head. “No, Ar. Ella’s plans could be James’. Remember, he is controlling her.”
“Zed, no. I hear her crying in fear and frustration. She loves you. So, please, cooperate!”
Zed’s expression softens, but his phone rings, robbing his attention from me. Dr. Mitch’s name then floats on the screen. And since he is driving, he turns the speaker on.
“Zed, where are you? Ella is having strong contractions right now. She’s already coming to my clinic.”
What? No, James is going to see the baby! The child is the reason he is escaping before Ella’s expected delivery date.
“I’m on my way, Dr. Mitch.”
“Zed, no. I’m just telling you this to honor my promise to you. But Ella doesn’t want anybody to see her. And that includes you.”
“She tells you that?” Zed asks, sounding frustrated.
“Of course. She’s expecting your moves.”
“And you admit it?”
“Zed, I’m sorry. I don’t have to admit it. She’s sure of it. She even tells me something that scares me.”
“What is it?” Zed’s voice is slightly higher, his face contorting in anger and frustration.
“James might come to see her. So, please spare yourself from coming into the lion’s den.”
Silence fills the car for a few seconds, but then Zed speaks.
“Take her to the house, instead.”
“No, Zed. What if Ella can’t make a normal delivery? Your house is far from the hospital.”
“Dr. Mitch, just do it. How far can she hold? I’ll take her away, instead. I have also prepared a medical team to assist you if she has to deliver on the plane.”
I feel my blood rushing to my temple. “What did you say, Zed?”
Zed presses on the accelerator and says, “Didn’t you say Ella still loves me? So, I’ll go away just as you want. But I’m taking Ella with me. She doesn’t deserve James, nor Dennis.”