"Yeah,"
"But how do you know he is someone special and not just a friend, wait is it even a he?"
"Yes, he is a he, and I know because I saw them almost kiss, I left just in time,"
"Oh, wow, in public? Then she must really be over you, too bad,"
"Right, even though I don't like it, I am happy she is doing well,"
"That's your clue to get someone else, you can't remain alone, I am not saying to rush things but being with someone else would make you forget her fast, she already moved on as you said, you should do that too,"
Caleb advised, Rafael didn't want to move in, he knew that was the right thing to do but he just couldn't, he wanted to hold on to the memories he and Nicole had and not forget them, he wasn't sure he could commit to someone else, someone who is not Nicole.
"I don't think that's going to be possible Caleb, I am doomed, Nicole is the only woman I want to be with,"
"See why I told you a divorce was the wrong move? But you didn't listen, now it's not even up to two months and you are regretting it,"
"I am not regretting it,"
He lied, he did, he regretted asking for a divorce the moment those papers arrived at his office, but he had stupidly gone ahead with it, now he wanted to go back to that day and take back everything, not just that, he wanted to go back in time to the day of the incident and make sure Nicole didn't leave the house if only he could do that.
"Keep lying to yourself,"
"Well, I am not the only one lying to myself, you are doing just that,"
Rafael accused, diverting the focus from him. ever since Caleb told him about him and Armani, he had watched closely especially when they are both in the same place, it was clear that they still had feelings for each other, not to mention Armani always had something to say in Caleb's defense each time he tried to bad mouth him, she still loved him, that was obvious, and Caleb, he was hopeless.
"I don't lie to myself man, I face reality,"
"Yeah, right, you do and you can't man up enough to get one woman,"
"Oh, that,"
"Yeah, that, you know, you guys can just talk things out, it's crystal clear that the both of you still feel something for each other, why not talk to her?"
Rafael advised, he wished he could take his own advice and just talk to Nicole but his case was different from Caleb's, his case was worse, there was a divorce between them and it was all his fault.
"Really, it's not like I don't want to but I am not ready, I need to do a lot of things, there is so much to put in place to avoid repeating a past mistake, I don't want to get back with her and then end up making her cry again,"
Caleb replied, he looked sad but determined.
"May I ask what are the things you wanna out in place? You seem so determined,"
"I am going to stop working for my parents and build my own life, like you, you know the reason I got so close to you was because for the first time in forever, I met someone who didn't need a family to make a name for himself, you were and you are still an inspiration and I wanted so bad to be like you but I have relied on my family for so long that I didn't know how to go about it, but now, I think I know, of course, it's not going to be easy going against my parents but I gave to,"
"Don't worry Caleb, you are not alone, I will help you,"
"Thanks, man, since we are both not able to be with the women we love right now we can keep each other company instead, don't you think?"
Caleb asked, raising his beer in a toast, their cases were different, Caleb could get Armani back, she has been single since he could remember but Nicole, she already moved on, a sad reality he had to face.
"Cheers man, and cheer up,"
Caleb said invitingly, Rafael let the beer collide before taking drinking from it, they stayed up late talking, and drinking, he was glad he had Caleb, glad he could call him and talk with him, it took his mind off things when he fell asleep much Kate, he had been much too tipsy to have any thoughts.
Rafael stared out of the window of his car as he passed through the hotel he had gifted Nicole, it was still the way it had been, the name was still sealed and the place was locked, he wondered when Nicole would finally decide to open it, she hasn't done anything with everything he gave her which he didn't like, not even the gallery was opened, he felt she was doing it on purpose so that he would take it back but he wasn't going to do that, it was hers, even if she decides not to let the places run for hundred years to come, he won't ask her why, even though it would make him happy if she st least put the place to good use, he worked hard to build the hotel and he wanted it to be open and running.
"Let her be man,"
The voice in his head whispered.
"I wasn't doing anything,"
He replied out loud which made his driver turn around.
"Sir, you are talking to me?"
"No, it's not you,"
He responded as he rested his head on the car seat, his thoughts filtered to the events of yesterday, and his talk with Caleb, maybe he should take his initial advice and find someone else, maybe if he tried dating again he would finally forget her, he might not fall in love again so easily at least he won't hang on to a lost love...