Khai's POV
I woke up gasping for air, my body drenched in sweat as the nightmare gripped me once again. The same memory, the same suffocating grief-my mother dying in my arms, my father's betrayal haunting me. It had been two years, but the pain still felt raw, a wound that never truly healed.
I reached for the bottle of whiskey on the table beside me, desperate for something to numb the ache deep within me. As I uncapped the bottle, a flashback hit me hard, like a wave crashing against the shore. I closed my eyes, letting the memory take me back to that day.
Flashback:
It had been the day after my mother's memorial service. The air around the cemetery was heavy with sorrow, the weight of loss pressing down on me. I stood at my father's tombstone, my mind a tangled mess of anger and confusion. And then, out of nowhere, he appeared-Frederick Whitmore.
I froze, caught off guard by his sudden presence. There was something about him, something unsettling yet familiar, though I couldn't place it.
"You really look like your mother," he said, his voice calm, almost too calm for the situation. His eyes studied me like he could see straight through to my soul.
He took a slow step forward. "Don't worry, I'm not here to hurt you. I'm sorry about your mother."
I felt my pulse quicken, my anger flaring as I spoke through gritted teeth. "What do you want from me?" I demanded. The bitterness in my voice was impossible to hide. "Isn't it enough that you took the life of the person I knew as my father? The person who I thought had some love for me, despite everything? My real father wasn't even there." The words burned in my chest, but I couldn't stop them.
Frederick didn't flinch. He simply looked at me with a sad, understanding expression. "I didn't kill Lucan, Khai. And I didn't kill Victoria." His voice was steady, unwavering, but there was a rawness to it, a depth of sorrow that mirrored my own.
I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. "You expect me to believe that? You've been chasing revenge for years, making me think it was all part of some sick game, and now you're trying to tell me you're innocent in all this?"
He sighed, a soft, resigned sound. "Yes, I wanted revenge. I wanted to make them pay for what they did to me, to you, to my father. But I couldn't go through with it. I couldn't do what they said I did. I'm not a killer."
He paused for a moment, his eyes hardening with something deeper-regret, maybe? "Your mother was the love of my life, Khai. And I'll never forget how she tried to protect you-how she wanted to warn you, to keep you safe from Letty, from those you thought were allies."
I stared at him, my emotions a whirlwind inside me. "You expect me to trust you now? After everything?" My voice was thick with disbelief.
Frederick didn't answer immediately. Instead, he took a step closer, lowering his voice. "If you're ready to hear the truth, meet me where you and your mother used to go when you were younger. I'll explain everything, Khai. I'll tell you what they've been hiding from you."
Before I could respond, I heard footsteps approaching. I turned quickly, my heart racing, and when I looked back to where Frederick had stood-he was gone. Just vanished, as if he had never been there at all.
I was left standing there alone, the cold breeze tugging at my skin, my thoughts a tangled mess of confusion and anger. What did he mean? What was the truth he was talking about? And why did I feel like I had just missed something important?
I stood there for a long time, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air, knowing that whatever came next would change everything.
The knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts, the remnants of my nightmare still clinging to the edges of my mind. I glanced at the clock on the nightstand-4:30 AM. Time was moving too fast. I took a deep breath before opening the door, expecting to see someone else, but it was Jane.
"Boss, you're not ready yet?" she asked, her voice sharp, like it was any other morning. I blinked, a little disoriented at first. Then I remembered. We were supposed to head back to Jackson today.
Before I could say anything, I heard footsteps approaching from behind. My grandfather-Poppa-appeared in the doorway, his presence commanding and familiar.
"Khai, do you mind staying here in Chicago a little longer?" he asked, his tone practical as always. "I need you here to finalize the budget and the cost of materials. Some supplies aren't available in Jackson, and I figured some of the materials might be here. If you can arrange the logistics before you head back home, it'd save us time."
I stared at him for a moment, still trying to shake off the heaviness from my dream. The thought of delaying my return to Jackson felt like it added another layer of weight to everything already pressing down on me. But I couldn't say no. Not to him. Not when it was business.
"Of course, Poppa," I said, the words almost automatic. "I'll get on it."
I stepped back, letting Jane and Poppa in as I quickly glanced around the room. It had been a long, exhausting trip, but there was no room for rest now. I had responsibilities.
As Jane pulled out the papers she needed from her bag, I tried to push the thought of Frederick and his cryptic words to the back of my mind. I couldn't afford to think about it now-not with everything else on my plate.
But as I began to focus on the work ahead, I couldn't shake the feeling that whatever Frederick wanted to tell me, whatever truth he was offering, it was something I couldn't ignore for long.
After finalizing everything with Poppa, I headed out for my morning run, hoping the physical exertion would ease the weight in my chest and clear the fog clouding my mind. Even though I was still feeling a bit off, I knew a run would help.
I jogged through the park, the cool morning air hitting my face, the rhythmic pounding of my feet on the pavement distracting me from the lingering thoughts of my nightmares and the conversation with Frederick. I needed this moment of clarity.
After a few laps around the park, I decided to stop by Sofia's restaurant for breakfast. I was just in time, as they were about to open. As soon as I stepped inside, I spotted her at the counter. When she turned and saw me, her expression briefly shifted, a little stunned, but then she greeted me with a warm smile.
"Hey, you. Again," she said with a playful glint in her eyes.
I grinned, a bit surprised by her reaction, but I didn't let it show. "Hey," I replied, feeling the tension in my body start to melt away.
"What can I get you?" she asked, her voice still light and warm.
Without thinking, I blurted out, "You."
She blinked, looking caught off guard by my words, but I quickly added, "Just kidding. Can I have a black coffee with cinnamon in it and a croissant?"
She let out a soft laugh, her eyes sparkling, and nodded. "Coming right up."
A few minutes later, she returned with my order and placed it in front of me. "So, Khai, you're up early, huh? And I assume you like running a lot?" she asked as she set the coffee down.
"Yeah, you could say that. Running helps me clear my mind," I answered, taking a sip of the coffee. The warmth and spice of the cinnamon settled me even further.
"Hmm, just like baking, then," she mused. "It helps me clear my mind too."
I raised an eyebrow. "I thought you weren't a chef," I teased.
She chuckled, a light, melodic sound. "I'm not a sous chef, but I'm a pastry chef," she corrected with a smile.
As the conversation continued, I found myself drawn to her presence, her warmth, and the easy way she spoke. There was something about her that felt so inviting, as if she had an energy that made everything feel lighter.
One by one, customers began to trickle into the restaurant, and Sofia seemed to get busier. "Alright, Khai, I need to prep for the day," she said as she turned to go back to the counter. But then, she paused, her gaze flicking back to me. "Are you free tonight?"
I raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at my lips. "Why, are you asking me out?"
She smiled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Silly, my friends and I planned to have dinner later. I figured you might need some company."
I felt a shift in my chest, a warmth spreading through me that had nothing to do with the coffee. "I'll be here tonight," I said, my voice steady.
"Great," she said, flashing me a smile before she turned to attend to her customers.
As I sat there, sipping my coffee, I couldn't help but think that there was something about Sofia that made it impossible to stay detached. She had a way of making even the simplest moments feel meaningful. And tonight, it seemed, was going to be another one of those moments.
After breakfast, I returned to my hotel, the weight of the day settling on my shoulders. The looming tasks-finalizing the budget, sourcing materials, organizing logistics-felt overwhelming, but I welcomed the distraction. Keeping busy was the only thing that kept me from spiraling into thoughts of Rain, the one person who had been haunting my mind for the past three years.
I showered quickly, letting the hot water wash away some of the lingering tension in my body. My mind, however, was harder to silence. It wasn't just the nightmares or the remnants of the past that pulled me toward her, but the undeniable pull, the bond that still lingered. Every moment, I could feel it-like a thread weaving through my life, always tugging me back to her, even when I tried to push it away.
I got dressed, adjusting my jacket and fixing my hair, trying to shake off the intrusive thoughts. Today needed to be about getting things done. The project in Jackson was more important than any past relationship, even if the echo of Rain's name kept reverberating in my mind.
It had been three years since everything fell apart, but somehow, her presence still felt so close. I had moved on, or at least, I tried to. I had convinced myself that the past was just that-something to be left behind. But no matter how far I tried to push it, she was always there, a shadow lurking at the edges of my thoughts. And no matter how much I focused on the present, she was the one thing I couldn't shake.
With a deep breath, I grabbed my phone and checked the schedule for the day. There was no time to dwell on the past. I needed to focus.
I read Ella's message with a small smile, her lighthearted tone a welcome distraction. We had a way of balancing business with casual conversation, and it always felt easy with her, like I could breathe again.
"Hey Khaiii, did you get my email about the ROI we have for the last 6 months???" She seemed excited, and it was clear she had worked hard on it.
"Not yet, I haven't read some reports but I'll make time for it later tonight," I replied, trying to shift my focus to work and away from the storm of thoughts about Rain.
"How's Chicago?" she asked, her curiosity genuine.
I sighed. "It was damn cold-thankfully my body adjusted and got a fever last night." I couldn't help but laugh a little, even though I knew it was more frustration than anything else.
She chuckled on the other end. "Oh poor Khai, still not used to the cold."
I could hear the playful teasing in her voice, and it felt like a tiny spark of normalcy in the midst of everything going on.
"Hey, I gotta go," she continued, "I have a meeting with your cousin."
That made me pause for a moment. "Ikaris?" I asked.
"Yeah," she said, "I think we're finally getting somewhere with the marketing campaign, so wish me luck!"
"Good luck," I replied, though my mind was already drifting back to the meeting I'd have later with Poppa and the rest of the team. Ella was always so positive, so full of energy. It was refreshing.
I put my phone away, getting ready to step out the door. The rest of the day ahead seemed manageable-just a little longer until I could escape into something productive again, away from my thoughts.
I arrived at the F&V office, walking straight to Mr. Boyd's office. He greeted me with his usual professionalism, and we quickly dived into discussing the budget and material sourcing. Everything was running smoothly until the door swung open-Rain.
The moment her eyes landed on me, she looked visibly surprised. "Khai, you're still here?" she asked, her voice laced with something I couldn't quite place-curiosity, maybe?
"Yes," I responded, keeping my tone neutral. "Need to iron out some things before I leave."
Mr. Boyd, unaware of the subtle tension between us, chimed in. "Rain-glad you're here. If you don't mind accompanying Khai to source some materials for the construction, that would be a great help."
Rain hesitated. I could see the flicker of conflict in her expression before she responded, "I'll have Engr. Cory accompany Khai, Mr. Boyd. I need to get the blueprints done."
Before Mr. Boyd could insist, I spoke up. "It's okay, Mr. Boyd. I can manage. Besides, Rain has a lot on her plate right now, and she should focus on the blueprints."
There was a brief pause. Rain avoided my gaze, and I wondered if she was relieved or frustrated by my response. Either way, it didn't matter. I was here for business, nothing more.
At least, that's what I kept telling myself.
After meeting with Mr. Boyd, I dove straight into my day, hopping from one construction factory to another and meeting with various suppliers for the materials needed for the project. It was exhausting-negotiating prices, checking availability, and ensuring quality-but it kept my mind occupied.
By the time the last meeting wrapped up, the sun was already setting, casting a golden hue over the city. I leaned against my car for a moment, rubbing my temples. It had been a long, tiring day, but at least I was making progress.
Just as I was about to head back to my hotel, my phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number popped up.
"Dinner's still on, right? 7 PM at Sofi's. Don't be late. -S"
I smirked, shaking my head. Sofia. Looks like my night wasn't over just yet.
As I entered Sofi's restaurant, the warm, inviting smell of freshly baked pastries mixed with the rich aroma of coffee greeted me. The cozy ambiance and soft chatter of the guests made me feel at ease despite the butterflies in my stomach. I spotted Sofi at the corner of the room, already talking to her friends. She waved me over with a bright smile, and I couldn't help but return the gesture.
"Hey, you made it!" Sofi said as she greeted me at the table, where three people were already seated.
She introduced me to her sister, Michelle, who was as warm as Sofi, and Alice, who had a friendly yet curious look in her eyes. They were both easy to talk to, and I quickly fell into comfortable conversation with them.
But there was an empty chair, and Sofi mentioned, "Oh, we're still waiting for one more person. Don't mind the empty seat."
I nodded, unsure of what to expect. I was already trying to gauge the atmosphere, trying to figure out if this was just a casual dinner or if there was something more to it. As we chatted, the conversation flowed easily, but I couldn't shake the feeling that someone else might show up who could change the vibe of the evening.
The moment Rain stepped into the room, I felt like the air shifted. Her presence, as always, was magnetic, but there was something different about her tonight. A sense of distance, maybe? She caught my eye, and for a split second, I saw a flash of recognition-something almost imperceptible before she quickly covered it with a smile.
Sofia's voice broke through my thoughts. "Finally, you're here," she said, giving Rain a playful nudge. "Khai, this is Rain."
I stood up, and I noticed the slight tension in Rain's posture as I extended my hand to her. "Hey, Khai," she greeted me, her voice smooth, but there was something off-like she was trying to convince herself it was nothing.
The polite smile she gave me didn't reach her eyes, and I wondered if she was just as shocked to see me as I was to see her. I nodded, playing along, pretending nothing was amiss. "Nice to meet you, Rain," I said with a neutral smile, carefully keeping my tone light.
As I sat back down, I couldn't help but feel the weight of her presence beside me. The air between us felt heavy, but the others were talking and laughing, making it easy to slip back into the conversation.
Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that Rain and I were walking a fine line-pretending like nothing had changed, when everything had changed.
Rain's POV ~~
The conversation flowed effortlessly, but I couldn't help but notice my attention drifting back to Khai. Her presence was like a magnet, pulling at something deep inside me that I wasn't ready to face. Then Alice's voice cut through my thoughts, snapping the group's attention to me.
"So Rain, how's work been?" she asked, her tone playful. "You've been going on and on in the group chat about working with your ex again-and how much you hate it every second. Does Mel know about this yet?"
The moment Alice spoke, I saw it-a flicker in Khai's expression. They didn't know. They didn't know she was the ex I was referring to. The room seemed to tighten around me as the awkwardness hit like a wave.
Michelle couldn't resist, teasing with a grin, "Look at the irony, Rainah! Just when you've finally moved on, your ex pops back into your life. Fate's cruel, huh?"
Laughter erupted from the group, but for me, the world felt like it was slowing down. I wanted the floor to swallow me whole. But, of course, I played along, forcing a smile and shrugging it off.
Then, Sofi, ever the composed one, leaned in, adjusting herself to sit closer to Khai. The movement was almost too casual, but I couldn't ignore the sting of something I didn't want to feel. "So, what does it feel like?" she asked, her voice soft but probing. "Working with your past again?"
Her question hung in the air, and I could feel the weight of it pressing down on me. I stole a glance at Khai, our eyes meeting for the briefest moment, and the words tumbled out before I could stop them. "It feels like torture every day," I said, my voice steady despite the ache in my chest. "But hopefully, she'll go back to where she belongs."
I let my gaze linger on Khai for a beat longer than I intended, silently hoping she would understand the unspoken layers behind my words.
The conversation had already taken a turn I wasn't prepared for, but Alice wasn't done stirring the pot.
Alice turned to me with a teasing smirk. "Or maybe," she said, tilting her head, "this is the universe's way of telling you to settle whatever's unsaid between you and your ex, Rain. Before you moved to Chicago, did you ever try to talk to her... you know, for closure?"
Khai nearly choked on her drink, coughing as she set her glass down. Sofi, quick as ever, grabbed a napkin and started dabbing at the water that had spilled onto Khai's coat. "Are you okay?" she asked, concern lacing her voice.
I sat there, watching them. My grip on my fork tightened slightly. My gaze, though outwardly neutral, was sharp-sharp enough to slice through the air between them if it could. Jealousy at its finest. But I refused to let it show, so I turned the conversation around, directing my next question straight at Khai.
"What about you, Khai?" I asked, arching an eyebrow. "Have you ever worked with an ex before?" The words carried more weight than they should have. It wasn't just a casual inquiry-it was a reminder. A reminder of the past, of the memories that were rushing back, especially the ones of her working with Ella.
Khai, ever composed, took a sip of her drink before answering. "Yes, I have."
Alice, sensing an opportunity for more gossip, pressed further. "And how did that feel, working with your ex, Khai?"
Khai tilted her head slightly, a smirk forming at the corner of her lips. "Which ex?" she asked. "The fleeting-moment ex, or the one that got away?"
The moment she said that, her eyes flickered toward me, and I knew exactly what she meant.
Michelle gasped dramatically. "Oooh... Interesting. Let's start with the fleeting-moment ex. How did that feel?"
Khai leaned back, nonchalantly. "It felt like nothing. Because at that time, I was still with the one that got away ex."
Alice wasn't letting this go. "Alright, then what about the one that got away ex? How does it feel working with her?"
Khai's gaze locked onto mine. There was no hesitation, no waver in her voice when she answered. "It was painful," she admitted. "But she was already happy... and content." She paused, but her eyes never left mine, as if she was speaking directly to me and no one else. Then she added, "I couldn't wish for more than her happiness-genuine happiness-even if it's not with me."
Silence settled over the table, the weight of her words lingering.
Then Sofi, ever the curious one, asked, "Can I ask... why did she get away from you?"
Khai finally tore her gaze from mine and turned to Sofi. Her expression softened, but there was something almost heavy about the way she spoke. "Because I was at fault," she admitted.
"I was so caught up in my own world, in my own battles, that I forgot she was fighting, too. I was so used to thinking she would never leave, that I never stopped to ask if she was tired of staying of holding us together while I pick up my damn self. And she was. She was exhausted."
"I was so used to believing she understood me, that I never asked if she felt understood. And she was hurting-she was drowning in the effort to save something I wasn't even paying attention to- Our Relationship"
She exhaled, running a hand through her hair.
"I was so used to her being my constant that I never noticed she was slipping away. I was so used to thinking she understood everything, that I never asked if she was okay. And by the time I realized what I had done... it was already too late."
She paused again, but this time, her voice dropped just slightly-almost as if the words weren't meant for everyone, but for me.
"I was so used to her loving me more than anything... that I never realized she forgot to love herself in the process."
Alice, never one to let a heavy moment linger too long, exhaled and broke the silence. "Wow... that was deep. Well," she mused, swirling the last of her drink in her glass, "heartbreak and regret are like standing in the wreckage of a house you set on fire. You can blame the wind for spreading the flames, or the wood for burning too easily, but at the end of the day, you were the one holding the match."
Michelle, sensing the shift, clapped her hands together with a grin. "Alright, enough of this emotional massacre. How about we go for drinks? Let's hit the bar."
Sofi laughed. "I second that. We need something strong after that conversation."
And just like that, the mood lifted-but even as we laughed and moved on, I could still feel Khai's words settling in my chest like embers from a fire long thought extinguished.