Rain's POV
Ikaris was the first to notice Khai approaching our table. Even without looking, I could feel the shift in the air, the subtle pull of her presence drawing everyone's attention. It was something about the way she carried herself-composed, effortless, and yet, distant.
"Hey, cous, where have you been?" Ikaris asked, leaning back with an easy smile.
Khai slid into the seat beside me, and the faint scent of her cologne washed over me. Familiar, grounding-dangerous.
"Sorry," she murmured, her voice calm, collected. "Had to drop something off at the office."
Ikaris exhaled dramatically. "Him again?"
A muscle in Khai's jaw tightened, but she nodded. "Yeah. He needed my signature for a shipment from Chicago."
"Always something with that guy," Kroft muttered, rolling his eyes.
"How's Berlin?" Ikaris asked, his curiosity genuine.
Khai let out a soft sigh, her shoulders slumping just a fraction. "Stressful."
Louise smirked. "You? Stressed? I thought you thrived on jet-setting across the globe."
Khai gave a small, dry laugh. "Even Berlin loses its charm when you're stuck in meetings the entire time."
I glanced at her from the corner of my eye, searching her face. She looked tired. More than that-worn. What had changed? What weight was she carrying beneath that carefully constructed exterior?
Therese leaned in, resting her chin in her palm. "Well, at least you're here now. Tonight, no work talk. Just food, drinks, and wedding gossip."
Khai's lips lifted slightly. "I can get behind that."
And yet, as she spoke, her gaze flickered to me for the briefest moment. It lasted only a second, but it was enough to send my pulse racing.
Ikaris, ever the peacemaker, lifted his glass. "Alright, then. Here's to a night free of stress and surprises."
Kroft snorted. "Good luck with that."
We laughed, clinking our glasses together, the sound soft in the intimate space. But even as the evening carried on-conversation flowing easily, laughter spilling between us-I couldn't shake the weight that lingered between Khai and me. An unspoken something neither of us seemed ready to address.
Then, as expected, Kroft, the ever-curious instigator, turned his attention to Khai.
"So, Khai," he started, casually twirling his fork. "How's life treating you?"
Khai took a slow sip of her drink before responding. "It's been... eventful."
Kroft raised a brow. "That's vague. Come on, throw us a bone. We all know you don't just sit in boardrooms all day."
Khai exhaled a soft chuckle, shaking her head. "I travel, I work, I make deals. That's pretty much my life now."
Ikaris leaned in. "And outside of work?"
Khai met his gaze briefly before focusing on her plate. "What about it?"
Kroft, of course, pushed further. "Is there someone keeping you grounded? You know, someone special?"
The table quieted, and I found myself gripping my glass a little too tightly.
Khai didn't hesitate. "If by 'someone' you mean my assistant who keeps my schedule from falling apart, then sure, I have someone keeping me grounded."
Kroft groaned dramatically. "Oh, come on."
Ikaris snapped his fingers suddenly, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Wait, what about that girl in London?" He turned to us, clearly enjoying himself. "A daughter of some big-time businessman, absolutely smitten with Khai."
Khai shot him a sharp look, but Ikaris wasn't deterred. "I swear, this woman was obsessed. She'd show up wherever Khai was-conferences, meetings, even casual nights out."
Kroft leaned in. "And how'd you handle that?"
Khai sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I was polite but firm. Told her I wasn't interested."
Ikaris laughed. "And then there was the one in Paris."
Therese perked up. "Oh? Another one?"
"Yep," Ikaris confirmed. "This one was more subtle but still persistent. I thought something might happen, but nope. Khai shut that down, too."
Louise whistled. "Damn, Khai. You're out here breaking hearts internationally."
Khai chuckled, shaking her head. "It's not like that. I just... wasn't looking for anything."
Ikaris smirked. "Or maybe you were still stuck on something-or someone."
His words lingered in the air, heavy and unspoken. My chest tightened, and for a second, I dared to look at Khai. But she wasn't looking at me. Her eyes were fixed on her drink, her expression unreadable.
Kroft, sensing the shift, leaned back with a grin. "Well, whoever it is-or was-they must be one hell of a person to leave Khai Stanton completely uninterested in anyone else."
Laughter followed, but I barely heard it. Despite all the teasing and playful jabs, I couldn't shake the feeling that the answer to Ikaris' insinuation was sitting right here at this table.
As the evening wound down, Therese turned to me with a gentle smile. "Do you want us to drop you off at the hotel?"
Before I could answer, Khai's voice cut through the conversation, smooth and casual. "I can drop her off. I'm heading to the office anyway, and her hotel's on the way."
Silence. Then, Kroft grinned. "How'd you know where Rain's staying?"
His teasing tone made my stomach twist. I could feel everyone's eyes on me, watching and waiting.
Instead of answering, I stood up abruptly. "Ikaris, Therese-can you drop me off?" Therese, ever understanding, nodded. "Of course."
As we drove through the quiet streets, Ikaris glanced at me. "Thank you, Rain."I frowned. "For what?"
He hesitated before answering. "For showing up. For celebrating with us, even when I know it's... complicated."
Therese's voice was soft. "I would do the same for her, though." A lump formed in my throat. They saw more than I wanted them to. "Thanks, guys," I whispered.
As I stepped out of the car, the weight of the night pressed against me. The teasing, the glances, the unanswered questions.
Tomorrow was Therese and Ikaris' wedding-a day for joy and love. I wouldn't let my unresolved past with Khai overshadow that.
I took a deep breath and walked into the hotel, willing myself to focus on what mattered. But deep down, I knew-Khai was still a storm I had yet to face.
Then Next Morning...Therese & Ikaris Big Day
As the clock struck one in the afternoon, the church filled with excitement. It looked beautiful, with white lights and fresh ivory flowers lining the aisle, creating a lovely scent in the air. Therese and Ikaris had dreamed of this day, a celebration filled with love.
As I got ready for the ceremony, I felt mixed emotions. It wasn't just joy for Therese and Ikaris; I also felt unresolved tension with Khai and emotions I had tried to ignore. But today was about love, and I was proud to stand as Therese's best friend and maid of honor.
In my dusty rose gown, I glanced at my reflection in the mirror. The dress flowed nicely, but my smile didn't feel genuine. Laughter and footsteps outside my door pulled me back to the moment.
Today was for Therese-nothing else mattered.
I stepped out of the dressing room and saw everyone busy with preparations. The bridesmaids, in their midnight blue dresses, adjusted their hair and jewelry, sharing excited whispers. Each one was chosen for their special bond with Therese, and we were all focused on making her feel special.
Amid the joyful chaos, I saw her. Khai.
She stood near the entrance, scanning the room until her gaze locked onto mine. Time felt as though it had halted. I swallowed hard. She looked breathtaking in a shimmering midnight blue gown that accentuated her every graceful movement.
Her hair was styled perfectly, but her unreadable face was softened by the ocean of emotions in her eyes-emotions I had tried to decipher for so long.
Neither of us spoke. We simply stood there, caught in an unexpected moment, until the bridesmaids gathered, filling the space with laughter and chatter.
Nerves crept in-not just because of my role in the ceremony but also because being near Khai again forced me to confront feelings I had buried. But today wasn't about me or Khai; it was about Therese and Ikaris.
As the music started, we formed a line to walk down the aisle. I took my place as Therese's maid of honor, while Khai stood just behind me as the best woman. The heaviness of my gown felt like just another step forward.
At the altar, Therese looked radiant, glowing with happiness. Ikaris gazed at her with love. Their heartfelt vows shifted something inside me. This was love-the kind I had always told myself I couldn't have.
Khai stood poised, her attention on the couple, yet her presence filled the room. When the couple exchanged rings and sealed their love with a kiss, the room erupted in applause.
As the applause died down, I felt a gentle touch on my shoulder. Khai was looking at me for the first time in ages, her guard down.
"You okay?" she asked softly.
Surprised, I nodded, managing a small smile. "I'm fine-just happy for them."
Her gaze lingered before she nodded, a hint of a smile appearing briefly as she turned away.
At the Reception...
The wedding ceremony had concluded, and the reception venue was enchanting. Lights sparkled in every corner, casting a soft glow over elegantly arranged tables while laughter filled the air. It was a night to remember, filled with dancing and celebration.
However, I was struggling. My heels, beautiful but uncomfortable, had turned into my worst enemy. My feet throbbed and bruises began to form. Despite my efforts to appear fine, I grimaced as I approached the bar. Just a few feet away, I lost my balance and felt myself falling.
Before I hit the ground, two strong arms caught me. I looked up to see Khai, a mix of concern and amusement on her face. "Careful," she said softly, steadying me with her grip.
"Thanks," I mumbled as she guided me to a nearby chair. She crouched to examine my feet. "You're going to need to take care of those bruises," she said, shaking her head.
"Wait here," Khai instructed, standing to survey the room.
Moments later, she returned, holding a pair of Chuck Taylor sneakers. "Just trust me," she said, kneeling to unbuckle my heels. She slipped on some socks, and I sighed with relief as she put the sneakers on my feet.
Surprised, I laughed, "You brought Converse? What are we, twins now?"
She smiled playfully. "I figured we could both use something more comfortable." I noticed we were wearing matching shoes; a small comfort amidst the chaos.
"You didn't have to do that," I said, though I didn't want to pull away. The sneakers felt liberating.
"I'm a good best woman," Khai teased. "I take care of my people."
"Thanks," I said sincerely. She offered her hand, and as I took it, a silent understanding passed between us. At that moment, it felt like we were on common ground, two people finding peace amid the celebration. For the first time in a long while, things felt okay again.
As the night unfolded, the reception buzzed with chatter, laughter, and lively music. The warm atmosphere swept me up in the joy of the occasion. Although Khai and I mingled separately, I remained keenly aware of her presence, whether it was her eyes meeting mine across the room or her carrying my heels wherever she went.
At first, I thought I was imagining it, but the longer I watched, the clearer it became. She held my heels with careful reverence, making my chest tighten with an inexplicable feeling. The sight was both sweet and mysterious.
My thoughts were interrupted by a nudge from Louise, who grinned knowingly. "Girl," she teased, "whose heels are Khai holding?"
I pretended not to hear, focusing on my drink in hopes she'd drop it. But Louise wasn't so easily deterred. She tilted her head and watched Khai as she walked by, still holding my heels. "Seriously, Rain, you're not going to tell me?"
Suddenly, Louise lifted the hem of my gown, revealing my Converse sneakers underneath. "Well, well, well," she said, feigning shock. "You're in sneakers instead of heels? Looks like someone has a soft spot for you!"
I flushed with embarrassment, not wanting to draw attention to my casual choice. "Oh, come on, it's not that deep," I said, rolling my eyes.
But Louise leaned closer. "Isn't it, though? Not many would carry someone else's heels around all night."
I laughed, despite my awkwardness. "She just cares," I shrugged, trying to play it cool. But Louise wasn't convinced.
"Uh-huh, just cares," she retorted. "I wonder if there's more to that."
"Can we not talk about this right now?" I replied, slightly too quickly.
"I'll drop it-for now," she said with a wink. "But I'm watching you two."
As the night continued, I pushed aside my embarrassment to enjoy myself. There was a quiet connection growing between Khai and me, and even if I didn't fully understand it, I felt significant in her presence. I realized this game of teasing and glances wouldn't end soon, but for now, that was enough.
The party carried on in full swing. Laughter echoed, glasses clinked, and the newlyweds were positively glowing as they basked in the joy of their big day. Alcohol flowed freely, loosening everyone up, making the conversations livelier, the jokes funnier, and the teasing sharper.
I was nestled in a booth with Kroft, Louise, Sarah, and Director Jin, enjoying their relentless banter. Louise was halfway through an exaggerated story about an ex-boyfriend who once cried over her at a coffee shop, Kroft kept throwing in dramatic gasps for effect, and Sarah was snorting into her wine glass. Director Jin, ever the composed one, simply chuckled at our antics, shaking his head.
But despite the humor and the warmth of my friends, my attention kept straying elsewhere.
My eyes flickered toward the bar counter, where Khai sat with her usual air of quiet confidence, sipping on her drink. The dim lighting cast a soft glow on her, highlighting the sharp lines of her midnight blue tailored suit. She looked at ease, relaxed... and still holding onto my heels like some prized possession.
I bit my lip.
Then, like an unwelcome interruption, Maddie-a familiar face from high school-approached Khai. I recognized her instantly. She was the kind of girl who never lost her charm, effortlessly pretty, and confident in a way that always caught attention. They were engaged in what seemed like an interesting conversation, Maddie leaning in slightly, her expression animated as she spoke.
I looked away, my stomach twisting slightly.
Why did I suddenly feel... annoyed?
I focused on the drink in my hand, willing myself to let it go, but the feeling only intensified when I heard a knowing hum from beside me.
"Huh," Louise said, her voice dripping with amusement. "Someone's getting jealous."
I nearly choked on my drink. "What?" I scoffed, turning to her with what I hoped was an unimpressed look.
Louise, however, was grinning like she had just solved a crime. "You heard me," she sing-songed. "You keep glancing at Khai like she just committed a crime against humanity by talking to someone other than you."
Kroft snorted, Sarah sipped her wine to hide her smirk, and Director Jin merely raised a brow.
"You're imagining things," I muttered, crossing my arms.
But Louise wasn't having it. She leaned in, resting her elbow on the table with a knowing look. "You know what I usually do when I'm jealous?" she teased, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
I refused to entertain her nonsense. "I don't care," I said flatly, taking another sip of my drink.
But Louise being Louise carried on. "I usually march right up and politely let those flirty little creatures know that my man is off-limits." She paused dramatically, then gasped as if she just realized something. "Ohhh, but wait-Khai's not your woman anymore, is she?"
The second the words left her mouth, Kroft's reaction was instant.
"Woah, Louise!" he said, eyes wide, his hand smacking the table in fake shock. "That was ruthless! Are we witnessing a murder right now?"
Sarah laughed into her glass while Director Jin just shook his head, muttering, "I can't believe I work with you people."
I, on the other hand, was torn between embarrassment and the urge to defend myself, but I knew that arguing would only fuel Louise's antics. Instead, I let out an exaggerated sigh, placing my glass down with a dramatic flair.
"You guys are ridiculous," I muttered.
Louise grinned. "Ridiculously right."
"Just let her be," Kroft said, nudging Louise. "She's just admiring the fact that Khai is still holding her heels like some devoted Cinderella."
"Exactly!" Louise clapped her hands. "Like, girl, come on. Who does that? Babysitting your heels all night? Caring for them as if they're some delicate artifact? That's not just ex-behavior; that's 'I'm-still-soft-for-you' behavior."
Kroft nodded solemnly. "A modern-day symbol of devotion."
"Oh my god," I groaned, pressing my fingers against my temple.
Louise wasn't done yet. "Rain, sweetheart, you have two choices," she said, raising two fingers. "One, you can sit here, sulking and pretending you're not affected while watching your ex possibly flirt with someone else. Two, you can march over there and-"
"And what?" I cut in, rolling my eyes. "Announce that Khai is mine or something?"
Louise gasped, clutching her chest. "Oh, you admit it! You still want her!"
Kroft practically howled in laughter. "Finally, some self-awareness!"
Sarah finally spoke, lifting her glass in my direction. "Rain, I love you, but you are so obvious."
I groaned again, grabbing my drink in a desperate attempt to drown out their teasing.
But deep down, as much as I wanted to deny it, their words gnawed at me. Because the truth was, a part of me did want to march over there and pull Khai away.
But I didn't have that right anymore.
Did I?
The teasing wasn't letting up. If anything, it was getting worse.
Louise, Kroft, and Sarah had me cornered, their eyes gleaming with pure amusement as they continued dissecting my every glance toward Khai and Maddie.
And fine, maybe I was looking. Maybe I had been looking way too much. But who wouldn't? Khai and Maddie were laughing like they had known each other for years, their conversation so effortless. And the way Khai smirked in response to whatever Maddie was saying? It was doing things to my patience.
I shifted in my seat, forcing my attention back to my drink just as the waiter came by to refill our glasses.
But that wasn't going to cut it.
"Sir," I said, stopping the waiter before he could leave. "A bottle of tequila, please."
There was a brief silence at our table.
Louise and Kroft turned to me at the exact same time, their eyebrows shooting up in synchrony.
"Are you serious, Rain?" Louise asked, tilting her head as if I had just suggested something insane.
Kroft whistled low. "Woah, woah, woah, someone's getting their adrenaline hype up to march on to the bar counter." He waggled his brows. "You planning to claim your woman or what?"
I scoffed. "No one's marching anywhere."
Louise smirked knowingly. "Mmmhmm."
The moment the waiter returned and placed the tequila bottle on our table, I wasted no time. I grabbed it, poured myself a very generous amount, and took a long, unbothered sip-one that burned my throat but did wonders for my resolve.
Louise leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm. "Okay, okay, girl. If you're not jealous-"
"I'm not," I cut her off before she could even finish.
She raised a brow, clearly unimpressed. "Uh-huh."
I rolled my eyes. "I'm way too beautiful to be jealous."
Kroft nearly spat out his drink. "Woah-what's that supposed to mean?!"
I leaned back in my seat, swirling my glass with feigned nonchalance. "It means exactly what it sounds like. I don't need to be jealous. If I wanted to, I could make Khai come back to me in just a snap."
Louise and Kroft lost it.
Kroft clutched his chest like he had been personally attacked. "EXCUSE ME?! That is some top-tier confidence right there!"
Louise gasped, slamming her hand on the table. "Ohhh, girl just dropped the MIC!"
Sarah, ever the silent observer, finally chimed in with an amused smirk. "That's a bold claim, Rain."
I shrugged, keeping my expression neutral. "I'm just stating facts."
"Okay, fine," Louise said, regaining her composure. "You're beautiful, probably even more than Maddie-"
"Probably?" I shot her a look.
She snickered. "Fine, definitely more than Maddie."
"Thank you."
Kroft rolled his eyes. "Oh my god."
Louise wasn't done. "But that doesn't mean you're not jealous."
The table erupted in laughter.
I groaned, rubbing my temple. "I'm not jealous!"
"Girl," Louise said, pointing her drink at me. "If you're really not jealous, and if you're so sure that you're the most beautiful person in this room and that Khai still loves you very much-" she leaned in, a playful glint in her eyes. "Do something about it."
The challenge was laid out.
I exhaled, my fingers tapping against my glass as I glanced toward the bar again.
Khai was still there, Maddie still chatting her ears off. But as if sensing my gaze, Khai's eyes flickered in my direction for a split second.
And just like that, something inside me snapped.
I smirked. "Fine."
Louise and Kroft exchanged oh-shit-this-is-happening looks.
Sarah just sipped her drink. "Oh, this is going to be good."
Without another word, I pushed back my chair and stood up.
The moment I started walking, Kroft let out a low whistle. "Ohhh, here she goes."
I marched straight toward the bar counter, my steps steady, my heels clicking against the marble floor with purpose. My eyes were locked on Khai and Maddie, who were deep in conversation.
As I reached them, my gaze zeroed in on Maddie's hand, which was casually resting on Khai's lap.
Not anymore.
With zero hesitation, I reached down and gently but firmly removed Maddie's hand, placing it back on her lap. Then I turned to face her directly, offering a polite but unmistakably sharp smile.
"Excuse me, Maddie," I said smoothly. "You had your time."
Maddie barely had time to react before I turned to Khai.
And without another word-without a second of hesitation-I leaned in and kissed her.
The entire room seemed to freeze.
Khai tensed for a brief moment, completely taken aback. But before I could pull away, I felt her melt into the kiss, her hand instinctively reaching for my waist.
From the other side of the venue, I heard a collective gasp.
"HOLY SHIT-"
Louise, Kroft, Sarah, and even Director Jin were all staring, their jaws practically on the floor.
Kroft let out a stunned laugh. "Okay. That was not what I was expecting."
Louise clutched her chest dramatically. "Someone get me oxygen-"
Sarah just smirked, sipping her drink. "Now this is entertainment."
The moment I pulled away, the world around me blurred into nothing but her.
Khai's gaze burned into me, her hazel brown eyes searching mine like she was trying to read something in them-trying to understand what had just happened, what I had just done. Her jaw tensed, a muscle ticking as if she was holding herself back from saying something, from reacting.
I could still feel the warmth of her lips against mine, the faint taste of whiskey lingering between us.
And yet, I couldn't move.
Not when she was looking at me like that. Not when every fiber of my being was screaming at me to stay.
My hands acted on their own, one moving up to cup her face, thumb brushing softly against her cheek.
My voice was barely above a whisper, but I knew she heard it.
"You've been enjoying the night enough to make my heart regret my decisions in life."
Shit.
Why the hell did I say that?
The moment the words left my lips, I knew-I knew-I had fucked up.
Khai's eyes widened just slightly, a flicker of something-shock? understanding?-crossing her features. Her lips parted, like she was about to say something.
I didn't give her the chance.
Before I could process the sheer weight of my own words, I yanked my hand away, stepping back.
Nope. Nope. Nope. Abort mission.
I turned around so fast I might as well have been running.
From the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Maddie, her mouth hanging open in stunned disbelief. I was pretty sure she was about to say something too, but I was already out of there.
I stormed back to the table where Kroft, Louise, Sarah, and Director Jin were all sitting-each one of them wearing expressions ranging from shock to pure delight.
Louise, ever the instigator, was cackling, slapping the table. "OH MY GOD!"
Kroft's mouth was still hanging open. "Did-did that just fucking happen?!"
Sarah, ever composed, just sipped her drink. "Well, that escalated quickly."
I didn't say a single word.
Didn't even look at them.
I reached for my bag with more force than necessary, yanked it off the chair, and turned straight for the exit.
Louise gasped. "Oh, no you don't!"
"Rain, wait-" Kroft tried, but I was already marching away, my heart pounding in my chest.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
What did I just do?
I practically shoved past a couple of guests on my way out, my brain replaying the scene over and over like some cruel movie reel.
Me, kissing Khai.
Me, saying that.
Me, bolting like a damn coward.
I stepped outside, the cool night air hitting my skin, but it did nothing to calm the storm raging inside me.
My fingers tightened around my bag.
What the fuck did I just do?
The cool night air barely had time to hit my skin before I felt it-
Her.
A warm hand curled around my waist, firm yet familiar, pulling me back, turning me to face her.
And before I could even breathe, before my brain could catch up to the whirlwind of emotions crashing inside me-
She kissed me.
Again.
This wasn't like before.
This wasn't a stolen kiss in the middle of a crowded reception, fueled by impulse and jealousy.
This was different.
This was her.
This was me.
And no-no-I didn't pull away.
I should have. I could have. But I didn't.
Instead, I let her.
I let her consume me.
I let the warmth of her lips erase the panic that had gripped me moments before. I let the scent of her-whiskey and something inherently Khai-wrap around me like a comfort I had long denied myself. I let the way she held me, fingers pressing into my waist, tell me everything she hadn't said.
I allowed her.
My hands, acting on their own, reached for her-grasping at her suit, pulling her closer, desperate and reckless.
She groaned against my lips, and something about that sound made my knees weak.
Khai deepened the kiss, slow and deliberate, like she was trying to remind me, trying to reclaim something we had lost.
And god help me-I let her.
Because in that moment, nothing else existed.
Not the wedding.
Not Maddie.
Not the months of silence and distance and hurt.
Just us.
And the way she kissed me like she never wanted to stop.