Chapter 2
Before I knew it, the snow had started coming down a little harder.
My phone buzzed with a notification.
I checked my phone and saw two messages.
[The snow's coming down hard. Traffic's probably going to be a mess.
[Head into the mall and wait for me.]
Kael noticed me checking my phone and, like he always does, asked, "Who's texting you?"
I shot him a look.
"None of your business."
He was impatient.
"Lavinia, are you crazy?
"You really think you can talk to me like that?" Kael snapped.
I didn't bother responding.
We were done. There was no reason for me to put up with him anymore.
No matter what I did, he'd always act like he was above me.
Helen jumped in to smooth things over.
"Kael, the bridal shop just called. The custom-made gown from abroad is here, and they want us to come and try it on.
"You've been so busy lately. Come with me now, since you finally have a break, okay?" she said.
She played the sweet, gentle girlfriend, giving Kael's arm a little shake.
Kael's hard expression melted away, and he couldn't help but soften his tone.
"Alright," he said.
Seeing how gentle and soft he was with her, my heart twisted painfully.
He was even giving her a wedding, something he never offered me.
But back then, Kael always insisted he was never the marrying type.
Since I'd always dreamed of having a family, his words made me give up on ever hoping to wear a wedding dress.
He only played the no marriage card when it came to me.
Whether it was four years ago or now, it's always been the same.
He always gives in to Helen, but with me, all I ever get are his cold remarks.
Our love was the one that was truly meant to be.
Before leaving, he asked me to give him my number.
I shot him down without a second thought.
He chuckled under his breath.
He said, "Either you give it to me yourself, or I'll just grab your phone."
As he spoke, his eyes flashed with that same brazen confidence and unapologetic arrogance. He didn't bother to hide it.
Just like when I first met him.
For a moment, I couldn't tell if this was reality or just some fantasy.
The first time I met Kael was when I was working as a late-night reporter, sent to interview him, the hotshot young CEO everyone was talking about.
The interview lasted fifty minutes. He was witty, smooth, and so effortlessly charming I couldn't help but be drawn to him.
When it wrapped up, he asked for my number.
I met his deep, soulful gaze, and even though my heart skipped a beat, I still said no, though honestly, I didn't mean it.
He dropped the serious interview persona, his eyes lazy and half-closed as he gave me a devilish smile.
"You really won't give it to me?
"If you don't, I might just have to grab your phone right out of your hand," Kael said.
Not long after, Kael blinked those stunning eyes at me and finally confessed.
"Lavinia, I like you.
"Your looks, your personality, even the way your hair dances in the breeze.
"I'm crazy about everything you do, every little thing about you, I adore.
"Be mine. Come be with me.
"I swear, I'll never let you down," he promised, his voice full of sincerity," he said.
At twenty-three, Kael was drop-dead gorgeous, gentle, confident, funny, and came from a great family.
Every girl wanted him, including me.
I couldn't help but fall for him, swept away by his passionate love.
But we barely lasted a year together.
Then, those same eyes that once made me melt were now shooting me a fierce glare.
"What's the big deal about Helen?
"It was just for fun.
"What guy doesn't fool around?
"Stop being so paranoid all the time.
"If I didn't give a damn about you, I would've told you to get the hell out a long time ago," Kael snapped.
I was young and stubborn, always demanding answers, always wanting something real.
But Kael refused to give me anything. Instead, he slapped me hard across the face.
But the moment he saw blood at the corner of my eye, he totally freaked out.
He rushed me straight to the hospital, not wasting a second, just to get me looked at and patched up.
When the doctor finally said I was fine, he let out a huge sigh of relief, still shaken, and pulled me into his arms.
I was completely drained, too tired to say anything more to him.
He let out a sigh and gently ran his fingers through my hair.
"Get some sleep.
"I'll stay with you tonight," he said softly.
But barely ten minutes later, Helen called, and he was gone. He never came back.
Coming back to my senses, I gave in and handed Kael my number.
Kael was finally satisfied, letting Helen take his arm and lead him away.
I watched them walk away together, looking like the perfect couple, and without a word, I held Ethan close and stepped into the dessert shop.
Ethan ordered a bunny-shaped cake and started eating with total focus, meticulously picking out every little piece of strawberry from the cream filling.
Watching Ethan carefully pick out the strawberries, I couldn't help but remember that Kael hates strawberries, too.