A chill ran through Leila. The voice was like ice water poured over her. She wrenched the phone from her ear while Charles was still talking and switched it off.
How did he get her number?
She changed numbers twice because of him. Her palms moistened, she didn't realise when she scrambled out of her seat. Her hip rammed into a colleague's desk, Leila didn't feel nor notice the pain as she came to a stop in front of the air-conditioner.
What did he want from her?
Sweat formed under her armpits, her eyes stung. She clenched and unclenched her fists. It wasn't enough that he was one of the sponsors and she had to tolerate him. Leila wanted to cry.
"Leila?" Someone snapped a finger in front of her face. "Are you okay?" It was Lily. Leila turned to see the whole office watching her. Some of them pretended to type something on their laptops but only a few continued staring. Leila patted her hair. She was wearing it down today because of Kelvin. He didn't request it but she chose to leave her hair down. "It's time for lunch."
Lily adjusted her handbag in one hand to show she was ready to leave. Leila nodded again. It had been so long she ate with her friends. And she couldn't do it today because of that slimy bastard.
Wait, who said she was going there to see him?
She didn't even know the location of Stone Cafe.
"I'll be out later for lunch. Thanks," she said to Lily. Lily's brows furrowed as she took in Leila's appearance from head to toe. It was only a matter of time before her office friends forced out the truth from her. Wearing a fake smile, she pushed Lily gently in the direction of the door. "Just go. I have to round up a few things."
A small commotion broke out in the office when Susie screamed. Lily and Leila shared a glance and others hurried to Susie's table. Leila heaved a sigh of relief to be rid of the attention when Susie broke out laughing like a little witch. Her colleagues hissed. Susie was being dramatic as usual. Some returned to their desks, others walked out. Leila glared at Susie and she winked. This was the kind of person she shared an office with.
When everyone had gone out for lunch, Leila switched on her phone. There were texts from Charles counting down until 2 pm. It was five minutes to two and the last place she wanted was to be with him.
What would happen if she didn't go? Leila didn't want to find out. She fixed her desk and snatched her handbag. On her way downstairs, she inputted the name of the cafe on her GPS. It was on the same street as Pacific.
Leila briefly considered sending Kelvin a message. He might be able to help.
Help in what ways exactly?
They were meeting in an open place, he wouldn't dare try anything funny. Charles wasn't that stupid. Well, that was what she thought until that night happened.
The Uber driver greeted Leila with a smile, she slipped into the backseat and plugged in her earpiece to avoid a conversation with him.
The weather was warm. On a good day, she might have put her hand outside to feel the caress of the wind against her fingers. Leila leaned into her seat and closed her eyes. Her phone pinged but she didn't check the notification. It was only ten minutes past two. Charles could handle her lateness.
"Ma'am?" Her eyelids fluttered open. The driver was smiling at her. He nodded towards the cafe. A stone building that looked like something out of a magazine. Leila tapped her bag to be sure her card was intact, she had no intentions of staying here but if she would incur any costs, she was ready to pay for them. "We are here."
Her hands vibrated as she pulled out wads of cash to give the driver. It was more than the agreed fare and his gratitude rang out in her ears even after she was out of the taxi. Leila looked up to the building where the name was written in cursive red ink.
Stone Cafe.
The first few steps inside were fraught with nerves, she missed her steps more than twice and had to lean on the wall for support. She needed to get it together. The guard at the door held the door open for her while she gathered her nerves, she flashed him a smile and slipped a twenty dollar bill into his hand.
Leila's breath hitched once she stepped in. The cool air blasting from the air-conditioner made her teeth chatter slightly. Her heels made a click-clack sound as she moved to the farthest corner from the door.
A man in black suit with his head bowed was by the window. Old habits died hard and it was so in the case of Charles. He loved sitting by the window to eat. Her bag swung in her hand and she gritted her teeth to allow that violent image pass. The urge to smack the back of his head with her bag was strong but her urge to run out of here was stronger. She inhaled greedily.
She was fine.
Charles turned right in time when she stopped behind his seat. His eyes lighted up like they were still lovers meeting out on a lunch date. Bile invaded her mouth, the memories from that time made her nauseous.
Once upon a time, she loved this man. Once upon a time, she was engaged to be married to this man.
What was she thinking?
Maybe she wasn't. Love, after all, clouded people's decision. Good thing she wouldn't be repeating that mistake of falling in love.
Her nose crinkled in disgust when he pulled out a seat for her. His faux gentlemanliness didn't faze her. When that switch flipped, this calm man would be nowhere to be found. The devil would take over and she didn't want to be anywhere him then.
Again she reminded herself, she shouldn't be here.
"You look beautiful, as always." He took a sip from the mug in his front. From the frosty coating his lips like a moustache, Leila could guess what it was. He pushed the short glass of lemonade to her. "Good to see you, Leila."
"Can't say the same about you, Mr Black."
Charles barked out a short laugh. "Not so formal, babe." Her brows rose and Charles sobered. He tugged on his tie and undid the button of his sleeves. "Okay, Leila. I'm sorry." She scoffed. Like sorry could fix anything. He stretched his hands on the table to take hers but she jerked back. "I'm a changed man."
A leopard could never change its spot. Charles would never change. The waitress dropped a flask on the table. Leila went rigid when Charles uncapped the flask and poured the liquid into his mug. Without being told, she knew that was whiskey. Charles smiled when he noticed her staring at the mug he raised to his lips. Last time he was drunk, he almost ruined her.
"You shouldn't be taking that," Leila said before she could help it. Charles had horrible record with alcohol. Her nails dug into the edge of the table when those memories tried to resurface. "Why am I here, Charles?"
"I miss you." Leila's face was a frozen mask. Charles ran a hand through his hair and sighed. Leila noticed his mug containing the whiskey was untouched but her eyes still sought the exit. If push came to shove, she would break the window. "Let's start over."
A clearing of throat interrupted them and a shadow fell on their table. Leila's jaw slacked. Amara was smiling at them. In her hand was a tray with two milkshakes. She set it on the table.
"Courtesy of your husband, Mrs McKenna."
Her cheeks turned a deep red colour, Amara walked out on them before she and Charles could recover. She stared at the straw jutting out of the glass of milkshake, and her eyes subtly scanned the restaurant.
They were alone. The place was quiet except for the speakers mounted at the corners emitting soft sounds. Leila wiped her sweaty hands on her shirt. If Amara was here, then Kelvin was here. He would be mad.
"You're married?" His voice made her remember where she was. She shot to her feet, almost toppling the milkshake. "Leilani. How dare you get married?"
Time for her to leave this forsaken place. She shoved her phone into her bag. Running away from him wasn't an option, he was faster. She had to be diplomatic.
"It just happened," Leila answered. "I fell in love."
"With someone that isn't me," he murmured. His voice was low but from the veins popping in his forehead, Leila knew he was fast getting angry. Charles slammed his fist on the table, she jumped. Her eyes shone with tears. He was scaring her. He was turning her to that girl again. The girl who feared him and cowered in his presence. "You don't get to fall in love, Leilani May. You belong to me."
"I don't belong to you." Her voice shook as bad as her hands, she wiped the tears rolling down her cheeks. She swore never to show weakness to any man and she would uphold that promise. "Me and you are done, Charles. I have moved on, please do the same."