Chapter 54 Worth Fighting For

…Should I keep hiding it? Even if Kianna can accept the fact that I was born rich, how does she deal with the complicated connection of my family — Especially… My family does business with the most dangerous family in the country…

He put the meatloaf in the oven and started to make the gravy. An hour passed. The meatloaf was done. The potatoes had cooked through. He added the butter, the milk, and a tablespoon of yogurt and mashed the potatoes. He pulled out some parsley and placed a couple of sprigs on the cutting board. He began cutting them into fine pieces.

“Hon, dinner will be ready soon. Wash up, it is time to eat.” Ares said, calling for Kia.

Kianna walks toward the kitchen and takes a glimpse of her husband.

…Though he is back, we haven’t cleared the atmosphere yet. There is still an awkwardness between us. Should I ask him? But what if we get into another fight again? This is a dilemma…

“Hon, it’s time for dinner!”

Kianna was startled by Ares' voice, and she immediately rushed toward him. “O-okay, I’m coming.”

Within a few minutes, he set the meatloaf and mashed potatoes on the table. He set the gravy in a separate dish next to them. Kianna tossed a salad and sliced a few pieces of French bread from the corner bakery. She then placed the plates on the table and set the utensils. They started eating dinner. And while they were busy eating, there was total silence in their house. No one dared to open some topic to talk about.

Ares looks at Kia. She’s been quiet since they got home. He feels like something is wrong with his wife, Kianna.

…Is he still angry at me?...

“Hon, I’m so sorry for making you angry that night…” Ares said as he approached Kianna.

Kianna didn’t expect that Ares would bring it up. “It’s fine. I didn’t mean to hurt you, either. I—I am sorry for not letting you know about what happened that night. I should have asked you first before reacting like that.”

“It’s not your fault! That’s on me — I went home because I was mad at you, and I also kept my phone in the car. And I know… I know that was wrong. I shouldn’t have done that. That is why you could not reach me. I also didn’t know that you were calling me. You must be very anxious, and it was not until today that I realized I got you wrong. My best friend was also in that restaurant. He saw everything. He also said that he helped you and Miaree from those hooligans—”

“Wait, you are friends with that guy named Dave?” Kia asked curiously.

“Yes, he is my childhood best friend. I'm glad that he was there to help you and Miaree. I didn’t know what I would do if something bad happened to you. I’m sorry that he didn’t drive you home. He didn’t know that you are my wife. That is why he immediately left after saving you.”

“That’s fine, him helping us with those hooligans was enough for me to thank him. Please tell him that I am so thankful for what he did.” Kia said sincerely.

“...Uhm… By the way, hon, can you do me a favor?”

Kia narrowed my eyes as I looked at him. “What favor?”

“Well, since that Dave was one of the reasons for me to understand everything that I misunderstood, can you help me with his request?”

“Yeah, sure. What did he want?”

Ares scratched his head like it was so hard to say Dave’s request. “Uhm… He likes your friend, Miaree. He wants me to set him a date with her. Can you help me with that?”

Kia was caught off guard but she was already aware of this because of what Miaree told her. “That will be easy. Miaree also likes Dave.”

“She does?” Ares' eyes widened.

Kia smirked and says, “Yeah, actually last time we were talking about her growing feelings with Dave. So setting a date for them will not be a problem because Miaree would probably be agreed to that right away.”

“Great! I mean, that’s good. I will tell Dave later.” Ares said.

Kia nodded and smiled at him. So, it seems like Miaree's dreams will come true. I’m so happy for her. She is single for too long and she is already anticipating for this to happen. I continued eating and stayed quiet when suddenly Ares started talking again. Breaking the silence between us.

“...I am so stupid that I got you wrong that night when I saw you with Ramirez. I don’t know why I felt jealous of him. Maybe because I was so scared that I was so easy to be replaced by someone like Nathan Zac Ramirez, I mean, look at him, he is rich and famous. Unlike me, I am just a normal employee,” he lowered his head and switched his gaze to his plate.

“Why are you even saying that? You are my husband, and you are the only man to whom I will give all my love as long as we are together. You don’t have to compare yourself to Nathan. He is just a schoolmate, nothing else, and you! You are my future, Ares.” Kia said seriously.

He immediately turned his gaze toward her. Because of her words, he smiled, and Kia felt that she had brought him some relief.

“And about the lipstick. My assistant accidentally bumped into my chest when she tried to stand up. That is why there is also a scent of her in my coat. I was with my best friend, Dave, at that time, he can clear my name!” Ares corrected everything for Kia.

Kianna stared into Ares’ eyes. It was full of sincerity. “Since you have told me everything, there is only one thing I wanted to know. I want you to be honest with me, okay?”

“Go ahead and believe me; I am telling the truth,” Ares answered.

…Are we good now? Everything should be alright now since we cleared up the awkward atmosphere between us. Don’t worry, Kianna, I will tell you the truth when the right time comes…

“Do you… Do you really work for the Vueravista Company?”

Ares was caught off guard by the unexpected question coming from Kianna.

“I have been to your company, but the front desk told me that there was no such person in the company. How is that even possible? You showed me the Vueravista Company, and we even went inside the office of the CEO. It doesn’t make sense.” Kianna said, anxiously waiting for an answer that would clear her thoughts.

“I — I always go through the VIP channel with the CEO. That is why the front desk doesn’t know about me.” Ares answered.

“That is what I thought too.” Kianna nodded, a sign that she agreed with what Ares said.

…He is lying. After being together with Ares France Vuertalejo for a long time, I am sure that I know him well. He's always rumpling up his hair and doesn’t make eye contact with me. This means that he doesn’t mean it…

“Is — Is that right?” Kianna added. She stood up, turned around, and started walking towards the bedroom. Ares started to get a bad vibe about Kianna’s reaction. It feels like Kianna is going to leave him.

…I can’t live without her!...

Ares immediately hugged Kianna as he stopped her from going away. “Hon, I am sorry. I haven’t prepared myself yet. Please give me a bit more time. I promise, whatever happens, I will come clean… Please trust me no matter what…”

…Ares, should I believe you?...

KIA

I can’t sleep. I have no idea how long I forced myself to sleep, but I can’t. I turned to Ares, and he looked peacefully asleep. I just wish I was like him. I wish I could also sleep like that, even though a bunch of thoughts was bothering me. I slowly get up and walk outside. I grabbed my jacket and put it on as I left the house.

Simply put, nightlife is very different from daytime life. There is a very small possibility that you will see any of the people you dislike because they are all probably asleep. I simply love the delight of being awake at night, much more so than I do during the day.

…It makes the thoughts that were bothering me and the problem I have, go away…

I didn't realize I was moving in the direction of the park. I used to frequently find myself wandering the park by myself back then. The lovely trees, the way each step causes the yellow and red leaves to crumple beneath me…

…I guess I only need some time alone. I’m still not ready to let him go. Why would I let go of someone who made my life lively again? He brings color to my world, and I can’t see myself without him. Maybe I will just need to wait for him until he is ready to confess everything...

"I love you, Ares. I hope I don't regret my decision. I hope everything is worth fighting for…"