Chapter 18

He was looking at us. His eyes widened in amazement. He was the first one to move. He sauntered towards us, eyes not leaving mine.

“Nixon? Is that you?” Belle initiated the conversation as soon as Nixon reached us.

“Hey, Belle. It’s been a long time. You look beautiful as always.” He smiled charmingly, one that reminded me of the past.

“Always a charmer, I see.” She retorted with a tease. Her eyes travelled back and forth between us, noticing the tense air.

“Hi.” His smile was shy this time.

“It’s Kura.” His smile disappeared and was replaced with a questionable look. “In case you forgot. Since you called her name and you didn’t with me.” Belle nudged me with her elbow, warning me to be nice.

His smile was back again. “And you didn’t change as well.” I didn’t reply. “You guys wanna grab some coffee and catch up?”

“Sure.”

“No.”

Belle and I said simultaneously. We then looked at each other and I shrugged. “We’re still working here which I’m sure you didn’t notice. There’s a lot of people here. Go invite someone else.” I then grabbed Belle’s hand and pulled her away. I didn’t look at his face as we left. It would only ruin my mood.

“Kura, you could at least be decent with him.” She chided.

“I’m not decent with anyone and you know that.” I retorted.

“Well, you got a point. Wait, can we stop for now?” She pants. “I know you have long legs but damn you could walk so fast.” I chuckled. “You two really need to talk, Kur.”

My silence made her continue even though it was written all over my face that I didn’t want to. “You’re mad at him because you two still have unresolved issues. Maybe you could be civil with each other just as long as your heart is at peace.”

I frowned. “My heart is at peace even if we didn’t talk.”

“You know what I’m talking about. I just don’t want you to keep disliking or hating anyone. It’s a burden.”

I raised a brow at her. “I haven't thought of him in a long time. Eventually the past isn’t a big deal anymore. I just don’t know why that certain feeling came back just one look at his face.”

“It’s called unresolved issues, Kur.” I then laugh. She eyed me as if I was crazy for laughing.

I hugged her. “Oh my god. I just love you, Isabella Vasquez. I’ll settle it. I promise.” Or not.

---

Although the party tonight is preplanned, the second day was just as successful as the first day. We had a few drinks last night to celebrate it but we couldn’t go full blast since the party is tonight.

Regardless, I was still completely wasted. Maybe it’s the fact that I kept gulping down the drinks like there’s no tomorrow.

So here I am waking up in one of Vasquez' guest rooms. The sunlight was literally my alarm clock. It shone all over my tired face. I got up from the bed to cover the windows with the curtains.

“Damn. How can you still wake up so prettily despite sporting a huge hangover?” Belle came to the room with breakfast in her hands. She placed it on the table beside my bed whilst I didn’t continue closing the curtains.

“I have a long history of awesome genes, Mrs Vasquez, but I certainly have a huge fucking headache right now. The fucking pain didn’t spare me.” I said as I sat down on the bed beside her. My hand supported my head that was aching really bad.

“That’s why I brought you some meds.” She then gives it to me with a glass of water on the other hand.

“How I wish I was the one who married you. Thanks.” While I gladly took it. She chuckled at my response.

“Also I made you some congee instead. You’re probably going to go back to sleep again so I prepared a light meal for you.”

“Aww, please divorce Kyle, Belle, and marry me.” I dived in for a hug and wrapped her around my tired arms. She was laughing when she realized I was closing my eyes and I was getting heavier against her. I almost fell asleep on her.

“Eat, alright? I’ll wake you up later for shopping. Quinn insisted on shopping for a new dress for tonight.”

“I already have one.” I answered groggily.

“No, you don't, you're lying.” She said skeptically.

“I am.” I gave her a small laugh and whined. “I don’t like going with Quinn when shopping. She literally buys the whole store and then gives it to me or to you. I think she managed to give every woman in our company some dresses.”

“She just loves to dress up. She’s like our very own fashion queen and we’re her very own barbie dolls.” She jokes.

I shrug. “It saves me the money anyways so I don’t mind. The part that I just dislike is I get to carry all the bags.”

Belle bursts in laughter. “Well at least your lessons from the gym came in pretty useful.”

I groaned while falling to the bed, face flat. “Wake me up when I’m not the one who’s bringing all the bags.” Belle only laughs at my misery. She then left me right after finishing the congee. The girl understood I was never good with mornings.

---

Belle woke me up just before lunch. Quinn picked us up and said we will have lunch together. Belle wanted to cook for us but when I told them I was craving for a chocolate cake, the two wanted to eat as well so we ended up eating outside.

“Why were you the only one drunk last night?” My fork paused midair as two pairs of eyes travelled towards Quinn. I opened my mouth and continued to devour the delicious spaghetti.

“We met Nixon Dale.” Belle answered for me. Quinn frowned for a few seconds, trying to process the name. Eyes widened in surprise when she realized who owned the name.

“Oh my god. You’re ex?!” She pointed at me. I rolled my eyes at her blatant reaction. “Wait. Why is he here? I thought he was somewhere around the world with no chance of coming back.” She stated sassily.

I shrugged. “Beats me.”

“Well, we could’ve known if you didn’t shut him down coldly. I was curious why he’s here too.” Belle exclaimed. No wonder she was so eager to talk with Nixon yesterday.

“I’m not a least bit interested anyways.”

“Well, I am.” She argued.

“Me too.” Quin added, raising her hand as if she was participating in a class. “But if Kura put him in his place, I would rather see that too.” We high fived after her statement which made Belle giggle.

“But aren’t you a bit curious why he was suddenly here? At Nile’s event at that?” Belle specially pointed her question at me.

Which made me think. Really. Why the hell is that guy here at Veselov Industries’ event? I thought he’s a doctor. Damn Belle, making me think about these things.