Chapter 5

• THE LAST
• My throat ran dry when I heard Kai’s question. An employee with loyalty? An employee with a word of honor? Why is he asking me this question? Has he not moved on from me? From us?
• I want to know, too. If I was only allowed to ask that question to him right now, I would’ve asked it.
• Miguel and Paulo looked at me, waiting for my reply.
• I stared at Kai who’s busy reading my resume. Did he have to read it? I am aware that he knows everything written in it.
• I cleared my throat. “I am true to my word,” I started and Kai looked up and stared at me, with narrowed, intimidating eyes. My heart is beating fast but I needed to defend myself. I needed to get this slot. “When I say things, I really mean them—”
• Kai scoffed. “Really?” He smirked.
• I pursed my lips in a thin line. “Yes, Mr. Bennett,” I replied. “I know myself. When I utter words, I mean them—”
• “But you can’t stand up for them,” Kai cut me once again. “You may mean those words but you need to be responsible for them as well. Meaning it and being responsible for it are two very different things.”
• I gulped. His words are filled with hatred and bitterness. I could feel cold water washing through my heart and I’m sad. Very sad, that the only man I wanted to be with hates me. But what’s sadder is that I can’t complain. I deserve this kind of treatment from him.
• “I’m afraid that’s true,” I said, defeated. He gave me a victorious look but I tried to cut him off. “But I believe that I am responsible enough for my actions, too. For those words I haven’t stood up for, I expected the worst consequences. And I don’t blame anyone for it. I am responsible for the consequences of my actions.”
• Kai looked at me with furrowed brows. I thought he was going to respond but he just kept his mouth shut and looked back on the folder in front of him.
• Miguel cleared his throat. He looked at me and smiled. “You are such a fine lady, Miss James. And I think you’re actually overqualified for this job.” He paused. “But what made you choose Nildex among all those huge companies?”
• I glanced at Kai who seemed to have frozen in his spot.
• Miguel and Paulo waited for my reply.
• I smiled. “Well, aside from being the best in its department, I think only Nildex will bring me the best achievement in my career.” I spoke. “Nildex is the only company I have been meaning to work with since I was just starting.”
• Paulo nodded at my response. “Really?” He asked.
• I nodded. “When I was still studying in New York, I have always dreamed of working in Nildex because it is one of the best companies here in the UK. So, I tried my hardest abroad to be qualified and dignified enough for whatever position I would qualify for in this prestigious company.”
• Paulo and Miguel smiled. Kai just stared at me.
• I believe I answered their question nicely.
• “Thank you for the overflowing compliment, Miss James. I have never expected a woman like you to adore this company so bad,” Miguel chuckled. “I like you.”
• I smiled and glanced at Kai who’s clenching his jaw while looking at Miguel. “Thank you, Mr. Miguel Bennett.” I bowed a little.
• Kai’s eyes narrowed at me upon hearing my words to Miguel. Why are you looking like that? Are you jealous? I want to know.
• I tried my hardest to ignore his stare when Paulo spoke.
• “What do you think of her, Kai? I think she’s really qualified for the job.”
• Kai looked at me and bit his lower lip. My heart fluttered. I can still feel his lips on mine. Four long years and his lips are all I wanted to feel. Four long years and I couldn’t still forget how soft his lips could be—how perfect it is to be kissed by those soft lips!
• “I’ll think about it,” Kai replied in a very serious tone.
• I swallowed. “Thank you,” I mumbled in a soft whisper.
• Miguel and Paulo stood up and walked to me for a handshake.
• “When he says he’ll think about it, he’s already thinking of when’s the best time to call you,” Paulo smiled.
• Miguel nodded and chuckled. “He’s right. Our cousin’s always like that.” He laughed. “We’ll see you around, Miss James?”
• I smiled. “I’m not even accepted, sir,” I replied shyly.
• “Don’t worry. You will be,” Paulo winked at me before walking out of the room.
• I bit my lip when I saw Kai’s eyes on mine. Why is he looking like he’s about to kill someone?
• My heart raced fast when he stood up from his seat and started to walk closer to me.
• His gaze is so intense and I could feel my insides shiver with the intensity of coldness in his stare. I’m thinking of fainting but it wouldn’t really be a good idea right now.
• I unknowingly took a step back when he was about a foot from me.
• “Are you flirting with my cousins?” he asked me in a very accusing tone.
• I bit my lip and shook my head. “No.” I don’t know if he heard my voice.
• He narrowed his eyes on me and walked closer. “You’re not flirting with them? So…” he bit his lip and continued walking towards me as I stepped closer—stopping only when my back reached the end, the wall. “Are you flirting with me, then?”
• My heart raced faster when I heard his question. I wasn’t flirting with anyone. I just wanted to get his attention. I just wanted him back to me. I don’t need to flirt with him. I just needed an effort to make him come back to me.
• I stared into his eyes and waited for him to do something to me. I will gladly accept any punishment he will give me. But I just can’t walk away from him. I love him too much to let go.
• “Eunique James, I told you I don’t want to see you ever again…” he trailed as he placed both of his hands to both of my sides. “…what are you doing in the premises of my company?”
• My heart fell. It was as if he was so disappointed to see me in his company. It was as if he was so unhappy to see me again.
• “I wanted to join your company—”
• “Are you dumb?! Or just plain crazy?!” His voice started to rise. “I said I don’t want to see you again! What the fuck are you doing inside my company?!”
• I wanted to shut my eyes from his shout but I tried to stay strong. “I’m not—”
• “Fucking leave me the hell alone!” he yelled and slammed his fist on the wall. “Leave me alone like before! That’s what you’re good at, right? Leaving someone? Do it again. It wouldn’t be that hard for you to do that!”
• His words brought tears to my eyes. He didn’t know what I felt when I left him. I felt like a lost soul searching for my human body. I couldn’t find my own direction. I couldn’t find my resting place. I was at war with my heart for too long and I thought being with him could end the war but I’m wrong. The war goes on, fiercer and bigger than ever.
• I wiped the tears in my cheeks and faced him. His gaze softened.
• “I’m sorry,” I uttered as he removed his hands on the wall. “I know you don’t need it but I’m really sorry.”
• I didn’t hear anything—just my sobs and my heart beating loudly. I know my apology will never be enough to fix and mend his broken heart but what does he expect me to say? I would forever apologize for hurting him so bad that’s enough to make him forget the feeling of falling in love.
• I wiped the tears falling nonstop and sobbed. I thought last night was the worst for me. But no…seeing him makes the pain I feel get worse every single time.
• “You know I don’t need it, so why do you keep on saying it?” His voice is calmer now but his anger is still evident.
• I was breathing heavily, trying to be calm after all the tears I shed. “Because that’s all I could ever say to make me feel better,” I replied in between sobs. “I know I can’t make it better…”
• He stared at me with his dark eyes. I can’t read what he’s thinking. I can’t see anything about his feelings. I am so afraid, so afraid that I am too late. I’m so scared thinking that he has moved on from me.
• I don’t want him to move on from me. He can’t move on from me just yet. We haven’t even savored our times together. We haven’t even been together for long. I haven’t even showed him the depths of my love. He can’t walk away from me just yet. I haven’t even put up a good fight.
• “I waited for you.” He looked at me with his blank stare. “Four years, Eunique. Four fucking long years…and all I can get is your apology. Not even an explanation.” He shook his head and chuckled weakly. “Did you know how hard it was for me? I was living in hell. I was like a simple object. No life.”
• I gulped at his words. I know. I know the feeling. I have been there, too!
• “I waited for you. I looked for you. I called you several times, texted you a million times, emailed you even more but I didn’t get any response. I got nothing from you.” He smiled weakly. “I was like a fool waiting for rain to come in summer. That’s what I was when you left me.”
• I shut my eyes and cried realizing all the pain I’ve put him through. It isn’t easy to forgive me, I know. But I am willing to do whatever it takes to make it alright again.
• “You’ve hurt me to death, so, how can you expect me to just accept you whole-heartedly now that you’re back again?”
• His question lingered in the air. I know he won’t. I know there’s almost no possibility that he would accept me again. But I don’t want to quit just yet. I don’t want to give up when I know I haven’t tried my hardest.
• “You’re aware of what you’ve done to me. You’ve caused me an irreparable damage I would be carrying on for the rest of my existence, a permanent scar I would never get rid of all my life.”
• I sobbed and nodded. I know. I know it all.
• He took a deep breath and pulled me in for a hug. “I swear to God. This is the last time. I just wanted to hug you,” he whispered. “After this, I’m not even going to look at you.” He stopped and I cried.
• I thought I’ve hurt enough. But why do I feel ripped right now? Why do I feel like dying as I hear his words?