Second Chance with the Billionaire

13. No Answer

“THIS IS THE LAST PLACE I thought I will meet you in after Christmas.”

My head raises up as I hear a familiar feminine voice from behind, catching my lost attention back. As soon as I turn behind, I see Lillie there with arms crossed and shaking her head as if I just did something wrong.

“You arrived early.” I exclaim, making her scoff.

“Well, somebody suddenly called saying she is near my office and asked for me to come so I had to drop everything and leave the office earlier than usual.” She said, rolling her eyes on me. She glances behind me, seeing two glasses with one already finished and the other almost down. “Don’t tell me that you are drinking because of that asshole? “

I stared at her for a moment, wondering what she meant. However, there is only one asshole in my life right now with another one trying to mess up with me.

“I am not a fool for overthinking his mistakes, okay? It is already enough that the divorce papers are almost done.” I told her, making a clear point.

She shrugs and just occupied the empty highchair next to me, placing her bag on the countertop and gesturing the barista for some drink.

“If you weren’t thinking about him, then what else?” She curiously asked, sipping to the glass that the barista just gave her.

I reached for my purse and took out the box that I still can’t find myself to open once again after receiving it days ago. She raises a brow in confusion as I handed it for her to see. I just focus on my drink as she opened it up with no reaction.

“What’s with this bracelet? Trying to show off your Christmas gift?” She teases before her eyes widens. “IS THIS FROM GAEL?!”

I covered her mouth right away after she screamed and took everyone’s attention to us. I apologize to the other customers around before glaring at her.

“Why do you keep talking about that jerk?!” I exclaimed, frustrated.

“Well, if there is anyone who would gift you this just so appease himself, then you only have your husband to do that.” She confidently says, squinting her eyes on me after. “Unless there is someone else?”

I only looked at her and remained shut, gulping down the rest of the alcohol I have on my glass then asking for another after. Even up to this day, it still bothers me that I have that bracelet on hand when I shouldn’t. But, even if I don’t want to have it, I can’t give it back because he wouldn’t take it back.

“Is it… him?” She emphasized, specifically referring to Ezekiel.

Instead of an answer, I only release a deep sigh. I have so many things in my mind right now and it is driving me crazy!

From the divorce with Gael to thinking about Kathleen’s state after the divorce to lying to my father and my brother to waiting for a decision regarding my resignation then to now. I know that I shouldn’t overthink it too much, considering that a single bracelet could mean just a single gift. However, I know exactly what that bracelet means and the possibility of it being the actual meaning of it is what makes things complicated.

“You know? Since the moment I met him again at the party where I caught my husband having s*x with someone in a public restroom, everything just doesn’t seem so right anymore.” I said, venting out my frustration. “My marriage is broken, my kid is about to lose a complete family, I am a big liar to my brother and my father, and my job is still undetermined. I don’t even know what I should think of first! But… but he just had to butt in and mess it all up even further.”

She keeps her mouth shut, letting me to speak up myself. “He’s been going in and out of my family home since the moment Kathleen and I arrived there. Heck, he was even the one who opened the door to welcome us when we first arrived!” I said, raising my voice a little. “It’s not just that. He’s been taking my daughter out almost every other day with the reason that my brother is not available, so he had to be the one to look after her for the day! Can you believe that?!”

She took a deep breath, caressing my back. “You need to calm down first, Gabby.” She exclaims.

I was about to get a drink and gulp it all down when she took it away from me first, leaving me with nothing but a deep breath. I close my eyes for a moment, trying to calm myself down from all of these changings happening.

“I… I don’t know, Lillie. It’s like… everything is so confusing these days. I know that I need to divorce my husband because I must and he cheated on me, but I also need to think about Kathleen.” She nods her head in approval, giving me a sign that she understands my side. “Also, it is even more frustrating for me because I had to walk in an eggshell around my brother whenever Gael calls or even with Ezekiel around. It’s so… I don’t know! I’m just really frustrated now.”

“I understand, Gabby. It is not easy to be in the position where you are in, and maybe I wouldn’t deeply understand what it really feels like but… let me help you.” She offers, making me look at her.

She gave me a nod as I did the same. Maybe everything could be better if she helps me.

“Tell me…” I raise a brow. “What do you exactly feel towards Gael now?”

“Anger? Madness? Betrayal? I don’t know! Everything that is negative.” I said with no hesitation.

“And that is valid. Okay, now, let me move on.” She says before I caught the hesitation in her eyes.

“What is it?”

She bit her lower lip, hesitating still until I raised both of brows, encouraging her to speak up. “I know that this could… you know? Confused you more, but… you need to have an answer for this so we can see what our next action will be.” She explains, making me curious, until she speaks the next word that I didn’t expect at all. “What do you really feel towards Ezekiel now?”

For a moment, I was frozen. It should be an easy answer, and it was indeed an easy one whenever Ezekiel was brought up in our conversation suddenly. It was always easy to talk about him, but today… it doesn’t feel like it.

“I feel…” I look at her with mouth open, thinking of the right words to say. “I… feel…”

It was enough for her to take a deep sigh, nodding her head as if she understands something from my small stutter and incomplete answer. It cannot be.

“You don’t need to say anything more, Gabby. Those two words… it is already enough for me to know.” She pointed out.

“Know what?”

“That you are about to get yourself in a bigger trouble because you know that nothing has changed since years ago.”