Hello, Kenzo

So-called Friends

"Stella, the café is not doing well these past few days, and I'm afraid that if it goes on much longer, I think we have to rest for now, or we'll have to reduce our employees," Dad sighed, sitting down beside me while he offered me a hot cup of coffee and my favorite bread when I was young.

After Narih's accomplishment to get Kate closer to her, I told her to get Kate bring her to Tim. As the second part of the plan, we needed to convince Kate that they were teaming up against me and that if all their plans ended up like the way Narih told Kate, then Tim could have me while Kenzo would finally leave me if I was to be proven a child killer and had no money. I asked them to destroy me so I could start over. I had to clean up the dirtiest part of my life to breathe better. The main reason why I had to drive to our hometown, hoping to see Dad after a very long and tiring day, and gladly I did. I had to hide them when the news of roasting me would blast by next week.

I looked at Dad and smiled weakly, seeing how tired his face was. I felt him breaking. My heart ached for him as I took the warm, fresh pastry that smelled divine in his hand and bit into it with delight. The cinnamon melted beautifully against my lips, and I knew that I would never get enough of this sweet thing, I knew that there were many things that Dad would like to do but couldn't just yet. "Yes, Dad, I know."

"Your clothing line isn't doing well either," the pain in his eyes pierced through as he took a sip of coffee while we sat on the couch, silently looking at the empty café that used to be so alive and vibrant, filled with music, laughter, joy, love, life, energy, and light. But after all the issues bombarding me, it was now a dead place filled with coldness, emptiness, silence, and emptiness. A place where the happy laughter had been replaced by sad smiles, where smiles that once glowed with love and warmth had faded into the background and only sadness lingered around. It was a sad place filled with darkness and shadows, where customers barely visited anymore. It pained me that all our hard work was slowly fading like I had the worst sin.

A sigh left my lips as I looked down on the ground, staring into the coffee mug, which still held some warmth from before. "What happened, Ne?" Dad continued, and I tried to look as sympathetic as possible, though deep inside I wanted nothing more than to scream how unfair this all was.

"Dad, I'm sorry!" My lips trembled with anger as tears started threatening to escape my eyelids. I could not hold my emotions anymore. I was tired. I was drained, and I badly needed someone from my family to strengthen me.

Dad put his mug down and reached over to wipe my tears away while gently pulling me into a hug. He caressed my back, stroking it gently. As tears finally freed from my eyes, I started crying.

"Hey, it's ok! It's ok! Stop crying now!" Dad whispered soothing words to me as my body shook with every sob that escaped my mouth.

Dad held onto me tightly, whispering to comfort me until I stopped sobbing. He kept rubbing circles across my back, even after I'd calmed down and regained most of my composure. When it seemed like everything was finally okay again, Dad pulled away slightly and stared into my eyes. His expression was calm and peaceful. There was no emotion whatsoever, and his eyes showed a sign of acceptance. He understood and accepted this whole situation.

"Remember, Ne! I don't mind going back to what we used to live before; if you will be hurt this much, it's better to have a simple life." My father's voice cracked in an attempt to sound calm and reassuring, but I knew him too well.

"About the man I was seeing..." I almost choked out, my throat closing shut. I tried my best to swallow the saliva, and when I managed to, I continued. "I am not rushing things."

He frowned slightly, knowing fully well who I was talking about. "Ne, I am not going to judge you for whoever you choose to love. So, don't worry! I understand your decision. I can take care of Vri for the time being. Focus on what you have to do. We will not be short on finances in the coming thirty years anyway," he chuckled, lightening up the mood.

"You accept us?"

"I love you, Ne. So, I will love the person who will love you. But, when things are better, bring him to me and I'll check if he passes!" Dad acted cool, and I could not help but hug him tighter and kiss his cheek in gratitude. He hugged me back and kissed the top of my head.

"Dad, I'll keep what is ours!" I muttered before leaving and going back to my apartment to prepare my luggage.

I am certain that a board meeting will be held one of these days. I asked Narih to coordinate with GRIVA's members about buying my share to stop the tarnishing of the company. I knew that the issue wouldn't matter if it was true or not; large companies like them would not want any issues to be associated with them. I know they were just waiting for this perfect moment because removing me along with my shares would be a great loss, so I would just make things easier for them.

"Hey!"

I gasped as my body relaxed and I recognized the familiar voice that had startled me. I turned my back on the door, gave him a small smile, and waved him in.

He walked to me, still in his uniform, and collapsed into my arms. For a minute, I felt like I was breathing again. He felt good, and I inhaled his scent as my fingers ran through his hair. His hands clutched mine tightly as he buried his face into the crook of my neck. I could feel his heart pounding rapidly, and his breaths came out quickly. My body reacted to him and shivered. My fingers found their way to his lower back, tracing patterns into the fabric of his uniform shirt.

"I missed you," I breathed, my voice slightly sounding less strained.

For a brief moment, his grip slackened as his body tensed. I thought he was going to break the embrace, maybe push me away, and I could not blame him. But he started kissing me.

Slow at first, but his lips started moving against mine passionately, and I responded immediately. His hands gripped the material of my uniform, pressing me harder against him. My heart started beating faster again. I didn't know if it was from excitement or fear. I pushed him away slightly to gaze into his eyes, wondering if he felt it too.

"Wait, why are you here?" I asked in a sudden voice. He should be at his work.

His eyes softened as he caressed my cheeks, his thumbs grazing my skin softly. "I went here after work to make sure you are alright." My smile widened when I saw that he was genuine.

He tried to get back to kissing, but I had to give him a quick peck on the cheeks and return to packing my luggage.

"I am leaving for a while, so you will need to move back to your sister or your brother in the meantime," I hurriedly explained, trying to fight back the urge to kiss him back and make love like there is no tomorrow, but then I had to push it back until things would be settled.

"Where are you going? When are you leaving? Can't I stay here until you go?" Kenzo followed me.

"Well, I was anticipating leaving by next week."

"That's long enough, Stella! If I may not be of good use to you at the moment, then let me lessen the pain you are going through. This is the only thing I could think to be less of a burden when I caused you all these." Kenzo caught me by my waist and pulled me closer to him as we both sat on the edge of the bed. I was sitting on his lap.

"Never think of you as a burden to me. I am doing everything to keep you because you are a part of me now," I whispered as I caressed his hands, which lay wrapped around my waist. "But if you insist on staying, can you cook me something warm?"

I saw him smile weakly before planting kisses behind my neck and helping me up. "Warm ramen coming right up!" Kenzo smiled before walking to the door.

"Oh gosh! I might have puked if you continued your intimacy there!" Narih entered my room, and I blushed in embarrassment as she glared at Kenzo before turning to me with a soft smile on her lips.

"Why are you smiling like that? You look so happy," I said softly as I grabbed her to sit on the bed.

She chuckled softly and shrugged, her smile never faltering. "It's nothing much; I just have good news." I raised a brow as she sat beside me before continuing. "I invited Kate to my palace."

"Narih, it's just a penthouse!" I cut in as her imagination about her character as a billionaire was going out of hand.

"Oh shut up! My sight was ruined a while ago. Please, Stella, as your cousin who stood beside you all these shitty times, please, please, refrain from having...you know...wet time with your kid until things got settled. Though I know it is hard, you can do it over and over when the time comes, and no one will have to stop you. You know, give it time. We cannot afford to have inside your tummy again and lose an angel because the time is not right," Narih begged. "Anyway, I was talking about bringing Kate to my palace, and the b***h liked it. She had a few questions, but I was able to get through them, and she brought me to Tim. Now, I am going to meet her father tomorrow!"

"That's good!"

"Then I'll contact the GRIVA."

"Thank you, Narih!"

"Ah! Well, I was thinking, after all these, could I...uhm...keep my castle?" Her face flushed a dark red as soon as she finished her sentence. She looked down at the floor nervously, refusing to look at me. I couldn't contain myself anymore and laughed out loud.

"What?" she exclaimed loudly as she hit my arm lightly.

My laugh faded as I took deep breaths to try and regain control. "Ok! But you'll have to pay me ten percent of your salary every month!"

"Ah, that's abduction!" Narih yelled to me.

"Wow! You almost robbed me back at the store, if you have forgotten!" I yelled back at her.

We both laughed at the end.

"But Narih, you cannot just go here."

"I know! But I don't think anyone would pay attention to my commoner look." Narih shook her head, even showing her dirty slippers.

"But for safety! You can just call me next time, ok?" I said before rushing to the bathroom and changing my clothes into something pitiful.

"Where are you going with that attire?" Narih gasped as she stood up from bed, looking at me with eyes of confusion.

"I am heading out to show the world I am breaking," I smirked, while preparing my hair to be pulled in case I get too much of the drama.

"Where?"

"To the club where my so-called friends love to hang out!"