PRIDE AND HIS HEART

Chapter 3

David remained calm about the whole thing, hoping one day Kiara will get to understand his feelings for her. The day she will stop minding the fact that she is older and letting go of her ego. But then, he was about execute the project for The Marks company, a renowned building company where Kiara serves as the manager and also the next of kin. For this he had to visit the company, often using the opportunity to get to see Kiara, inquiring about her from the workers and keeping an eye on her.

On one bright sunny afternoon during the days of the contract, he stood by, negotiating with his co-workers when Kiara walked down the hallway. She smiled brightly and an unfamiliar way which got David suspicious.

Beside her was someone at the other end, but David couldn't tell who it was. The face or cloth wasn't obvious, it was reddish brown. David sneaked to see what may be going on, as it's weird to see Kiara smile that way.

But then, the guy moved forward, his hands in his pocket with a sheepish grin on his face. He was tall, a bit fair and well built. The type that can win any girl. That was Frank, just a new guy nobody knows.

Anger blazed in David's eyes, his jaw tightened, his vein became obvious across his face and his expression faded. Yet he couldn't react according to his anger to avoid drama and at the same time couldn't stand another man making Kiara smile. He stood still for a while then walked away to his car and drove home.

Kiara didn't notice any of this, she kept smiling and even laughing as Frank cracked some jokes. Each time a smile would bloom across her face and even laugh, the kind of laugh that was unfamiliar and would have come from her heart until she was interrupted by a staff member asking for a guide.

Meanwhile David was at home, sitting under the shower to cool off. He sat there still, playing those moments in his head; the laughter, the guy and how she had mistreated him. He thought if she was only acting that way to him alone, maybe she does love someone else but just not him. He thought everything to the moon and back and finally got out of the shower for some rest yet his mind couldn't.

He remembered, there was the day in his life he confessed something to her that ruined everything during their friendship days.

On that day, as usual everything was normal. He couldn't rest the previous night. In his mind, he just wanted to see Kiara. He fought so hard to keep his confession but then also afraid another guy might go first and probably he might lose her. That morning he called her to inform her he would come to see her and happily she said “yes”

He sighed for a moment and became relieved.

Back in the office, Kiara didn’t have an idea of what she has done, how badly she has hurt David but anyway she doesn't care. Frank also didn't have an idea of what he was doing. He kept making jokes, moving around the environment just trying to impress Kiara with his skill and he was happy he kept winning.

She smiled all along, chuckled and even laughed in some cases. David felt it, it hurt in his chest each time. Somehow their hearts were synchronized. Among all other companies Mr Mark, Kiara's father owns, the latest yet the biggest one which Kiara was managing was still under construction, in partnership with David.

“You love tulips?” Frank said, casually brushing along the petal of the tulip plant near the window.

Kiara swivels slowly in her chair, eyes drifting to the wall. “Yes,” she said quietly “since I was a child.” then swerved to face Frank. “I have loved Tulip since my childhood, David taught me to love them.”

“David! Who's he?” he asked with curiosity. His face hardened, jealousy dancing in his eyes even though Kiara made mention of ‘childhood’.

“A friend, just a childhood friend” She replied, her voice came out steadier.

“You must have loved him, I mean he taught you to love tulips. He must be special”

“He was a friend and nothing more, actually about the tulip flowers. Well, I love them naturally, on my own, not for a memory.” Almost hesitantly she spoke.

Frank's suddenly drifted his face away to the window to avoid Kiara. His vein became obvious on his face.

“People don't usually remember who taught them to love things.” He added

Meanwhile, Kiara turned to the wall, stares at it and became lost in thought. The office became quiet as if no one was inside until a sudden knock interrupted. The door opened and a lady came in, submitted a file and it was declared the work for the day was done.

Frank turned to face Kiara even though it wasn't easy, so she didn't notice his jealousy. He managed to fake a smile with a slightly bright grin. Kiara called the janitor to lock up the building and ensure security. She went out of the building with Frank acting cool. Despite all he still tried to play cool to win her. He held her hands as they walk towards the car, open the door for her to sit.

The atmosphere was airy, the breeze flew gently blowing Kiara's hair across her face. The day's work was done and until then Kiara noticed David's absence. Just then she stopped, turned around, watching around the environment. Frank stood, watching her with curiosity in his face yet couldn't speak. He almost did but it seems Kiara was amazed that she couldn't listen to him. Her tiny lips were slightly opened, she scanned the building again.

Finally Frank got to ask. “Hey, you look confused. What's that?”

“I don't think David was here, he should be around today and I'm just noticing he isn't.”

The door slammed, Kiara looked back sharply with grief written all over her. Frank slammed the car’s door.