Done With My Ex, Moving To The Next

Chapter 23: A Wish

Chapter 23: A Wish

STELLA

Three months ago, a quit notice had been served to all tenants of our residence and this morning, a quit reminder had been shared again.

I glared at the paper in my hand. I had been searching for a new apartment which would be close to the Fashion Academy I attended but sadly, I hadn't gotten one.

All the agents I had contacted kept declining because securing an apartment close to my Fashion Academy was almost impossible.

“Are you agreeing to it?" Rhys asked, pulling steady as though he paused his eyes from lighting up.

He owned a million-dollar mansion, not so close but around the Fashion Academy I attended. I'd gotten my admission, thanks to his connection with a friend.

And I didnt want anything more from him, even as he offered to accommodate me.

“No, I'll keep looking for an apartment" I responded, my hope of finding one had already started flickering.

"But what happens when you don't find one?” i bit back every word. He was right.

“I'd probably.. probably live in a motel or something" I stuttered. Jeez! He was so unbelievable.

“You've forgotten you're quite high maintenance, Blaze" He said, his smile disappearing as though he said something he never wanted to.

“Who said so?"

“I did and trust me, I'm never wrong with my judgement" I smiled. Arguing with Rhys was pointless, despite what the topic always was.

“I'm off!" I announced like it should have going to my academy should have been news. I didn't wait for his response before I grabbed my bag, hanging it on my arm as I made my way outside.

Today, again, he insisted on driving me to work. I'd refused on all other days, but today, he insisted he'd throw tantrums if I didn't.

I knew Rhys so well. He'd do it and that wasn't going to do me any good.

I’d only find my name in the press, with a lie written as the headline to back the ‘story’ of me being around with my ex-husband's half-brother.

Till the week ended, he insisted on driving me to the Academy and I had no choice but accept on a bright Friday morning, the moment he swore he'd throw me over his shoulder if I didn't get in.

I'd thought I could manouever my way, into getting the bus but as soon as the academy closed, he was waiting outside for me. Engine fuming, the second I stepped out.

“Taking the bus isn't a big deal, Rhys" I yelled as soon as I settled in the car. He had such an attitude of curbing ‘my disobedience’ by doing the pettiest things ever.

“It is” He winked at me, then started the engine. "When I'm around”

I swallowed hard, blinking as the awkwardness of the moment heightened.

“You know all tenants are required to execute the building by tomorrow, Blaze" He brought it up.

I didn't make a sound. I fixed my eyes on the road, purposely so I could pretend I didn't hear anything.

“You're moving in with me. I called the logistics company"

“What?" I almost choked on my own spit.

He didn't say a word, but my eyes lingered on his hand…just as he moved the steered the car.

“I thought you couldn't hear me, Blaze"

I wasn't ashamed. I didn't make a sound either even though I'd developed hiccups, all from nowhere.

“I can't live with you. Cancel the appointment with them, Rhy—"

“Blaze, what are you thinking?" He smiled with one cheek. I studied it. It wasn't a smirk.

“Nothing. I just don't want to live in the same house as you. The press, the blogs will definitely need something to post—"

“Alright. I accept that reason. There's a guesthouse, just the next fence from mine. There's a demarcation so, technically—"

I sighed, my eyes almost shutting. I wasn't crying, I was folding on the inside.

It was practically like I was using him to get all I wanted but the funniest part?

It was very obvious—how he was serving me luxury like it didn't matter, because it was me.

The car had been moving a couple of minutes before we finally I finally raised my eyes.

“Where are you driving to?" This street didn't look anything like the way back home.

“I’m meeting a friend. You should say hi. Wanna come along?"

I needed to get to my academy. I had a couple of test projects to work on, overnight. I needed to submit them by Monday.

"No, I have to start wo—”

"I already called Cassia. He shouldn't get mad over you submitting on Tuesday "

“No way, Rhys!" I couldn't find another within the time span as short as that.

Cassia??

I'd gotten into the top fashion academy at London, thanks to him but I didn't appreciate the idea of him calling a day off like that— even though he was close friends with the founder.

This nepotism was getting the best part of me.

“I don't appreciate you doing things like that without my consent.” I said as the car slowed down. It was a restaurant.

"We'll have to wait in there till he shows up. He said he'll be here in 12 minutes” He checked his phone before he turned around, to open the door for me.

"I can always do that by myself. What do you want people to think?” I couldn't hide the annoyance in me, I still had to be grateful even though he wanted me to meet a ‘friend’ of his.

He got ahead of me, pushing the door open for me to step in. “Rhys" I muttered, biting down on my teeth.

This was a public place—but as I stepped in, it wasn't very much of a public place.

It was empty and only a few waitresses stood.

God. It was heavenly.

It'd been a while since I stepped into a place as luxurious as this….it embodied elegance, class and history all in one.

The walls didn't look like bricks…instead, they looked like wood that had been polished and refined, as they carried luxurious paintings carved into them.

The chandeliers had dimmed lights and one could easily tell that everything was crafted with intentionality, even as the glowed softly on Rhys's jawline.

“What is this place?" I asked, not even trying to hide my surprise. The beauty of this eatery was very much unreal.

“You might want to take a walk. They have a gallery around that side—" He pointed, but before he could say another word, I'd grabbed the suggestion into action.

I walked towards the back corner where there were a few paintings.

He didn't follow immediately, until I'd walked a few steps away from him.

My happiness was beyond containment.

“Blaze" He said my name out loud. God. I hated how my body immediately recognized his voice, even when I didn't want it to.

I halted, turning towards him. He now had a bouquet in his hand and it looked like my favorite. White roses.

“Happy birthday, Blaze”

I melted at once. I hadn't expected anything or told him about anything—purposely because I hated to celebrate birthdays.

It was my birthday and I'd acted like today meant nothing. Even at work.

I was speechless but before I could ask how he knew, even as I'd never mentioned it for the past two years, Mr Cassian appeared right beside him.

Three other waitresses. One walked in with a cake that had candles on them.

“Mr Cassian?"

God. I was shocked but oddly, it wasn't the loud type. It was the type that shook one to their marrows, automatically sending tears down their eyes.

“Make a wish, Stella" Rhys and the waitress walked towards me, the candles on the cake flickering as they both moved closer.

I hadn't made a wish in years.

But tonight, I was making one while my heart felt loved.

Maybe wishing for moments like this to last and happen forever, was going to be the best thing.

I blew the candles, tears running down my eyes.

32!

I didn't know what I felt. No one called. Not even my own family—my sister.

But Rhys? The enemy who was getting an inch closer to my heart, day by day.