Chapter 32

“AND because of that, you deserved a round of applause,” Mr. Lim, one of the marketing staff, said.

Everyone in the room clapped. Chaya smiled as she exchanged glances with the representatives of the ad agencies. They were all young and hopeful, and to stand next to them was already enough for Chaya.

They all turned to the door when Kyrie finally entered. A beautiful blond was with him. Their eyes met at once, and a familiar pang gripped her heart. Kyrie kept a stern face. But his beautiful companion distracted him.

She clung to his arm and whispered something in his ear. Chaya’s eyes widened when she saw him smile. Yes, that was the smile she missed. And now someone else was the reason for that.

“Do you want to say anything to these brilliant people, Mr. Page?” Mr. Lim asked.

“Do I need to say more?” Kyrie said in a light tone. “There’s great food for everyone. Let’s all enjoy ourselves. Congratulations, and great job.”

Chaya looked down at her feet as the rest laughed.

“I can’t believe I’m talking to you right now,” Alfie said as they walked toward the buffet table. “I think I watched Your Love I Remember like ten times already! It’s my comfort movie, honestly.”

“Oh, t-thank you,” Chaya said shyly.

“Aren’t you writing a new movie again?”

“I haven’t got back to full-time writing, actually. But I’m planning to.” After I back out of here.

“I’m really excited!” Alfie exclaimed.

Chaya looked around the room as she walked toward the long table. Jellybean was not yet around. She was planning to hand in her letter of withdrawal and leave after lunch. She could not wait to exit the place. It was suffocating.

“Haven’t you thought of entering the show business yourself? I’m sure it would be easier for you. Your boyfriend is a superstar,” Maxine said.

Chaya cleared her throat. She was getting uncomfortable each time. Thanks to Alfie, who mentioned to the people on the table that she was a screenwriter, and she was connected to Tyler Garcia.

“I’m so jealous. How is Tyler Garcia as a boyfriend?” asked Chanel.

She straightened her back. “Tyler and I are just...” She paused when she realized these people were not her close friends, and indulging them was no point. “Can we not talk about it? I’m not really comfortable. It’s already personal. I hope you understand,” she said in a polite tone.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Chaya. We didn’t mean to. We became too excited,” Maxine said with a guilty smile.

“Y-yeah,” Chanel agreed. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right. I’m sorry, too. I didn’t mean to be rude.”

She glanced in the direction of the door only to find Kyrie staring in her direction. He was looking at her with cold eyes once again. It almost looked like a glare. She would not be surprised if he could hear the conversation. She looked away immediately and stood up.

“S-should we get more desserts?” she asked.

“Oh, I would,” Maxine said and raised a hand.

“Oh, I can’t. I remember I’m on a diet,” Chanel said with an uneasy smile.

Chaya smiled at Maxine. “Let’s go.”

Chaya jumped when something bumped into her legs. A surprised Kiel was staring up at her, and he dropped his phone on the floor.

“Oops, sorry.”

“K-Kiel.” She crouched down. “You’re here. Do you still remember me?”

His eyes widened. “Oh, I know you. You’re Chaya. You’re Daddy’s friend,” he said.

“Y-yeah.” Chaya laughed. “I didn’t know you’d be here.” She picked up his phone. The gallery was opened. Chaya stared when she realized it was a photo of Kyrie, Kiel, and Avery in a wheelchair. “T-this is yours?”

“Yes.” Kiel took the phone. “Thank you, Chaya.”

“I’m sorry for what happened to your mom,” she said in a low voice.

“It’s all right. Mommy’s not in pain anymore.”

“You still miss her?”

Kiel nodded. “Every time. I always look at our pictures whenever I miss her. But Daddy won’t let me use the phone for a long time. He says it will ruin my eyes.”

“Well, you can print your mom’s photo instead.”

“Print?” Kiel’s forehead furrowed. He looked as if it was his first time hearing that word. “What’s that?”

“Well, that is basically putting anything from your gadget to paper, like your mom’s photo. Printing is nice. You can take your mom’s photo anywhere with you. You can bring it to bed, and your daddy won’t mind for sure,” Chaya explained eagerly.

Kiel’s face lit up. “I would love that!”

Chaya giggled. “Yes!”

“Can we print her photos now?” he asked in excitement.

“As in now? Hmm. Um…” She looked around her. They were inside Kving, so there must be some equipment she could use. “We can ask for help. We need a computer.”

At least Chaya had a reason to exit the room. She was more than willing to be of assistance to Kiel.

“I know someone. Follow me!”

Chaya hastily put her empty plate back on the table and ran after Kiel, who dashed out of the room.

“Uncle!” Kiel called.

Kyros was just in the hallway outside the room. He was talking to someone on the phone. “Hang on. I’ll call you later,” Kyros said and put his phone back in his pocket. “Hi, Chaya,” he regarded and winked.

“H-hello, Mr. Page,” Chaya greeted back in a formal tone.

“What is it this time, Kiel?” he asked as he crouched down.

“You have a computer, right? Can we use it? Chaya knows how to print Mom’s photos! Please, please, please, let us use it, uncle!” Kiel begged.

Kyros chuckled and glanced at Chaya. “Are you bothering Chaya for that?”

“No, it’s all right,” Chaya said. “I don’t mind. I got nothing to do anyway.”

“Wow, it looks like you’re getting along so well.” Kyros stood up. “You can use my office.”

Chaya’s face lit up.

“Yes!” Kiel threw a punch in the air.

“Thank you. That’s so kind of you, Mr. Page,” Chaya said gratefully.

“Just call me ‘Kyros.’”

“Here. Feel free to use the equipment here,” Kyros said as he opened the door.

The walls were glass, so anyone could see what they were up to.

“Uncle, will you tell Daddy I’m with Chaya?”

“Shouldn’t you start calling her ‘mommy?’” Kyros teased.

“What?” Chaya blurted out, and she felt her cheeks flush.

Kyros chuckled. “I’m just kidding. Call me if you need help.” He bumped fists with Kiel.

“You’re the best uncle ever!” Kiel said and giggled.

“I know. See you later.”

Chaya drew a breath when Kyros finally left.

“Whoa. Awesome,” Kiel uttered in a deep voice as Chaya pushed the printed photo inside a film to the laminating machine. He was standing on a chair.

He was about to pick it up as it passed through, but Chaya stopped his hand.

“Nope, be careful, young man. It’s hot.” She pulled the photo and fanned it to cool down. “Oh, there you go.”

Kiel took it and stared at the laminated photo in disbelief.

“Awesome!”

Chaya could not help a giggle as she watched Kiel’s reaction.

“Thank you, Chaya! I love it!”

“You’re always welcome. So, should we go back now? Your dad must be looking for you.”

“Chaya, there’s something I would like to tell you.”

“Oh, yeah?”

Kiel carefully got down from the chair and stood in front of her. “Mommy told me that I should be good to you and I should not give you a hard time. You like me, right?”

“O-of course, I do.” She cupped his cheeks. Avery must be thinking she and Kyrie would still be together. If only she could see them now. “But your dad and I are—”

“Kiel.”