Chapter 179 Prettier but sad (I)

Chapter 179 Prettier but sad (I)
CALUM
“Mr Dissick,” Cathy breathes out. 
I shove my hands into my pockets to stop myself from drawing her into a hug. Our last encounter is still fresh in my memory. I look around for her protective bodyguard. I’ve imagined this moment too many times to count but it was nothing like this. 
“Really?” I tease. “Why so formal?” 
The scowl on Cathy’s lips wipes the smile lingering on mine. My mouth shapes into an O. She cut her hair. Why? Since when? Cathy crosses her arms under her boobs. The white gown she’s wearing hugs her upper body, tightens around her midriff, then flows downward to her knees. She’s as pretty as ever, maybe prettier with age. 
Prettier but sad. 
I want to pull her into a hug, if only this one time to remind her she’s not alone. But we are not the same Calum and Cathy anymore. 
“Very funny.” Cathy wedges herself between the door and doorframe, her eyes hardening as they rake over me from top to bottom. Coming here was a battle against my conscience. I still have no idea why I left the comfort of my house to see an ex who lives in another country. “Why are you here, Mr Dissick? What do you want this time?” 
This time? The question leaves her lips with a tinge of bitterness. She’s grieving. I’ll have to remember that. I run a hand through my hair, and her eyebrows furrow. 
“To pay my condolences,” I reply. She lifts a brow, and her sad eyes drill holes into me. I am here for her, but now that I’m here, I have no idea how to announce my role. What of the boyfriend? In the end, I settle for an easy answer. “Amelia was my friend.”
Anger flashes across Cathy’s face. She holds up a finger, shaking her head in disappointment, rage and so many negative emotions. 
“Amelia Greene was not your friend. She was mine.” I push down the lump building in my throat. I knew this would be tough, suspected she would be upset because of those emails but I also expected her to have forgotten about them or moved on. She has a new man, why’s she mad? I try to smile but it only irks her. “I’m going to ask you one last time, Mr Dissick, why are you here?” 
“To see you, Cathy,” I confess. 
Cathy’s jaw slacks. She blinks twice, then a new wave of anger crashes over her. I think I might have said the wrong thing. 
Pointing to the street where my rental car is waiting, she says, “Leave. I don’t want to see you. Leave us—”
“Cathy?” a male voice calls from inside. She whips around to face the person. From here, I can’t see him, but I can bet it’s the motherfucker who stole her from me. “Is everything okay? You are taking too long.” 
The person comes into view. The boyfriend. I straighten up to my full height. Pain stabs me everywhere as he stands close to Cathy. I’m only comforted by the fact he doesn’t throw an arm over her shoulder or kiss her to show dominance. We never got to openly be in love but she has that now. I should say something now, but my tongue is tied. 
“Hi,” the man says. He’s much older than Cathy, looks to be in his late twenties. Is this her type now? I can dress up. I can also grow out my beards. The man eyes me like he knows me. Oh, right. He might. He must have heard my song. “Can we help you?” 
Cathy scoffs. “Help? Mr Dissick was just on his way out. Right, sir?” Who the hell is sir? That can’t be me. Her fake smile splits her lips, and my stupid self thinks up ways to make her smile genuinely. “Mr Dissick!” 
“Wrong,” I reply. “I was not on my way out.” 
Cathy slides an arm around her boyfriend’s waist, and my heart nearly pokes out of my chest. She shouldn’t touch him. She can’t touch him. 
“Jason,” she whispers. So that’s the fucker’s name. Turning her back to me, she tugs on his arm. My fists clench in my pockets. God help me because my thoughts are sinister and ugly. The blue eyed bastard holds my gaze. It’s a damn shame we are about the same height so I can’t intimidate him with that. I don’t like her touching him. I don’t like her not being mine. Fuck. Coming here was a bad idea. “I don’t want him here.” 
That sets me off. When the fucker tries to speak, I cut him off. “I’m not going anywhere until...” 
Until what? 
“Go away,” Cathy cries into Jason’s chest and he pulls her closer. I stare at the earth beneath me. When will I get the memo? When she tattoos it on my forehead that she’s done with me and what we had? 
“Maybe come back later?” Jason whispers. He still has a bulky, protective arm around Cathy’s shoulders and she can’t do me the decency of a glance in my direction. I’ll make that never. I’ll never come back here if I leave today. “You’re upsetting her.” 
“Okay,” I reply.
They leave without shutting the door, and I have to watch him guide her to another room. It still hurts. Seeing her is like ripping the Band-Aid off a fresh wound. 
I lied. I’ve been lying to myself for a long time.
I’m not over her. I don’t think I’ll ever be.
I shut the door and head towards my car. Footfalls sound behind me but I hasten my pace. I won’t wait to be kicked out a second time. The person hurries, I reach my car but their voice stops me from opening the door.
“Calum?” 
From the window of my car, I see a familiar face. The blonde hair unlocks the memories of her helping me. 
“You came,” Ashley says. 
I turn around slowly. “Yeah.” 
“Amelia said you would,” she says. Her eyes fill with tears. She wipes the liquid rolling down her cheeks but they continue to escape. 
The window of Amelia’s room is open. A figure moves behind the curtain. I don’t know if it’s Cathy but as I hug Ashley, I hope she’s the one, watching and getting jealous.