CHAPTER 119- I ORDERED YOU A MILKSHAKE

CHAPTER 119- I ORDERED YOU A MILKSHAKE
Kiya walked over to the table, and just as she was approaching, he stood up and led her into her seat. Kiya smiled at the gesture and how he was still a gentleman considering the whole situation of things.

"I ordered you a milkshake; I hope that's fine," he said, and Kiya just nodded. His voice had lost its depth, and as familiar as it sounded, it was also just as strange.
Kiya opened her mouth as she started, "Asher, I am." Just then, he cut her off as he quickly replied, "Enough with the apologies. Kiya, I got your numerous texts and emails already, so there's not much you can tell me right here. That's not why I called you, and I'll appreciate it if we stick to the reason."

Kiya cleared her throat to smoothen her voice as she replied, in the most monotonous voice she could even summon, "Okay, Asher, why am I here?"

"I'll do it," he said.

Her face took on a confused expression, and Asher just stared at her for a minute before realisation dawned on him that she was confused at what he meant.
"I'll confront my mother," he said, clarifying what he meant initially.

Kiya was shocked at the revelation. She didn't think it was possible for her to fall deeper in love with him than she already was, but him making this statement made her heart soar at what a great guy he is.

"I'm not doing it for the NBI," he said, snapping her out of whatever daze she had fallen into. "I am doing it for myself. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I'm not sure if my mum was truly involved in the girls' disappearances, and most importantly, I won't be able to forgive myself if I don't do anything and later find out that the NBI was indeed right."

Kiya nodded understandingly. "Asher, why am I here?," she then asked again.

Asher's face snapped up to face hers. He studied her face, every curve, every detail. He noticed something different, but he couldn't place his hands on it. She was still as beautiful as ever, and he was still in love with her as much as ever. He tried to get over her, to not think about her, but all through these past weeks, if he wasn't thinking about his mother, his mind was consumed by thoughts of Kiya. He knew what he felt for her was real, and despite how wrong she was and how she manipulated and used him, he could not bring himself to hate her, no matter how much he tried, and he really did try.

"What do you mean?," he asked.

"Asher, you damn well know that I am no longer on the investigation, so why bring me over here to tell me that, knowing there is nothing I can do about it?"

Asher sighed. He knew deep down that the real answer to her question was that he wanted to see her face, with hopes that it'll ease the ache in his heart.

"Well, you went through so much stress to be close to me because of this case, so I thought it'd be worth your while to hear about it first. I don't need the NBI to be involved in it; I'll confront her on my own terms, and I'll get a recording somehow. At the end of the day, she is my mum, and I love her very much. I don't need the NBI barging into her house and humiliating her."

Kiya nodded. "I get that, and I appreciate you even doing this," she said.

"I guess that's all," Asher said, and he saw a conflicted look on Kiya's face as though she had something more to say, maybe more apology, but he could see the hesitation in her face.

"Do you have anything else to say?" he asked, and his voice came out meaner than he wanted it to.
He could see her shrink into herself as she quickly responded, "It's nothing, that's all."

Asher felt so bad, considering he didn't mean to actually be mean to her or even hurt her despite how much she hurt him.

He stood up to leave while she just sat there. He wanted to hug her badly, he wanted to kiss her, he wanted to tell her that he loves her very much, and he absolutely wanted to forget everything she did to hurt him and move past it, but he couldn't. He couldn't just let go of everything. All the lies, there were a lot, too much for him to ignore, so he just walked away.

As he stepped out, he saw Amarah standing by the car waiting for Kiya. She had on a look as though she had a lot to say, but she just gave him a look that was both sympathetic and apologetic.

He simply nodded at her and headed to his car. He sat in silence as he let a tear drop down his cheeks. He watched as Kiya slowly walked out and walked into the arms of her friends, who hugged her so tightly. He watched Amarah walk back into the store while Kiya stood waiting for her. He watched her rub her belly and whisper something, and just some seconds later, Amarah walked out holding a paper bag as Kiya hurled into it while Amarah patted her back.

He felt his heart clench in his chest watching the woman he's in love with sick. That explained the difference he couldn't place in her looks; she must be sick and caught a bug or something.

He watched them get into the car and drive off.
He sent a quick text to his mum that he was on his way over to hers and asked if she would be around, considering his mum somehow always had a busy schedule, and if she is not aware you're coming, she won't be able to clear it.

Some minutes later, her text came in that she was currently not around, but they could grab dinner at the mansion later at night, to which he agreed. At least that gave him enough time to go home and get everything he'll need to confront her with. It hurt him that he's about to do this to his mum, but he hoped with everything in him that the NBI was wrong about her involvement in all of these.