Chapter 24

“SO, how was your meeting with his family? Did they offer you a million dollars to stay away from their son?” Ellie teased as she pushed a cup of French vanilla toward her.

Chaya beamed childishly as she sat on the stool and inhaled the aroma of coffee.

“No, they didn’t. But I still feel like I hit the jackpot,” she replied dreamily.

“I’m jealous, wow.” Ellie wiggled her eyebrows. “And how were his son and his ex?”

“Kiel is a sweet kid. Avery wasn’t able to join us for dinner because she wasn’t feeling well. She was nice to me. But… I have this feeling that she’s still in love with him. And she called him ‘Drew.’”

Ellie shrugged.

“Well, at least it wasn’t dramatic. I’m happy for you.”

Chaya giggled. “Thank you.” She pursed her lips. “So, here’s the thing. I have to spend the rest of the day planning our simple dinner tonight. I can’t multitask today.”

Ellie groaned. “Yeah, yeah. I almost forgot. Sure, take the day off.”

“Thanks! Oh, by the way, is Jae isn’t up yet?” Chaya looked over her shoulder.

“No. She usually wakes up at lunchtime. I have already gotten used to her. You will, too.”

***

“Joey, you’re a genius,” Ellie uttered in amusement.

“I know, right? That makes me Jae-nius.” Jae winked at Chaya.

Jae gave her a quick makeover while waiting for Kyrie.

Chaya blinked in front of the mirror. She was a little scared that Jae might overdo it, but she was impressed. She looked just right.

“Is there anything you can’t do?” she uttered.

“Yes, commit to a man.”

Ellie faked a groan while Chaya laughed. Jae smirked and shrugged.

“Thank you so much for all your help, guys.”

“When Kyrie sees you, he’s going to ask you to marry him.”

Chaya snorted.

Ellie tapped her shoulder. “Good luck.”

Kyrie finally arrived a few minutes later with fresh flowers. Chaya welcomed him outside. They were both smiling from ear to ear.

“Hi.” Chaya ran into his arms at once. “Happy first month.”

“Happy first month.” He gave her a quick kiss on the lips and handed her the flowers. “You look lovely.”

“Thank you. These flowers are pretty,” she said with a laugh. She took him by the hand. “Let’s go. Dinner’s ready.”

She pulled him toward a big tent in the corner of the front yard. She decorated the inside with fairy lights.

“You made all of these?” Kyrie asked in amusement.

“Well, Ellie and Jae helped me. Unfortunately, I could not make a last-minute reservation at a restaurant. So, there you go.”

“I think this is way better.”

She pulled him to sit at the small table with the food she had prepared all by herself. There was a bottle of wine on the table, too.

“Non-alcoholic because you’re driving,” she quipped as she put the flowers beside her.

Kyrie chuckled as he looked around inside the tent. “I love it, Chaya.” He leaned toward her and held the back of her head to claim her lips. “I love you,” he whispered afterward.

“I love you, too,” she said, her face flushed. She picked up the bottle and poured their glasses. “So, how’s your day, Mr. Page?”

“As usual, I could not stop thinking about you.”

Chaya faked a frown as she put the bottle down.

“What about you?” he asked.

“I could not stop thinking about you, too.”

He took her hand. He spotted a finger with a band-aid wrapped around it.

“What happened?” He was worried in an instant.

“Just a small accident,” she said dismissively. “No biggie.” She picked up her glass with her free hand. “Shall we toast?”

Kyrie picked up his glass and shared a toast with her.

“To us,” he said.

“To us,” she said.

“Are you sure we’re not watching that movie? I’ve got time,” Kyrie said.

“No,” Chaya said firmly, though she was smiling. “Next time, perhaps?”

“Are you scared that I might get jealous of your ex?”

“Why would you be? You have my heart now.”

Kyrie smiled, looking pleased.

“Why do you always know what to say?”

Chaya giggled. “I like that I can be honest with you.”

Kyrie was about to say something, but his phone rang.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” He quickly fished it from the inside of his coat.

Chaya only nodded.

“Kelly,” he said as he put the phone on his ear. His mood instantly changed. “W-what?”

“What happened?” she asked, her chest pounding.

“Um, all right. All right.” He looked at Chaya reluctantly. “I-I’ll be there. Okay.” He drew a breath as the call ended.

“Kyrie, did something happen?”

“Avery was brought to the hospital just now. I need to be there.”

For a moment, Chaya just stared.

“O-okay.”

Kyrie stood up, and Chaya followed him outside the tent.

“I’m sorry, Chaya.”

“D-do you want me to come with you?”

“No, just stay here. I can manage.” He sighed and pulled her into a tight hug. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know this would happen.”

“Is Avery all right?”

“I’m not sure. I need to hurry. I need to see her now.” He cupped her cheeks. “I’ll make it up to you, all right?”

Chaya could only nod.

“You take care. I’ll be fine.”

Chaya followed him as he rushed to his car.

“I’ll call you later,” he said before he drove away.

Chaya could only sigh as she stood, even when his car had long disappeared. She glanced at the tent, a little dismayed.

“Chaya?”

She turned around and found Ellie and Jae standing in the doorway.

“What happened? Did Kyrie just leave?” Jae asked.

She walked toward them quietly. “He had an emergency. Avery was rushed to the hospital.”

Her friends stared at her in shock. “What happened?” they asked in chorus.

“I don’t know. He still has to figure it out.” She shrugged. “Will you help me clean up?”

“Not so soon. We’ll have dinner at the tent instead,” Ellie suggested.

Chaya managed a smile. “Not a bad idea, though.”