Chapter 31
“SO, HOW did it go?” Ellie asked.
Chaya called Ellie and Jae as soon as she got home, but Jae was unavailable.
“I almost didn’t make it,” Chaya began as she sat on the couch. “I was late, but they allowed me to present anyway, even though they had already chosen. Kyrie was there, so I didn’t think I stood a chance.”
“Kyrie? Kyrie was there?” Ellie uttered in shock. “He’s back?”
“Yeah.”
“What happened? Did you talk?”
“W-we only talked a little because he was in a hurry. I could tell he still hated me. I was not supposed to be there.”
Chaya had been wishing and praying for their paths to cross again. But now that her wish had come true, she realized she was never prepared for what was next. Her heart was not strong enough. It broke every time she thought about his cold stares.
And she could not blame him. He was hurt. She caused him that pain.
“He needs to know the truth, Chaya.”
“What if he doesn’t want to hear it?”
For a moment, Ellie fell silent on the other line. Chaya pulled her legs together and hugged her knees.
“If what he felt for you was real, he’ll listen,” Ellie said afterward. “I mean, that’s the price you pay for protecting Tyler. And it wasn’t the easiest thing to do. You deserved to be happy after all that you’ve been through.”
“I hate that it rhymes,” Chaya remarked.
Ellie giggled.
“It sounds like a blurb, I know. So, I won’t be home until tomorrow. Will you be fine all by yourself?”
“Yup. I have always been.”
Chaya put her phone on the table after the call. Then, she stared up at the ceiling with a sigh. Kyrie had gotten a clean haircut, and he had shaved recently. It was funny how seeing his gorgeous face at the back of her head brought her happiness and pain at the same time.
The moment she laid eyes on him in that room this morning, Chaya just wanted to run into his arms and pretend nothing had happened. She missed him, and it was making her crazy.
***
“Have you sent a response to the e-mail about the luncheon meeting next week yet?” Jellybean asked.
“No,” Chaya replied unenthusiastically and took a sip of her lemonade.
The panel decided to approve all the pitches, which means that Chaya could still see her idea come to life. It was exciting, and she should be happy about that.
“Why not?” Jellybean was a little surprised.
She picked up her fork and cut a piece of her lasagna. They met at Escape that weekend. Ellie joined her but only to discuss more wedding details with Ridge. They were at a separate table.
She faced Jellybean.
“You know, the main reason why I took a shot at that pitch was that I want to be near Kyrie again. But I wasn’t prepared. He was making me feel like I was not supposed to be there. And he was not wrong. Of course, he could not accept my apology. It should not be surprising, but it still hurt.”
“Yeah. I wouldn’t be happy if I found out that Parker rushed to his ex-girlfriend’s side when I needed him the most either.”
Chaya stared at Jellybean.
“Oh, no. I meant that as a…” Jellybean looked regretful at once. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. It’s true, anyway.”
“Yeah. It just confuses me why his mother would pick you up with a chopper because he was overfatigued. You were not his doctor, duh.” Jellybean smiled reassuringly, “I get that you still care for Tyler as a friend. Being in a three-year relationship is something.”
Chaya stared at the food in her fork before putting it in her mouth.
She never told them about Tyler’s suicide attempt. No one knew except Tyler, Tessa, the doctor, and the publicist. Not even Ellie, Jae, and Roxanne. The people she would entrust her life had no idea until now.
She didn’t want them to pity Tyler. Tessa wanted him to heal in silence for his image. To his fans, Tyler Garcia was sunshine. And the rumors that they had gotten back in each other’s arms were all just that—rumors. When Tyler was ready, he would be the one to talk about it.
But for now, she would keep his secrets for him.
***
“I had fun,” Chaya said when she walked Jellybean to her car.
Jellybean caught her hands. “I’ll see you at the meeting next week,” she said.
Chaya pouted. “Yes. I guess it’s better that I personally tell them I’m backing out.”
“Chaya.” Jellybean frowned in protest.
“What? I’ll be doing Kyrie a favor with that.”
“So, you’re giving up just like that? That’s unlike you.”
Chaya gave her a sad smile. “I just want to go home and go back to writing cliché novels. Maybe I could turn my heartache into money.”
Jellybean pulled her into a hug. “I don’t want to see the two of you like this. I was hoping it was just a bad dream.”
Chaya patted Jellybean’s back. "Thank you for always taking care of me, Jellybean.”
***
“Are you sure about this, Chaya? You’ve already come this far. We all worked hard for that presentation. Why let it waste now?”
Chaya smoothed out her rust-brown blazer. She was preparing to leave for the luncheon meeting.
“Kyrie was the reason why I signed up, anyway,” she said as she faced Ellie. “I want to go home, Ellie. I would leave the rest of the job to you, but you have a wedding to prepare for. Jae is renovating her dream home. That’s more important than this whole pitch thing.”
“You’re going home soon?” Ellie uttered in surprise. “Why not make the most of your time here?”
The corner of her lips turned down.
“I don’t think I can stay here any longer. I’ll just see you before your wedding. Don’t worry. I promise you’ll have a memorable bridal entrance.” She grabbed her purse from the couch. “I’ll see you later.”