Chapter 19

“YOUR mother seemed to know me,” Janine told Paulo as they stepped outside the restaurant. “She’s looking at me like she had met me before.”

Paulo chuckled. “She does it to all the women we introduced to her, even if just a friend or a colleague,” he explained. “I guess it’s because she’s been hoping that one of her sons would get married.”

Janine choked on what she was about to say and controlled herself to not look back at their table because she was sure Ken was watching them. She can feel his gaze tracing every cell of her body.

“I guess, all mothers are like that,” she said, smiling awkwardly.

Janine sensed that Paulo had something important to discuss, and she braced herself for a conversation about her contract, assuming he hadn’t read her messages about quitting her job as his makeup artist. But before she could speak, Paulo’s words caught her off guard.

“Janine, I hope your treatment to me won’t change after this,” Paulo began. “I’ve been holding these feelings back for so long, but I can’t keep them hidden anymore….” He took her hands. “I like you, Janine.”

Janine’s eyes widened in shock, her mind struggling to process Paulo’s unexpected confession. Her heart fluttered with a mixture of surprise and confusion. She had always seen Paulo as a friend, a confidant, and an employer, never anticipating that he held such deep feelings for her.

Words failed Janine as she searched for a response. She valued their friendship and didn’t want to hurt Paulo, but her heart still held a lingering connection to Ken. Conflicted emotions swirled within her, leaving her unsure of how to proceed.

Janine sighed, bit her lip, and tried her best not to sound rude. “Ahm, Paulo—”

Before Janine could gather her thoughts and respond to Paulo, a familiar voice sliced through the air, interrupting their conversation.

“Janine.” It was Ken, striding towards them with a determined look.

Janine’s heart skipped a beat, her mind racing with a flurry of emotions. What would Ken say? She felt a mix of anticipation and trepidation, unsure of how this unexpected encounter would unfold.

Ken approached them, his gaze shifting between Janine and Paulo, his expression betraying a complex blend of emotions. A tense silence settled over the trio, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavily in the air.

“Ken, we’re still talking,” Paulo said, sounding offended that Ken interrupted them. “You can talk to her after me, okay?”

Janine looked at their table where their mother and Ken’s new woman were seated. The two were watching them with knotted foreheads. Janine’s cheeks were turning red due to embarrassment.

“Can I talk to her first?” Ken asked his brother, then looked at her. “Just a minute—”

“Ken, please.” Janine gave Ken a warning look, but the man just ignored her.

Paulo laughed and shook his head. “You know what? You two talked as if you knew each other for so long.”

Janine’s heart raced as she looked between the two men who had played significant roles in her life. She couldn’t predict what would happen next, but she knew that whatever transpired would profoundly impact her future.

***

KEN remained in his seat, watching Janine and Paulo emerge from the restaurant. His intuition had been correct; Paulo had confessed his feelings to Janine. It was evident from their expressions and how they interacted that his brother had developed strong feelings for her.

As Ken observed Janine’s surprised expression, he felt a surge of conflicting emotions. Part of him was relieved that she seemed taken aback by Paulo’s confession, indicating that she hadn’t moved on so quickly. Another aspect of him was anxious, unsure of how she would respond and what it would mean for their complicated history.

“Look, maybe Paulo has told Janine his feelings for her,” Charisse commented, giggling. “Aunt Leticia looks like Paulo will get married soon—”

“Shut up,” Ken cut off and threw her a glare. “Don’t you know when to shut your mouth?”

“Ken, you shouldn’t talk to her like that,” his mother said, shaking her head. “I’m right. You’re still stubborn.”

Ken ignored what his mother was saying. His eyes were focused on Janine and Paulo talking outside the restaurant. He couldn’t just stay here, right? He has to do something.

Determined to interrupt their conversation, Ken started approaching Janine and Paulo. He knew it might not be the most tactful move, but he couldn’t stand idly by and watch someone else pursue the woman he still cared deeply for.

However, Charisse grabbed his arm, trying to stop him. “Ken, if you go over there, our plan to make Janine jealous will fail,” she whispered, a hint of frustration in her voice.

Ken turned to face her, his eyes narrowed with determination. “I don’t care about that plan anymore,” he declared firmly. “I need to talk to Janine and find out what’s happening.”

Ken approached Janine and Paulo with a determined stride, his heart racing in his chest. He could see the surprise and confusion in Janine’s eyes as she noticed his approach. The atmosphere grew tense, and Ken felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety.

“Janine,” Ken called out, making some of the customers at a nearby table look at him.

Janine’s expression flickered with a range of emotions upon seeing Ken. Confusion, hurt, and perhaps even a glimmer of hope danced across her features. It was clear that their unexpected encounter had caught her off guard.

As Ken drew closer, he locked eyes with Janine, his voice filled with urgency and vulnerability. “Janine, we need to talk,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “There are things we need to sort out.”

Janine’s gaze flickered between Ken and Paulo, uncertainty etched on her face. She seemed torn, caught between them. Ken could sense the weight of her decision, knowing that it could forever alter the course of their lives.

“Ken, please.” Janine gave him a warning glare, but he didn’t care.

He was about to speak again when Paulo chuckled. “You know what? You two talk like you have known each other for a long time.”

“We do,” Ken answered immediately. “We knew—”

“I used to work in one of his restaurants,” Janine said, glaring at him. “Nothing more, nothing less.”

Those words struck Ken straight in the chest. Nothing more, nothing less.