Rekindle

"MA'AM." Dean smirked, looking at Jane's face.

Jane snorted angrily. She pushed the chair back and reached for the bag. "Are you still chasing that model Elena?" Jane threw those words in Dean's face.

"Only time will tell." Dean grinned, showing his perfect teeth.

Jane shook her head, glanced at Dean, and then turned to Emery. "Don't stay out too late," she reminded him. "We have a lot of work to do at the office." She then left the two men.

"See ya', Jane!" Dean raised his hand and waved in her direction.

Jane walked away without looking back. Dean smirked and turned to Emery, giving him a sidelong glance full of meaning.

Emery eyed Dean's mischievous expression and asked, "What's up with you?"

Dean was amazed. "You and Jane were having a cosmic love affair. But then, four years ago, you suddenly broke up. And now you're business partners? That's weird, man. Who becomes business partners with their ex? It's strange. You two still have a platonic relationship. Why didn't you just marry her in the first place?"

It was Emery's turn to laugh sarcastically. "We're not meant to be together."

Dean asked, "How is Rhea taking all this? I know the two of you are married because of your parents' arrangement. It's old-fashioned, but no one cares to say otherwise."

"Of course, she was jealous. She even blames that my relationship with Jane is the reason we are not happy." Rhea was jealous of Jane and even blamed their relationship for their unhappiness. However, they have since made up, and Rhea has not brought up the issue again as she has made peace with it.

"Talking about that... I've been wanting to ask you this question for a long time."

"Go ahead," Emery said as he savored the rich flavor of the Arabica beans in his coffee.

"The arranged marriage thingy… how does it feel?" Dean wants to know because he, too, will soon be wed to the girl of his family's choice.

"It's like having a bad dream almost everyday." Emery's answer was careless as if he did not care about the question.

"You've been with Rhea for over a year now. Time does heal all wounds, doesn't it?"

Emery was stumped. He had no response. He thought for a long time before coming to a conclusion that left Dean speechless.

"Since Rhea and I don't have someone special at that moment, I just fulfill my mother's wish. It's my responsibility as her son, even though I don't really like that idea. Fortunately, Rhea is a private person who does not require a lot of attention, which I finds very fortunate. Most of the time, I often forgets that I'm married to her because she does not interfere with my life except..." Emery stops midway.

"Except?" Dean can't wait to find out. How dare he pauses?

"Except for that time..." Emery's face flushed for a moment before he returned nonchalantly.

"That time?" Dean was so curious.

Emery's tone was expressionless when he said, "When fulfilling the husbandly duties."

Dean let out a long, drawn-out "Ohhhh..." before bursting into laughter. "I get it!" he said, laughing even harder. He didn't even know what was so funny, but he couldn't stop laughing.

"I'm not a good husband, so don't take my advice. That's why I agreed to a divorce when she asked for one, because I know I'm partly to blame for the problems in our marriage."

Dean's laughter came to an abrupt halt at Emery's words. "She asked for a divorce?" he asked in disbelief.

Emery nodded. "If it's another woman, they'll do the same."

"So you agree with her?"

Emery shook his head. "My mom won't let us get divorced."

"You are docile." Dean has disbelief written on his face. Emery was his mother's little lapdog!

"You could say that I am docile, but I prefer to think of myself as being easy to get along with my mom. I don't want to create any trouble. If not our mother, then whom should we obey?" Emery retorted.

"What's Rhea thinks about this?"

"She's very obedient and respectful. When mom suggests that we work on our marriage, she didn't argues. Seeing how she treats mom with such deference, I can't help but feel the same way towards her." This reassured him and allowed him to live a peaceful life once again.

"Your life looks so easy." Dean frowned in disbelief. "But don't you want to be in love, bro? To live happily with the one you love?" He couldn't imagine not being able to get Elena. He must work hard before his family decides on his future. Dean cannot live with other women except for Elena.

Emery chuckled. "Maybe I was so content with being in love with Jane that I didn't feel the need to be in love with anyone else."

Dean shook his head, feeling sorry for his friend. "A break up is always tough. What really happened between you and Jane? You guys seemed so happy together."

"Well… look at the time." Emery glanced at his watch and realized he had been chatting nonsense with Dean for hours. Jane is a difficult person when it comes to business. She would be upset if she found out that he was still here. Emery quickly got up and headed out the door

"Darn it! You didn't finish your story, bro!" Dean was taken aback when Emery suddenly rushed back to his office.

After fist-bumping, Emery left Dean, saying, "Later, when I feel like talking." He left without saying another word, leaving Dean feeling frustrated.