TOMO

Kaye was stunned for a moment, her vision beginning to blur but she composed herself since she's in front of many people. She's not even inside her own house.

"How did he die?" Kaye asked painfully. For the longest time of her life as a child, her cat had been with her and was her only companion and family before she met Ivan and Yvonne.

"Come with me." Ivan stood up and walked towards the backyard of their house. Kaye followed silently, her tears were threatening to burst.

They walked for a while until they stopped under a flame tree. On the ground, there was a fenced part with different kinds of flowers growing on it. Kaye looked at Ivan with a confused gaze.

"Tomo is buried here." Ivan stared at her with unblinking eyes. "I killed him."

The atmosphere turned cold and Kaye didn't utter a single word. She stood there looking at the shrubs of flowers like it was the most interesting part among other things.

They were both standing in silence but Kaye spoke after few minutes. "How did he die?" There was no judgement in her voice but the pain was clear to Ivan's ears.

"When you left, the cat was left to me. I took care of him but every night, he would go out. I believe he was looking for you. One night, I went out looking for him. I was so focused in finding him that I didn't realize a car was coming. Tomo saved me." Ivan gave Kaye a summary of her cat's death. He looked down on his foot to avoid seeing her face.

Kaye was hurt but she felt more sad for the man beside him. He was trying to fulfill his promise but in the end, he's blaming himself for the cat's death.

"Thank you Ivan." Kaye said after a few seconds of silence. Ivan looked at her with disbelief. "I'm glad you kept your promise. What happened was an accident. It wasn't your fault at all." Kaye continued to reassure him.

"You're not angry?" Ivan asked, still wasn't sure how to react.

"Nope. In fact, I'm glad you told me the truth. I'm glad you buried him here. I'm glad you took care of him. I'm glad we both meet you and Auntie Yve." Kaye smiled genuinely at him. Things happen for a reason. Her cat died and gave them the chance to reunite. It was her cat that gave her the chance to meet them when she was young and the same cat gave her the opportunity to live and see them once again.

"I was sad and scared at that time. I know how much you love your cat and I didn't know how to explain it to you." Ivan responded with a relief. He was relieved that she's understanding him and didn't judge him automatically.

"Tomo was a good friend. He was a great companion. He would sometimes take the beatings for me which really surprised me at first. He was the one who found Auntie Yve, who took care of me. When I needed someone the most, he's there with me. When I almost died, he was the one to lead the group of people and rescue me. Without him, I could have died."

Kaye recalled the past with a smile. The memories she had with her cat alone, the memories she had with Yvonne together with her cat and the memories she had when Ivan came were all precious to her.

Ivan smiled while looking at her beautiful face. He knew she wouldn't love him as a man, but being friends wouldn't hurt. In fact, friendship has more benefits.

"Kaye, I'm sorry for not being there with you. I promised to protect you but in the end, I had to leave." Ivan took her hand and held it tightly under his. "This time I'll keep my promise. No matter where you are, if you need me I will be there."

"I know. I won't give you trouble, but just in case, I would really call you." Kaye answered with a grinning face.

"That's more like it." Ivan gave her head a gentle pat before rubbing her hair messily. "I'm really really happy to have found you."

"Alright. Stop smiling like a fool. I might fall in love with you." Kaye joked as she flicked his forehead.

"That's fine. I'll catch you if you fall." Ivan played along while giving her a playful wink.

"Falling in love with you would be troublesome. I just remembered how the other female employees in your company looked at you. Take note, you were blind that time. How much more now that you can see." Kaye rolled her eyes at him before walking back to the house ahead of him.

"Even if they like me, I will not like them back." Ivan chuckled while he followed her back to the living room.

"How are you Kaye?" Yvonne asked when she saw them walking back towards the living room. She observed their facial expressions and when she felt things were normal, she sighed in relief.

"I'm fine Auntie Yve. Ivan told me about what happened." Kaye responded before she approached Grace. Her steps were careful and her voice were low.

"Is there something wrong?" Grace asked when she saw Kaye's worried face.

"Uhhmm...Mrs. Harley, I know this is a very sudden visit. However, I need to go back home. My parents would be worried about me. I'll visit some other time." Kaye said before giving a deep bow.

"It's alright hon. I understand." Grace took her hand and pat it gently. "I'm glad to see you. Come and visit us soon."

Kaye just nod her head and smiled at them. Ivan was surprised that she's planning to go home but he also understand her reason.

"Bye everyone." Kaye waved at them before going out of the room. Ivan just followed her silently.

"Take care Kaye." Chadwick called out to her.

"Make sure she's home safe Ivan." Gabriel reminded his son before he lost sight of them.

"Visit us soon." Kathleen waved her hands who was standing at the balcony on the second floor.

Looking at them, Kaye felt an indescribable feeling swelling up in her chest. She felt suffocated with the bubbling emotions.

"You're so lucky to have them." She commented just barely enough for Ivan to hear.

"You'll have them sooner or later." This response made Kaye laugh happily. What she didn't know was Ivan planning to make it true.