COLD KAYE

"I want to spend my vacation here. Ah! I'm jealous of your house." Kaye complained with so much grievances towards Ivan.

"I told you that you can live here, but you won't." Ivan responded in relaxed manner which made Kaye roll her eyes at him.

"Are you sure you want me to live here? I might do something to you." Kaye challenged him but Ivan moved in a quickly and seized her waist, pulling her closer to him.

"Oh? I welcome you to do that." Ivan whispered beside her ear. His hot breath making her feel itchy.

"Stop it. I'm not in for any teasing tonight. As much as I love the place, it's not for me. You better remove the frames too. I bet your wife wouldn't like seeing someone else in the house." Kaye stated as she leaned on the railings to touch the new bloomed flowers.

"That won't happen."

"What won't happen? You getting married? Or you removing the photos?" Kaye raised one of her eyebrows in question.

"Let's not talk about it. Let's go to the kitchen. I'll cook our dinner." Ivan turned back and walked away from her.

Kaye felt reluctant to leave the place but her stomach growled and she was indeed hungry.

Ivan made quick meals for them which was carbonara and roasted chicken.

"I haven't prepared a candle-lit dinner so we'll have to make do with these." Ivan joked after placing the plates on the table.

"It doesn't matter." Kaye smiled before drinking a glass of water. "Spending time with you brings back memories." Kaye added when Ivan took a seat in front of her.

"You were so cute back then. How come you are so fierce now?" Ivan commented while taking some pasta with his fork.

"Me? I'm not. I'm always the same." Kaye retorted back at him.

"When you were small, you don't put your guard around me. Now, you're putting your defenses up."

"I have to. We are not young anymore. What if I fall in love with you and you end up breaking my heart? Won't I be a sore loser?" Kaye made face at him before eating a piece of chicken meat.

Ivan looked at her meaningfully with a smile. He didn't respond to her statement since she had to prove to her that falling in love with him won't be a mistake.

"By the way, it's almost your birthday. You don't really have a specific birthday wish that you want me to grant?" Ivan asked after taking a sip of his water.

"Are you a genie? I don't have any specific wishes, but I'd want you to be there and celebrate my birthday with me." Kaye's smile was as beautiful as ever but it didn't reach her eyes because she knew he won't be there.

Ivan paused for a while before a faint smile formed on his lips. "I'll be there."

But the sudden paused confirmed Kaye's gut that Ivan wouldn't be there and it won't take long for her to know that she was right.

Ivan and Kaye continued to eat their dinner like nothing happened. They acted like everything was fine.

Ivan was thinking about his proposal and Kaye was thinking the same. She knew Ivan was going to propose to someone on her birthday.

'Ain't he amazing? Choosing to get engaged during my birthday?' Kaye mocked herself internally.

'I have prepared myself for this day, but why does it still hurt me?' her thought brought some stings to her heart.

Her nose twitched to ease the sudden burning pain. She looked down at her food to hide her watering eyes. She's about to cry.

"Kaye, would you like to stay here tonight?" Ivan asked not knowing what was going on with her mind.

"Nah. I'll go home tonight. I still some stuff to do at home. I'll visit next time." Kaye responded with a soft voice while hiding the pain she's feeling.

"Sure thing. I'll send you home after dinner."

"No need. I can go back myself. You just came home from your business trip. You have to rest."

Ivan smiled after hearing her concern. "Still, let me send you back. You are not familiar with the place yet." Ivan insisted making Kaye nod her head in agreement.

Indeed, after dinner, Kaye took her stuff and placed them back inside her car. Ivan drove her home as promised.

"You can drive my car. I'll get it when I have the time to visit." stuffed her keys back on his hand so he can use her car instead of looking for a cab.

"Thank you." Ivan pinched her face lovingly. Kaye didn't say anything, letting him do what he wants.

Ivan was about to get inside the car when Kaye called out. She rushed towards him before giving him warm hug.

"Send me a message once you're home." Kaye mumbled on his chest.

Ivan kissed her head again and again to reassure her. "I will let you know. Get inside now. It's getting cold."

Kaye released her from her embrace and walked away without turning back.

"For some reason, I get a bad feeling with that sudden hug." Ivan whispered to himself.

He was right. Kaye decided to avoid seeing him. That promise to visit him to get her car won't happen.

The next day, instead of Kaye, it was her body guard who came to take her car back. Ivan was dumbfounded at first but he didn't ask him anything.

He tried contacting Kaye but it was a busy line. "What did I do that makes her avoid me again?" He had no idea at all.

On the other hand, Kaye's meeting were held from different places. She didn't stay in her office like what she used to do. She asked Marie to book her meetings in restaurants or cafes to avoid meeting Ivan.

She left their house early in the morning using different vehicles and she didn't use her own car ever again.

She would arrive home almost midnight to avoid meeting anyone. She was like a phantom inside their own house.