Chapter 2

"You should forgive him." Emma said sternly. However. there was worry in her eyes. "It's been five years." The duo-color haired female sighed once again, running a hand through her hair. "I-I can't. I hate what he did to me. It just-" She cringed at her own words and stuttering.

The small tears which escaped from the confines of her lashes eventually turned into bigger ones which held sadness. She sobbed. Her best friend stared at her, awfully worried. Emma pulled her into a hug and tried to calm her down, caressing her back gently.

"Don't worry. You deserve someone better. It's your choice to give him another chance or not. I'm always with you." She comforted. 'I'm always the vulnerable or weak one.' Aelise sobbed harder, cursing herself.

After her little break down, Aelise was feeling slightly better. She smiled at the fact that her family will host a party tonight just for her arrival after five long years. They invited their friends or literally everyone they knew as soon as possible. She was terribly excited and had no patience. She would be seeing everyone once again.

Her lips curved up into a smile. She spent some time with her best friend, just talking and letting her feelings out and then went back home. She really didn't have anything else to do. She went to her room as she spoke with someone on the phone. The room was so clean thanks to her mother. "Really, now, babe- I'll come back after a year. Maybe I can even pay you visits." She giggled.

Zen was in the studio his dad took him too. "She's moved on probably. You've seen her. She's well. You need to let this go, Zen." Nate tried to talk to the boy but it wasn't working. Zen put his clothes on and the stylist did his make up. "I can't. I'm sorry. I'll try." He whispered. "You better. Zara still loves you. She always asks me about you every time. Maybe you can-" Nate started and Zen looked at him. No. Glared at him.

"Don't you fucking dare. Never ever mention that woman's name in front of me again." The stylist sensed the atmosphere and decided to give them some space. She could feel the thick tension and she didn't want any part of that.

"It's your fault, Zen. Come on." Nate argued. "Yes! It's my fucking fault! I know!" Zen exclaimed. "Zen. We're ready for you." He heard. "Think about it." Nate said and Zen shook his head. "Absolutely the fuck not. I'd rather die single, in fact, I'd rather die than get with her. No thank you." Zen said as he took a deep breath and went out onto the set.

He followed the instructions from the photographer as he posed. He didn't need to smile which made the photoshoot look more realistic. Within an hour, he was done with the shoot and changed immediately. His assistant handed him the files he needed to look at. "I'll see you at home, Nate." He spoke and was about to leave.

"Zen. Move the fuck on." Nate spoke, angry that his best friend was still in the past and clinging into it. "I can't! Okay? I'm fucking pathetic. Yes, I know. Thank you. I can't move on. I'm an idiot." Zen admitted as he left now. He had to do so much more. Just one sight of her could mess him up so much, he never knew.

"She still does this to me, huh?" He smiled to himself as a tear fell from his eyes. He got out of his car and went into his office in the company. "So ladies and gentlemen." He composed himself and started off the meeting.

After speaking with her boyfriend, Aelise was just moving things around to give them a different look. As she hung up the clock, she heard a knock at the door. "The door is unlocked. Come in." She said, not loud but it was enough for the person behind the door to hear her.

There was a click sound and then the door went agape, revealing a male. His refined facial features are admittedly attractive. He had light brown eyes fringed with dark eyelashes that were fixated on her, accompanied by messy black hair. A soft smile rested on his lips while the female that was laying on the bed had a wide grin playing on her face. She got up and ran to him, hugging him like a little koala. He sweat dropped but had no choice but to hug back tightly.

"Big bro!" Aelise beamed, getting off him. Yes, it was his brother, Yuriko. Apparently she has two brothers with her being the youngest child. They're her half brothers. A lot had happened when both her brothers found out that their mother got impregnated by another man.

However it's all in the past now. They were a happy and contented family. "I'm so happy to see you here. How have you been?" Yuriko asked, the soft smile still plastered on his face, sitting down on the pastel orange sheets. Yuriko was known as a grumpy person, a frown always on his face when it comes to other people. That's why they often get a scary vibe off of him. But when it comes to his family, especially to his sister, Aelise, he's softer and sweeter than a chiffon cake.

"I've been well. I assume you guys are too." Aelise responded with a smile. Yuriko nodded, "And your ex? Have you moved on? You were calling someone 'babe' awhile ago." His eyebrows wiggled, the innocent smile on his face turned into a suspicious smirk.

The duo-color haired female choked on the air. "No. I don't have a boyfriend. It was just Mae and we call each other babe." she rolled her eyes. Yuriko frowned in response, "Mom invited your ex if you don't m-" She tensed and cut him off immediately. "She fucking invited WHO?"

He smacked her mouth. "Language. And yes, she invited him. Aren't you aware that she doesn't know why you and Zen broke up? Even dad doesn't know." Yuriko recalled. "Just chill. He'll most likely not come anyways. He's a busy kid." With that, she calmed herself down. Sighing frustratedly, she stood up, Yuriko following her actions.

They both exited the bedroom, closing the door. "I'm sorry about mom

The invitation was already sent." He apologized, patting her head. She shook her head and gave him a smile. "Don't apologize, Koko. I'm heading out for a bit with Emma. I'll see you guys later." He nodded. With that, she went out once again. Emma by her side, clueless of what reaction she should give.

"Wow, that's pretty messed up." Emma sighed as she looked at Aelise.

"I know." Anyone could practically feel the awkwardness of the gurl as she whined.

Aelise lead her into a cafeteria she always went to when she was young. Up until high-school. Her Aunt Maria's cafeteria. She'd get any free food or drinks she wanted. Her aunt owned all of this after all. Memories came flooding to her mind once again. 'We usually went here when we were together- ugh. Really, now?' She shook those off, as her best friend spoke.

"Wow, this is such a large and fancy cafeteria. It's loaded and the people are high-class as well. We're dressing like bums here. I didn't know you were into expensive shit, Aelise." Emma joked, entering the cafe, Aelise walking behind her. "Just you wait. It's not even expensive." She raised her eyebrows and rolled her eyes. Then it fixated on the menu in front of them. "What the fuck!? Sixty five dollars for a goddamn milktea-" Emma could feel herself about to collapse upon seeing such sight.

"That's why we're gonna get free food." Aelise smirked as she wiggled her eyebrows at the girl. "You're stealing?" Emma asked with an exaggerated face as she raised a brow. "No. Absolutely not." Aelise gave her an overly innocent smile.

They both walked up to the counter and Aelise almost screamed when she saw her aunt standing there in all her glory. "Auntie!" She beamed immediately receiving a piercing gaze from the old lady. She stiffened and smiled nervously. Emma gulped and looked at them, shivering slightly at the gaze.