Unexpected meetings

THIRD PERSON POV

Ocean watched Sky with a soft smile as he noticed the brightness in her eyes, the corners of her lips lifted in genuine happiness. He leaned forward slightly, his voice gentle yet carrying a trace of his usual assertiveness. 

"Are you hungry? I was thinking we could go out for dinner tonight. There's a nice place I've been meaning to try."

Sky blinked, surprised by his suggestion. It wasn't like Ocean to be so spontaneous or considerate when it came to things like this. Her eyebrows lifted as she studied his expression, trying to gauge if there was any hidden motive behind his words. 

"Dinner? Really? You're the one suggesting this?" she asked, her voice a mix of disbelief and cautious amusement.

Ocean chuckled lightly, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, really. Why do you sound so shocked? Is it that unusual for me to want to take you out?"

She tilted her head, a small smile creeping onto her face. "It's not exactly your style, you know. But I'm glad you did. Honestly, I thought you'd just keep avoiding me after last night."

He sighed, his eyes dropping for a moment before meeting hers again. "I know I messed up, Sky. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that. I was out of line, and I... Well, I want to make it up to you. This is my way of saying I'm sorry."

Sky felt her chest tighten, a wave of gratitude washing over her despite knowing the dinner was more about his apology than anything else. She nodded, her smile growing softer. 

"Thank you, Ocean. I appreciate it. And for what it's worth, I'm glad we're doing this, even if it's because you feel bad. It's a start."

Ocean chuckled again, a bit of relief coloring his voice. "Good. Then it's settled. Let's go. You can pick the place if you want."

She laughed, shaking her head. "No way. You suggested it; you pick. Surprise me." 

"Fair enough," he said, grabbing his keys. "Let's get going, then. I promise you won't regret it." 

As they headed out the door, Sky found herself feeling lighter, grateful for the gesture and the effort he was making. It wasn't perfect, but it was a step forward, and for now, that was enough.

She didn't know where this was heading but she was down for the ride and even as she thought about everything, she couldn't deny the fact that his heart belonged to Amanda and all of this, what they were doing was only a business transaction. It wasn't going to last and she hated to say it but oftentimes, she thought about what would happen when they both go their separate ways and everything that pops up in her head was that she would live a sad life. 

"Are you okay?" Ocean asked her.

There was a look on his face that told her that he was really worried about her which was new because she had never seen this side of him before, this caring and calm side. It still didn't change the fact that I was nothing to him and I never would be, which just made it all the more worse.

At that moment, she suddenly remembered the good old days with Ocean at the earlier stage of this when he considered her as a friend. There was nothing he didn't tell her, everything that ever happened to him, he told her ranging from his own private life to business deals he had ventured in but now, they had become strangers, only bound by the contract he had drawn up for them to be husband and wife. 

That was the only thing binding them. Now, he had stopped being friends with her because of Amanda and what she had done. Sighing, she shrugged off the feelings as it was starting to disturb her mood and seeing that they were out to enjoy themselves, she didn't want anything that would damper her mood.

"Eh…Sky, please wait by the car. I want to use the restroom."

"Sure, it's okay." she said.

As soon as he left, her phone rang, cutting into her thoughts. She was quite surprised by this because she wasn't expecting anyone to call her. Glancing at the caller ID, she realized it was from Lorry.

"Girl! Where did you keep your phone? I've called you more than five times now." Lorry berated on the phone.

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear it ring. I was at the amusement park," Sky said.

There was a slight pause on the other end of the line but knowing Lorry, I knew it was just a preparation for her to barrage me with more questions. That was just the kind of person she was and at the same time, i knew if i didn't tell her, she would never allow me to rest.

"Really? With who though?" Lorry asked, curiosity in her voice.

"Ocean," Sky simply said.

Lorry squealed so loudly that Sky had to place her phone away from her ears. She could actually feel the excitement in her voice, the happiness that radiated with every word she spoke out.

"Girl! I want to know the gist, every tea between you and Ocean, spill it out now." she chuckled.

"There really isn't anything between us. It's nothing serious. Ocean only brought me here to apologize, that's it. We had a spat yesterday and some words were exchanged and that's that. There isn't anything more," Sky said.

"That's it? Really? That's all for you or are you adding more meaning to it?" Lorry laughed.

"Seriously Lorry, i'm nothing to him and though it hurts, i guess that's the reality i now live in and it's fine."

There was another pause from Lorry and I knew she wanted to assure me that everything would be alright but the truth was that I didn't want to hear any of that. I was tired of hearing that, tired of people giving me false hopes when in reality, I was stuck with a man that didn't love me one bit but was only using me as a revenge plan for his ex-girlfriend.

"I have to go now Lorry." Sky said as she saw the Ocean walking towards her.

"Ready to go?" he asked, smiling at her.

"Let's…" Sky said.

Together, within the restaurant, they get a table that is convenient and accessible for them to watch people outside through the glass doors. Sky particularly loved the view this gave them because she could easily see who was coming in and going out.

"It is a lovely view isn't it?" Ocean said, sipping on his drink.

"Yes, it is."

Shortly, the waiter came up to them to take their orders and as soon as he left, Sky got the greatest shock of her life. Walking through the doors was Amanda and Mr Blake. She couldn't believe that of all the places they could meet, they met in this very restaurant Ocean was trying to make amends with her.

"Really?" Ocean spat.

Sky could see the look of anger and hurt in his eyes as soon as he saw them. Clearly, he also hadn't expected them here and this was a surprise to him as well.

"Ocean!" Amanda called in her sugary sweet fake voice.

Ocean nodded curtly, raising his glass to Mr Blake who regarded him with a cool expression on his face. He felt very indifferent in the whole thing, like he was only a spectator, one that didn't care about anything else. The area suddenly got tense, like each side was worried about offending the other side.

"Hello, what a surprise." Ocean said, trying to keep it cool.

But everyone knew that he was probably boiling because seeing his ex and the woman he was still in love with with another man was something that didn't sit quite well with him.

"Lovely to see you." Amanda smiled, nodding her head curtly.

Now that the greetings were exchanged, Sky was expecting Amanda and Mr Blake to leave and get their own table but instead, Amanda motioned for one of the waiters to bring extra chairs.

"I think it would be lovely if we all shared a table," she smiled.

Mr Blake agreed while Ocean looked like he had swallowed something sour, clearly not wanting to be a part of this. Sky knew that this wasn't going to end well. Already, tensions were already high and she had no idea where all of this would lead to but if there was one thing Sky knew, it was that it would end badly, very badly.