04

Yen, my ex-wife and the cause of pain and miseries.

She rises from her seat as soon as she sees me, mesmerizing me with her smile. Oh, dear, she’s still beautiful as ever.  I step back, suddenly not knowing what to do.

Time hasn’t changed her. She’s even more stunning than the last time I saw her. Her smile grows wider, even with my reaction. And the graceful and elegant way she tilts her head just captivates me again.

“Zed, welcome back!” she greets, opening her arms wide for me.

“Yen,” I reply weakly, afraid that my voice will crack. “You’re here.”

I pace forward like a snail, realizing I’m not yet ready to face her. All those pains I try to blot out from my memories now surges back, threatening my self-control.

I stretch my arms wide, forcing a smile from my lips. She also throws her arms around my neck. I press her close to me. And no matter how hard I try; my tears still roll down into my face. I brush them away hurriedly. I can never allow her to know that I’m still badly hurting.

She doesn’t show a sign of breaking from the hug after a while, so I let her stay in that embrace. None of us dare to speak even a single word.

Suddenly, the door chimes sound, announcing that someone is entering the door. Yen then takes her arms away from me, making me curse at whoever is that person who interrupts our moment. I miss her so much, and I want her close to me for a few moments more.

However, it’s not surprising since we are in the coffee shop and clients are coming in and out, but I still feel annoyed.

I still love Yen. This, I am sure.

I smile apologetically at her before I turn my head toward the door. My eyes immediately pop out when I see the one I least expect to see. Entering the door in her sophisticated poise is Ella.

“Hi,” she greets, shifting her gaze between Yen and me, “I’m looking for you.”

I get uncomfortable because I see that flicker in Yen’s eyes. I don’t want her to think I’m already seeing another woman. I know I have all the right to do it since I am free now, but I’m not yet ready to release her from my heart.

I smile at Yen again and say, “I’ll take you to your table first.”

Yen shakes her head, smiles back, and waves a hand. “It’s alright; I’ll do it myself.  I can wait.”

Without waiting for my reply, she takes her exit and goes back to her table. It’s when I see an empty cup in front of her. It only means she has been waiting for me already.

I gesture with my hand for Ella to follow me to another table. Where she looked haggard last night, she surprises me now with her stunning look. She wears a cotton mini dress, but the fabric tells it’s from a signature brand. I can’t help comparing the two women now. Though both are beautiful in their own ways, Yen is the conservative type while Ella is the sophisticated one.

 “What is it?” I ask as soon as Ella takes her seat. I remain standing.

“I need to buy the latest iPhone model, but your card has a withdrawal limit,” she said, leaving me gaping at her. Her voice is loud enough for Yen to hear, making me shiver. I glance in her direction, wanting to see her reaction, but she looks busy fumbling on her phone.

My mouth hangs open. How can this woman boldly demand like she has all the right to spend my money? But I have no time to argue. Yen is here, and I can’t wait for Ella to disappear.

As if she has read my mind, she cuts me right away before I can open my mouth to speak.

“Don’t worry, sir. I will pay everything.”

To make her leave right away, I pull out a check stub from my bag, affix my signature in it, then slide it in front of her.

“Write the amount.”

She nods and says, “Thank you.”

I walk Ella to the door before I head back to Yen’s table. She looks and smiles at me, melting my heart inside.

“She’s stunning. I’m glad you’re with someone already.”

Yen must have concluded Ella is my woman because she overhears her asking for money to buy an expensive gadget. Of course, a mere acquaintance won’t be so bold to ask for something as lavish as that. And no stranger will be as generous as me to a woman he just met a few hours ago.

I open my mouth to tell her that she’s wrong, but the door suddenly opens again, and Ella’s head pops in. Yen also follows my eyes.

“Ella?”

“Umm, I’ll wait for you at the hotel for dinner.”

I stiffen, my mind failing to supply me with the right words. However, Ella takes my stare as a yes, and she leaves before I can refuse.

I pull out a deep sigh, pouring in it my disappointment that Ella has taken the scene and spoiled my moments with Yen. But then I realize why do I need to come clean? Yen is no longer coming back to me. She chooses Kim over me, and she already has a new family.

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting, “I say, smiling at her. I already know why she is here.

“It’s about what the lawyer asks me to sign.”

“What about it?” I ask, maintaining a poker face.

“Zed, it’s too much. I don’t deserve it. I was the one who left, and I don’t deserve anything.”

“I’ve been enjoying the income for three years, so I’m giving them back to you. I’m sorry I left right away. I should have settled your share, first.”

From her words, I know it sounds like I am still desperate to have her. Like I’m hoping that with that generosity, I can still win her back.

“No. I can’t accept that. Not that I’m belittling you, but you know about Kim’s status in the business industry. He also has coffee shops registered in my name. Jakara Blue Coffee Shops, remember? I manage them.”

I swallow hard. She’s slapping me the truth that my business is nothing compared to what Kim has given her. While XYZ Coffee Shops is in every mall and hotel in the city, Jakara Blue has gone international.

“But it’s Kim’s and his family. So I bet he has let you sign some pre-nuptial agreement.”

Yen smiles, and even if she speaks kindly, I can still see the sense of pity she hides in that smile.

“Zed, have you forgotten that I am the only heiress of my father’s fortune? So just save your business for your future children. And that money from our house and car, use it for your new house.”

I nod, hiding the bitterness inside. Yen doesn’t want anything from me anymore. She has already forgotten the past I shared with her. And she does it so fast like I was a curse in her life.

“Thank you,” I smile, pushing back my welling emotion inside. “I’m happy to know you are well.”

She chuckles, then talks happily about her kids. Maybe not intentionally, but she makes me realize how happy she is now without me.

Rubbing more salt to my wound, she adds, “Zed, how are you? Since you have set yourself free from your secrets already, do you still go limp in bed?”