Kai's POV
Slowly, I turned to Zane—eyes looking at him in disbelief. I was already salivating thinking about the steak, but he shattered my fantasy. It's not that I haven't tasted steak. It's just that I rarely visit my favorite steak house because of my busy schedule, and my favorite steak house is just behind me.
"What?" He saw my expression and the way. I looked at him.
I grimaced. "I thought you'd bring me to a steak house. I expected too much."
He scoffed. "I don't like steak."
I laughed without a humor. "I'm sure as hell you're not a vegetarian."
"I'm not." He shook his head.
"You're the only non-vegetarian person I've met who doesn't like steak."
"There's always someone unique. That's me." He smirked. "Let's go. I'm famished."
"Arrogant! Why a noodle house?" I hissed as I followed him.
"Noodles make life longer."
I rolled my eyes. For the first time in a while, I rolled my eyes. "And it doesn't make sense that someone like you believes such a stupid belief."
"Why do you always have negative words when talking to me? Are you sure you're over me? Because it seems to me you still hold a grudge."
I hissed and walked past him. "Grudge is a powerful word, Blackwood. Why does it sound like you actually want me to hold a grudge?"
"Why would I want that? If you know black magic, you'd probably use a voodoo doll on me."
Annoyed, I halted and faced him. "I won't be needing a voodoo doll to eliminate you, Zane. I could just strike a knife in your throat, and no one would suspect a business prodigy for murder."
His laughter broke as he put his arm over my shoulder. "You're always hot blood. If not for your body, I'd think you're a woman having her monthly period. Your face card is feminine anyway."
My heart—stupid heart raced again. For the love of God! He's off limits!
I glared at him. "Get your heavy arm off of me. You're hurting my shoulders."
He smirked. "Use the gym often. You look like you'd faint after one blow from me."
Zane seemed familiar with the noodle recipe. He ordered for us while I picked our table. I chose the one on the corner.
"You always isolate yourself."
I looked at Zane with a creased forehead. "So what?"
His lips stretch into a pirate smile. "I really think you should work on your social skills."
I hissed. "Seriously, what is wrong with you?"
"Nothing." He smirked. "Do I look like I have a problem?"
"Not a problem, but you seemed defective. Did you get tetanus in your head?"
He frowned. The flicker in his eyes is now tainted with annoyance. "I'm trying here, Kai. You did me a favor twice, and I'm just repaying it."
I stared at him curiously. "Why do you need to go this far to return the favor?"
His brows knitted. "What do you mean? This is just a simple dinner."
"You can just thank me. I'll accept it. Why bring me here?" I roamed my eyes around. "In a place that could express what you are."
He stared at me, and then slowly, he sighed. "You can consider this a truce. I'm tired of us fighting over petty things."
"Petty things?" I hissed. "You call your insults petty things?"
"I told you I didn't insult you." He sounded annoyed.
"Yes, you did." I glared at him. "Way back in high school."
He groaned. "That was ten years ago, Kai. And I didn't insult you. I just told you to like someone else because I have no interest in dating you."
"That was not your exact words, Zane."
His lips twitched. "You still remember everything I said?
"Like it was said yesterday." I pointed at my temple. "It was etched in my brain. I was beyond insulted."
He sighed. "I'm sorry."
I shook my head. "The damage has been done. And now you're calling it petty things…"
"Can you try to understand my point? I'm trying to make peace between us. We'll be family—"
"Fine." No need to slap on my face that he'll be marrying my sister.
He smiled. "Friends, then?"
I inhaled sharply. "I'll just go to the men's room."
He frowned. "Let's be friends first."
It's tempting to completely seal a friendship with him but…the moment he kissed me was the moment my feelings for him started coming back to life, and I don't want him to be my friend. I want more than that but…I know it's impossible. He's marrying my sister.
I was walking towards the men's room when I bumped into someone.
"Sorry…." I bowed my head and was about to leave when the person I bumped into called my name.
"Kai? Kai Montclair?"
I stared at him, confused. "Do I know you?"
He smiled. "Woah! It really is you."
My eyes turned into slits. "I don't remember being acquainted with you, Sir."
"Of course." He smiled even wider. "First of all, I would like to apologize to you. For bumping against you, and for the things I said during high school."
I was taken aback. "High school?"
He offered his hand as his smile turned apologetic. "I'm Dante Collins. Zane's old friend."
I stared at him again as a picture slowly flashed at the back of my head. He's that man. The man who accused me of wanting to be Zane's sugar baby or whatever.
I inhaled sharply. "Excuse me…"
"Wait, Kai…" When he held my wrist, I looked at him blankly. He immediately let go. "Sorry…"
"My past is not something to remember and reminisce, Mr. Collins. If you'll excuse me."
I left him and immediately entered the men's room. I looked at the door and squeezed my eyes, trying to compose myself.
Why are the people in my past coming back one by one? This is crazy! I can't let them ruin my life again. I can't let them reveal my secret.
Avoid them. The only way to a peaceful life.
I guess I would be turning down Zane's friendship offer.