I have to hide my smile behind my mug. My father just made whom he supports very clear, and I couldn’t love him more. I once thought he would be angry about Faiz and me breaking up, but if anything, he seems irritated by the fact that he keeps showing up.
“I see you still serve my favorite,” Faiz remarks, no doubt as a dig at Nikko, and it works. He flinches at my side as Faiz heaps his plate with it. “I guess you still remember. I suppose that comes with us being together for so long. How long have you known Z, Nikko? A month? A few weeks?”
“Yes, well, Nikko also doesn’t habitually cheat on my son,” my father comments. “Anyone else for another coffee?”
I stare, open-mouthed, as Nikko chuckles at my side. “Actually, I met Zia over seven months ago. He had left a party you were at and broke down. I helped him.” Nikko takes my hand, twining our fingers together. “I think that was just before your breakup.”
I see understanding flash in Faiz’s eyes as he looks at me. He’s remembering when I came home from being out all night. No doubt he thinks I cheated on him with Nikko.
“I never cheated. I want to make that very clear,” I say. “I know how that feels, and I would never do that to someone, not even you, but yes, I met Nikko before we broke up. Faiz, why are you here?”
His eyes lock on my hand holding Nikko’s, and he swallows. “Just as I said before.”
“I better get to work.” I sigh and kiss Nikko’s cheek. “Behave today. Don’t overdo it and take your meds, okay?” Standing, I walk around to my father and kiss his cheek too. “You as well.”
“Yes, yes, we’ll behave.” My father waves me away. “See you tonight.”
Nodding, I stride past Faiz. “Goodbye,” he says softly, almost chastised, and I hear him hurry after me as I slide my sunglasses on and head out to Yuki. His eyes widen when he sees Faiz behind me, and when Faiz tugs me around, I twist my arm from his grip.
He watches me, searching my expression. For what, I don’t know, but I let him look until he slumps, appearing defeated.
“I’ve really lost you, haven’t I?” he asks.
“Faiz, you lost me a long time ago. It’s time to let go of the past and move on. Despite everything, I hope you find your happiness. I really do. I’m sorry it couldn’t be me. I’m sorry I wasn’t enough for you.”
He looks away for a moment, his eyes rolling up to the sky as if he’s searching for something, and when he looks back at me, he appears upset. “It wasn’t you who wasn’t enough, Z. I need you to know that. It was me. It was never your fault. It was mine. I was stupid and insecure. I knew you were too good for me and would realize it one day.” His lips twist. “I’m so sorry I hurt you. I’m so fucking sorry. It is all I have been able to think about these last few weeks. You were my best friend, we grew up together, and I ruined that. I can’t live without you, Zia. Can we be friends at least?”
“I don’t know how to be your friend,” I admit. “I don’t think I can be, not yet anyway. Some things can’t be fixed no matter how hard we try.” I step back. “Let’s do the site inspection. I need to get back and look after Nikko.” I don’t say it to hurt him, but I watch those words land.
He nods, and we walk to the car, sliding inside silently. Yuki is in the front. The whole way there, the atmosphere is filled with a tense sort of quiet that neither of us knows how to break.
He realized he loves me too late, and I realized too late it wasn’t enough.
No matter what, we have years of memories together, and it hurts to see that in tatters.
We pull up to the site thirty minutes later, and I get out, accepting the hard hat as I meet the site manager. Yuki stays close, taking notes as we are shown around. It’s coming along well despite the delay, and we are both happy. Once we’re back at the car, Faiz offers me a tight smile.
“I’ll get a ride. Don’t worry.” He looks me over. “I hope you’re happy, Z. I mean it.” He walks over to a black car and gets in.
Yuki stops at my side, his tablet pressed against his chest. “Good riddance. It seems he finally understands.”
“You think?” I ask hopefully.
“Yes,” Yuki replies as he turns with a grin, only for it to drop suddenly. “Get down!” He yanks me down, covering my body as he opens the back door, protecting us just as something explodes where we were just standing.
The whole car shakes, debris raining down on us, and when it settles, I glance up to see Yuki’s arm blocking my head. Something drips down my upper body. Cuts, I think, but I look Yuki over. His arm is injured, but he seems okay. “Stay down, sir.” He pulls me closer as he tugs his phone out. “Car two, here now! There’s been an attack.”
Within seconds, another car is here, and guards surround us. “The site, the team here?—”
“I will check on them. We must get you to safety first. That was a bomb, sir, and you were the target.” He drags me over to the other car and throws me in, and then we speed away from the site.
Shock still flows through me.
Someone tried to blow me up.
This just got serious.
I’m sitting in my office. Yuki rushed me here since it’s the safest place for me. He assured me all staff members are fine and there was only minimal damage to the outside of the development site.
