Evan's POV
[Next Day]
I'm currently sipping on my coffee in the kitchen when I heard soft footsteps descending down the stairs. I look where the noises were coming from and saw my husband all dressed up. I look at my watch and saw that it was 7:30 in the morning.
"Where are you going?" I asked as soon as he got down the stairs, having suspicions on his getup. He look at my direction before continue walking towards the door.
"Work." He simply answered, sitting on the porch to put on his shoes. I didn't immediately reply so he continue talking.
"I can't just skip a day just by having an argument with David." He added while tying his shoelaces. I then put down my coffee, no longer having an intention of finishing it as I follow him.
"Ok."
I grab my keys and put on my red jacket as soon as I saw him finish tying the other shoelace. He stoop up and look surprised on what I just said.
"Wait, you're not going to try and convince me to not go?" He asked in surprise. I blankly stare at him and raise one of my eyebrow.
"Even if I told you to not go you're still going to so there's no point in arguing with you." I replied. He pout and cross his arms.
"Well you're not wrong."
"Won't you at least eat breakfast before you go to work?"
I follow him out of the house, closing the door at the process, and towards my car.
He shake his head and step aside for me to unlock the door of the car so we can leave. "Nah. I'm not hungry."
"Okay but better make sure that you're going to eat later."
He sigh and lazily nodded. "Fine."
I finally unlock the car and we were about to leave when we suddenly heard the door to the house open and being harshly closed. He look behind and his brows furrowed. Before I could even look back loud footsteps were heard and a voice yelled at us from behind.
"You fucks! Not even gonna say anything and just going to leave me behind?" Lucas yelled as he struggle putting on his right shoe while running towards us. I cross my arms over my chest and look at him with one of my eyebrows raised.
"Who says you're coming?" I said as I block his way towards the car. He snarl and glare up at me.
"Out of my way, bitch. I'm coming whether you like it or not." He said as he push me aside. I then grab his arm before he could get any further.
"No. You're going to stay in the house whether you like it or not." I said as my grip to his arm tighten. His glare sharpen and was ready to snark a reply when my husband gets between us, making me lose my grip to my cousin. He hide behind my husband and stick his tongue out like a child.
"Alright, that's enough you two."
He then look up at me and smile. "Evan, don't worry. Lucas has been with me for a couple of times already and he's never caused any trouble so far." He reasoned out. I sigh and open the back door of my car.
"Fine. Get in."
Both of their eyes lit up and they immediately went inside. I close the door and circle around to get to the driver's seat and start the car.
'Is he really going to be alright at work after all that happened yesterday?' I thought to myself while driving them to Jonathan's workplace.
'Well Lucas is with him so if anything happen again he'll definitely do something about it.' I reasoned out and the cafe is now in plain sight. I look through the rear view mirror to see how they're doing. Jon was leaning his head on Lucas' shoulder while the other was quietly scrolling through his phone. I slow down before making a stop on the other side of the shop instead of in front. Jonathan took a deep breath and contemplating whether he should go there or not.
"You know you can still back out." I told him as I look at him by the rear view mirror. He shake his head and look at me as well.
"No, I don't want to make this problem any longer so I need to face him."
He look back to the shop again before unlocking the door.
"As soon as I get there I'll immediately apologize and if he didn't accept it then I'll get back here and will never go back to the cafe again."
"I'm not sure if you're the one who'll apologize first." Lucas commented as he follow Jonathan outside and towards the still-closed-cafe. I didn't leave yet and wait for what will happen next, opening my car window to clearly see everything.
My heartbeat slightly quicken as soon as I saw the two of them get inside but it started to relax when I saw his manager drop everything he's holding and immediately went to my husband and hug him, Lucas standing just behind my husband and not separating the two so I guess it was a good sign. I saw tears flowing down my husband's cheeks and my chest tighten at the sight, wishing I was the one wiping it instead of the other person. His other friends also joined in, comforting both of them. I let out a snort when I saw the kid named Kryoz pull my cousin towards the group hug even though Lucas' protesting and yelling to let him go but eventually gave in when he couldn't escape the tight grip of the latter and just sulk. I didn't realize that Brock was looking towards my direction, staring at me for a while now and when I catch his gaze he flash me a smile. I avert my eyes and roll the window up to hide my figure. I look through my tinted window and saw Jonathan and his friends let go of each other. When I'm finally satisfied of what happened I start the car and drive away. Halfway through my driving I dialed Brian's number and called him.
"Hey bro! Wassup?" He greeted in his usual cheerful voice.
"Ready all the files and schedules. I'm going back to work."
I hung up before he could respond and speed up towards the company.
Jonathan's POV
"I'm really sorry, Jon." David said for the last time as he let go of me, tears also fall from his eyes. I shake my head and sniffle.
"I told you it's already fine, David! We're okay now so let's forget about it." I said while smiling at him. He smile back and wipe his own tears.
"Yeah."
"Fucker-! Let go already! The hugging is already done!"
We look behind and saw Kryoz still hugging Lucas from behind, slightly lifting him up from the ground but not to the point where the other's feet were no longer touching the floor. David and I chuckle at the sight of the two. Kryoz finally let go of him, putting his hands up in surrender and smile apologetically.
"Oops! Sorry, dude!"
Lucas clicked his tongue and ignore him before shoving both of his hands inside his jacket and walk towards the farthest corner and sit on a couch with a stash of magazines on the side. He grab one and start reading it.
I look back at Kryoz and saw him pouting.
"Do you think he hates me?" He asked as he look at Lucas with a sad face. I smile and patted his back.
"Nahh. He's always like that to new people. Don't worry, I'm pretty sure he won't hate you once you guys get to know each other."
Kryoz finally smile and put his hand into a fist and raise it. "Alright! Mission number one, become friends with moody boy."
I let out a chuckle while David put his hand on his right shoulder.
"Goodluck."
Kryoz smile at him and nodded in appreciation. "Thanks!"
David smile back before putting down his hand and looking back at me.
"I'll just go display the pastries on the counter before we open the shop." He informed. I nodded and he made his way to the counter, doing what he said. Scotty and Brock walk towards me while Lui decided to help David.
"You feeling better?" Scotty asked, a concern look plastered all over his face while Brock on the other hand just simply smile.
"Yep. I'm actually not expecting him to be the one who apologize first, I mean, I'm the one who made a mistake." I said and took a quick glance at David, who's now smiling and talking with Lui while placing the pastries on the glass counter.
"Nahh. Don't feel bad about yourself."
I just simply look down and bite my lower lip but it quickly changed when I heard what Scotty said next.
"I wasn't actually expecting Mr. Evan to get back here yesterday and had a quick conversation with David."
My head quickly shot up and look at him with wide eyes. I saw the way Brock slightly nudge him with his elbow and whisper something until scotty's reaction change into shock like he made a mistake.
"Wait... he went back here... and talk with David?" I repeated. Brock sigh as Scotty sheepishly scratch the back of his neck while looking away.
"Yeah, I forgot it was supposed to be a secret. I'm an idiot."
A frown form on my forehead at the reason.
"Why?"
This time it's Brock who answered my question. "Look, Evan talked with David and straight things up between you two. It wasn't that complicated since David wasn't that hard to talk with and they're done no longer than 5 minutes."
I fell silent.
"He did that... for me?" I asked, more to myself than to them. Brock just simply gave me a small smile while Scotty look at us confused but didn't bother to asked and excused himself to do something. Now it was just the two of us.
"So what do you think?" He started, standing beside me while looking at our friends. I raise a brow at him.
"Think about what?"
"About him."
I look away just in time for him to give a glance at me. "He's okay. I guess." I mumbled, trying not to think too much about it. He chuckle and patted my back in comfort.
"I'm glad."
--x
The day went by and everything goes back to normal. Tyler didn't come which, I'm pretty glad.
It's almost closing time and I was cleaning the tables when David went up to me with a gift bag in his hand.
"Here." He said as he hand it to me. I accept it and raise it to examine the structure.
"I was supposed to give you this yesterday but... you know?" He scratch the back of his neck.
I gave him a small smile and put it on the nearest table.
"Thanks."
His eyes slightly widen and he quickly wave his hands in front of him. "Ah-no. It's not from me. My stupid brother just wants for me to hand it to you."
A frown form on my forehead at the said of Darwin's name. Dang, I suddenly miss that goof.
"Why can't he?"
"Well yesterday he suddenly received an urgent meeting to another country and he doesn't have time to pass here to give it to you himself so he asked me to do it." He explained. I pout and look at the gift bag.
"I wish I at least get to say goodbye to him before he left."
David patted my back and smile.
"Don't worry, I'll send him a text later that you wish him a good day."
My smile went back to my face and just in time I saw my husband walk in to the shop while looking around. When he spotted me he signal that we're going to leave already before going back outside. I nodded and look back at David.
"Soooo I'm going to leave now, Evan's already waiting outside. I'll see you tomorrow okay?"
He nodded and I grab the gift bag before turning around to call Lucas who's sitting on the couch with his arms crossed over his chest and ignoring Kryoz who keeps talking to him even though the other wasn't interested at all. When the two of us made eye contact his eyes change and beg to me to save him. I sigh and face palm before smiling.
"Lucas, let's go home! Evan's already outside." I called. I never saw him stand up so quickly like he did there and keep his face serious until he stop beside me.
"Aww." Kryoz sulk but then his smile came back and he stand up. Lucas saw him approaching and his eyes widen. Before Kryoz took another step he started to pull me out of the cafe.
"Let's go." He said under his breath.
I roll my eyes and turn around to wave at them. Kryoz stop beside David while awkwardly waving back.
"See you tomorrow Lucas!" Kryoz shouted before we get outside. Lucas grunt at hearing his name being said by the other.
"So damn annoying."
I elbow him to what he said and he let go of my arm that he's holding as we continue walking towards Evan's car.
Evan's already inside his car and waiting for us. We get inside and left.
We finally made it to the house and this whole time his eyes were fixated to the gift I'm carrying with a suspicious look. We passed the dining room and as usual, there's already some foods cooked. When we made it to the kitchen he started asking.
"Who gave that?" He asked without leaving his eyes on the object.
"It's from David's brother." I replied as I put it on the counter.
The suspicion in his face immediately disappear when he heard David's name and he began to think about something.
"Do you mean, Darwin Nagle?"
I stare at him in confusion on how did he know Darwin's name.
"How on earth do you know him? I'm pretty sure I haven't introduced you guys yet to each other."
"Mr. Nagle is my new business partner. We started working together on a project in Austria two months ago. Actually, my father currently have a meeting with him today."
My mouth went dry. Sweat started to trickle down my forehead as my heartbeat quicken. I tried calming my breathing and take deep breaths. He noticed my changes and look at me in slight worry.
"Jonathan? Are you feeling alright?" He asked, he's now in front of me with his hands reaching towards me but not totally touching me. Memories flash on my mind as I remember that one time when Darwin and I had that conversation.
"I met this super serious guy with expressionless face but I'm surprise when he smoothly talk things out and easily made me agree to sign the contract."
Oh god, it was him. He met him. Now he knows. He'll tell the others-tell David. They're gonna call me a liar, a fake. They'll hate me.
I was snap out of my thinking when two hands firmly hold both of my shoulders and I tilt my head upward to see my husband staring at me straight in the eyes.
"If you're thinking about me saying something to him, stop it already. I didn't tell him anything nor mention your name. I know you don't like for people to know you're one of us, especially for them to know that you're in a contract marriage with me. I don't know the reason to the first one but I'm not going to make you explain yourself. So... you don't have to worry."
A whole minute passed with me just staring at him with watery eyes while he gently holds my shoulders. Without any second thought, I launch myself and quickly wrapped my arms around his waist and hugged him, before my tears started to fall I bury my face to his chest so he wouldn't see my crying face. He look at me surprised as he just stand still, frozen at the spot. His hands awkwardly up in the air, debating whether he should hug back or not.
"...Jonathan? Is everything alright?" He asked, concern was now on his face. My whole body was shaking as I try not to let out a sob.
"I just- I-" I stammered, not really sure of what I should say as tears still keep falling from my eyes. So I settled saying the two words that will summarize all of my feelings.
"Thank you."
He looks more confused but didn't ask and finally hugged back.
"I have no clue why you're thanking me at the first place. I didn't do anything for you to thank me."
I shake my head to disagree.
You did a lot that a 'thank you' isn't enough.
I let him go and turn away to wipe my face. "Let's go eat."
"Jonathan."
I look behind and saw him raise his hand, waiting for me to accept and hold it. He's unconsciously biting his lower lip while avoiding my gaze.
A smile crept up my face and I grab his hand before pulling him to the dining room.
Third Person's POV
Little did Jonathan know for the very first time since Evan was eight a true smile went up to his lips when he felt the other's hand against his. It wasn't the usual cold hand, this time it was warm and getting warmer as they hold each other.