Alvara

“Congratulations on a successful launch-on!“ Ava Reed, the wife of Davidson Reed cheers me as we clink wine glasses together. 

Ava Reed wasn't a stranger to me though. In fact, we went to the same high school together although we weren't close. 

Williams hadn't shown himself to me ever since Kai informed me he'd escaped the cops. I hoped it would continue to remain that way and he wouldn't ruin today's launch. 

After three weeks of hardwork in developing this product, Davidson Reed had put together this night gala and invited all prestigious business men—and women in the industry to publicly launch the product into the market. 

“Thank you, Ava“ 

“I mentioned to my husband many times that he should consider collaborating with your company for old time's sake but he never gave in“ She reveals. “I wonder what on earth Kai told him to persuade him“ 

It wasn't news to me that Kai had a hand on my collaborative project with Reed. I mean, he was the one who'd set up the meeting between I and Reed in the first place. 

I was aware of the fact that Reed only agreed to be the meeting because Kai was going to be there. Otherwise, he wouldn't even had given me a time of his day. 

Regardless, I was grateful for Kai's effort. 

“I'm glad it all worked out the way you wanted“ I respond. 

“Also, I hear congratulations are in order“ Ava says, smirking mischievously. “After 5years, I'm glad you and Kai are finally getting married. I never liked Williams to be honest with you. There was just something about him that never sat well with me“ 

I froze. Did she just say 5years?

“Hold on, Ava. Did you just 5years?“ 

She nods, “I did“ 

“Why did you?“ 

Ava laughed as if she'd heard one of the most ridiculous questions ever. 

“You're kidding me, right?“ She asked. 

I shook my head, “I'm not“ 

“Hello. Mysterious love letter under your table, the person who always got you out of punishments when you always turned up late back in highschool“ She recalls. 

I still wasn't getting her point. 

“What does that have to with anything?“ I asked. 

“That was all Kai“ 

My gaze widened, “Kai went to our highschool“ 

“Yeah. He was a bit nerdy back then. Trust me—when I saw him again, I couldn't even recognize him“ Ava admits. “But hold on, you really didn't know it was Kai that did all those for you back in highschool?“

“I had no idea“ 

“Then why are you marrying him? I thought it was because you knew all these“ 

Ava's words turned into an inaudible audio in my ears as I dwelt on the twist that Kai had actually liked me for 5years. 

To make matters worse, he watched me while I'd gotten married his brother. He was eager to get used by me just to get me to notice him and I took the opportunity. 

I needed to make things right. 

“Excuse me for one second, Ava“ I say, placing my wine glass on the table as I exited the gala venue to the nearest Giffany & Co jewellery store. 

“Hi, I need a wedding ring suitable for my spouse“ I rambled on to the lady behind the counter. 

“What ring size in particular do you need?“ 

I stared down at the rings behind the glass. I didn't know Kai's ring size so I had to choose one I thought would fit him perfectly. 

Pointing at the ring of my choice, I say. “This one, please“ 

“That's a diamond piece and it cost 5,400$“ 

“I'll take it. Please, wrap it up for me“ 

“Alright“ 

The lady wrapped up the ring and handed it over to me. 

“Do come again, thank you“ 

Exiting the jewellery store, I rushed back quickly to the gala venue and searched around for Kai. 

I find him chatting with Davidson and a bunch of other men. Without hesitation, I made my way over to him. 

“Sorry, could I borrow Kai for a second?“ I asked, seeking their permission as I'd just interrupted their conversation with him.

“Sure, you can“ Rees says, granting my permission.

Pulling Kai by the arm, I lead him out the back of the gala venue in haste. 

When I was certain we were alone, I let go off him. 

“Whoa, what's the rush for?“ He asks. “Is something the matter?“ 

“Is it true that you're the mysterious love letter sender?“ 

Kai's gaze widened with surprise, “How did you..shit! Ava told you, didn't she?“ 

“Why didn't you tell me?“ 

“When was the chance to tell you?“ He inquires. “You never noticed me. Plus, not long after we graduated highschool, you married my brother. And bringing it up after what happened to you—with your divorce and all didn't sit well with me“ 

Kai had a point. 

“I'm sorry I made you wait too long“ I admit in whispers. “I don't even know why you'd wait for someone like me“ 

“Because you're a very remarkable woman, Alvara. You just don't know it yet“ 

It was then I was realized that I was certain what my feelings were for Kai. 

Pulling out the small brown ring box from the bag, I revealed. “I bought this today—and it wasn't on a whim, mind you“ 

“I thought it would take me a while to open my heart up to some after what Williams did to me but you made it seem so easy“ I continued. “I want to be loved by someone like you, Kai and I want to love you right back equally. I want to give us a chance to be together—beyond a marriage in name only“ 

“We didn't start off as couples but I've come to really care about you“ Clearing my throat, I added. “I'm not so good with words so I think what I'm trying to say here is..“ 

I opened up the box, revealing the small diamond cut ring. “Will you marry me?“