Chapter # 4

I went home and got ready for dinner. It's time to start everything. I looked at my reflection for the last time and looked out and saw it was raining heavily. I don't want any hindrance, Christian will prepare everything to end the hatred between me and Candice and from this point mine and Candice's friendship will develop. I want everything to go the way I have anticipated. Even this rain can work to my favour. I smirked and turned to the mirror. I am going to give myself a second chance. Should I really do it? But I don't think I can pull myself from Candice anymore. I have to move on. My smirk converted into a sad smile when I remembered the picnic I once had with Lydia.

***

I left all my work just to be here Lydia. I cancelled all my meetings and everything just to be here on time so that she won't be angry. She ordered me to come and meet her and being a slave of her love, here I came. Right now, I am laying on her laps and looking at the sky, feeling all too peaceful. The sky is so vast everyone could be free there. My smile not leaving, her presence alone gave me immense solace.

"The sky seems so free.. Lydia," I said to her. She called me to have a picnic and now using her phone which kinda irked me. She hummed, not paying attention to me so I took her phone away, "Tyler! Give it back." She frowned. I turned it off and put it aside. "No, now listen to me," I said, smiling at her. She sighed and shook her head. She pinched my cheek and kissed the tip of my nose, "Tell me, my Dark King." She always calls me Dark King.

"It's the Dark Lord." I corrected her. She knows about my work. "I don't care. You are my king." She grinned. I also smiled widely and turned my attention to the sky.

"I was saying that the sky is endless."

"Yeah.."

"You know, when I was young my mother used to say that the people who die go to the sky and become stars."

"Then you have made countless stars for the sky.. ." She laughed a little. My smile faltered upon hearing her words. "It's not like I want to," I mumbled.

"You have to and you did." She said. I frowned.

"Can we talk about something else," I said, bored. She stopped laughing and said, "Okay." I sighed and remained like that. She was running her hands in my hairs as serenity rushed in my vein and made me forget about my every pain and I could focus only on her and honestly I don't even want to think about anything else but her, she is my guide, the light of my path. I want this moment to stop so that I don't have to go back to my revolting life.

"Tyler.." She called me softly. I hummed and she continued, "You know about your work... and if someday anything happens to me. Promise me you will move on." Upon hearing her words, I sat up and looked at her in sorrow, "Don't talk like that, Lydia." I whispered. Hearing it broke my heart.

"Just promise you will move on and never hate love." She said desperately cupping my cheeks. "What are you saying, Love. Nothing will happen to you. Don't worry. I will protect you." But she knew what her future held for her that's why she told me to not grieve over her death and move one because she knows that I know....

***

I sighed, not wanting to think about something that happened years ago. I set my cuff link and left.

I entered and saw the girl Candice talking about me. A smirk came to my lips but I remain stoic. Finally, No more useless bickering. I formed a bored face and said in irritation,

"I was your customer, you should have watched yourself and I don't like you either!"

Candice stood up and we both looked at each other with hatred, her eyes reflecting the intense detest she has in her heart for me. I narrowed my eyes at her in irk as we both hissed at the same time.

"Why the hell is she here?"

"Why the hell is he here?"

"Don't copy me."

"Don't copy me."

We both scoffed and took a seat giving glares to each other.

"Hey dude, hey, sister-in-law.." I grumpily said and took a seat while looking at Christian from the corner of my eyes, motioning him to do what I told him to. I came here depending on him, I cannot afford any fault.

"Hey.." Christian and Sophie said.

The dinner was served and the tension in the air was so thick, She kept looking at me with murderous intention so I gave her a death-stare but her bravery is admirable. During the dinner, We were sending daggers at each other. I slammed my foot over Christian foot to do something and he finally cleared his throat,

"Tyler, Candice, why are you guys being so hateful towards each other?"

"He started it first."

"She started it first." We once again said at the same time.

"You're the one that just burst on me," Candice said angrily.

"And you, don't you know how to treat your customers!?" I said exasperated.

"Even if my status was lower than yours, that doesn't give you any right to degrade me for something I never did!"

"You should have watched your mouth," I said monotonously.

"You're the one that started it first. You not just scold but EXPLODE!" She said with a tear pricked in the corner of her eyes.

"You... You.." I trailed off, frustrated, not being able to do anything. Candice grit her teeth and stood up,

"Thank you so much for inviting me to dinner. But, this guy made me lose my appetite. I'll take my leave for now." And she left, Christian looked at me, I felt bad looking at her like this, her words were right somehow, I shouldn't have yelled at her like this. She was always right. I looked at Christian and then began to say,

"Dude... I.. I.."

"It was your fault." He said monotonously.

"You should apologize," Sophie suggested.

"It's raining outside, you should go and help her," Christian said, pushing me from the elbow a little. I lowered my head and I know by looking me like this what Christian must be thinking; Typical Faker. I didn't say anything and left to go after Candice.

It was raining and still, she came to meet Sophie even though there was no one to drop her off- I mean how can she come in this rain, it must be difficult for her. I went and saw her standing at the bus stop drenched, hugging her sides and with an infuriated look over her face and looking adorable. I got out of my car and rushed to her.

"Candice.." I called her. She looked at me astonished and whisper-yelled at me, "What are you doing here?!"

"Come with me, I need to talk to you," I said to her.

"Why would I come with you?." She said, exasperated.

"Please," I said, turning my gaze and looking at a guy constantly staring at Candice. I turned to look at her and lowered my gaze and saw her drenched form is kinda revealing and this; this boiled my blood when I realized why that guy was looking at her like this.

"I am not going anywhere with you," she said, closing her arms to her chest. I was getting annoyed by her but still, I leaned in close to her and said in a low voice, "Listen, Candice, You have-" I was saying but she was about to talk a step back but I held her arms. My heart skipped a beat when I did that. I touched her. I fucking touched her for the first time. A spark travelled to me when I did that. I tried to remain unaffected by ti was so hard because I could feel butterflies in my stomach. Still holding my facade, I scowled, "Just listen." I looked at her. She looked at me in discomfort and fright as I slowly removed my hand from her and looked at her with a soft gaze. She was looking elsewhere, not meeting my gaze.

"You can come with me if you want." The guy from behind said. I grit my teeth, trying to hold my anger inside me. But it was so hard. The way he is looking at her with ravish made me want to kill him.

"Please, Candice," I said in a low growl.

"What do you want?" She said pushing me away.

"My offer is still open."

"Shut the fuck up!" I yelled at him.

"Don't create a scene, Mr Moretti." She said, looking away.

"I am not creating a scene," I whispered angrily.

"Nice bra, girl~" The guy sang and this was the last straw of my patience. Does he have a shred of dignity inside him or not? Candice or not, I won't let him harass anyone. I walked to him and held his collar and punched him hard.

"Have some respect asshole!" I shouted and punched him again. I was about to punch him again but Candice held my arm. I turned to look at her and she shook her head no and whispered, "Please don't."

My gaze softened upon seeing her. She kept looking down and nibbling her bottom lips, not saying anything. I pushed the guy away and held her hand and took her with me. I made her sit on the passenger seat and then sat down. I took off my coat and gave it to her, "Here you go, wear this. Please."

Her lips were quivering, she hesitantly took the coat and whispered, "Thank you." I gulped and tried my best not to look at her or do something I shouldn't. I slowly turned to her and began to say,

"Candice... I w-want to apologize... You are right.. I.. shouldn't have talked to you like this. I-I am sorry." I stuttered. It's been years since I have apologized to someone and I know I have to do this. I have to redeem my mistake. Please accept my apology. Please accept my apology. Please accept my apology. I repeated it like a mantra in my mind.

She looked at me with a hint of amazement, not expecting this from me at all. She blinked, trying to register my words. There was a pause between us and I cannot take it anymore. I swallowed hard, waiting for her reply.

"Your sorry cannot give me my job back." That was her reply. "It can. I can help, not help but I can make you get your job back. Please just forgive me." I said hurriedly. She looked at me for about a minute and asked in a faint voice, "Do you mean it?" Innocence flickered in her captivating eyes.

"What do you think?" I asked with a feeble smile. She passed me a faint smile and lowered her head. "I guess we are friends now," I said happily.

She shot her head to me, shocked, "What?" She asks in a low whisper.

"I guess we are friends," I repeated myself with a shrug.

"In a few seconds?" She asked, amused. "It's all about heart," I said, shrugging my shoulder with a smirk. She chuckled and said, "You and I are very different."

"I guess the opposite attracts."

"In status as well." She added. She kept looking for a reason to decline what I said but I won't let this happen. It's the beginning.

"As I said, It's all about the heart," I said starting the drive and taking her to her home.

"Okay... Okay... I guess from your precious time you can make some for your friend, King of shipments, Tyler Moretti." She said with a laugh referring me to the name the outside world knows.

"Whenever you want," I said.

"My, so generous..." She said with fake shyness. I chuckled and focused ahead. Soon Candice said, "Tyler.." I hummed, motioning her to continue as she said, "Do you know where I live?" Shit.

"Uh... No.." I said nervously. Sometimes I make such stupid mistakes.

"Then where are you taking me?" She asked.

"To your home.." I trailed off.

"Coincidentally, this is the right way." Coincidentally. She said closing her arms at her chest. We then passed at an empty road and Candice said, "Stop the car. We are here." I stopped the car and looked around, there was no house. "I believe you don't live here," I said. She giggled and replied, "No, but my home is nearby."

"I can drop you." I offered. Her eyes widened as if I had said something very wrong.

"No, You don't have to. Thank you for the ride, it's enough."

"But why? It's raining." I asked. She took off the coat I gave her and said, "Thanks for making things up and this coat.... and my father is very strict if he saw me like this.. with you... He will be furious. And it's fine, I can go." She explained. "Why didn't you bring an umbrella anyway?" I asked.

"I left Sophie's place in so much fury that I forget to take it with me." She blushed in embarrassment. I laughed a little when I head it. I then gave her a slow nod in understanding. She smiled and I said, "Thanks." She flashed me her radiant smile and got out, she waved at me and we both left our ways...