CHAPTER 30
Yaya's index finger and thumb traces the silver band on her ring finger, going in circle. A smile appears before her as she held her hand in the air and stares at the silver band. She sits cross-legged on her bed, staring at the ring.
Engaged. Finally engaged. She says to herself. It has finally come true. This was something she had always dreamed of since she was little girl. Praying and hoping that one day it'll come true. The light from the crack of the window beams through her fingers, making the silver band shine even brighter.
"This is just a temporary engagement ring--" Nadech told her, slipping the silver band around her finger. An effortless fit.
Yaya stared at the ring on her finger in smiles. "It's perfect." she told him with the biggest smile ever. She leaned forward and gave him a peck on the lips. "I don't need a big diamond ring. It doesn't have to be bedazzled with diamonds either. This is just what I wanted. Something plain and simple is all." she leaned in once more and gave him a passionate kiss.
He pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her waist. He grins down at her, "It still won't prevent me from getting you the real engagement ring." He told her. "But I won't tell you when you'll get it." he smirked, "It'll be a surprise. So you'll get it when you least expect it."
That was 2 & a half months ago. Til this day, Yaya's still finds it surprising that she's engaged-- and to Nadech. She still gets those butterflies in her stomach when she says
her fiance. It's just something she isn't use to yet. Although things may have been moving a bit faster than she expected, she wouldn't change anything. Everything in her life is finally turning around and she couldn't be happier. Especially since she's been working at the new job.
Nadech walks out of the bathroom, catching a glimpse of Yaya staring at the ring. He grins to himself as he buttons up his shirt. Quietly, he walks towards her bed, trying not to make a sound. A surprise tackle from behind as he wraps his arms around her waist, showering her with kisses on her cheeks.
"Nadech…!" Yaya giggles, surprised by attack but she couldn't help but smile. She falls back and stares up at Nadech. "What are you doing...?" she caresses his hair, smiling up at him.
He smirks, giving her another kiss on the forehead. "I just wanna shower you with kisses…" he pulls her face closer to his and kissed every square inch of her face. Yaya squealed, closing her eyes tightly as Nadech smothers her with kisses.
"Okay okay…." Yaya surrenders, giggling like a little kid. She opens to her eyes to see Nadech staring down with those beautiful brown eyes of his.
He kisses her on the cheek, "I wanna kiss you like this every morning…" he tells her, brushing the hair from her face.
"And I wanna wake up every morning like this…" She tells him, unable to wipe the smile from her face.
Suddenly Nadech's phone rang, disrupting their little moment. They glance at the nightstand beside Yaya's bed.
"It might be work…" Yaya tells him, quickly getting up from bed to grab the phone. It was Nadech. "Your mother." she waves his phone in hand.
He lowers his head in disappointment, sticking out his hand. Yaya hands it to him. He climbs out of her bed and walks towards the kitchen, "Hello… yeah… I'll be there… okay okay… yeah… bye…" He sighs loudly, drinking the rest of coffee.
"I better get going…" He walks over to her, giving her a kiss on the forehead. "Before she has my head cut off…" he smirks.
She gets up from bed, walking him out the door, "Okay. I don't want you to get in trouble by your mother." she opens the door and waits for Nadech to walk out.
"I'll call you later." he kisses her on the lips.
"Okay. I should to get going too. Boss wanted to talk to me about something so I better go early to talk to her." She tells him.
He raise his eyebrow, "I hope it's another promotion offer…" he says, "Cause you're really good at what you do… you deserve the best…" he kisses her once more.
"I don't know but I hope it's good news…" she smirks, "Get going now… Don't make your mother wait." She pushes him out the door.
"Don't miss me too much…" he winks at her and waves goodbye.
Shaking her head, she waves bye to Nadech and closes the door behind her. She gets ready to head to work.
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As Yaya approaches Khun Jung's door, her nerves began to stir. She takes a deep breath and knocks 3 times.
"It's open!" Khun Jung shouts.
Yaya walks in, slowly.
"Hi Khun Jung--" Yaya smiles at her.
"Ah! Yaya…" Khun Jung puts down the pen and flashes a friendly smile, "Come in come in… have a seat." she puts down her pen.
"I was told you wanted to see me." she smiles politely at Khun Jung.
She nods her head, "Yes… Yes I did…Sorry we couldn't talk yesterday. I had a family emergency--" she rest her elbows on the table, smiling from ear to ear, "You've been working here for about 2 months and well…" she clears her throat, "I'm impressed." she chuckles.
Yaya smiles with relief, "Thanks Khun Jung, I try my hardest."
"And I admire you for it!" she slaps the table, "You're a hard worker and you bring a positive energy to this company--" Khun Jung nods her head, "That's why I called you in here. I have a proposition for you."
Yaya leans in closer to her, wondering what it could possibly be, "A proposition…?"
Khun Jung nods her head and opens her drawer, pulling out a folder and handing it to Yaya.
She opens cautiously and instantly her eyes widen, "What's--what's this?" she utters, flipping through papers.
"It's an assignment -- and I think you're the best candidate for this assignment." She grins.
"Me…?" Yaya's eyes widen, "But-- but I haven't been working here that long. I thought you have to work here for at least a year before you get an assignment like this..?"
Khun Jung shakes head, "Well... truth is I like people to work at least a year until I give this kind of assignment to people-- but I think you're ready."
"But-- but…" Yaya's stunned, blinking viciously.
"It's a pretty easy assignment-- visits all those marvelous places around the world-- islands, monuments, beaches, hotels, all the wonderful places are in that folder, in details of course-- All you have to do is visit the different places, write a blog about your stay, take some photos. At the same time, you'll be on vacation-- plain and simple. It's the perfect job and well…" she reclines back in her chair, "I can't see anyone else for this job aside from you" she smiles, "So what do you say?"
"I uh…" Yaya flip through the packet, unsure of what to think or say.
"It'll be an experience of a lifetime-- I promise." she nods her head, "All expenses paid so you won't have to worry about paying anything out of your own pocket."
"I-- I don't know what to say…" Yaya chuckles, "You.. you really want me to travel around the world…?" she stares at Khung Jung in amazement.
"Yes... Like I said before, you are the perfect candidate and I think you're ready for it… However…" Khun Jung pauses, facial expression suddenly changed.
"However…?" Yaya looks up with a concern on her face.
"This kind of job is going to take a year to a year and a half…"
"A year…?" Yaya's heart sank, "a year and a half…?"
She nods her head, "Possibly even 2 years…" Khun Jung rest her elbows on her desk, "It might seem like a long time away from home but it'll definitely be an experience of a lifetime." She stares at Yaya, who's lost in her thoughts.
"You don't have to give me an answer right away." Khun Jung interrupts Yaya's thought, "You can give me an answer in a month. Just think about it and report to me."
"In a month?" She stares at Khun Jung, who nods her head. Yaya inhales deeply and closes the file up. "I'll definitely think about it and I'll let you know as soon as possible." she gets up, "Thanks for nominating me as a candidate." she smiles at Khun Jung.
"You're a hard working woman and I admire your work ethics. Just know that if you turn this opportunity down, it won't affect your job." she smiles at Yaya.
"Thanks again." Yaya grins and slowly walks out. She returns to her office with a smile on her face as she place the folder on her desk.
It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. She utters to herself. Suddenly, the smile dissipated when she notices her ring. Her heart sinks, feeling torn.
What am I going to do? She sighs out loud, staring up at the ceiling as though it'll provide her with the right answer.
Her phone vibrates, startling her. She reaches for it-- Nadech's calling. Her heart beats faster by the second. Excitement and sadness lingers inside of her. She clears her throat and answers the phone. "Hey Nadech." She puts on a smile, even though she knows that he won't be able to see it. She rotates her chair, biting her lips in nervousness, "It's tonight…? Okay… I'll be there… don't worry about it, I understand you're busy so I'll drive there… the red dress…? okay, I will…I have something to tell you too… Okay… I'll tell you tonight when I see you… okay bye…" she hangs up the phone and stares at it.
"How am I going to tell you…? she exhales deeply, feeling the weight on her shoulders grow heavier.
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Yaya arrives at the Kennicky Hall at 8:30. She's running a bit late-- although she technically is early, but later than she intended to leave. Her hair and makeup just wasn't cooperating with her tonight, plus slipping into the red dress was a bit of a challenge. She quickly gets out of the car and walks towards the lobby, following the sign of where to go. Tonight was Nadech's charity event. Something he has been working on for a month. There's rumor to be a big announcement. She isn't sure of what it is.
She enters the hall and spots Kimmy instantly.
"Hey Yaya!" she shouts from a distance, gesturing her to come over. Yaya was glad she wasn't alone. She didn't want to feel out of place.
"Hi Kimmy," she gives Kimmy a hug, smiling from ear to ear, "You look stunning tonight." she compliments Kimmy.
"Oh stop it--" Kimmy rolls her eyes, "Not as stunning as you…" she checks Yaya out.
"Drinks?" A server interrupts them, offering some drinks.
Kimmy grabs two, handing one to Yaya.
"Let's toast…" Kimmy raise her glass, "To Barry creating this charity event." she smiles, "I didn't think he could pull it off."
"Cheers…" Yaya smiles. Their glasses touch and they drank to Nadech's success. "Where is he, by the way?" she ask Kimmy.
"Uhm…" Kimmy scans around the room, "He might still be in one of the other halls, preparing some stuff." she sips her champagne.
"Do you mind if go find him? I wanna talk to him before he comes out." Yaya tells Kimmy.
"Not at all-- go ahead. I'll be here." She smiles at Yaya. "I'll be waiting right here. Kelly should be here soon." She informs Yaya.
Yaya smiles and excuses herself, heading out the Kennicky Hall. She checks two different halls but he was nowhere in sight. She turns around carelessly and right smack into a stranger, spilling the champagne all over her dress.
"Oh-- I am so sorry…" the woman shouts.
"It's okay…" Yaya dabs the champagne on her dress, unconcerned about the person in front of her, "It was my fault anyways-- sorry…" she finally looks up. Her eyes widen to her surprise as she stares at the woman dressed similarly to her. The woman look oddly familiar to Yaya, yet she can't figure out where she seen her before.
"Let's go to the bathroom to fix the dress before it gets ruined..." The woman smiles at Yaya, who could only nod.
The woman helps dry Yaya's dress, making it look as if nothing had spilled on it. Yaya stares at the woman, who resembles her in some ways.
"You're all set…" she tells Yaya with a sly smile, "I apologize for bumping into you earlier…" she says.
"No-- no…" Yaya smiles shyly, "Not your fault, I'm-- I'm sorry. It was my fault. I wasn't watching where I was going-- but thanks for helping me out. I really appreciate it." she smiles again.
"Not a problem…" she grins at Yaya.
Yaya washes and dries her hand.
"I see your engaged…" the woman glances at Yaya's ring.
She glances over her shoulder at the woman, then looks down at her ring, "Oh-- yes-- yes I am…" Yaya grins at the mysterious woman.
"Well, Congrats…" the woman crosses her arm, "He must be one lucky man…" she smiles devilishly, glancing at Yaya.
"Thank you. I think he is…" Yaya brushes the strains of hair back from her face, "He's a one-of-a-kind." she blushes.
The woman nods her head, "I've never been engaged before..." she moves in closer, "Can I see your ring…?" she ask politely.
Yaya nods her head and held out her hand. The woman examines her ring then glances up at Yaya with a mocking grin.
"It's lovely…" she utters kindly.
"Thank you. It isn't fancy or anything but it's okay. I don't like anything fancy anyways." Yaya tells her.
"I see…" The woman nods her head, "Well then…" She exhales deeply, "I see your dress is fine so I guess I will be going…"
"Okay.. I should be going too. Thanks again." Yaya utters with a smile and watches the mysterious woman leave the bathroom. Chills ran down her spin. An eerie feeling takes over her instantly. Yaya sense a bad and weird vibe from that woman, although she can't wrap her fingers around it.
Where have I seen her before? She ponders in her thoughts trying to remember that familiar face. Looking at that woman was almost like looking in a mirror. They had striking similar features.
I know I've seen her somewhere.
She walks out the bathroom, searching for the woman but she was no where in sight.
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Nadech runs through the check list, making sure everything is in order. It's almost time and he wanted everything to be perfect. This is something he has been working on for a month.
"Check…" he crosses the last thing off the list and puts the clip board down. A smile of relief appears before his face. Weight has been lifted from his shoulders. He checks his watch-- almost time.
Suddenly, Nadech could feel hands carefully wrapping around him. He looks noticing the red dress. A smile appears before his face.
"You're finally here…" he caresses her hands.
"Of course I'm here… I wouldn't miss your big day…"
Nadech breaks free from the embrace, facing the woman who he thought was Yaya.
"Da--Davika?!" He utters in shock. Heart beating faster by the second. "What-- What the hell are you doing here??" He scans the room in a panic, wondering if anyone saw what just happen.
"I'm here to support you Baby…" she takes a step forward, "Why else would I be here…?" She seductively wrap her arms around his neck, "You know you want me here…" she smirks.
Nadech pushes her off, shaking his head furiously, then walking away. She quickly grabs him.
"Barry, Baby…" She whines, "You can't leave now…" she pouts, "I helped you with this Charity event and this is how you repay me…?" she crossed her arms, "By acting like we're strangers?"
He inhales deeply, forgetting that she is the reason why this charity event is taking place. "Sorry--" he puts his hands to his hips, "Thanks for helping me with this event Davika-- but nothing's gonna happen between us. I'm
ENGAGED." He emphasize on being engaged, hoping she would get the memo.
She toss her head back and lets out a laugh, "Please Barry…." she snickers and moves in closer-- Inches from his body. She stares at him with all seriousness, "You might be fooling the whole world Barry… but you definitely don't fool me." She doesn't flinch nor winch.
He swallows hard, blinking faster. "Fool who? Who am I fooling? What am I fooling, if you don't mind me asking?" He barks at Davika.
"You know damn well who…" she fiddles with his blazer, "You don't really love that
Yaya girl…" she grins evilly, "You might be engaged to her but you know deep down you're wishing it was me… I'm the one you really want… not that copycat lookalike
Yaya..."
Nadech clinches his jaw, avoiding her eye contact. Davika grabs him by the jaw, forcing him to look at her, "Admit it Barry… you're still not over me." she half grins, "When are you going to stop lying to yourself and admit the truth?!" she barks.
Nadech knocks her hand down, "I don't want you Davika. It's been over years ago." He stares her coldly, "You had your chance and you blew it--"
She laughs in his face, "Lies…." She utters, "All… fucking… lies…" She smiles, "Then why haven't you told her about me? How come you won't tell her that I'm your ex-girlfriend-- the woman who has your heart? Why won't you tell her?" She interrogates him.
"Because you're in the past Davika!" He barks, "I don't have to tell her about you because you're a thing in the past! There's no need to bring you up!" He snaps.
She laughs again, "No.. no… that's not the correct answer…" she crosses her arms, "You wanna know the truth…? You're afraid that if she knew the truth about me, she'll be devastated… you don't wanna hurt her… she can't handle the truth--"
"Yaya trusts me and there's no need to tell her everything--"
"Then why haven't you told her that you still keep in contact with me… your
ex-girlfriend?" she interrupts him, "Or that you replaced my name with "
Mother" to make it look like your mom's calling when it's really me calling...?" She gives him the cold pathetic stare, "Why do you always answer when I call then...? I'll tell you why..." she pauses for a breath, caressing his soft cheeks.
"It's because deep down, you're wishing that Yaya was me…" she grins, "Just admit it… if you admit it, we can start things over. You know what they say
'if you love something, set it free. If it comes back then it was meant to be....' " She smiles, "I'm back Barry... for good... Just break it off with her… you don't need that
girl Barry…" she takes his hand, "You need a
woman.. you need me…" Her tone of voice changes, suddenly speaking more softer. "Just tell me you miss me and and I'll come back in a heartbeat…" she utters, wrapping her arms around his neck once more.
Nadech doesn't fit her. He listens to her carefully. Numb all over his body.
"Baby…" she smiles at him like old times, "I know all that makeover stuff you gave her was only because you wanted her to be more like me and look more like me. You weren't sincere to her then and you definitely aren't sincere now-- stop lying to yourself… You did it because she resembled me and you wanted her to be like me so you could be closer to me-- you pitied her, didn't you? She doesn't really mean anything to you, right? I know you want me, so please don't deny it any longer… You don't love her--
you're still in love with me…" she tells him softly.
He swallows hard, feeling the lump in his throat. His blood is pumping with adrenaline as his mind is spinning out of control. She touches his face, "And that engagement ring you gave her… is exactly like the promise ring you gave me Barry… did you know that?"
He blinks uncontrollably. Palms sweaty now.
"See Barry… it's obvious you still want me-- your silence is answers all my questions..." she smiles at him, "you do still love me… just say it… You don't love her.. you love the idea that she's like me…" she leans in closer, lips slowly touching his.
"Don't…" Nadech utters through his teeth but it was too late. Their lips touch, engaging in a passionate kiss.
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Yaya covers her mouth is distraught, more tears slowly begin pouring out of her eyes as she witnesses Nadech, her fiance, kissing another woman. Not just any other woman-- his
ex-girlfriend. Her head's spinning as she tries to process Nadech and Davika's conversation. She overhead everything and she just can't believe her ears nor can she believe what she's witnessing in front of her.
As Nadech's hand wraps around Davika's waist. Her heart collapse to the ground and Nadech stepped on it.
"Yaya! There you are!" Kimmy shouts to Yaya, making way towards her. She suddenly freezes immediately.
Yaya glances at Kimmy then back at Nadech and Davika, who spotted them already. Without a word Yaya storms out the room, eyes full of tears, bumping past Kimmy.
[SONG PLAYING : JISUN - WHAT SHOULD I DO? ]
She ignores her name being called. All she could do was run, shutting everything and everyone around from her mind. She runs out in the pouring rain-- the worst possible time for rain. Ashe reaches her car, she fumbles with they keys struggling to get unlock her door. The rain didn't help much. Hands shaking with fear and sorrow. The tears continuously pouring out of her eyes, blending in with the rain. She sticks the keys into the ignition and speeds off like a mad woman as the rain beats heavily on the top of her car. Thunder roars louder than ever. It's as though the heavens know how she's going through and what she's feeling. Hurt. Angry. Sad. Betrayed.
She grips tightly to the steering wheel, racing home as fast as she could. Her heart races faster than before. Tears still pouring down her face as she races against an invisible clock to head home.
"I mean nothing to him… It was all a lie… I was a lie…" she repeatedly utters in her mind with the words of Davika taunting her ears and the images of them kissing blinding her.
