The reason why Kyle was actually listening this time, was two folds.

First, the only people in this world that Kyle trusted wholeheartedly - besides his kids - were the Elite Five. They would give it to him straight, and not sugar-coat anything. He had seen how they dropped the subject about Sayuri when he had denied he harboured any feelings for her, so he knew that they wouldn't push it.

But they would still have their own thoughts about it. Kyle knew he was stubborn, but that was only because … well, heck. He should know himself best, right? He truly did not think his feelings for Sayuri was romantic love. 

He knew that the moment he left, they were most likely talk about him amongst themselves out of concern. Just like how he had talked to Xing Han when Sam had been resolutely denying his feelings for Betty. Was he, Kyle, doing the same thing?

Come to think of it, except for Kay, he had meddled in their love affairs. So it was only expected that they'd return the favour.

The second reason why he had stayed back to listen was because he had been having this nagging suspicion that had been at the back of his mind ever since his talk with Lianne. 

Her comments triggered something within him. Why was he so affected by Sayuri not being around? He was comfortable with her, he loved her company and their physical intimacy was great. Other than the last part, wasn't that really what a best friend was all about? 

It was like how it had been with Stephan. It was comfortable love, but Kyle didn't want Sayuri have that sort of love in a marriage. She deserved more. He didn't want her to suffer in the end, more so when she was so in love with him.

He didn't have that palpitating, giddy feeling for Sayuri like he had with Sari. That's one of the reasons why he was sure his feelings wasn't romantic love.

But … maybe … it was?

'In denial', Sam said.

Was he?

He needed to think about this more.

When he reached home, the nurse smiled and left after he paid her. There had not been any incidences, and she assured him that Sayuri was fine.

He entered the bedroom silently, and peered at her sleeping face. 

He admitted, his reaction over Zane had been a tad overboard. Why had that been so? With the alcohol and the late night, Kyle found that he couldn't quite think properly. Giving up on trying to analyze further, he went and took a shower before going to bed.

He spooned Sayuri from the back, placing his hand on her baby bump. He smiled as he felt them move slightly under his hand. 

His children.

His heart was full.

He hugged Sayuri more, relishing in their physical contact. Feeling her warmth, breathing in her vanilla smell, and hearing her breathing as she slept gave him a peace that could not be explained. 

He soon fell asleep.

✿ Author only posts on w.e.b.n.o.v.e.l. ✿

Sarah was feeling really, really upset now. No one seemed to be overly antagonistic with her, but everyone wasn't exactly being friendly, either. They were polite, but Sarah knew.

They were all making fun of her.

Even online. 

She couldn't really clarify the situation when there were so many voices online that drowned out her rationality.

All these stupid people.

Why were they so hell-bent on separating her with Kyle?

Worse, Kyle was hardly seen around the company nowadays.

He would come in early and leave right on time.

The reason?

Because he was doting on, and caring for, Sayuri. She was due soon and everyone could tell how much he was in love with her.

Once, they were spotted shopping together at the baby store. The way the newspapers reported it, it was nauseating. And that picture! The normally stoic and cold CEO actually had a gentle look on his face while his hand had been on Sayuri's baby bump.

Nonsense!

He was just fulfilling his obligation to the baby in her stomach, not her! He was looking gentle and kind to the baby in her stomach, not her!

These people were fools.

How could they not see this??

After mulling over it for some time, Sarah decided that it was best she resigned. She wasn't able to achieve anything here and worst of all, Kyle wasn't around which would give her an opportunity to make a move on him. 

Even if she did make any sort of move on him, she would only suffer a loss.

After all, everyone was praising Kyle and Sayuri's relationship to high heaven, so her actions would only make her look like she was a home-wrecker. 

Sarah gritted her teeth in frustration.

That vixen really needed a reality check. She's only the one who is carrying his babies. She is nothing. 

Sarah printed out her resignation letter and left it on Ms. Uma's desk. Since she was still in her probation period, she only needed to submit the letter and she could leave immediately.

Thus, Sarah did so in the wee early hours of the morning as she didn't want to face anyone at that moment. When everyone else came later, they were surprised to see that Sarah's desk had been all cleared out.

It wasn't a surprise to them, however. They were just surprised that she lasted this long.

The moment Uma found out, she informed Sam, who in turn, told Kyle.

"Please increase the security around Sayuri," Kyle said to Sam after getting word about Sarah's resignation. Although he didn't think she would really be of any threat, he wasn't going to be lax about it either.

He did contemplate having Sarah followed, but dismissed the idea. Sayuri stayed home most of the time, and with the bodyguards around her, he felt Sayuri would be safe enough.

A decision he would soon regret utterly.