No problem. I replied to Aeryn, my friend, my only friend actually and the owner of the restaurant I work in after she told me she won't be able to come today leaving the restaurant in my care.

I was still in the bed, about to get up when I messaged my fiance. We need to cancle our date tonight, Dave. I won't be able to get free early since Aeryn is not coming.

I placed the phone down on the bed waiting for his reply. That's the sixth date we had to cancle in the past two weeks.

Not just because of me but because of him too, sometimes he is busy while sometimes I am.

My phone buzzed and I picked it up. It's okay. I am busy too tonight. He replied.

Hmm...okay. I replied before getting up.

I gazed down to the plain gold band on my ring finger with the small diamond on it and smiled softly.

I wonder how will my married life with Dave will be.

Will we be able to take out time from our busy schedules for each other?

Well...there is still a few months before we get married, I can think about it all later. Right now, I need to go the restaurant.

.

.

.

I sighed deeply looking at the signage board of the restaurant and went in.

The Carmels

I greeted everyone, telling them since Aeryn is not coming, I'll be the incharge today.

"How's everything?" I was asked by one of my co workers.

I smiled while washing my hands. "Everything's good, Candice. What about you?"

She sighed sadly. "Nothing much about me. I went on a romantic date with Gareth Wilbrose in my dream."

I chuckled shaking my head lightly. "You and your obsession with Gareth Wilbrose."

"Come on! He is so hot! I can sacrifice my life for him."

I tied the apron around my waist. "Yeah...yeah...of course. Even though I keep reminding you that he doesn't date. He never dated."

She pouted. "Don't say that. Maybe he will someday."

"Why don't you ask Aeryn to make you meet him since he is her brother in law?"

"You are right but...I don't know. I'll ask her when she comes."

I hummed and started preparing the dishes.

Time ticked away and customers started to come in.

I was busy preparing the curry when one of our waitress walked in and told me. "Someone's out there to meet you."

My brows knitted together. "Who?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. He didn't say his name. He just asked for you, he's sitting at table no. 5."

"Oh, okay...", I said and walked past her to go out when she said, "A bit handsome fellow." And she winked.

I chuckled at her, all my co workers are crazy.

I walked out and towards the table no. 5 but when my eyes fell on the person actually sitting there my steps faltered and my face paled.

Sitting in a pair of black jeans, white t-shirt and a blazer was the person I despised the most.

When he saw me he smiled and lifting his hand, lightly waved at me as if we are close friends meeting after years.

Gritting my teeth, I sat opposite to him. His eyed me head to toe.

He licked his lips. "Grown more beautiful over the years, didn't you?"

"What do you want, Isaiah?", I asked coldly.

"I see...you are still angry."

I got up to leave. I can't deal with him.

"Harper, wait!" He stopped me. "Please, just five minutes. I need to talk to you."

Rolling my eyes, I sat down again. "Just five minutes. Your time starts now."

"Look, I was looking for you for a long time and now I finally found you."

"How did you find me?"

"Your friend, Aeryn is quite famous at the moment. I saw your picture with her on Instagram. And by the way, I even have sources now." He explained.

"What do you want now?"

"You."

I glared at him. "Not happening. I am already engaged and even if I was not I would never be with you."

He placed his palm over his heart dramatically. "Ouch."

I rolled my eyes and he said, "I started my own company, Harper. I am wealthy--"

I snapped. "You think I care about how rich you are?"

"Then what?"

"Leave, Isaiah."

He grabbed my palm. "Are you still angry at me for that?"

I yanked my hand out of his grip. "Don't touch me and yes, I am still angry with you and will be forever."

My eyes fell on his hands resting on the table and they were shaking, like literally. I couldn't help but ask. "Why are your hands shaking?"

He looked down at his hands for a moment and said, "I have some nerve problem. They start shaking sometimes on their own."

I hummed in response.

He sighed and said. "Look, it's been eight years and it was a mistake."

"That you didn't regret!"

"But I am regretting now."

"It's over, Isaiah. The damage has been done, whether you regret it or not, I don't care."

"I want to make it up to you for that. I apologise for what I did."

I got up angrily and turned to leave but he got up too and caught my wrist. "Listen to me, Harper."

This caught the attention of other customers as they all looked at us. I once again removed my hand from his grip while glaring at him.

I gritted my teeth and spoke in a low voice. "Don't make a scene here, Isaiah. Leave politely."

He opened his mouth to speak but I cut him off. "No. The conversation is over. Leave me alone now."

Saying that I immediately turned and walked back inside ignoring the stares I was getting from the customers.

Once inside, I leaned my back against the wall placing my palm over my forehead. The fuck he wants appearing after so many years.

.

.

.

A few hours later, Candice came running in. Her face was pale and her eyes as wide as they can be.

"What happened to you?" I questioned amusingly.

Her mouth opened and closed, she was not able to form any words.

That worried me a bit and moving closer to her, I grabbed her forearm. "What's wrong?"

She pointed to the door leading out to the restaurant. "Ga-Gareth."

It only made me more baffled. "What?"

Then she shrieked all of a sudden startling me. "Gareth Wilbrose is out there!"

"Oh...so?"

"He wants to meet Aeryn."

"She's not here, you know that. Did you tell him?"

She smiled sheepishly. "No. I was too shocked to say anything."

I face slammed myself. "You gotta be kidding me."

She defended herself. "I can't help it. He is looking so hot and handsome and sexy and when he asked me about Aeryn, I was about to faint so I ran back inside."

I groaned and she pushed me towards the door. "You go and tell him Aeryn is not here. Please."

I was about to protest but she shoved me forward and before I knew it, I was out of the kitchen.

He was there standing next to the booth nearest to the kitchen.

And I almost bumped into him if he didn't grab my hand.

"Careful there", he said softly.

And chuckling sheepishly I looked up at him and my breath hitched.

Well, he is looking damn hot at the moment.

Navy blue pants, white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbow and the muscles bulging out of it. And his navy blue coat draped over his forearm.

His usual dense beard trimmed down to a stubble and so was the hair and a pair of sexy spectacles to complete the look.

He cleared his throat bringing me out of the daze and realising I was still clutching on his arm, I immediately took a step back.

"Hi", I mumbled.

"Hi", he replied and then he seemed to be scrutinizing my face. "Harper, right?"

"Yeah..."

"I actually wanted to meet Aeryn", he said glancing behind me at the kitchen door.

"Oh, umm...she didn't come today."

His mouth formed an 'O'.

"Anything else you want, Mr Wilbrose?"

"Oh, please call me Gareth and no, thanks I don't want anything else."

I smiled. "Okay, Gareth."

"There's something in your hair, Harper", he said and then asked whether he could remove it. "Can I?"

I nodded.

He brushed a strand of stray hair behind my ear and then his fingers moved upwards in my hair and suddenly he snapped his fingers and when he brought his hand back, he had a small red rose in between his fingers.

What the--

"For you", he said extending the rose to me.

"How did you do that?", I asked in surprise as I accepted the rose.

"I know a bit of tricks, Harper." He winked slyly.

Damn. He is so hot. I think I am about to faint too.

I twirled the rose in between my fingers and said. "Umm...my co worker is a huge fan of yours. Would you mind meeting her?"

He grinned. "Sure."

Smiling, I went inside and found Candice leaning against the door trying to listen to our conversation.

"This is your chance, Candice." I grabbed her hand and dragged her out.

"What if--" Her words died in her mouth when she came face to face with Gareth.

He gave her a breathtaking smile. "Hi."

She squeaked. "Oh My God! Hi!"

Thank God there was no customer in the restaurant at the moment.

"What's your name, miss?" He extended his hand for a shake.

She hesitantly shook his hand. "C-Candice."

"Candice", he spoke, "that's a lovely name."

She turned red and stuttered. "Th-thanks."

"I would have loved to talk to you more but I need to leave for my office." He said sheepishly.

"It's alright", she muttered.

Much to both of our surprise, he leaned closer and pecked her cheek.

"Bye", he said walking away.

Candice's jaw dropped and slowly lifting her hand, she touched her cheek where he kissed her.

She was about to fall but I grabbed her arm.

"He kissed me", she mumbled.

And then she shrieked. "He kissed me!"

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, I saw that."

He didn't kiss mine though.

For God's sake you have a fiance.

Oh, yeah right.

She was jumping around in happiness but then she realised something and paused and face slammed herself.

"I am so stupid", she said.

"What happened?"

"I didn't get a picture with him. How can I forget it?!"

"You can get it next time."

"Next time?"

"Yeah. He is still Aeryn's brother in law, remember?", I reminded her and she grinned widely.

And for the rest of the day she ate up my head by repeating how damn hot he was looking.

Well, I have to agree on that.

I looked down at the rose in my hand and smiled.