บท 16: Chapter 16

He dials the number again impatiently. He gulps what was left in the glass in front of him. He ends the calls in vexation. He eyes his wristwatch and clicks his tongue. He is a peaceful man, but it doesn't mean he likes waiting up for someone, especially a person who he presumes to be a punctual person.

What happened today? Why is he late? He shakes his head trying his best to ensure that the nasty image that is emerging in his head disappears. He can't fathom that his little sister is a grown woman who can turn a grown arrogant man like him into a foolish man in love. But aren't all men in love foolish? Foolish to abandon their ways and habits in pursue of the newfound love?

Is it newfound love? Yes, this is what it is. The rush of adrenaline makes them seem like they can't be separable. Well...aren't they mistaken? Because their little love affair is not meant to even reach the waters. He hopes that they have realised that while on their vacation.

He raises the glass to his lips only to realise that he has gulped everything down his throat. He grunts in annoyance.

"Kyle..." He cusses his name underneath his breath. He places the glass back on the table.

Should he call a waitress? Maybe he should leave. He raises his hand to hail at the waiter.

He hears a splash of glass on the floor. He instantly turns his head around and he saw a lady knelt beside his table picking the tiny glass particles on the floor. Soon, a few staff ran toward her to assist and one of them was busy hissing something to her.

His eyes shifted from her hands to her face. It was gloomy. Probably because of her mistake and the chastening she is receiving from the person next to her. She straightens her physique and turns her head to do a slight bow to him.

"I am sorry for the inconvenience..." Her voice was cracking and remorseful.

His mouth falls agape.

"Wendy..."

The lady chokes and stares at him with confused eyes.

"Oh sir, We apologise for the accident that occurred next to you. For that, we can give you another drink while you wait for your guests, it will be in the house" The gentleman was soft and his head held up, while he showed courtesy to him.

"Oh, no, it is nothing. But I do like another drink" He turned his head to the lady beside him. "Wendy will assist me" He smiled warmly.

"Yes, yes, Wendy will assist you" He slightly nods and then withdraw from the table.

A little bit of awkward silence stretched between them, and he finally opens his mouth to utter something but he was cut in.

"What would you like to drink?" She politely asked with a kind smile.

"You don't remember me, do you?" He chuckled in letdown.

"Uhm...I am not sure who you are...I thought you called my name because of my name tag" She pointed the name tag with her finger then awkwardly smile.

"Oh...no" He pauses as he wants to say something, "I guess I confused you for someone else who looks like you with the same name" He pauses to grasp his disappointment, "I will love some nice bottle of sauvignon red dry wine" He smiled faintly. His heart is broken.

"Right away sir" She nods then saunter her away from the table.

He takes a deep inhale, that was such an uncomfortable moment for him. Did she forget him or is she pretending not to know him?

His eyes scan her as she talks to the bartender.

He sighs in the realisation of how they parted ways. He was just not ready, he never meant to hurt her.

"Hey, brother. I apologise for our late arrival" She settles on the chair.

"Where's Kyle?" He asks absent-minded. He is still hung on his memories with Wendy. He was reliving his younger self.

"Here is your wine...and glasses" She places the bottle and the glasses on the table.

"Thank you!" Peace and Amy reply at the same time gazing up at her with warm smiles. They instantly went back to their conversation after the compliment.

"He is outside, but in a minute..." She pauses and waves her hand, "Here he is". She pours herself wine in the wine glass.

" So today we are drinking alcoholic wine..." Kyle asks startled by the bottle at the centre of the table.

"Once in a Blue Moon" They reply at the same time.

He gazed at them for a moment and gently settle on the chair in the middle sitting between Amy and Peace. He secretly glimpses at the absent-minded Peace who was had the glass kissing lips and held captive in a trance. He slowly shifts his eyes to the person or thing that is making Peace not be peaceful. His eyes landed on a girl busy conversing with the bartender cheerfully. His lips contort into a wicked smirk.

"Why are you having a wicked smile like the devil when he sees a perfect prey to play with?" She asks with curiosity.

Both of these men are acting strange today. Her brother seems to have lost his touch with reality, he is not present with them, and for some reason, this kind of behaviour seems to be exciting Kyle; which is not a good thing. She doesn't know Kyle's dark side, but he's a Rabanne and they are always ready to manipulate and make bargains that favour them.

"Nothing..." He grins wickedly

She rolls her eyes. His grin is looking wicked and it is not a comfortable sight to see him switch sides. What is wrong with Peace? He is angry.

"Brother..." She hails him to grab his attention.

"Yes..." He snaps himself back to reality. "Just a moment, the boys will arrive and we will go home..." His lips are uttering words but his eyes are held captive.

He can't focus his attention on anything else but her. He needs to find a way to pursue her, to find out, if indeed he is a forgotten memory or suppressed memory. He feels his chest tightens. Why is he feeling this way when he sees her giggle with that bartender? He wonders what is it that he is saying that is making her lips form a smile every moment he takes a glimpse of her.

"Let's order food then, I am famished" Kyle starts scanning the menu.

"Yes...that is a good idea, they might take a while" He instantly hail the waiter, and she instantly walks towards the table.

Kyle and Amy glimpse at Peace and exchange eye contact with each other. Amy mouths something and Kyle shrugs his shoulders with a playful smirk.

Peace gaze at her, as she saunters her body left and right elegantly to the table. The uniform is perfectly fitting her curvaceous body, lining her hips down to her legs. Why did he let go? He was indeed a foolish boy.