Chapter 2 Two - He Came Back

Now, after 9 years:

I was leaning against the comfort of the leather couch as two women did Emma's and my pedicure. Both of our faces were covered by the latest mud face packs while slices of cucumber rested on our eyes.

"Ah! Life is great!" Said Diya as a girl was massaging her back.

We were at a parlor and had met after a few months. So, we decided that we would go to a parlor date. Only the girls while Timothy, Emma's husband went to pick James.

"You guys should do the hot stone therapy. It relaxes you, man!" Diya said excitement rushing in her voice.

"No, thanks. I did it last week." Emma said, "Timothy took me as a present for becoming..."

She halted and I asked, "Becoming what?"

"Pregnant." She almost whispered.

Both Diya and I jolted up as my cucumbers fell from my eyes. We looked at her with wide eyes as she slowly took the cucumber slices away from her and smiled shyly.

"Wait! You are pregnant already?" Diya asked both excited and shocked.

She nodded as a grin made its way onto her lips.

I hugged her, "Oh! I'm so happy for you, Emma."

"You guys do know that I can't go do a group hug now. I'm practically naked." Diya said from behind us as we giggled.

Diya and Emma were my friends from my college along with Timothy and James.

Diya was half Indian-half American girl and she worked as a fashion designer while James got into journalism and he was always away but he would be arriving in a few hours for our friendly get together. Emma went to where Timothy went. They were so in love that they never left each other.

Emma just recently got married with Timothy like seven months ago. That was the last time we all met. After college, we could only contact each other through video calls or text messages. Since Timothy went for a higher education, Emma followed him and they lived together while Emma started working.

Timothy got his dream job and that day, he proposed to her.

We were just so happy for them. They both struggled all these years and I envied them.

"So, Timothy is very happy I guess?" I asked, giving her a teasing smile.

"He is and he wants me to leave the job." She said a bit sadly as Diya asked, "Why!"

"For our child."

"But people still do jobs alongside taking care of the baby." I said. I didn't know Timothy had this kind of view. Well, he was a gentleman in college so it was hard to predict what he thought.

"Yes but you know how he was raised..." Emma hung her words.

I nodded. Well, can't say it was his fault. His mom and dad both worked so much that they barely had any time for Timothy. And after their divorce they put the blame on him. Because his parents had a baby at a young age, they had to work hard for him and didn't get to explore themselves. So it was practically Timothy's fault in their eyes.

He didn't want it for his child I guess.

I looked at Emma and smiled. "As long as you are happy with him, don't worry about it, okay?" I said and she smiled.

"Yes."

After our parlor date we got out and decided to have dinner at a restaurant before returning back to our rooms. Diya insisted on going to a club but Emma and I were both tired after the journey.

"Can't we just go today?" Diya pouted like a five years old girl.

"We will. Tomorrow, for sure." I said and was surprised at how energetic she was.

We decided to meet in LA as it was a midpoint for all of us and while meeting here, we could view the city as well. I wanted to have some fun as well because I felt my life was becoming so bland lately. Office, Home, Eat, Sleep and repeat. I wasn't complaining but there were some days where I wanted someone's hugs and cuddles. Maybe some affection and careness...

I wasn't ever good with speaking to strangers so hooking up with random people was never my thing. But seeing Diya, living her life made me a little envious.

She pampered herself with shopping, make ups, men, booze and her achievements. She was bold and would challenge herself every second in her life. While Emma's world revolved around Timothy. All I could do was like and comment on their pictures and videos on Instagram and feel happy for them.

Last post on my instagram was when I was in college with them and we took it together. That was nearly four years ago...

I sighed.

To divert myself from my depressing thoughts, I asked, "Call James and see if he has arrived or not."

It would take some time for Timothy to get James as he messaged us that his flight was late--well, that was a few hours ago.

We were eating in the restaurant when Emma called Timothy and told us, "He is at the airport and said James had landed."

"Wow! That was fast." Diya said.

"Well, it would still take one hour to come here." I said.

They nodded.

"I will pack some food for them." Emma suggested as he called the waiter and ordered them to pack the food.

While I sipped on my wine, Diya offered Emma some.

"Oh no. I can't." Emma declined as Diya recalled that she was pregnant.

"Oops. I forgot." Diya smiled sheepishly and gulped it down. We already knew she was tipsy.

"So, aren't you guys going to get settled?" Emma asked.

"Well, I am settled. I got an offer to work with Hollywood's stylist, Harry Benson. And if I work under him, my life will be set." Diya said with a smug face as we congratulated her.

"I am good with my job and I guess, I will try to get a promotion." I said.

Emma shook her head. "I am not talking about that."

We looked at her questioningly as she said, "I mean, what about marriage? Have you guys got boyfriends yet?"

Diya wrinkled her nose. "No way. I ain't gonna marry now. Maybe later but not now. I am only 26!"

We laughed as I said, "I am good at being single."

"Yeah, everyday hook ups, drinks, fun. Life is amazing." Diya said as she did a dramatic bow.

"Are you watching kamasutra everyday or what?" Emma asked.

Diya nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! Everyday! Not a single day is missed."

We both gave her a look and then all of us broke into laughter.

"You guys won't change," I said, taking another gulp of my wine when a waiter came and placed a champagne bottle on our table.

We looked at him with question filled gazes as I said, "We didn't order this."

But Diya took the bottle immediately and opened it as she squeaked and giggled. She poured it on her glass and gulped it as we saw her with wide eyes.

"Yes, ma'am." The waiter caught our attention as he said, "The gentleman over there ordered it for you. He said to enjoy it while you can." He pointed in a direction as we all moved our gazes to find this gentleman.

Strange. Why would anyone send some weird message?

My eyes moved in the direction but no one was looking at us. There was a group but they weren't even taking a glance while one of them held a phone to his ear. He sat facing his back at us.

Other than them, all the tables were filled with either couples or families. The whole restaurant lit in golden dim lights giving us a calm feeling with the light music played in the background.

My phone rang and it was an unknown number. I picked it up as the person said with a husky voice, "Hello, sweetheart. I hope you haven't forgotten me."

My mind froze as a gap formed in my mouth. The surrounding blurred and the music seemed to be fading as my breath caught in my throat. How could I ever forget his voice?

That shiver giving, belly fluttering voice. Although it sounded more mature, the voice was still thick as before and it still had the same effect on me. My heart ached with the same pain it shattered that time.

"Who are you?" I asked, hoping it wasn't him.

He chuckled. "You do know you still can't lie."

"I am disconnecting it—"

"Enjoy while you can, Stella. Because in a week, you will be mine again." He said with a promise that made my stomach boil in anger. Then he cut the phone.

I felt my breath hitching as I looked up and saw the man who had a phone glued to his ear was looking at me with a smirk. And I knew that was the man who had ordered the champagne and that was the same man who broke my heart nine years ago.

His gray eyes glinted in the dimly golden lights of the restaurant and the shadows fell on his face giving his jaw and his nose perfect sculptures. He was still as handsome as before.

I knew that smile very well as my heart once again beat loudly because it was none other than Mathew Watson, looking at me with a known smirk, the man who broke me years ago.