Chapter 5 Leave Her Alone

Amos removed his hairnet and apron after putting the bread they would sell that day in the oven. That's what he did every morning in the bakery because most people buy bread in the morning. They made sure their food goods were fresh, so he was quite busy every morning, and his staff knew he didn't want anyone to bother him when he was working.

Baking was a passion, thus it required full time and attention. That was what he always told the pastry cooks at Reo's Bakeshop's other locations to ensure that the quality and flavor established by previous generations of their family were not lost.

"Adrian, take care of the bread," he instructed his assistant chef.

After he came out of the kitchen, his secretary met him. "Sir, your father wants to talk to you about the deal with Mr. Stewart."

Amos nodded. Fortunately, he closed the deal with Mr. Stewart. His parents didn't pressure him but he still wants them to be proud of him. "Please, send me the files that I need today."

"Yes, sir."

Amos made his way to his office. He looked around the entire bakeshop. They still have many customers waiting. When he entered his office, he took off his uniform. He followed the sweat-soaked black shirt and changed into his clean shirt.

"I am exhausted." That was all he could say. He rested for a few hours before taking a shower in the shower room inside his office. After he showered, he fixed himself. He wore a light blue long sleeve polo shirt and black pants because he was only in the office.

He looked for the file he needed for his deal with Mr. Stewart. He rubbed his nose as he remembered that it was still in his house. He took the key, wallet and his cellphone before leaving his office. He met his secretary with folders.

"Sir?"

"I will just go to my house. The file I need is there," he replied.

"I'll just take it."

"No need. I'm also going out and going to see Daddy."

His secretary smiled. "Copy, sir."

He noticed Zelda getting into her car after arriving at the parking lot. He wished he could see more of her. A month had gone, and his anguish had not subsided. He missed her so much that he devoted his time to work and caring for her little sister, Zein.

Amos couldn't figure out why he felt so thrilled to anger Zein. He even sent a police officer to irritate that woman. Maybe he was just wanting to do something entertaining so he wouldn't worry about Zelda all the time.

He was relieved that he hadn't felt too strongly about Zelda marrying another guy in recent days because he had switched his focus to Zein but couldn't figure out what he was doing. He had just seen his ex-girlfriend, but he wanted to approach and speak to her. He hadn't forgotten about her.

Amos had just looked out his car window at Zelda's house on Mapski street. He wasn't sure why he was following her.

Zelda appeared from the gate a few moments later. He stepped out of his automobile right away and approached his ex-girlfriend. His ex-girlfriend's smile had vanished.

"Amos, what... are you doing here?" He stared at her but the woman looked away. He wants to know if she still has feelings for him but her eyes were vague.

"Sweetheart, please, talk to me," he begged more.

Zelda shook her head and was about to get into her car but Amos quickly stopped her and held her hand. His ex-girlfriend tried to struggle but he didn't let her get away from him. He kissed her cheek.

"Let go of me, Amos." Her voice was calm and he saw sadness in her eyes.

"No. I know you still love me. I saw pain in your eyes." He held both of her hands. "Please, come back to me. I am willing to accept you again," he pleaded and placed a gentle kiss on the back of her palm.

Zelda violently grabbed her hands from him. The hope Amos felt earlier suddenly disappeared. "Please, stop." Zelda closed her eyes and slightly retreated away from him. "I'm already married and it's Race. I have no intention of going back to you because he is the one I love."

"I don't believe you. I saw you're hurting. Race will only fool you. You know that man is a womanizer but you still married him!"

Amos was overcome with emotion. Too much. He couldn't accept that he had been traded. He did everything. He was serious and loyal in relationships, so he couldn't understand why Zelda sought another man.

"I married Race because I love him!"

Amos smiled bitterly. Modest Zelda was gone. Her ex-girlfriend was willing to change herself just to protect her husband. "Two years, Zelda." Even him, he heard the resentment in his own voice. "We had a relationship for two years and then you just threw it away."

Tears flowed from her eyes. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Amos. I couldn't resist. I lost my love for you. Forgive me." He didn't want to see her cry but the pain Zelda gave him was too much. "I'm hurt but not because... I still love you."

His breathing quickened. His jaws tightened. He wanted to get lost. The woman really made him face the harsh reality that she no longer loved him.

"It hurts me to see you like that. I'm sorry. I cheated on you... and I can't ignore my feelings. I just want to be happy... with Race."

He laughed without humour. "You are unfair, Zelda. You are happy. How about me? You just left me in the air."

"Just... find someone. Forget me."

Amos gasped violently. He didn't really know what to feel about the woman's words. "So easy for you to say. Did you do the same thing so you didn't think I was your boyfriend when you were flirting with Race? You're a flirt!"

"You are too much!" He lost his attention on Zelda when suddenly Zein appeared in front of him and grabbed the collar of his polo shirt.

"Zein, let him go," Zelda ordered her youngest sister in fear but the woman didn't budge.

Zein looked at Amos intently. His buttons even came off because of Zein's violent pull on his polo. "Mang Tasyo, you have no right to call my sister a flirt. He just fell in love and you're just unlucky that you're not the one she loves anymore."

Zein continued to speak, but he couldn't understand her. He believed he'd regained consciousness. He paid great attention to the woman because she was so close to him. Her hair was a mess, but it didn't take away from her attractiveness in the morning, and what surprised him even more was her nightgown.

'She looks great in pink!'

He was at a loss for words. He used to see her constantly wearing black or white, but now she's wearing pink as she did at Zelda's wedding. He didn't like pink, but when he saw it on Zein, he couldn't take his gaze away from her.

"Zein, please, enough." Zelda pulled Zejn so she lost her hold on him.

Amos just wanted to hold Zein close and hold her in his arms. He really wanted to be close to the woman.

'What is happening to me?'

Amos just shook his head at that thought. He shouldn't feel that way. It was familiar to him but he didn't want to name it. He's just broken hearted.

"What? Are you shaking now?" He stared at Zein. He wanted to affect her with his simple glances but she didn't even count.

"The problem is with you. You are looking for a fight. You and Ate Zelda have been done for a long time. What do you not understand?"

"Everything." He didn't even know what that answer was for. He just wanted to talk to Zein and let her talk. Even though there was a trace of annoyance in her voice, it was still like music to his ears.

"Zein, stop. I am going home. Just go inside."

"That's a good idea." Her gaze was still sharp on him. "I will make this Mang Tasyo bald."

Amos should be annoyed by what Zein said but suddenly a small smile appeared on his lips. He just bowed down so the two wouldn't notice.

"Zein, what?"

"Don't worry. Come on, go home." Zein pushed Zelda into her car.

Amos met Zelda's eyes for a moment. He saw the disappointment on her face but he didn't think too much about it because Zein was what he thought about the most at that moment.

'I love Zelda... but why can't I take my eyes away from Zein?'

Zelda had already left so only him and Zein were left in that place. "Run away! Don't bother Ate as well as me."

"I can't..."

Zein's messy hair made her even more confused. He wanted to touch her hair but why would he do that? If he did that, the woman would only get more annoyed with him.

"What? Do you really want a fight?" Her tone wanted a fight.

"Anyway, you look... hot." Amos smirked when he saw her mouth open. Maybe she didn't think that he would praise her appearance in the middle of their fight. His grin disappeared when the woman reached his ear and pinched it. She bent down close to him. Not yet satisfied and tweaked him.

"Zeinab!"

"You still have the guts to call me Zeinab? You really want to get hurt, huh?"

Amos just drifted off when Zein grabbed his clothes and pulled him to his car. They haven't been together for an hour but it looks like they're going to start a world war.

"Leave us alone. Stay away from Zelda! Stay away from me too!" Zein was going to lean Amos against the car but he was quick enough so he leaned Zein against him. He brought his face closer to the woman. He grinned again when he caught her sly look with bated breath.

'Oh yeah? Be nervous in my freaking presence.'

"Stay away from you?" He brought his face even closer to Zein's face causing her to gasp. Their noses collided. "I owe you an apology..." He looked down at her lips. He didn't think he had the will to run his fingers over her lips that weren't stained with the black color he usually saw on the woman.

"Enlighten me." Zein stammered to her own command but still tried to raise her voice.

"I will not leave you." Amos approached her ear and then whispered, "Never."