chapter 59

◇ KEL ◇

Enzo's here. In the estate. 

Coincidence? Perhaps.

There must be a significant reason as to why Enzo drove all the way out here tonight. Miles didn't specify why. He just said Enzo had some family issues to sort out. Hence him hanging out in Ricchar's patio alone at this hour, drinking himself to oblivion.

Not a pretty sight, but it wasn't the first time she'd seen him enjoying a bottle of strong wine all by himself. He only drank this much whenever he was under extreme pressure and stress.

Time to find out why.

Cold, hugging herself, and ready to confront the guy, Mykaela stepped out through the sliding door and startled him. She saw Enzo budge in his seat, and then he sat up straight.

"Hi." He cleared his throat and quickly combed his wavy hair away from his face, his tone somber.

Hi? After endless weeks of him ignoring all her texts, calls, and emails, that's all he's got to say? He wasn't even going to give her a hug in greeting? Or a quick kiss on the cheek?

Mykaela studied his slumped figure. Stubble darkened his shapely jaw and cheeks. He'd left a few buttons of his collared shirt undone, and his tailored jacket reminded her of what he did for a living.

Was he negotiating another deal with Miles and Ricchar? If so, what kind of deal?

"What's wrong?" She nodded to the almost empty wine bottle beside him. "Almost dawn."

"Just business problems." Enzo made eye contact but dropped his gaze when she sat next to him. He didn't reek of booze, but his breath smelled of alcohol and cigarettes.  "I didn't know you'd be here, too," Enzo muttered when she kept quiet. 

"Likewise." Mykaela sighed. 

"I would have left earlier if Maxim mentioned you're visiting him tonight."

Ouch. So...it's true. Her suspicions the past weeks. He definitely was allergic to her now. "Right." She forced a quick smile. "Thanks."

"What?"

"I don't have to ask to confirm it." 

"Confirm what?"

"That you want nothing to do with me now."

"No-- It's just..." Enzo raised his palms, as if caught in a lie. "I would've avoided this...situation."

"Why?" Was she that repulsive to him now?

Hurt and confused, she stared abstractedly at the dark outlines of the maze. The last time she'd visited this place was months ago, when they'd first met. It still looked beautiful and well-maintained, retaining its century-old Victorian character.

"Necessary." Enzo sighed. "I just want to move on. That's all."

Move on? 

From what? 

A failed friendship she once thought was really special? Why? Did it not matter to him anymore? 

Move on? What the heck does he even mean?  

All these weeks he'd been deliberately ignoring her attempts to pick up where they left off, he was actually trying to forget she existed? So...none of the memories they'd made was worth keeping?

"If he just told me beforehand..."

Mykaela gripped his left wrist. Why wouldn't he look at her? Her eyes just heated up, as much as her chest tightened at the mere sound of his voice.  "Really wanted to talk to you."

"If it's about the money again, I'm not interested."

Ouch. Alright. He didn't care about the money.  A bit hurt by his words, she let go of him.  So, he simply didn't want to discuss the personal loans to him she still hadn't paid off. But when were they going to settle the subject? After he'd "moved on"?

"If it's about the lawyers..."

Darn. He was serious about providing her legal services just to press charges against his brother for what Leandro did to her. A lawyer's office actually emailed her a week ago, asking her to schedule a call and meeting. She never responded. Free time was a luxury she didn't have lately. "Let's not talk about that."

"How's med school?"

"It's...our graduation's in three months."

"Oh. That's great. Congratulations." Enzo turned to look at her, finally, and then he gave her a smile. A genuine smile. One she'd missed seeing for a while now.

"Mommy and Jill want to, um...throw a small party after. Maybe you could drop by, if you're in New York that week. I mean, i-if you're not too busy then."  Drats. Here goes nothing.

"Thanks." Enzo smiled again, but it looked forced this time, as if he was a tad bothered by her off-the-cuff invitation. "I'll try."

"Okay." 

And then silence. Complete, utter silence. 

They stayed motionless in their seats for a minute or two, waiting for either to speak up again.

After enduring the growing tension, Enzo cleared his throat and glanced at her. "Sorry for not answering your emails. I've been really busy."

"Right." He couldn't even reply once to her texts? Did he expect her to believe he just didn't have a minute to spare to respond to her just once? For old time's sake?

"I'm sorry. I just...find it harder to move on if we kept in touch."

There's that term again. What did it exactly mean for him? "Why? Move on from what?"  Kel waited a moment, but he didn't respond or even blink. "You said we're friends. Was that a lie, too?"

"No." Enzo sighed and massaged the bridge of his nose. He reached for the bottle and drank what's left of the wine. He drank it too fast she thought he might cough up some.

"Then why won't you talk to me anymore?"

"Per favore, Mykaela..." He got up quick and turned away from her inquiring stare.

"Why?"

He halted in his steps, maybe because of her louder voice. If she had the courage, she would've stepped in front of him, hugged him to stop him from walking out on her. Again.

"Why can't we talk anymore?"

Silence. And he still didn't answer when she asked the question twice. She stood before him under the dim lamplight. The shadows hid his picturesque features, only adding to the unbearable air of mystery surrounding him now.

Kel didn't like it one bit. He used to be a good friend she could trust. Someone who listened to her senseless rants whenever she had a bad day. She used to be able to predict what he was thinking, how he felt about things, his work, his family, their agreement, and all. 

Now? He was nothing but a distant, quiet, difficult puzzle she didn't have the willpower to figure out. 

Great. So much for a quick chat to catch up.  Kel wiped her eyes dry, not wanting to give him the wrong idea. She wasn't begging for him to open up to her. But, yeah,  her curiosity was too much now. "What do you mean move on?"

Enzo propped his hands on his hips, lips thinning into a tight line. His frown denoted frustration, but his eyes showed her a gentler emotion. "Because now I know it will never work out."

What's never gonna work out?

"And I have to convince myself. Before I tell him he's an idiot for letting you wait for nothing permanent."

What? 

What on Earth did he just say?

"Sorry. I have to go."

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