3.

“ Hey, you.”

“ Hi, did I keep you waiting?” he asked, sitting at their table.

“ Um…”

"Waiter, can we get the menu?” He cut her off before she could complete her sentence.

She really liked him but was getting fed up with the way he always treated her. She understood he wasn’t ready for love yet, but that didn’t give him the opportunity to treat her badly. 

“ You know what? I’m sick and tired of you treating me like some piece of trash. I did you no wrong, yet you treat me like a nobody. You’re a great guy deep down, and I know it. I’ve tried Calvin; you know I have, yet you keep pushing me away and treating me like trash, and I’ve had enough of it.” Kimora said as she picked up her bag.

“ I know you’re afraid and still hurting, but you need to heal. If you do and you still want me, you know where to find me. Until then, it’s see you later,” she gave him a peck on his cheek and walked away, leaving him wondering what had just happened.

“Are you ready to order, sir?”

“ Yes , yes, get me a medium-rare steak, garlic and herb mashed potatoes, and a bottle of red wine, please."

“ Your order will be ready shortly,” the waiter said.

“ Thank you,”

Kimora sat in her car in the underground parking lot of the restaurant, contemplating whether to go back inside or not.

She had decided it was time she gave Calvin the time he needed to fully heal before starting something new with him. He was attracted to her as much as she was, but he wasn’t just ready to love, and that was fine, no matter how hard it hurt.

He had lost his family to a ghastly accident; it was normal for him to be afraid to fall in love again.

You’ll be fine, Kim; yes, you will. She thought to herself as she drove out of the parking lot.

~

~

~

“ What brings ‘The Elon Maximillian’ to my office today?” Alyona teased her brother as he took a seat.

“ Very funny, Aly, very funny," he smirked at her.

"How are Ida and Kayden doing?” she asked.

“ Everyone is fine, Aly,” he sighed.

“ How about you? Is everything okay with you? Have you been going for your weekly checkups? Have you been experiencing any pain?” She slightly panicked.

“Aly, Aly, calm down. I am fine. Yes, I have been going for my weekly check-ups. I’m just coming from the hospital as a matter of fact,” he replied as she heaved a sigh of relief.

“ Thank goodness. We can’t lose you like we lost him,” she whispered in the last part.

“ You won’t lose me, Aly. I’m being extra careful, and sometimes it’s scary because I don’t want history to repeat itself.” He admitted his fears.

“ You will be fine Elon, as long as you’re taking your medication and eating well, you will be fine,” she assured him, squeezing his hand softly.

“Thanks, Aly, for being there for us and always checking up.”

“You’re welcome,” she said, smiling at him.

“So…”

“Not you too, Elon,” she immediately said, knowing what he was going to talk about.

“What? You don’t even know what I am going to talk about,” he chuckled.

"Oh, trust me, I do," she pouted.

“ But you know she’s right, no?”

“ I’m not as lucky as you and Ida, or Zeke and Talia, or even Yara and Jax. The people I’ve met so far are terrible. There’s just one person,” she blushed at the thought of him.

"Ooooh, who’s that?” He said, rubbing his hands together like a 6-year-old with a mischievous thought.

“ Who’s who?”

“ The guy who’s making you blush,”

“ A friend,”

“ Whom you like,”

“ I never said I liked him,” she smiled.

“ You never said you didn’t like him," he teased.

“ Urrrrgh,” 

“ Who’s he, by the way?” Elon asked 

“ His name is Bazyli Demps, and he’s a bartender,” she casually added.

" He sounds like a nice guy, but does he know you like him?”

"Heeeeeeeeeeeeell no!”

“ Why’s that? Aly, the guy needs to know how you feel. Don’t be like me, who almost lost a gem."

“Well, you didn't," she argued.

 I give up. I give up trying to convince you,” he let out a throaty laugh.

“ I miss him.” Elon said this a while after they had quieted down. She knew he was talking about their dad, and she also missed him too. Elon’s relationship with his dad during his childhood was a complicated one. His mother and father were on the verge of giving up on each other, but he was the glue that kept them going. Then Alyona came along when everything was going smoothly.

“ I miss him too, Elon; he’s in a better place now and very proud of you,” she consoled.

~~~~~

“I’m sorry I haven’t been able to call you since I got to Greece; things have been hectic here, and I just saw your text messages about Calvin. Pasensya na po (I’m sorry about that). I know how much you care about him.” he apologised.

“ Thank you for calling; maybe I’m not cut out for love,” she chuckled.

“ Kimora, you’re the most amazing person I’ve met besides Aly; trust me...  There’s nothing wrong with you. If he truly cares about you, he’ll come around. If not, there’s someone out there for you. Don’t beat yourself about this,” he tried to console.

"Thanks, Bazy. How’s the meeting going? Is everything good?” 

“ Yeah, I have another one in a few minutes from now."

“Okay, then, go get something to drink or eat before the next meeting starts. I hope you’ve called Aly, though."

“Alright, love, don’t cry too much, and I’ll call her after my meeting ends. Talk to you later.” He added as he ended the call. 

I’ll try not to, Baz. I’ll try. She thought to herself.