Chapter 2

Edward's car door was swiftly shut by Calista, who then hurriedly rushed towards the apartment.

"Calista, wait!" Edward called to her to come out quickly. "Can you tell me what happened?"

Again, Calista wiped away her tears. “I was right to suspect that he was seeing that girl,” she admits. The sorrow was obvious in her eyes.

"Is that the real reason why you're acting like that?"

Calista fell silent. She just sat down and held her head. "I-I don't know. Now he knows that I know that our marriage was fake. He no longer has the right to force me to come back or give me an order.”

Edward sat down next to Calista and muttered. "It's a good thing I came right away. Maybe he did something on you.”

Calista looked at Edward.

"Did you quit your job? Why don't you work at the hospital; I know something that can be done for you there." Edward suggested.

"I'm fine, Edward. I don't want to leave the restaurant because I have a good relationship with my co-workers.”

"How about Gianna? Now that she is aware—”

"She'll never find out. I begged Nicolas to hide about us, and I know he will listen to me.”

Edward gave a nod. He grabbed Calista by the shoulders and let her rest her head on him. "So… if that's your decision, I'll just support you."

Calista's tears fell again. "Thank you, Edward. Because you are always there for me..."

Edward took a deep breath, wishing that Calista had never met Nicolas so she wouldn't see her like this. Even though she says that their marriage is not real, she feels that Calista's feelings for Nicolas are real. And that's what he can't take away from her.

___________

The other day...

It was noon when Nicolas arrived at his office. He was almost shocked to see Gianna sitting in her chair.

"What the—"

"Good afternoon Mr. Bridgerfield...I guess you're running late today?" Gianna asked him.

Nicolas continued as he entered his office, he approached Gianna before speaking. "What do you want?"

Gianna stood up. "Well, our date ruined last night so I want to do it again tonight."

Nicolas sighed and rolled his eyes "That isn't a date. And I'm not going to date you."

Gianna was hurt by what Nicolas said. "Why? Because of that waitress?”

Nicolas stopped. He remembered Calista. "Don't involve her in our conversation."

Gianna slowly approached Nicolas, "Who is she in your life, Nicolas?"

Nicolas swallowed. He remembered what Calista had said that no matter how many times he introduced her as his wife, she would always deny it. "She is important to me, so don't touch her or try to get her fired," Nicolas's words seemed to soften.

Gianna noticed that Nicolas's expression seemed to change. “All right, I won't fire her even if she acts clumsily, but on one condition..."

Nicolas frowned. "What is that?"

"One more date...tonight."

Nicolas rolled his eyes.

"But it's a different place… I don't want to see her on our date either and she might ruin it again." Gianna continued.

Nicolas sighed. “Deal.”

Gianna smiled. "Good boy." she caressed Nicolas's lips. Nicolas didn't move, Gianna didn't seem to want to stop him until she got what she wanted. Gianna tried to kiss Nicolas but Nicolas slightly pushed her away.

Gianna is aware of this. She was irritated, but she didn't show it to Nicolas. "See you later," she said as she exited the office.

Nicolas slightly punched his desk in his annoyance.

________

"You're late." Rose said to Calista. Calista was surprised, she looked at the old woman's table… it was full of food.

"Oh sorry Mrs. Rose—”

"Just Rose." she smiled. "That's okay Calista. I also went early and I still had a meeting. Anyway, even if you weren't the one who served me today… I'm still happy because I caught up with you."

Calista smiled. "I'm happy too, Rose."

"Alright, I have to go. See you again tomorrow.” Rose caressed Calista's shoulder.

Calista nodded and smiled back.

After Rose left, Ali immediately approached. "Hi, you owe me a story… what happened last night?"

Calista shut her eyes. She remembered what happened last night, "God Ali, don't remind me."

"Is that a reason why you are late today? Did Ms. Gianna scold you?” Ali grumbled.

Calista went straight to the kitchen and immediately put on her apron. "Ms. Gianna and I have not talked yet about what happened last night because I went home right away after the incident."

"Oh, she must be mad at you."

Calista sighed. "It's okay, I'll explain to her. I don't want to get fired, Ali, I'm happy with my job."

"Hey hey, don't talk too much, get back to work!" their boss exclaimed.

Ali and Calista couldn't talk anymore, they went straight outside to serve.

__________

In the middle of Calista's work, Reign and Lucas enter the restaurant carrying Baby Reid.

In the distance, Reign seems to be looking for Calista. After a while she saw her, and she was happy to touch Calista on her arm.

Calista was taken aback as she turned around to see Reign and Lucas coming toward her while carrying Baby Reid.

"Hi!" She happily greeted the couple, and Reign immediately hugged her.

Reign gave her a warm hug and exclaimed, "Calista, thank you and you are alive!”

Calista turned around; she knew what they were talking about was confidential so she asked Reign at Lucas to talk outside.

"Oh my God...I didn't know you reached into Mario's hands like that." Reign's tears fell, she was hurt by Calista's story.

Calista nodded, "That's over. My life is fine now because a kind doctor saved me."

Lucas gave her a glance. "Does Nicolas know about him?"

Calista took a long time to answer. "Yes. And... Nicolas and I met last night right here in this place, he is with the owner of this restaurant I work at." she suddenly felt sad. "They are having a dinner date."

Reign bowed slightly.

"I know he's only doing that because of their business." Lucas interrupted.

“That's okay, Lucas.  it doesn't really bother me because it's better that we're not together anymore." replied Calista.

Turning her attention to Baby Reid, she picked him up and kissed him on the cheek. "How are you doing, little Reid?"

Reign smiled. "That's why we came here to personally invite you to his 1st birthday."

Calista was surprised. "What? Is he a year old already?” he asked in disbelief.

"Yes, Calista. Time really flies. The day will come and he will talk and walk fast.” Lucas answered.

"Oh." Calista kissed Baby Reid again.

"And we're hoping that you will come on his special day." Reign begged.

Calista was quiet, she knew that if she went there was a high possibility that she and Nicolas would meet again. But she also thought that Reign and Lucas, especially Baby Reid, should not sympathize with her relationship with Nicolas.

Calista nodded. "Alright, I'll come."

Reign and Lucas happily thanked Calista for her answer. Baby Reid also smiled.