CHAPTER 2

2 years ago…

Kai and her family were having dinner at one of the fancy restaurants in town. Seated beside her was her older brother, Kent, while their parents sat across from them, both exuding elegance—especially her mother.

“How about you, Kent? When do you plan to settle down?” Her mother’s voice broke the comfortable silence, directing the question to the man beside her.

The constant pressure from their parents to settle down was something both she and her brother found exhausting. Kai knew exactly what kind of man her brother was—he played around with women and had no intention of committing. She couldn’t even imagine him in a serious relationship, much less marriage.

“I’m too young for that, Mom,” Kent answered, sounding annoyed as he took a sip of his vodka.

“Too young? For Christ’s sake, son!” Their mother gasped, clearly exasperated. “You’re turning thirty in a few months. Men should settle down at that age.”

“I’m enjoying my bachelor life,” he replied with a smirk.

“Until when, son?” Their father finally spoke, his tone flat.

“Until I find someone who can take my breath away. Unfortunately, I haven’t found her yet,” Kent said, then turned to look at Kai. “How about this beautiful lady beside me? She might end up getting married before I do.”

Heat rushed to her face as she looked down, flustered. Of course, she wasn’t ready for marriage yet—just like Jarrel, her boyfriend.

Deep inside, however, the thought had crossed her mind. She wanted to marry Jarrel so he wouldn’t be able to leave her anymore.

“I’m out of this topic. Don’t drag me into this, Brother,” she grumbled.

“Well, that friend of mine isn’t ready to settle down either,” Kent teased, referring to Jarrel, who also happened to be his friend.

Kai knew her relationship with Jarrel wasn’t a secret, but for some reason, her parents never seemed to approve of him. And no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t understand why.

Jarrel loved her. He came from a wealthy family. He owned a business. He was a good catch—a husband material, even. Yet, her parents never warmed up to him.

“Just like you, that’s why I don’t like that man,” her mother suddenly announced, her words hitting Kai like a slap.

It was the first time her mother had directly voiced her disapproval of the man she loved, and it hurt.

“Mom, Jarrel loves me. Why do you hate him? He’s never hurt me, nor has he done anything wrong for you to dislike him.”

“Because he’s not the type of man who will stick to one woman. Look at your brother—they’re practically the same. Right now, he loves you because your relationship is new. Men are good at pretending in the beginning. You’ll only know if he truly loves you if he stays with you until the end.”

“Just give him a chance to prove himself. Don’t judge him like that. You’re being unfair.”

“Kai,” her father warned in a firm tone, silencing her instantly.

She hadn’t meant to be rude, but she also wasn’t going to let anyone judge Jarrel unfairly. She loved him too much to just stand by and say nothing.

“I know someone who’s far more deserving than Jarrel. You should give him a chance, sweetheart,” her mother added.

“No, thanks, Mom. I love Jarrel.”

“That’s not love, Kai. You’re just infatuated with that man. You’ve had a crush on him since high school, and you only got close to him because he became friends with your brother. Am I right?”

It was true—she had liked Jarrel ever since. But when it came to her feelings now, she was sure. She loved him.

“Whether it’s love or just infatuation, I will still choose Jarrel over anyone else. Please, Mom, and Dad, don’t meddle in my relationship. I know what I’m doing. I’m not a child anymore.”

“You’re being stubborn because of that man, Kai. Can’t you see yourself? You’re already disobeying us,” her father said, frustration clear in his voice.

“Dad…” she sighed deeply.

“I don’t like that man. And don’t tell us to stop meddling in your relationship. We know what and who is best for you.”

She lost her appetite completely. Instead of arguing further, she chose to remain silent. There was no point in continuing the conversation—nothing good would come out of it. It would only hurt more to think about how much her parents disapproved of Jarrel Grayson.

“It’s okay. Don’t think too much about it. Don’t let them ruin your relationship with Jarrel.”

Kai lifted her gaze toward the voice. Her brother, now wearing pajamas and a black tank top, held a cigarette between his fingers. They were by the poolside of their house. Like her, he couldn’t sleep either. The weight of their parents’ disapproval was still heavy on her mind.

“I won’t let them do that to me and Jarrel. But you know how hardheaded our parents are when it comes to people they don’t like, Kuya.”

“Then deal with it. You should talk to Jarrel about this. Settle it before it becomes a bigger issue.”

The scent of cigarette smoke drifted into the air as her brother exhaled. Oddly enough, it made her feel relaxed.

She was used to the smell—Jarrel used to smoke too. And every time he did, it turned her on.

“I’m seeing him tomorrow… I’ll tell him.”

“That’s a good idea. Men don’t like it when something is being kept from them, especially when it concerns them directly.”

“I can’t hide this from him. He might get mad and… leave me.”

“There’s a big possibility he will—if you keep it from him. I know Jarrel well. He doesn’t chase women—women chase him.”

Her heart pounded at those words.

If she kept this from Jarrel and he found out later, he’d surely be furious. She knew how much she hated being lied to, and Jarrel was no different.

“Even if he loves me? Would he still leave me?” she asked anxiously.

Her brother knew Jarrel far better than she did. Although they had been in a relationship for almost five months, Jarrel and her brother had been friends since high school.

“It depends on how much he loves you, darling. If he loves you enough—so much that he couldn’t afford to lose you—then he’ll stay and forgive you. But if he doesn’t…” He sighed. “It will break your heart because Jarrel would rather be alone than be with someone who could only hurt him. I warned you before, Kai—he’s very tough and strict when it comes to relationships. He’s a fucking territorial man who has his own rules when it comes to his woman.”

Kent’s words echoed in her mind.

She still remembered the day she told her brother about her relationship with Jarrel. At first, Kent disapproved, knowing exactly how his friend was with women. He knew Jarrel played around, but he also knew how he was when he was serious about someone. Eventually, though, Kent accepted their relationship.

“Jarrel is fucking territorial, Kai! I don’t want you to feel suffocated. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

She had brushed off her brother’s warning back then. She loved the feeling of being possessed by Jarrel—it made her feel wanted. But as months passed, she started feeling the weight of his territorial nature.

It was suffocating.

Yet, not enough to make her love him any less.

“I’m scared of the idea that he might leave me just because our parents don’t like him.”

Her heart ached at the thought.

She had fallen too deep. Losing him would break her completely.

She would fight for him.

That was her promise to herself.

“Then talk to him. Tell him everything.”

She nodded slowly. After a brief conversation, they both went back to their rooms. That night, as she lay in bed, the only thing on her mind was her upcoming talk with Jarrel.

The next day, she met up with Jarrel.

He had told her to wait at their resort’s coffee shop.

The Grayson Beach Resort was owned by his family. Just weeks ago, he had officially taken over as CEO after his father retired. Because of that, he had been incredibly busy.

“Hi there, beautiful…”

Kai jolted as warm lips pressed against her neck and strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind.

She was seated at a table for two.

Jarrel was hugging her from behind. His manly, seductive scent invaded her senses, making her dizzy.

“Am I disturbing you?” she asked sweetly before pressing a light kiss on his lips.

“You will never be.”