4.

Clara swallowed hard as she studied Xane's handsome face. She could not believe Xane just said that.

Yet? Was he interested in me like that? Maybe he was just trying to save me from the humiliation... Clara convinced herself that it was definitely that.

"Oh..." Jack drawled. His eyes like saucers and his face darkened. "Well good luck to you then. I hope you have a happy life Clara," he said through gritted teeth.

"I am very happy now..." Clara blurted out when Jack and Sasha were about to make their leave. "Thanks to you,"

The couple did not say a word to that remark and left the cafe. Clara breathed a sigh of relief as she watched them leave and turned her attention back to Xane.

"Thank you," Clara muttered softly.

"You okay?" Xane asked after he surveyed her quietly.

"Yeah," she gave him a half smile and the both of them ate their breakfast in silence.

Xane did not want to push her any further to explain what was all that about but he was not entirely clueless to the whole situation. For one, he knew that Jack broke her heart. Two, that guy is an idiot for leaving her. He had wanted to ask her but thought it was not the right time. After all, they had only met each other for the first time even though he felt like they knew each other a long time.

"Tell me more about what you do Clara," Xane demanded as he took a mouthful of his pancake.

And the couple had spent two full hours in the cafe, talking about their work and life. To Xane's relief, Clara did most of the talking. He was not much of a talker but he liked talking to Clara. This woman knew what she wanted in life. Her goals were clear and specific. He had sat there, listening to her and admiring her, devouring her beauty and nodding to everything she said.

"What about you?" Clara suddenly asked as she realised he hadn't really told her much about himself.

"Im just a normal boring tech guy," Xane replied.

"So normal boring tech guy..." Clara laughed. "What were you doing on a dating app?" She asked out of curiosity, wanting to know why someone like him would need a dating app. With a face like that, he could probably get any woman he wanted.

Xane chuckled softly at her question and his hands brushed through his hair. "To meet someone like you." He answered shortly after.

He did not want to admit that it was because of his mother who desperately wanted him to find a wife now and give her a grandchild. No doubt that would scare her away and that was the last thing he wanted.

Clara cringed inwardly, wondering if he was just like other men out there. If they had not met on a dating app, she would probably blush at that statement. Yet now, it made her wonder how many women have he told that to.

She gave him an awkward and nervous laugh, not knowing how to respond to that statement.

"What were you doing there then?" Xane asked, referring to the same question.

"Honestly?" Clara rubbed her temples and continued, "It was a bet with my girlfriends. They wanted me to bring a plus one to my friend's wedding. But now I'm already considering paying for their Boracay trip."

Xane burst out laughing at her admission. He had expected her to say something like she was looking for a relationship—something serious. He did not see that one coming. A bet.

"Yeah..." Clara fidgeted with her hands as she felt blood rushed to her face.

How adorable was that. Xane had thought when he realised he could not stop gazing at her.

"Are you sure you want to pay for the trip now?" Xane took a sip of his black coffee. It was his second cup now.

Clara tilted her head and peered at Xane, not understanding what he was trying to say.

"I'm always up for it... Being your plus one," Xane simpered and gave her a sexy grin.

Clara almost choked on her coffee.

"I meant what I said earlier," he continued.

"About what?" Clara asked warily.

"What I said to that ex of yours," he nodded at her, as if telling her you-should-know. "Please don't tell me you can't see that I'm courting you right now."

Double choked on that.

"I..." Clara was lost for words. She was dumbstruck. She did not know how to respond to that because it was all too new and foreign to her. It felt like a confession to her and she had never been confessed to before. Not even when she had gotten into a relationship with Jack. They just naturally got together. Jack had never even asked her to be his girlfriend.

She was speechless for a second before she spluttered, "I thought we were just friends". She really did think they were just friends. He never flirted with her over the phone when they started talking three weeks ago. Not even once.

Did she just friendzone me? Xane cursed inwardly as he imagined Tyler's and Leandro's faces if he told them that.

He thought for a minute on how to respond to that because it caught him off guard. He did not expect this woman would friendzone the shit out of him.

"Sweetheart... I don't do friends." His voice was pure velvet.

"But-"

"You may see me as a friend. But I don't." Xane said firmly, cutting her off because he felt that she would say something that'd sound like a rejection.

"I'd just... like us to get to know each other better," Clara explained.

"Aren't we doing that now?" He gave her a warm smile. Clara nodded and returned him with a tentative smile.

"I'd like to meet you again Clara," he said and opened the door. He leaned his arm higher on the door for her to pass underneath his arm.

"I want to do dinner this time," Xane suggested.

No more breakfast. He thought. He hated that Clara had set their relationship clear and straight since the beginning. Made him feel like he did not stand a chance at all.

"Sure," Clara grinned genuinely and it did something to Xane. Without saying anything, he gazed down at her lips, desire gleamed in his eyes. Clara felt her own gaze fell on his sensual pink lips too. They looked so good, she thought. The air between them became thick.

His hand drifted up to touch her hair but then he quickly dropped it down again and tore his gaze away, knowing that it was not the right time.

He took a deep breath and laughed when he noticed how innocent Clara had looked.

"I'll see you soon beautiful," this time he patted her head gently and walked away.

Watching his back as he slowly disappeared from her sight, Clara caressed her head where Xane had just put his hand on and she could not help but feel her lips slowly curled up.

Oh God... What is this man doing to me? She covered her face and thought.

******

It had been a week since their first meet up. Xane had tried to arrange a dinner date with Clara during the week but she was too occupied with work. She had to accompany the models to their photoshoots, making sure everything went smoothly. There were too many meetings that she had to attend with the suppliers to make sure the products they were launching met the safety requirements. She left her workplace at 11pm every night so there really was no time for her to go on a dinner date although she was excited to meet him again but just like Xane, she was a workaholic herself too.

Not only that, Maya had called her earlier to set up a meeting with the cafe staff to discuss a new loyalty program specially for university students because there were a steady stream of customers who were mostly university students for the past months.

"Hello Josh," Clara smiled as she entered Le'Fonse and noticed Joshua peeking out from behind the espresso machine.

"Hey Clara!" Joshua's eyes lightened up instantly when he saw Clara.

Joshua stole a few glances at Clara as she made her way to the espresso machine, wanting to make herself a cappuccino before the meeting.

Contemplating if he should pop the question, his curiosity had been killing him ever since Jeffrey told him he saw her profile on a dating app. Joshua too went on the app a week ago in hope that he could find her but was disappointed when he did not come across her profile there.

"Clara..." he called out for her when he noticed she was standing beside him, staring into space while waiting for her coffee.

"Huh?" Clara turned to face him. She looked tired, as if she hadn't had much sleep these days.

"You okay?"

Clara nodded her head lightly and said, "Yeah... I kinda spaced out for a minute. There's just been a lot of my mind recently..."

"Jeffrey said he saw you on a dating app..." Joshua said carefully, not wanting to make her to feel as if he had invaded her privacy. "Is it because of that?"

"What? He saw my profile there?" She laughed nervously and scratched her nose.

How cute. Joshua thought as he gazed down at her with pure adoration.

"Yeah. he said he saw you there a few weeks ago."

"Ahh... yeah. But I already deleted it." She said calmly and took a sip of her hot coffee. A smile of satisfaction brightening her face. She needed this after a long day at work and her cramps was killing her, especially in this winter.

"Why?" Joshua asked immediately, afraid that it might be because she had found someone there.

"I realised it isn't my thing. Jessy thought it would be a good start for me to get back into the dating world again. And because I needed a plus one to my friend's wedding. So I thought I'd give it a try," she explained.

"You could have asked me. I'd be happy to be your plus one," he grinned from ear to ear.

Looking bewildered, Clara laughed and patted his shoulder like a bro-to-bro pat. "It's fine. I'm ready to go there solo and take it like a champ."

"Ohhh..." Joshua murmured, disappointment plastered across his face.

Her phone started ringing and she excused herself to the corner, staring down at the screen.

An unknown number.

"Hello Clara," A woman's voice sounded in her ear. It was a familiar voice but she could not make out who she was.

"Who's this?"

The woman paused for a moment and finally replied, "I'm Sasha... Jack's girlfriend."

For a moment, she was baffled. How did she get her number? And why did she call her for? She had no business with them.

"Can I talk to you in person? I don't want to do it over the phone." Sasha explained. Her voice was heavy over the phone, as if she was about to break down any moment.

"Sure. You can drop by my cafe later. I'll send you the location," Clara said softly.

"Clara! You ready?" Maya summoned. Clara turned back and gestured an okay sign to Maya.

"Sorry. I got to go. I'll see you at 6." She hung up and walked to the hidden meeting room behind the cafe with Maya and the other staff.

******

"What are we doing here brother?" Tyler asked as the men stepped into Le'Fonse and found an empty table at the corner towards the end of the cafe, giving them some privacy from the university students who were gawking at them.

"She owns this cafe with a friend," Xane took a seat, facing the wall. His eyes sparkled with anticipation. He had wanted to know more about Clara. Her life, her workplace.... Anything about her. He wanted to know all of her.

"How'd you know?" Tyler took a seat across his brother, facing the eyes of some of the women who were staring at them and whispering.

"I had Leandro check it for me," he replied proudly.

"You stalked her?" Tyler asked in disbelief. He could not believe his brother had stooped that low.

Xane saw his brother's expression and frowned. "No. I was merely trying to know her better."

"Bro that's creepy as fuck," Tyler grimaced. Tyler was a little surprised to see his brother like this, like he was falling head over heels with this woman.

"Are you in love with her?" Tyler asked again, wanting to confirm if he was right.

Xane raised his eyebrows and stared at his brother for a moment before he answered. "I mean I like her... Love is a strong word."

"So you're saying you're not in love then? Because this doesn't seem like a crush to me anymore,"

Xane shrugged at his statement. He was not sure about his feelings for her. But there was one thing he was very certain—he wants her. Bad. He wants to see that little smile on her face again. He wants to hear her voice. He wants to learn more about her—what she likes or what she doesn't. He wants to see different sides of her. She was like a beautiful mystery. The more you explore, the more you find.

"I think she's here," Tyler said softly as his eyes fixated on the woman walking towards their table but stopped at a table before them.

Xane wanted to turn around and acted like he had no idea this was her cafe and it was all coincidence until a familiar voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Hello Sasha," Clara said and took a seat across her, her back facing Xane's back. Tyler sneaked a peek at Sasha and mouthed to Xane, "what is going on?" Xane motioned Tyler to shut up as the two men quietly listened to the women's conversation.

"How did you get my number?"

"I got it from Jack's phone. He didn't know... I know you're a busy woman and I'm not going to beat around the bush. Jack broke up with me," Sasha informed. Clara realised there wasn't any shine in her eyes when she spoke. She was like a plastic doll, eyes in a daze, distant. She looked so dead on the outside.

"I'm sorry to hear that..." Clara paused for a moment and continued. "But it's none of my business so why are you telling me this?"

"It is. He broke up with me because of you," she explained and her voice was shaking.

Clara looked at her with furrowed brow and pursed lips. What is she playing at now? Clara thought impatiently. She had felt sorry for her initially because she knew how it felt. She was there, in her place once.  She knew how breakup would affect a person.

Clara shook her head. "That's not possible. We haven't talked to each other since we broke up."

"It's true. He told me he still loved you and he wants to get you back. Please Clara... We've been together for a year now. I can't live without him." Sasha begged, her agonised face proved that she was telling the truth.

A year?

A bitterness crept into her face. She was still with Jack a year ago. Was he cheating on her the entire time?   She thought she had successfully gotten out of this misery. She thought she was strong enough now.

And all of a sudden, she was back in that dark place again. The same hellhole she had been in—six months ago. She did not love Jack anymore but that didn't mean she could take the betrayal well. It just made things worse for her. She wasn't sure if she could ever fall in love again, to trust somebody again.

Clara felt like someone was squeezing her heart, the pain in her chest. She could feel her hands shivering. She balled her hands into tight fists underneath the table, digging her fingernails into her palms so hard she could feel her skin tear.

"Clara?" Sasha called out when she realised Clara was trying to breathe.

"I..." she tried to say something but nothing came out.

No. She can't let Jack hurt her again. Whatever he or his little girlfriend had in mind, she was not giving in. She had spent enough time grieving.

He can't hurt me again.

She took a deep breath and replied. "You're wrong. He never loved me."

She thought she would never have to bring this up again. Not to her friends. Not to her parents. Not to anyone. She had wanted to put all these behind her and move on with her life happily but she felt Sasha has the right to know.

"We were together for four years... " she paused and continued. "In those four years, I can reassure you that he never loved me. Not even for a moment. He just wanted what I can offer,"

"But he told me he gave you so much. He paid for your education and he helped you start up your own business. He tried to help you in any way he could. But you abandoned him. You wanted to end things and it broke his heart."

Clara's jaw dropped in utter disbelief at her admission. She was disgusted with Jack. How dare he take credits for everything that she had done for him. Rage flowed through her like lava and her temper sparked.

"I was the one who paid for his education. I was the one who started my own business. I was the one who paid for his everything when he had nothing! I was the one who gave so much to him. And I was the one who got my heart broken in the end. Not him."

Clara then scoffed and added, "you'd be deceiving yourself if you believed his words."

"What?" Sasha's eyes grew wider, not believing a word Clara had said.

"If you were smart enough to look deeper other than my phone number, you would know."

"But he was crying and begging me to let him go," Sasha stuttered.

"Then he deserves an Oscar for that. And I think you have the right to know this..." Clara contemplated for a while and said, "he was cheating on me with you."

"What?" Sasha's face went pale and a helpless anger simmered in her.

"You said you were with him for a year. I broke up with Jack six months ago."

Sasha shook her head, narrowing her eyes at Clara.

"You're lying... You said that because you want me to leave him right? You're a liar."

"Keep telling yourself that. You came to me to find out the truth. This... is the truth."

"But he said you left him."

"I did. And now I wished I had done it earlier. I was a fool for telling myself he would love me back. That he would change for me." Clara grimaced with pain as she felt sharp and stabbing pain in her lower abdomen.

Sasha started murmuring to herself, telling herself not to believe Clara's words but there was no reason for her to lie. She could see it in Clara's eyes that she no longer loved Jack. And all that was left was hatred for him.

Clara stood up steadily as she did not want to face her any longer. If this woman wanted to be a fool, then let her be. Clara was already in enough mess. No matter how kind or selfless she had wanted to be, there has to be a limit to that.

"As a woman, let me give you a piece of advice." She stared down at Sasha and sighed deeply. "Don't lose yourself in attempt to hold on to someone who doesn't care about losing you. It's not worth it. I wasted four years doing that and I wished someone had told me that earlier."

Clara walked out the cafe after her piece of advice, leaving Sasha and the two men in the cafe, taking in everything that had just happened.