Finding Life Again

CHAPTER 15

Kai froze, and all blood drained from his face. He looked up to make sure he wasn't hallucinating, but to his regret, he was perfectly in the right state. Feeling overwhelmed and sick, he fought the need to get up and run out of the building far away from the uncomfortable situation he found himself in at the very moment.

Kai reminded silent while Nolan chatted with Lily and Rayan. The man next to him calmly sipping his wine. His button-up looked tight on his muscled arms, about to rip apart if he would move forcefully. His sharp jaw, dark eyes and falling on his forehead, black locks matched his intimidating build. They sat close to each other and interacted more intimate than friends would do. Kai wondered if that's his new boyfriend.

"You never mentioned he was into that type," Leo whispered and placed his palm on Kai's knee, squeezing it gently.

Kai chuckled, startled from the sudden presence at his side. "Are you okay? Do you wanna leave?" He added.

"I'm fine. We can stay a bit longer," Kai reassured Leo, who looked at him concerned.

Leo pulled back his hand from under the table as the waitress came with the plates and served them dinner. Kai shivered at the instant loss of contact. He focused his gaze on the man on his right side, who was eating peacefully. Strangely and to his surprise, Kai felt calm and safe. The nervousness and anxiety still wandered around in his mind, never leaving him but was easy to ignore, and each time when he felt overwhelmed, he moved his attention to Leo, successfully distracting himself with his partner's presence.

Kai looked back at Nolan, and he didn't feel threatened anymore. The panic and uneasiness disappeared when Leo touched his thigh, sending a reminder of why he came here in the first place. He wasn't alone.

After the dinner, all tables seemed to turn into one. People were walking around chatting with each other about past times. Kai learned the life history of people he had met for the first time, despite being his relatives. Usually, he avoided direct contact with his further family. When he was a little kid and later growing up teenager, they made remarks about his flaws. They felt entitled to do so without considering the impact it left on him.

"How was it? Your grandma seems really nice." Leo asked when Kai came back from promised dance with his grandmother.

"She is okay. Sometimes she can be passive-aggressive, but I rarely see her, so there is no reason for her to be like that to me."

"That's good." Leo nod. "Your sister was looking for you. She shouldn't be far."

"Oh... Let's Find her then," Kai turned and backed away immediately when he stood face to face with surprised Elaine. She seemed shocked for a moment as they almost fell on each other her expression immediately shifted into an irritated one when she realised who that was.

"You came." Elaine voiced flatly. "I didn't expect that you would."

"Lovely surprise, isn't it? I wouldn't dare to miss it," Kai said, mirroring the tone and his lips wore a fake smile. There was only a tiny chance that he would succeed in avoiding at least one of them during the ceremony and party. 

"You can leave if you don't want to be here." She said coldly. "No one is forcing you to stay, Kai." 

Leo frowned but didn't interfere. He stood closer to Kai, offering silent support.

"Actually, I had fun until now." He wore an unreadable expression on his face, staying composed and keeping a hold on his anxiety. If he could let himself break or run from Elaine, the shame would eat him alive, and he couldn't let Leo see his miserable defeat. 

"Interesting. Nolan told me something opposite about you before. It seems he was wrong." Kai felt stung in his chest when she mentioned him. Satisfaction and her smirk told them that she knew what she was doing while bringing up his ex.