Broken Souls Don't Cry

Chapter 15

Kai

It had been a long night of updates. Kai managed to get a few hours of sleep before he was back up and checking reports to make sure things looked good on the client's end. He puttered around the condo before running to the auto repair store to pickup a new starter and whatever tools he would need. He made sure to pack some grungy clothes to work in before heading out to take the family spy to lunch. He knew he needed to be on guard and not give her any inclination that he wanted a relationship with her.

He picked Chelsea up from the hotel lobby then took her to a local burger joint. He knew this wouldn't be her scene and she would stick her nose up at it. He was looking forward to irritating her if he was forced to keep her company.

"Kai!" She squealed in her nasally voice and she ran to engulf him in a hug before planting him with a big kiss. He did not return her affection and instead pushed her back.

"Please, don't do that Chelsea." He warned before turning and heading back to his truck. She followed behind and started to scold him.

"You never came over last night. I had to be in my room all alone the whole night."

Kai's eyes rolled as he opened the truck door for her. "I told you I would be working most of the night and I had to get up early to check on things for work. I wasn't going to be able to entertain you."

"You can show some interest in this relationship you know. Daddy won't be very happy that you are pushing me off"

"I don't really care what your dad thinks of me. Last I checked, we--" he pointed between them, "were not in a relationship". He was already growing frustrated, and they hadn't even made it to the restaurant yet. Thankfully it wasn't too far from her hotel. He chose this specifically because it was close, and it meant he didn't have to be in her company for long.

Kai parked and got out to go open her door.

"Eww," Chelsea said as they walked in the doors of the joint. She looked disgusted as she took in their surroundings: peeling and discolored walls and a floor that looked like it came out of the 70s. It was definitely a hole-in-the-wall type place. Which, for Kai, meant they likely had amazing food.

Chelsea looked over the menu as they stood in line, and she made a face. "They don't even offer a decent salad here" she complained, clearly unamused.

"What would you like?" a teenage boy said from behind the register. Kai relayed what he would like: a burger, no pickles, fries, and a coke. He turned to look at Chelsea who sneered at the teenager.

"Do you offer anything that's not deep fried? I have a figure to maintain you know."

The teenager was flustered as he stammered, "uh-uh-um, w-e d-do have a s-side salad."

"Fine, I'll take that"

Looking back at Kai, the boy asked, "Anything else?"

"Umm, can I get a container of mayo and ketchup on the side? And that's all" Kai paid and got their number before going to find a place to sit. Thankfully a table was open in the middle of the sitting area. He really didn't want to be stuck in a private corner with her.

Chelsea sat down and as she looked at him, "Why didn't we go somewhere nicer than this cockroach infested place?"

"Because I happen to like places like this, the food is usually amazing. I also don't have the time for a nicer place as I have work to do still." He felt her foot sliding up her leg, he coughed before moving his legs out of her reach.

Chelsea babbled on about how things were going in California while they waited for their food. He was only slightly paying attention.

Kai relished in the silence that came when the food was brought out to their table. Since she was eating it meant that she couldn't talk, and he didn't need reply.

"When do you want to set the date?" Chelsea asked.

Kai choked, "Date for what?"

"Our wedding, silly. Of course, you still need to officially propose, but if we set a date now we can book a venue. I'm thinking Bear Flag Farm. It's all the rage right now and is absolutely gorgeous"

"Look, Chelsea..." He started but then closed his mouth as she cut him off.

"We could do the summer after you graduate, that would be a great time. Right in-between interning with your father and starting back at Stanford. I don't know why you even want to be out here. There's so many more opportunities in California."

"Chelsea." He said a little louder, trying to get her attention. She looked at him with a scowl. He knew she wouldn't be happy with this, heck, no one in his family would be, except for Christi, but he had to let her know. "You and I are not a couple. We will not be getting married. I do not love you and I refuse to marry unless I am absolutely, utterly in love with my future wife."

"We've been set to marry since we were kids! Why are you now saying anything when we've already been making plans! Are you breaking up with me?" She shrieked as crocodile tears started flooding her eyes.

Kai gave an exasperated sigh, "Chelsea, we wouldn't work well, we were never even—"

"Are you cheating on me? Is there another girl?" She was giving him the fifth degree while grabbing attention from others around them. He really didn't want to make a scene, but Chelsea always was a bit dramatic.

"No!" He said quickly "There's no one. I never even wanted to marry you. I won't make you happy and you don't make me happy. As far as I know we haven't made any plans."

"Your mom and I have already started planning! It's that bitch from yesterday isn't it? Just wait until your parents and mine find out about this!" She hissed, stood up, and stormed off out the door.

"Can't wait for that conversation" mumbled Kai and then stood up and sighed. He gathered their garbage and threw it in the trash as he walked to a fuming Chelsea who was standing by his truck.

He dropped Chelsea off at the hotel, she cursed him the entire way back. He hit his head on the steering wheel before heading towards Sara's so he could work on her car. This wasn't going to go over well with his father. He knew Chelsea would give a scathing report to their parents and his father might insist on him coming back to California.