Beautiful Dreamer

21. Kiss And Tell

"You've not been picking up my calls. I figured you needed time to calm down; I hope it's a good time to talk."

"I wasn't taking your calls with good reason." Ari's tone was passive as he leaned by the door. Crossing his arms across his chest, he asked, "How's your wife doing?"

"Can we stop fighting, please?" Ned appeared a little restless and irritated at the same time. "I didn't struggle to get you so that I could lose you over a little misunderstanding."

"You consider getting married a little misunderstanding?"

"If you'd heard my explanation instead of lashing out, you'd have understood the predicament that led me to that state."

"What did you expect me to do?" Ari asked, dropping his hands on either side of him, an act that made Ned feel at a loss. "I was hurt. If tables were turned, you'd have acted the same way."

"Then, do you feel nothing for me anymore?"

Ned's question sent a hurricane of guilt towards Ari. He stood speechless for some time, one of his hands reaching to hold the door, then averted his eyes. The memory of him and Rey being thoroughly intimate began eating him up. 'Kettle calling the pot black.'

"Is that it, Ari?"

"I didn't mean to storm out like that. We hadn't officially agreed on you proceeding with the wedding arrangements, but you still went ahead and did as you pleased."

"If you let me in, I'll happily explain everything to you."

Ari stepped aside in silence. He felt awkward, having kept Ned standing outside. Even so, he knew his anger towards Ned was justified no matter whatever explanation he would hear.

"I said some things I didn't mean, and I..." Ari hesitated, wondering if he should reveal the truth to Ned, but figured it would be much better to at least listen to his explanation first.

Seeing that Ari was battling guilt over lashing out, Ned offered to assure him he was fine. After sitting down, Ari offered him a beverage, which he declined. "I rushed straight away to your place from a meeting. I couldn't stand you being mad at me any longer; it seemed you weren't coming to my place anymore.

Anyway, remember the trip I took? Apparently, the other party had arranged everything and the date for signing the contract was pushed forward due to a deadline that we had to meet with a mutual opponent. Everything was unprecedented, and as much as I tried to look for a loophole, it was impossible; therefore, I had to cooperate, lest I lose an opportunity that even my great grandparents never attained in their lifetime."

"What's important about it? Why does it have to be you?"

"My presumed wife's family are on the verge of bankruptcy, among other crises they may be facing which are too sensitive to mention. As much as I wish to be open on this matter, that is as far as I can explain; therefore, please understand and meet me in the middle of this. My thoughts were on you the entire time. Not once did I waver; neither thought of sharing my bed with another..."

"Enough." Ari raised his hand to stop Ned. The last words uttered seemed to throw accusing daggers at him, and in a bid to hide his guilt, he almost confessed what had happened between him and Rey. Luckily, as if he'd been eavesdropping on their conversation, Mun appeared from Ari's room.

"Am I interrupting something?" Mun asked shamelessly. "I can't even pretend not to have heard everything. This place sure does have thin walls, Ari, don't you think so?"

"Mun..." Ari threw an accusing look at his friend, who just laughed it off and then proceeded to shake hands with Ned.

"Nice to finally meet you. I'd say many of my colleagues at work wanted to handle one of your premium projects, but Ari had always been the chosen one. His departure was unfortunate; you also left our company in shambles, considering you were a major client."