Greed

chapter 13

Sky's POV

In the breath between my heart stopping and restarting, Phi pai's shouldered his way between me and Ignacio and pinned the other man with a stare so cold it sent shivers down my spine.
To his credit, Ignacio didn't back down.

Hey man, what's the deal?
His tone was friendly, but wariness filled his expression. We were dancing.

And now you're not, Phi pai said, his tone deadly calm.
Ignacio's eyes narrowed. Do we have a problem?

No. I answered for my ex-husband. Phi pai was just leaving.
Weren't you?

He didn't budge.
Anger washed away the remainder of my buzz. If you don't leave us alone right now, I said quietly, I will never talk to you again.

It was the first ultimatum I'd ever issued, and I meant every word. I usually wasn't this dramatic, but I refused to let P'pai barge in like a jealous rhino every time he saw me with another man. He'd lost the right to any opinions on my personal life weeks ago.

His eyes snapped to mine. Shock flitted through them, followed by a quick flash of betrayal, then hurt.
I would be lying if I said his reaction didn't pull on at least one heartstring. Despite everything that'd happened between us, I didn't want to actively hurt him, but I couldn't let him walk all over me either.

My conviction must've been scrawled all over my face, because after what felt like an eternity, Phi turned and walked away without a word.
However, the moment was already ruined. No matter how hard I tried to laugh, dance, and focus on Ignacio again, my mind was stuck on the man who held more shares of my attention than he should. He was gone but still there, his gaze a warm weight on my skin.

I couldn't take it anymore. I lasted one more song before I made an excuse about needing another drink and left Ignacio on the dance floor.

I stormed toward the bar, where Phi sat like a king surveying his empire. I stopped inches away from him and jabbed a finger at his chest.
Enough.
His eyebrows rose. I didn't do anything.

You're here.

It's public property, love. I have as much right to be here as you do.

You know what I mean. And stop calling me love.My heart threatened to pound out of my chest. It's not...I'm not...

You're not what? Phi's voice dipped a decibel.

I'm not your husband anymore. I shouldn't have drunk so much. My head swam, and my palms were clammy with sweat.

No. He didn't take his eyes off mine. But you're still my love. That hasn't changed.

Damn him. Damn him to hell.

He said the right thing every time...when he cared enough to say it. His confession after last dance had been stuck on a permanent loop in my head for the past few days.

I took a deep breath,  my phone buzzed.  He gave me space as I was about to answer the phone.He went toward the bar to take some shots maybe. I picked up the call looking at the name of the caller.

Hey rain, everything good there? I asked

Everything is fine, I wanted to ask about your whereabouts are you alright? He asked. He was genuinely concerned about my situation for past two years. He was seeing the obvious changes on my attitude and behaviour.

I'm fine you don't have to worry. How are things going with the studio setup you sure you could handle it and you don't need me there?

Everything is going out fine, studio is setting up fine I've mailed you some furnishing tip check that when you get time. I called to ask if everything going fine with phi. You're not melting are you? Rain asked with so much curiousity. I don't blame him of all the people he was the one who started to see the behaviour change of phi pai. He was so angry when I first told him about everything.