The Contract

Chapter 161-The Busy Bee

Travis has been busy.

That is the gist of it—the topic of this unspoken conversation lingering between us. Let’s delve deeper into it, shall we? Forbes’ 30 under 30 poster boy has been everywhere at once: the face of success, the man who makes it all happen.

He’s on the move, always on a call, here but never truly present. When he returns, it feels fleeting, like a shadow passing through. If I don’t see him, if I don’t feel him, what’s the point of his return?

He’s always absent, at least emotionally. And maybe I get it. Maybe I understand his business ventures, his drive, his relentless pursuit of greatness.

But sometimes, I wish he’d stop. I wish he’d see that making time for others—for me—might be just as important.

Bella’s restaurant opening is tomorrow, and I haven’t even told him about it. Not because I forgot, but because I’m not sure it would matter. Judging by how busy he’s been, I’m not even sure he’d show up.

I took a long sip of my coffee, letting its warmth settle the storm brewing inside me. My eyes wandered to the garden, where winter was slowly creeping in. I’ve watched all the seasons unfold in that garden, but this one felt particularly lonely.

The clock on the wall chimed softly, reminding me it was almost 8 a.m. Time to get to work. I sighed, setting the mug in the sink before turning to grab my coat.

But then I felt him behind me, a familiar presence invading my space. I refused to turn around, refused to give him the satisfaction.

His arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me back against him. “Hey,” he whispered softly, his breath warm against my ear.

I paused, finally turning to face him. He stood there in his perfectly tailored suit, the picture of sophistication.

“Oh, hey. Have I managed to squeeze into your schedule?” I asked, my voice laced with sarcasm.

He smirked, that infuriatingly charming grin of his. “Yes, you have.”

I rolled my eyes and raised my hand to smack his chest, but he caught my wrist mid-air, holding it gently. “I’m heading to Chicago,” he said, his tone casual, like he hadn’t just dropped a bomb.

“Safe journey,” I replied flatly, folding my arms across my chest.

“You don’t mean that,” he teased, planting his hands on the counter on either side of me, effectively trapping me.

“Sure I do,” I shot back. “If you die, I won’t cry much.”

“But you’ll cry?” he asked, leaning in closer, a smug grin tugging at his lips.

I looked away, biting back the smile threatening to form. “What do you want from me, Ferrari?”

“A goodbye kiss,” he murmured, his voice low and teasing.

“It sounds like you’re planning not to come back,” I replied, my tone icy, but his grin only widened. He leaned in, pressing his lips to mine in a kiss I didn’t bother to return.

“You’re mad at me,” he observed when he pulled back, his eyes scanning my face for answers.

“What gave it away?” I snapped, trying to move past him, but his hands gripped my waist, pulling me back into his orbit.

“Your pouted lips and those glary eyes,” he said with a smirk, and I hissed in frustration.

“I’ll be back tomorrow,” he promised, his voice softening.

“Great. Then maybe you’ll make it to Bella’s event,” I replied, raising an eyebrow.

“Bella’s event?”

I sighed in exasperation. “The opening of her restaurant, Travis. You know, Bella, my sister?”

His brows furrowed in confusion, a sheepish expression creeping onto his face. “Bella owns a restaurant?”

"Oh my gosh" I heaved in disbelief. "Right, she owns a restaurant..." He tried to cover up, sensing my annoyance. "Yeah, what's it called then?" I inquired.

"That's a trick question, it's not yet open. So, we'll find out tomorrow" he answered, like he just guessed the answer to the price is right. My jaw was opened in shock, "right?"

“Asshole,” I muttered, smacking his arm. He laughed, catching my hands and pulling me closer. His arms looped around my neck, forcing me to look at him.

“Alright, I’ll be there tomorrow,” he said, his tone softer now, almost earnest.

“Don’t be late,” I warned, my voice low as he leaned in for another kiss. This time, I let him.

But deep down, I wasn’t sure if I believed him. Not entirely.

_________________________________________

"Davis!"

He smiled and walked in fully while I got up to welcome, we both embraced and I pulled out. "Hey, what's up?"

"I came to see you" he answered, holding up a bag. "Are you sure? Isn't that for Kourtney?" I asked and he shot me a knowing look.

"Alright alright" I hurriedly took it from him and hurried back to my seat while he took the one opposite mine. "Where's Kourtney?" He inquired, looking around.

"She's running some errands but she'll be back soon" I answered before leaning on the table to face him fully. "You look...bright" he commented.

"Bright? I'm always looking bright" I said and he grinned. "You sure do. How's Travis?"

"Travis is fine, traveling a lot but still fine"

"He is a busy man"

"Too busy, if you ask me" I muttered and he grinned. "So, why are you really here?" I asked, once again. "I told you, I came to see you"

"You've said that but I can't just believe!" I admitted and he laughed. "I did come to see you" he confirmed, sitting up and staring straight at me.

His insistence made me believe something was up. "Alright, I'll go with that. Why are you here to see me?"

"It's about..."

"Kourtney!" I declared. "I've been waiting for this day!"

"Easy, squealer" he said and I bursted out laughing. "Okay, sorry sorry... I'll be calm but if this about proposing to Kourtney, I say, go for it. You have my blessings " I put it out there and he was shooting me an incredulous look.

"You're always one step ahead "

"Can you blame me? Everyone us moving so fast. And I figured...you both would want to move to the next step and what's the next step, getting married. Isn't she so... likeable?" I demanded.

"She is" he confirmed, nodding his head. "She's more than that" he said that part more to himself and I smiled.

If you haven't figured what I was doing here, I was doing what I did best, giving the nudge, the push, that push that got everyone to get their shit together.

But I wasn't interfering, I come close to the line but I never cross it, I never just cross it.