Others Like It Ruthless

XVII: Reunion

"Welcome back princess," Shaira greeted me the moment I landed at the airport. "And who is this delicious looking man? Hi I'm Shaira, welcome to my life." She greeted Joseph and shamelessly flirted with him. Joseph being Joseph nicely played along but not before sending me a look of plea.

I shook my head in amusement, its been two years and Shaira hasn't changed. Except for the fact that she's married to the man of her dreams, Jethro. I turned and greeted Shayne, giving him a warm hug and Jethro, Shaira's husband.

I met Jethro before, he owns a chain of restaurants all over Canada, and a celebrated chef. Apparently he's Shaira's senior back in culinary school and when they got the chance to see each other again, they never let go. Well, good for them.

Our group slowly made our way out of the airport, chatting animatedly as Seph charms his way to my friends' hearts. Engrossed in the conversation, I happily participated until I saw a glimpse of someone who held a strong resemblance to my dearest beloved. I had no doubt it was him as he tries to blend in the surrounding as he sat casually on one of the benches, head stuck behind a newspaper most likely pretending to read it seeing as he kept on a pair of sunglasses.

His futile attempt at masking his identity is laughable, and in another lifetime I might even find it endearing.

Without anyone noticing as they wait in line for some coffee, I slipped past my company and made my way to him. I know he noticed me move towards him as we made eye contact at least thrice on my way to him but he kept the newspaper up as if shielding himself from the coming onslaught.

"Are you really going to keep that paper up?" I asked when I stopped in front of him. "You know its upside down right?"

He hesitated but checked if what I said is true but I was just trying get him to put the damn paper down so I could ask what he is up to. I mean, its impossible for him to be here today for me when I know for a fact that no one else knows besides Shaira about my return. So the only possible thing I could think of is he is off to somewhere. I quickly scanned for any bags, but other than him, the clothes he is wearing and the newspaper he seemed to be fascinated with, he doesn't have anything or anyone else with him.

Realizing I caught him, he placed the paper down and stood up, towering over me as he took his glasses off. After two years of no contact, I felt my heart rejoice at finally seeing him up close in person and I had to fight the urge not to close the distance between us and just hold him.

We stood there and kept our gazes on each other, studying, committing to memory every detail we've missed about each other, trying to find something, anything, that would tell us what to do next.

"It's been a while," Cole finally said and oh how I missed that voice. I chuckled and shook my head to clear up my thoughts.

"Why haven't you signed it?" I asked right away and quickly regretted it as a look of hurt pass through his face.

"I forgot," he simply replied.

"You forgot?!" I half yelled trying to contain my outburst at the ridiculousness of his reply.

"Well unlike a certain someone I know, I'm not that eager to be a divorcee."

"If you are stuck with an infuriating husband like that certain someone, I'm sure you'd be as eager as her."

"I am stuck with a wife just as infuriating, trust me I know how she feels." And the man had the guts to wink as if what we are two close friends who are catching up after a month of hiatus.

"Empress," I heard Seph say and felt his arm wrap itself around my waist as he made his presence known. Had I not enjoyed the rise of a certain emotion I dare call jealousy on my husband's face, I would have pulled away but I froze as my heart starts to hyperventilate. Maybe Harvey's right all along about Cole having strong feelings about me.