PLAYHOUSE

TWO

Cale's POV

"Yes, Megan I'll sign them up first thing in the morning before my meeting starts. Don't panic." I said through the phone. "Okay bye."

Is it me or my employees had gone so slow these days? I hired like more than 8 employees two weeks ago, and guess how many are left now. Five! Geez, and those 5 aren't even the fast learners. I think they're having a hard time adapting the environment they're in since they're all fresh graduates.

I'm not pressuring them though, I know what it feels like to be a newbie at work, to be clueless and all so as much as possible I try to be approachable and patient with my employees, specially with the newly hired ones.

I had been working non stop over the past few months because our

company have been growing even more. It's progressing. Our family's hard work was now paying off and I couldn't be more proud. From the little store that my dad built years ago, now, we have a large spread of buildings and business partners. And just a year ago my dad surprised me by asking me to run one of our largest companies in New York. It still feels sureal though. But with the company's fast growth I've got to make sure that everything goes well. Everything should be precise and there's no room here for mistakes.

Okay, so today, I decided to take a break. And my staff weren't giving me the break I wanted for constantly calling each time. So I turned off my phone just so I can at least relax and enjoy a bit- for once.

I shoved my phone in my pocket and finally went out of my car. I walked inside the mall and decided for some burger and fries.

Waffles and Cones.

Dylan had mentioned me before that they serve the best waffles and burgers so I'm gonna try it. I have been living in New York for three years and yet I still wan't that familiar with some places.

I clearly don't understand why it's called Waffles and Cones when they also serve burgers and others. Oh well. I entered the place and there weren't much people, which was a relief because I'm really really hung--Wait.

I stopped on my tracks when I noticed her. Is that...

I looked at her for a moment. Her long brown hair tied in a ponytail, with a sling bag and an oversized shirt and a pair of fitted jeans. She looked better than the last time, -well, she had always been beautiful, just more beautiful today. But what caught my attention most was the child she was carrying in her arms. I didn't know she was married. She put the child down and let him walk on his own, he's one handsome kid though. I had to approach her. I should approach her. After a couple of more inhales I finally walked to her. I felt a sudden rumble in my stomach as I try to think on how I should greet her.

"Iris? Iris Noelle Payton?"

Okay. That's all I thought about.

She turned around and her cerulean eyes instantly landed on mine. And with the surprised look on her face, I knew she recognized me.

"Cale Thompson?"

She mouthed my name and with the tone of her voice I felt like she wasn't excited about seeing an old... friend.

"Hi." I managed to say. "How are you, Iris?"

"I'm...I'm fine. And you?"

"Well, I'm good. You look great." I complimented and I can tell, her cheeks kinda turned red and she seemed to avoid my stare. "Is that your baby?"

She looked down at the boy who was standing behind her leg looking at me. "Y..yes. His name's Iver. Iver say Hello."

I crouched infront of her so I was eye level with her son. "Hi there, Iver. It's nice to meet you." He couldn't be more than 5, I guess.

Iver stared at me for a moment and noticed that he doesn't look much as Iris. Maybe he looks more like his father.

I wonder who the lucky man is. I thought to myself.

Iver suddenly waved his little hand and showed a dimpled smile. "Hi."

I smiled. I'm not really good at kids but Iver kinda warmed my heart. Maybe because of his mother.

I was about to say something but a girl in a uniform interrupted us.

"Ma'am here's your order. Where would you want to sit?"

In my mind, I had already splashed the shakes on the girl's head for interrupting my talk with Iris. I wanted to talk to her more and the waitress clearly didn't get the hint.

Iris pointed out to a two seat table near the window and maybe that's my hint that she clearly doesn't want more talks with me, otherwise, she would've taken a table with three seats.

You got the point, she doesn't wanna talk. My subconscious said in the back of my mind.

"It was nice seeing you again. I'll just see you around." Iris forced a smile then walked away. She's looking forward of seeing me again, I said to myself and my heart leaped.

No, she was just being nice, she can't even say your name. Damn my subconscious.

I was next in line and I ordered for a three layered waffle with syrup on top, a cheeseburger and a blue lemonade slush. Let's see if it's really the best ones in town. I hadn't have these kind of foods for months. I usually ate less because I was so into work. And right now, I'm literally drooling over the foods I ordered.

I sat on a table not too far from Iris and Iver's. Surprisingly, when I looked over to their table Iver was already looking at me. Had he been looking at me the whole time? Did he see me drool?

And then the kid waved. I instinctively waved too. Iris must have noticed because she looked at Iver who was still waving his hand then turned to me. I smiled but Iris didn't return the gesture.

Ouch.

And then she said something to Iver that made him continue eating. I wonder what she said to the kid...

Maybe she said that you're a douchebag or maybe she said that you're a mean person and shouldn't be talked to. My subconscious yet again.

When I looked up to them, they were already gone. My eyes caught them walking away and I suddenly had the urge to follow them, but I didn't.

My orders came and they all looked pretty delicious but I felt like I just lost my appetite. I still feel the rumble in my stomach but I doubt it was from hunger.

I looked at the direction where Iris and her son had gone. Has she not forgiven me yet? It has been 4 long years.