Kiss Me Not

Kimberly Hansen who was mostly called or known as 'Kimmy' was left speechless. She stared at Cain in disbelief, with her jaw dropped. She was not at all interested in marriage at that point in time but her mother insisted on it by saying that Doctor Daniel Lewis' eldest son was exceptional. 

She did not care to hear anything good about the man since she was too against the arranged marriage. She did not even bother to know anything about Doctor Lewis' son who she often called Uncle Daniel since he was a nice man to her and a good doctor as well, on top of that. She highly respected him.

All that she had heard about his son, was that he was thirty-seven that time, and she was only twenty-three. That was when she came up with the nickname Old Fart whenever her mother would bring up the marriage, she would call her future groom Old Fart! At last, she ended up running away from that unwanted marriage, two years ago…

"Ah, now I remember… Kenzie and her husband Daryl Cha, right? My brother's company merged with the Sy Law Firm so yeah I now remember you, Kimmy," Brione interrupted, hoping this change in the topic would soothe the awkward situation they were in.

She then placed her hand on Cedric's leg and squeezed it lightly, signaling the latter to help her out.

"Ah, Sweetheart, you and Kimmy can talk more and do all the catching up you want later. Let's all eat first, shall we?" Cedric interrupted and everyone resumed eating.

Kimmy felt greatly embarrassed as she stole sly glances in Cain's direction every once in a while. He absolutely did not fit the category of an Old Fart and he looked so much younger than his actual age. If she remembered correctly, he must be thirty-nine by now, and yet he could easily be mistaken as someone who was in his twenties.

She looked at her mother who passed her with a sigh of disappointment as she shook her head. Kimmy only pouted her lips in reply. Was it her fault not to be interested in knowing Uncle Daniel's son when she strongly refused the whole arranged marriage?

Her mother was very stubborn and continued preparing for the wedding who thought she would ultimately agree once everything was done, especially when she had blocked all her credit cards. Well, they thought they knew her all this time but they were wrong. She was confident with her choice in running away because she was not the spoiled dependent brat like what they believed her to be.

She looked at Cain and sighed. She must admit that she owed the man an apology for being reckless and immature, so later she would talk to him and apologize properly. Another sigh came out of her mouth. She was really caught off guard after seeing how good-looking Uncle Daniel's son turned out to be.

The dinner, as expected, was awfully silent. Everyone ended up focusing on eating instead of talking. As soon as everyone was finished eating, the King instructed Cedric to follow him into his study.

"I'll be back soon," Cedric whispered into Brione's ear and she nodded fondly.

Kimmy took that opportunity to cling to Brione and whispered, "Sis, can you help me out so my mother won't nag me too much? Can you stay by my side until brother Cedric arrives?"

"Alright. By the way Kimmy, when did you arrive in country D?" Brione asked.

"Hmm, just sometime about the beginning of the year. It's been more than a year since I've been there I guess. Why?" 

"Didn't you hear about the ship sinking accident? The missing Anchor, Gavin Wu?" Brione curiously asked. It was all over the news and Kimmy was definitely in the country at that time.

"Oh, I heard of it but you see I used to avoid watching any kind of news or looking at the internet during those times. I honestly just stayed in seclusion and focused on being a good bodyguard to Kenzie. I intentionally avoided any means of contact except for talking to Kenzie and Daryl, oh! and Uncle Tommy who helped me out with staying in that country. 

Why do you ask? Gavin Wu does sound familiar but you see I only watched movies and dramas on the exclusive channel and that was where I got to know you. Then Kenzie said that you're really popular. Most of the time I only listened to radios to keep myself up to date with the news and stuff." 

Brione smiled and said, "Oh, it's nothing important, I was just curious…"

"Oh crap, mom is approaching us," Kimmy panicked and commented.

"Brione dear, do you mind if I borrow my good daughter for a while?" Leila said with a smile while she looked at Brione but she was shooting daggers at Kimmy whenever their eyes met.

"Mom, please spare me the nagging, or else I won't show in front of you again," Kimmy threatened.

"You brat! When will you grow up? Can't you feel even a little remorse towards us, your family whom you left behind?!" Leila scolded.

Kimmy sighed and said, "Mom, seriously? We have a guest with us. Brione is here. Do you really want her to witness how chaotic our family is?"

Leila looked at Brione with an awkward smile and said, "Dear I am so sorry about this. How about we women have a little wine while spending some time out on the balcony and get some fresh air?"

"Oh, that's a great idea mom. We can talk over wine, alright? I will answer any questions you want to ask of me if you will not nag me. Please?" Kimmy whispered as she hugged her mother's arm and looked at her with those puppy eyes of hers.

"I've missed you so much mom, please don't start with the nagging, and let's just enjoy our time together, reconciling with each other like this," Kimmy pleaded.

Leila exhaled loudly and her eyes darted in Cain's direction who was sitting in the bar area with her husband Edward and Will.

"Cain deserves your apology Kimmy so make sure you talk with him once he informs us of his leaving. Walk him out and apologize to the man properly. He is a good man and even though it's all  in the past, you can't erase the fact that you humiliated him and his entire family by running away before the wedding!" Leila reminded her.

Kimmy heaved a sigh and said, "I know mom. I would have done that even if you didn't ask me to, alright? So please don't worry."

"Are you back for good now?" Leila asked in a low tone. If only her daughter knew how worried she was for her every day and how Cedric's updates about Kimmy became the only consolation she had to keep herself sane.

Kimmy hugged her mother's arm tightly and answered, "I am back for good now mom so don't worry. I will come back home and stay with you as much as I can. Maybe during weekends? You know I can't stand seeing Dad."

"Ah, Brione is here with us, so don't spill too much poop about our family," Leila said in a jest.