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CHAPTER 16
Left in the dark about what had occurred, Raphael knew deep within that Damien had done something to upset her like before and had only one option-apologise.
Well, he planned that in the first place.
"Skai, please. I do not know what came over me."
"Oh, you don't?" she scoffed sarcastically.
'Of course I do. Damn that, Damien!' Raphael grunted inwardly. However, now wasn't the time for this. It was times like this when he wished to have a confrontation with Damien and slap the living daylights out of him.
"Skai, please. I'm sorry if I said anything to offend you."
Is he serious right now? Skai thought. He had just humiliated her like a cheap whore and now he was saying...
Her forehead furrowed, and her brows knitted deeply. Seeing the hatred and irritation in her eyes, he knew every word he spoke only portrayed him as a liar.
"Oh, you did more than just say. You indirectly portrayed me as a whore begging to bed you," she said through gritted teeth.
A lump formed at the back of his throat. How in heaven did Damien ruin something he had tried so hard to build within a few minutes?
Left with no choice, Raphael did something Skai never expected.
Lowering his gaze, his hand still holding tightly to hers, Raphael gulped, his dark emerald eyes turning soft as he tendered his apology.
"Forgive me. I was just… There's no excuse for my actions. Please forgive me and let's put this in the past."
In the past? Now he was asking for it.
How could she erase those words from her memory? Her nostrils flared in frustration. There was no turning back now.
Words uttered couldn't be taken back. They were like broken eggs or plates. Once shattered, it cannot be fixed.
"There's no putting behind. At least I know what a jerk you are."
Raphael's eyes widened. Taking his initial shock to her advantage, Skai yanked her hand free from his grasp and hurried off before he got a chance to catch up with her.
"Skai!" He had reached for her hand earlier but missed by a hair's breadth, causing him to stumble and check his balance.
In those few seconds, she had rushed out of the restaurant, leaving him to eat and dine alone.
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Several thoughts ran through Skai's mind prickling her emotions as she rushed through the bustling street to take the bus home but none of them were as strong as the anger she had for Kiera.
Prior, she had taken precautions to block any thoughts and feelings that may arise for Damien and thought she had succeeded only for everything to come crashing down thanks to a very dear friend, Kiria.
Slumping into one of the seats on the bus, Skai let out a deep sigh, shutting her eyes quickly to prevent the tears threatening to spill from running down her cheeks freely.
"Kiera, Kiera, Kiera... oh Kiera." She bit her lower lip hard, almost to the point of drawing blood.
All through her ride, her mind replayed the scene of the afternoon in her head, bringing out her hurt a hundredfold. Still, Skai braced up and did not cry till she arrived at her residence, her shopping a thing of the past.
BANG!
With the sound of the door closing, Skai leaned back into it and began her descent until her butt connected with the cold tiles. Hot tears spilled from her shut eyelids, flowing freely, finally escaping their prison.
Skai gritted. Her chest was tightening while she tried her best to suppress the rage inside. Why was she hurting this way? She wondered.
He was just someone she met and should have had a one-night stand with if things had gone well, but they didn't.
It wasn't today she'd been talked to anyhow but still…
Reaching for her chest, she clutched her shirt tightly as the tears kept rolling down. She may have tried to not act like it bothered her so much, but deep down she was too emotional.
Either that or the fact that the hope she had from the connection she shared with Damien just shattered beyond words.
He was no different.
She wrapped her arms around herself, lowering her head while hugging herself for comfort.
'If only you were here, mom." Her lips trembled. Hot tears rolled down in torrents as she gave in to her pain.
Minutes passed, and slowly, Skai felt relief wash through her.
Nevertheless, her mind still played its games on her, bringing back memories from the date when her phone vibrated and stealing her from her train of thought.
One look at the caller ID and all the rage from earlier came rushing in. She tightened her hold on the phone, her veins popping out.
"Kiera." Immediately, Skai connected the call. "What?!"
From the other end of the call, Kiera blinked, confusion running through her mind. "Skai?" Her tone sounded unsure. She wondered if Skai was alright.
"What is it? Haven't your schemes caused enough problems already, huh?"
"Excuse me? No, wait, Skai, what's going on?" Kiera asked, hoping for some information.
Skai sniffled. She hated when someone was in the wrong but played dumb about it and...
Her eyes lit up. Something about playing dumb made her mind trace back.
'Wait a minute, Damien did too, right?" Her lips tugged down. Skai pushed away from the door and settled her bag on the ground beside her.
Back then, it was brief, but she caught sight of it and it registered in her mind. Something about the way his eye colour changed made her wonder if he was the one at some point.
Unlike what she saw at the company or during her birthday celebration,. Something was off.
Something was different—something that made her heart thud wildly in her chest.
"What did he do?" Kiera questioned Skai once more; her voice was very loud, dragging Skai's attention.
"He acted like a total jerk, passing off a different vibe and indirectly calling me a whore."
"He what?!"