Even though Paula really didn't want to go, Drake made sure to remind her every single day. Finally, it was Sunday's evening. Paula dressed simply because she was meeting two people she was clearly not interested in.
As per usual, Drake arrived for the pick-up thirty minutes early and acted like a gentleman.
Drake still seemed happy to see Paula, even though they had already met this week for the script reading.
"You look amazing," He complimented, opening the door for her.
"Thank you," Paula replied, smiling and blushing.
Who would not blush if a handsome and popular man like Drake opened the car door for them?
As the car started, Drake was the first to break the silence in which Paula appreciated. Considering that they will be collaborating in the coming weeks, she wanted to speak with him. Stated differently, she wanted to build a comfortable relationship with her work partner.
"Is it really true that you were married? I sincerely looked for you after graduation" Drake said, without sparing Paula a glance.
"I'm sorry I left. Something came up, so I had to attend to it" Paul answered, her voice low. From their first meeting onwards, she had not anticipated him bringing it up. "What about you? You got your first role after graduation. I was really happy for you."
Drake played along with Paula, knowing that she was trying to divert his attention away from his unanswered questions about what happened after graduation.
"It has been five years. It felt like yesterday" Drake replied. "I recommended you to someone I knew. The first movie I acted in, 'Lies From Beneath', I wanted you to be my partner but I couldn't find you."
Paula remained silent, reluctant to speak because she was at a loss for words.
"You must know that I really like you then, right?"
Unaware of what was about to come, Paula looked up, her expression full of surprise. She was genuinely clueless.
She was just a computer science student who, for fun, joined the drama club after discovering that she enjoyed acting. Back then, she never really spoke to Drake because she already developed feelings for Len.
Drake, though, took notice of Paula's quiet demeanour and developed a strong interest in her. He even planned to ask her out after graduation, but life does not always go as planned.
"I wanted to ask you out but I didn't get the chance. And I know it is not too late" He uttered. When the traffic lights turned red, the car stopped. With his lips pressed firmly together, he turned to face her. "I really like you, Paula. I do not need your response right away; you can respond when it is convenient for you."
Paula didn't dare to look at him. She couldn't even look at his face. The idea that Drake had liked her since her college days seemed quite unbelievable to her. She wasn't even that pretty back then.
Throughout the whole ride, none of them spoke a word to each other while Drake hummed along with the song playing.
Finally, the car came to a halt in front of a restaurant. Paula got down from the car while Drake drove to the parking lot to park his car.
The restaurant was a five-star establishment for the elite, and it was located near where Paula used to live before marriage. Her Father's house.
Entering the restaurant to wait for Drake, Paula felt uneasy at first, but as soon as she walked in, she saw Melissa smiling broadly and waving.
The bad feeling increased even more when Paula saw Melissa's smile but she couldn't even turn back. She was already here, there was no turning back.
She exhaled deeply and moved in the direction of the table.
"Hello," Melissa smiled. "Len is on his way. I just gave him a call. We've been in touch with each other during the last few years. He is nice to me."
After hearing Melissa's remarks, Paula silently laughed to herself. The woman has not changed at all. Even when Paula was still married to Len, Melissa would always try to talk about her relationship with Len.
And Paula, being the tender girl that she was, would cry until she could no longer contain her tears.
"He has always been nice to you" Paula replied with a straight face, not trying to hide her real feelings from her. "And you've always been in touch with each other. Your old tricks won't work on me."
Melissa lowered her head, embarrassed, her eyes welling with tears. "I know you still believe that I was the reason behind you and Len's divorce, but I promise that was not my intention. I also didn't know you were cheating on him."
Paula scoffed, her expression full of disbelief. "Melissa, you knew I wasn't cheating on him. I have no idea how you obtained the video, but believe me when I say that I have no intention of finding out. Therefore, please avoid my company and, if at all possible, make sure Len does the same."
Tears streamed from Melissa's eyes as she stared at Paula with faux innocence. "Despite my best efforts to make amends, you remain extremely irritated with me. I'm really sorry. Please don't be mean to me."
Just as Paula opened her mouth to respond, a voice called out to her.
"What is going on here?" It was Len and Drake was beside him. They met at the entrance.
"My sister is being mean to me, and I am trying to make things right between us. I really don't want to fight with her" Melissa quickly replied, sniffing as she talked.
Len shot Paula a glance before sitting beside Melissa while Drake sat down beside Paula, trying to understand what was going on. Although he was yet to understand, he could tell that Melissa was messing with Paula.
Drake had heard a lot about Melissa and even got to know more about her through Len. Melissa would always accompany Len to events hosted by Drake's family.
So, for the past few years, Melissa was the only partner Len would bring to events. The two are well-known in elite circles, and many people assumed they were couples.
"Maybe you should do that later" Drake dismissed her words, before picking up the menu. He handed over the menu to Paula. "You should pick for us" grinning ear to ear.
Melissa, seeing that she wasn't getting the reaction that she wanted, nudged Len by his shoulder. "I was apologising to my…"
"Melissa," Len interrupted, passing her a disapproving look.
While they were eating, Melissa took a shrimp off of her plate and put it on Paula's. "It's delicious, sister. I have never had anything better."
Before Paula could refuse, Drake picked the shrimp from the plate and returned it. "She is your sister, but you were unaware that she has a seafood allergy. No wonder she's trying not to make up with you."
Paula shot a questioning look at Drake. She was grateful, of course, but she had not thought he would know about her allergy.
"Oh, I remember you saying that to one of our executives back then," Drake retorted, observing her raised eyebrow. "I kept that in mind."
Paula thanked Drake profusely, her cheeks turning red as if they were drenched in red.
When Len saw this scene, his mood soured. The feeling of dread resurfaced in his spirit, haunting every cell in his body. But he did not let it get to him; instead, he maintained his composure.
During the meal, Drake's phone rang. The call appeared to be confidential, so he apologised and walked outside to take it.
Melissa eventually got up too, citing her need to use the restroom as her reason.
Paula and Len remained the only one at the table. The silence was suffocating but none of them moved, just sipping their drinks slowly.
"You never told me about your allergies to seafood. I once bought Seafood Gumbo, you never mentioned that you are allergic to seafood" Len said coldly, breaking the silence. His voice carried a tone of accusation mixed with indifference.
Paula gave him a look. "Do you even hear yourself?" She rolled her eyes in disbelief, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Just as Len was about to reply, a voice sliced through the air, interrupting their conversation.
"You are so shameless, Paula! How dare you?!"
Paula's heart skipped a beat, her stomach dropping as she turned to see a figure she hadn't seen for years standing there, his face contorted with rage. His stern gaze locked onto her, his disappointment evident in every line of his face.
It was her Father.