Everything else was hazy as Williams' eyes followed every movement Addison made. Addison was the last model to walk, and Williams was definitely in awe.
He stood at the front with everyone, giving the designer, Jungwook Moon, a big round of applause. And Williams was mesmerized, for Addison was clapping too. Addison's smile, beauty—ethereal, unparalleled, incomparable.
Suddenly, Williams didn't know what to do.
"That omega who walked last is absolutely gorgeous, Williams!" Amir said.
"I totally agree with Amir," Hal said, then he turned to his alpha friend, who was just staring at the model.
"Williams, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I am. And by the way, that gorgeous model you were just talking about, well, that is my ex-wife. That's Addison," Williams said.
Addison smiled as designer Moon approached her, noticing he was lacking one model who hadn't shown up. Seeing how frantic the designer was, Addison immediately asked where to change her clothes.
Every time she walked, it was fulfilling, but knowing she was able to help made it even more worthwhile. The crowd roared and applauded, giving Moon a standing ovation, and Addison just smiled. She was living in the moment, grinning at her older brother, Dalton, standing on the other side.
Although they were close, their father advised against appearing in public together—except earlier, when Addison helped Dalton get ready since both were models.
"Vante! Woot!" Alec Monroe shouted, with Kael cheering even louder.
Addison, also known as Vante, tried to recall if she had seen Williams earlier, but decided it wasn't important.
The audience began to disperse as the catwalk lights dimmed. Williams pushed through the crowd, walking briskly as he wanted to talk to Addison.
Security blocked his way. "Sir, people without a badge are not allowed in the back."
Williams scowled as he saw two men from a distance hugging Vante. "But the two men with the model there—they don't have a badge."
"Sir, they are friends of the model," the security stated.
"But I am her husband—uh, ex-husband," Williams insisted.
The security looked at Williams and was about to let him pass when someone cleared his throat.
Kael stood there.
"Do you mean ex-husband?" Kael smiled at him.
Williams looked at him, as if asking for permission to let him in.
Kael simply held out his badge.
"I need to talk to her," Williams said loudly.
Kael looked at him and asked, "What for? To get more blood? Or to treat her like a puppet?" He smirked and turned around, walking away.
Williams walked away, defeated.
Like a phoenix, Addison rose from the ashes, more beautiful and more powerful than ever.
Shaking his head, Williams returned to the limousine.Everything else was hazy as Williams' eyes followed every movement Addison made. Addison was the last model to walk, and Williams was definitely in awe.
He stood at the front with everyone, giving the designer, Moon, a big round of applause. And Williams was mesmerized, for Addison was clapping too. Addison's smile, beauty—ethereal, unparalleled, incomparable.
Suddenly, Williams didn't know what to do.
"That omega who walked last is absolutely gorgeous, Williams!" Amir said.
"I totally agree with Amir," Hal said, then he turned to his alpha friend, who was just staring at the model.
"Williams, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I am. And by the way, that gorgeous model you were just talking about, well, that is my ex-wife. That's Addison," Williams said.
Addison smiled as designer Moon approached her, noticing he was lacking one model who hadn't shown up. Seeing how frantic the designer was, Addison immediately asked where to change her clothes.
Every time she walked, it was fulfilling, but knowing she was able to help made it even more worthwhile. The crowd roared and applauded, giving Moon a standing ovation, and Addison just smiled. She was living in the moment, grinning at her older brother, Dalton, standing on the other side.
Although they were close, their father advised against appearing in public together—except earlier, when Addison helped Dalton get ready since both were models.
"Vante! Woot!" Alec Monroe shouted, with Kael cheering even louder.
Addison, also known as Vante, tried to recall if she had seen Williams earlier, but decided it wasn't important.
The audience began to disperse as the catwalk lights dimmed. Williams pushed through the crowd, walking briskly as he wanted to talk to Addison.
Security blocked his way. "Sir, people without a badge are not allowed in the back."
Williams scowled as he saw two men from a distance hugging Vante. "But the two men with the model there—they don't have a badge."
"Sir, they are friends of the model," the security stated.
"But I am her husband—uh, ex-husband," Williams insisted.
The security looked at Williams and was about to let him pass when someone cleared his throat.
Kael stood there.
"Do you mean ex-husband?" Kael smiled at him.
Williams looked at him, as if asking for permission to let him in.
Kael simply held out his badge.
"I need to talk to her," Williams said loudly.
Kael looked at him and asked, "What for? To get more blood? Or to treat her like a puppet?" He smirked and turned around, walking away.
Williams walked away, defeated.
Like a phoenix, Addison rose from the ashes, more beautiful and more powerful than ever.
Shaking his head, Williams returned to the limousine.
"Where did you go?" Hal asked.
"Did you go follow Addison?" Amir added.
"Yeah, I did."
"Were you successful?" Hal asked.
Williams just shook his head. Then, as if a light bulb went off, Williams' eyes widened. He looked at his two friends.
"Can you both help me tomorrow?" Williams asked.
Amir and Hal looked at each other. There was no way they could escape. There was no way they could turn Williams away, especially after seeing him miserable for three years.
"What is it?" Amir asked.
They got inside the limousine and sat down.
"Sir, where are we going?" the chauffeur asked.
"I am starving!" Williams said.
"The limousine is too much," Amir stated.
Both Hal and Amir nodded in agreement.
"I don't want to drive, though," Williams said firmly.
"Let's go to my place then. I can call my father's driver to drive us," Hal offered.
"Okay, that sounds good," Williams agreed.
They arrived at Hal's penthouse.
"So, Gukkah, what were you going to ask for our help with?" Hal reminded him.
"Oh, hyung," Williams said as he removed his suit jacket and bow tie. He looked at Amir. "Two things: can you pick up Ivy tomorrow and bring her to my house?"
Amir looked at him curiously. "Why?"
"I need to sort things out with Addison first, and Ivy's presence will affect a lot of things," Williams thoughtfully said.
"You know she likes you, right?" Hal said. "The driver's here."
Williams looked at him in disbelief. "No!"
"Yes!" Both Hal and Amir exclaimed in unison.
"Are you just oblivious?" Hal asked.
"How can you say that?" Williams looked at both of them curiously.
They got into the elevator, and Amir leaned against the wall. "She does, Williams, and it's time to open your eyes to the truth."
Hal just shrugged. "Ever since way back, she's looked at you differently. I was surprised when she got engaged to your other best friend."
They stepped out of the elevator and into the lobby, where the driver was waiting.
Is he this blind? Ignorant? Clueless?
"So, what do you say, Amir hyung? I'll buy you a sports car or a yacht—whatever you want, hyung!" Williams asked.
"I will accompany her to Busan, even work from there, on one condition," Amir stated.
"What is it?" Williams asked eagerly.
"Tell Ivy that you don't feel anything for her because, truth be told, I think she was the reason Addison divorced you."
Williams' eyes widened. "What are you talking about?"
"Williams, how do I explain this," Amir said as they got into Hal's Kia Carnival. They put on their seatbelts, and Amir continued. "I was looking for something in my drawer when I saw an old phone. I charged it and turned it on. I didn't realize whose it was until I saw something." Amir looked at Hal, who nodded.
Amir cleared his throat. "I saw a text to a phone number, and yeah, I took a screenshot and sent it to my phone. I've been looking for a way to break the news to you, and I think now is the perfect time."
Amir handed his phone to Williams. "Here is the text."
Williams looked at the phone, frowning. "I looked at the calendar, and that was two days before Addison filed for divorce."
Williams took a deep breath. "I didn't know. I really didn't," he said.
"You didn't, or did you just turn a blind eye?" Hal asked, the voice of reason.
The streets were jam-packed because of the fashion show, as Williams peered over the driver's shoulder.
"I… I just felt so guilty that my best friend died. I was driving, and we'd had a few drinks. If only I had been sober, maybe they would have been married already," Williams explained.
"We know that, but the accident happened because a truck lost control as well."
"You have to stop punishing yourself. You've taken care of Ivy and provided amazing medical services," Amir said.
"But one thing you have to be very clear about is that you're doing it because…" Hal trailed off.
"She's my best friend," Williams finished. "And I don't see her as my mate."
He slowly nodded his head. "Do I suck? Like, I don't understand basic human emotions?"
Amir laughed out loud. "Williams, you're just wired differently. You work hard and play hard, but you're not exactly the best judge of character."
"Maybe in business, you're brilliant, but, Williams, I think for you to be effective in approaching Addison, you need to tie up loose ends with Ivy first," Hal stated.
The vehicle finally arrived at the AC Hotel by Marriott in Gangnam-gu, where Rooftop Kloud was located.
"We just want you to be happy, Williams, and you're not getting any younger. It's time for you to have a mate, not just because you need something," Amir declared.
"And if you think Addison is for you, then win her back, BUT be clear with Ivy because you might have given her false hope already," Hal added.
This was an enlightening conversation, one Williams wasn't prepared for.
They arrived at the rooftop of the hotel. Rooftop Kloud is a bar that boasts amazing views of the city. Not only does it have great food, but they also serve good drinks.
Williams stopped in his tracks.
His heart was pounding. His palms were sweaty. It felt like there were thousands of butterflies fluttering in his stomach.
He didn't know whether to feel excitement or dread, but one thing was for sure: he wasn't prepared for this night.
Addison was there, leaning against the bar, looking at a menu. She was in the company of her friends from earlier, and Williams just stood there, frozen, unsure of what to do.
Addison sensed someone looking at her and slowly turned her head.
Their eyes met, and it felt like a hundred seconds passed.
Williams looked at her with longing because he finally realized he had been a fool for letting go of someone so selfless, so pure.