Kraius couldn’t explain what he felt while seeing Rhezi, the kids, Jericho, and him sitting on the same table. It was probably the most awkward dinner that they ever experienced. Kraius’ deadly stare was evident, however, whenever the man’s eyes fall onto the three kids in front of him, his expression would immediately soften.
“Mr. Handsome, thank you for bringing Dos to us,” Roscoe asked, looking at Kraius intently.
Kraius felt like an angel caressed his heart after hearing what Roscoe said. His attention shifted to the kid, then he smiled. He was overwhelmed all of a sudden from the smiling face of the little boy. It was certainly genuine and pure, his doe eyes beaming in curiosity and innocence.
“It’s okay. Dos is my friend. Right, Dos?” Kraius asked. He smirked when he saw Rhezi’s horrified expression but deep down in his heart, he was mad at her.
“Can we be friends, too?” Tres happily asked.
“Come on! Finish your food,” Rhezi intervened.
Kraius tapped the wooden table using his index finger. He chuckled softly and shook his head while his eyes bore to the woman. She was busy feeding her kids while her action showed how she really felt. Her hands was shaking lightly and her eyes coudn’t even manage to stay still. She was definitely feeling the tension that he was giving. Although Kraius was mad, he was also enjoying the sight unfolding in front of him.
He could still remember how she acted earlier-as if she’s the one who should be angry. Rhezi didn’t even bother to thank him for what he did. If not for her husband arriving not long after she found them, he knew that she wouldn’t have forced herself to show acts of gratitude towards him.
Kraius’ mood suddenly changed from the memory. It boiled his anger towards the woman in front of him. However, he managed to shake his head lightly and calmed himself. Because if anyone would ask him, he wouldn’t just give a mere punishment to the woman.
“I could be your friend. All of you. Just like Dos,” Kraius commented. He raised his eyebrows and put his two hands together. He leaned towards the table and looked at the triplets in front of him. Then, a geniune smile came out of his lips.
“Really? Yes!” the boy happily yelled. Kraius chuckled as they did the high five. His heart softened at the sight, overwhelmed by the three handsome faces of the kids.
“That’s enough, let’s eat,” Rhezi interfered to steal her kids’ attention.
“By the way, Mr. Montreal, I haven’t thanked you properly-”
“No need,” Kraius immediately cut off Jericho’s words.
Jericho became silent at that before glancing at Rhezi, meanwhile, Kraius’ mischievous aura suddenly vanished. He slightly adjusted himself and took a glimpse of the man beside him. Jericho Bailey, a restaurant magnate and the Montreal family’s rival when it comes to Turkish restaurant businesses.
“Uh, Okay,” Jericho yielded. He looked at Dos and said, “Don’t do that again, Dos. Momma and Dada was worried, okay?” He searched for Rhezi’s hand and squeezed it softly. Kraius didn’t fail to notice the action and his jaw immediately tightened at the sight.
“Sorry, Dada,” Dos said afterwards, looking genuinely apologetic.
A silent but deep breath was exhaled by Kraius. As he was observing the man, he found nothing special to him. Jericho has the looks, undeniably, but it couldn’t beat his. He might have sounded gay but he felt envious towards the man, especially after seeing Dos going towards him and hugging him tightly.
Bitterness filled Kraius’ heart. He instantly stood up and watched them one by one, then, his eyes landed onto Rhezi’s face. There was a lump in his throat but he managed to utter a word, “I have to go. Dos, don’t do it again, okay?”
“Umm!” Dos nodded eagerly. “Thank you, Mr. Handsome!” he added while smiling widely.
Kraius nodded and smiled lightly before staring at the woman in front of him, as if sending a telepathic message through his eyes. After a while, he bid his goodbye and walked out of the restaurant with a head held high that screamed power.
As the night greeted Kraius and the cold wind blew in the darkness, he released a heavy sigh. The sight from inside suffocated the hell out of him. He felt empty while jealousy and hatred combined inside his heart.
“Fuck!” Kraius cursed. He even kicked the beer can that was on the ground with his hands on his pocket. His composure disappeared and his jaw clenched as everything replayed inside his mind.
When he got sick of staring at the night sky, he resumed to walk towards the parking lot of the restaurant. His mind was telling him to go to his own haven in the resto but he refused himself. Kraius didn’t want to ruin his night even more so he continued his pace and decided to go home.
“Kraius!”
From his back, Rhezi was standing just a few meters away from him. Kraius stopped himself from entering his car and turned to look at the woman. She’s still as captivating as when he saw her earlier, or in every time their eyes meet. She walked towards the man, wearing an deceitful mask of unadulterated innocence. However, he knew better.
“I don’t like what you said to my kids, Kraius,” Rhezi immediately confronted without any hesitation.
“Come again?” Kraius asked. He was caught off guard. His eyebrows furrowed while looking at Rhezi. The man leaned against his car and waiting for what the woman would say next.
“Stay away from my son! Leave them alone,” Rhezi said with conviction.
Kraius chuckled and shook his head. He looked at Rhezi incredulously as if it was the most ridiculous thing he ever heard. He even played with his car key that was on his hand as he walked closer to the woman. Then, he grabbed her arm and pulled her close to him.
“Really?” Kraius commented. He was towering Rhezi. His eyes were blazing with anger. “That was what I get from you after you left me? After we had sex? Are you that low of a woman, Chubz?” he asked. His words were full of conviction and authority.
“I know what you’re planning, Mr. Montreal. But, you can’t ruin me and my family!”
“Fuck!” Kraius cursed loudly and released Rhezi from his tight grip. The latter almost lost her balance if not for her reflex acting fast.
“Don’t you dare accuse me like that!” he spatted. He disheveled his hair as he frustratedly shut his eyes tight. The man’s anger towards Rhezi was burning; he knew that the woman already cut the last string of his patience.
“Spare my kids. They don’t know anything-”
“And what about me?” Kraius cut her words off, “Do I look like some random trash that you could easily throw away? Did you give me any idea on why you left me?!” Kraius strode closer to Rhezi but the latter moved backwards. She tried to stop him by shaking her head.
“Don’t play innocent here, Kraius. I’m done with you,” Rhezi muttered before turning her back.
Kraius watched Rhezi leave. His intense glare bore into her every pace. The parking lot was dim and obscured, but he could vividly see how she was welcomed by her husband with an embrace and a kiss on her forehead.
Kraius shook his head and smiled bitterly while his hand instantly formed into a fist. He even punched the steering wheel of his car after he went inside of it. No words could define how he felt, however, one thing was for sure.
Rhezi betrayed him.