Episode 14

Archie rose at the crack of dawn and headed straight to the kitchen. Whatever the impulse was, it was clear that Archie wanted to cook for Kaivan.

Archie interpreted her actions as a token of gratitude for how Kaivan had behaved the night before. He had shown what could be considered genuine concern for Archie.

But she didn't dwell on this concern, aware that investing too much in human emotions was a recipe for heartache. Expecting too much from people was, in her experience, a mistake.

Archie kept the meal simple, honestly admitting to her limited culinary skills, and so she settled on making fried rice with a sunny-side-up egg. To complete the gesture, she also prepared a cup of coffee for her husband.

"Okay, it's ready. Now, I just have to wait for Mr. Kaivan to arrive," Archie murmured to herself, smiles spreading across her face.

She removed her apron and approached the sink to wash her hands. As she finished drying them, Kaivan entered the room.

He was carrying his work bag over one shoulder, his tie still dangling unfastened. He looked at the dining table then at Archie.

"Did you make all this?" Kaivan asked his wife.

"Yes, Mr. It's just a simple breakfast; I'm not much of a cook," Archie replied with a nod.

"Then you have your breakfast. I'm in a rush. Don't forget, tonight we're dining at my sister's place," Kaivan said, glancing at his wristwatch.

"Mr. Kaivan, won't you eat something before you go?" Archie inquired as Kaivan started to move toward the door.

"I'm in too much of a hurry," he responded, then left the apartment without another word.

Kaivan, indeed, had not touched any of the food Archie had prepared for him; he had simply walked out.

Archie felt a pang of sadness—her efforts untouched, her husband in too much of a hurry to taste the meal she made. She sat down alone at the table, gazing at the fried rice and egg.

"Maybe Mr. Kaivan is just too busy to stop for breakfast," Archie mused, trying to suppress her disappointment.

She end up eating the meal herself, her feelings tinted with sorrow, but she tried to mask it with acceptance.

Meanwhile, Kaivan tidied himself up in his car and drove out of the apartment parking area.

Throughout the drive, he sighed and massaged his forehead, remembering the breakfast he had left behind. He was indeed in a rush and hadn't lied about it.

Kaivan pulled into a cafe and went directly inside. He scanned the room and spotted someone who had arranged an early morning meeting with him.

The woman looked up and greeted him warmly.

"Hi," she said with a broad smile, standing up to embrace Kaivan tightly, caressing his back gently.

"Let go, what are you doing?" Kaivan insisted, forcefully disengaging from the hug.

"Kai, why are you like this? I miss you, Kai. I came all this way just to see you," Inka Jihantika, a successful culinary businesswoman, declared.

"Our relationship ended a long time ago, Inka. Do not disturb me again, especially with threats like you did before!" Kaivan admonished earnestly.

"I never agreed to our breakup; I'm still in love with you," Inka retorted, clutching at his hand.

Kaivan shook off her grasp. "Remember, I am married now, Inka. I have a wife," he said emphatically.

"Stop being so formal, Kai. Besides, your marriage was forced; you don't love your wife," Inka countered sharply.

Kaivan backed away, distancing himself from his ex-girlfriend whom he had broken up with two years prior.

"Whether it was forced or not, I am married. We are over, Inka," he stated decisively.

Kaivan disregarded the glances of others in the cafe and chose to leave, walking out on the cafe and his former lover.

Inka grabbed her purse and hurriedly followed him outside to where Kaivan was about to get into his car.

"You can't do this to me, Kai. We love each other!" Inka protested, grabbing at his arm, stopping him.

"No, I do not love you anymore," Kaivan replied coldly, flatly.

"Liar! You still love me, and our relationship can't end like this or—" her voice, threatening, was cut short as Kaivan interjected.

"Or what? You're going to threaten suicide again?" he snapped.

"Kai, if something happens to me, you'll be responsible," Inka said, tears glistening in her eyes.

"I am tired of this, Inka. You were the one who refused marriage before, and now…" Kaivan trailed off, no longer wishing to engage in the pointless conversation.

"I regret it, Kai. I've realized now, and I want to marry you," Inka persisted, tightening her grip on him.

"It's too late; I am already married," Kaivan replied, pushing her away from him.

He got into his car and drove off, leaving the cafe and the woman who had recently been reaching out to him again.

Kaivan loathed his former lover; he had once proposed to her, only to be rejected, a rejection that left him heartbroken and disinterested in falling in love again.