New Life : A Second Chance

Kyle watched as Kay left the house and shook his head.

He should have known that Kay would want to see, and talk to, Sari. He stepped out just when she was about to pass him by and she stumbled a bit upon his sudden appearance.

She pouted.

She should have known he would have known.

"She's a nice girl," Kay said tentatively.

"Yes, she is," Kyle agreed, looking at the house one last time, "Let's go back."

Kay observed Kyle.

While it was true that he was still acting normally around her, and that his gaze and words were soft and gentle like always … she could detect the coldness underneath. 

When he turned away from her, his eyes were cold and his face was stoic. The cold aura around him was subtle, but it was there.

Kay grabbed his arm and when he turned to look at her, that coldness dissipated and warmth was back as he asked gently, "What is it?"

Kay started tearing up and touched his cheek tenderly, "I am always here for you."

Kyle smiled, took her hand and kissed her forehead, saying, "I know."

She hugged him tightly and cried. Kyle was glad she did, for he couldn't. 

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Sari was reading the newspapers in shock.

There had been a huge incident that it created waves worldwide.

So much so, that even Country M's newspapers picked it up and it was featured as a main headline.

'Youngest CEO of a Global Fortune 100'

Global Fortune 100 was the top 100 multinational companies of the world, and Smith Industries had shot up the list upon its collaboration with various other Fortune 500 Companies (the top 500 countries in Continent A, upon which Country Tz was one of it).

Although technically, Kyle was not the youngest CEO of a company, he was the youngest of a Global Fortune company. 

The current record for the youngest CEO  is Suhas Gopinath, the founder, CEO, and Chairman of Globals Inc., a multinational company. He took charge as CEO at the age of 17, three years after founding the company.

Kyle's face was plastered there and the new report indicated how there had been an unprecedented hostile takeover attempt which Kyle had successfully thwarted. His success led to him being appointed as CEO immediately. 

As for Sari, when she read the report, other things emerged in her mind.

Ever since the break-up and Kay's talk with her, she had been seriously thinking about her actions and thoughts during her relationship with Kyle. 

Every word she could remember, every talk they had … every fear that she harboured which was not mentioned.

From the newspaper reports, it was clear that Kyle really had been working hard. 

With this, Sari felt ashamed.

While he had been struggling and working, to save his company and position - she had been doubting him. Instead of believing him, she had chosen to let the shadows make lies into truth. 

She consoled herself with the thought that at least, she had not been whining about his lack of attention and make him even more stressed out. 

In her attempt not to be clingy and to be more understanding, she had actually caused herself to be more suspicious and unhappy.

Sari put down the newspaper.

Kay had been right.

She needed to grow up and be more aware.

There was no point in pretending to be understanding, if you can't be. There is no point in keeping silent so as to not appear clingy, if that would only lead one to be unhappy.

What was it that Kay said?

'Be aware and think more. Communicate with your beloved more.'

And the unspoken words: trust your partner more.

They say that first love is always hard to forget. 

Just like what Daphne duMaurier said about first love: "I am glad it cannot happen twice, the fever of first love. For it is a fever, and a burden, too, whatever the poets may say."

Sari did not regret meeting and falling in love with Kyle. 

The break-up was painful, but the lessons learned were invaluable. Sari accepted the mistakes she made and how it had slowly poisoned their relationship.

Could they have made it if she had been more open? If she had been more confident? 

Perhaps, perhaps not.

She would never know.

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Everyone was silent on the plane, as they headed to Country SA for Ali's reception.

There was still about two weeks before the actual day, but they all felt it was time for a break after the whole Philip fiasco. 

It was actually Patrick's idea, and he told Kyle to go and have fun. Take a break for a month or two before taking up the mantle as the CEO. Patrick had things to wrap up as well, after all.

After hearing about the heartache, Patrick had insisted to add another month but Kyle said that it was fine. He needed the work to distract himself, after all. In fact, he planned to start right after coming back from the reception.

They were silent, because Kyle was cocooned in his blanket on the first-class seat. They did not want to disturb him and let him rest.

Despite the bad airsickness Kyle would be under, he insisted on taking this flight rather than waiting five more days for the plane that had the first-class suites.

Kyle said it was only an 8-hour flight to the capital city of Country SA, so he did not mind handling the airsickness. It was better than having to stay in Country M longer than necessary.

No one could refuse him this. After all, the reason they were going to take the first-class suite was for Kyle. Why take it if Kyle did not want it?

So for 8 hours, Kyle was left alone and everyone did their own thing quietly.