Chapter 309: Chloe and Kelvina (2)

The morning air was cool, the streets already filling with awakened professionals, office workers, and students moving through the central district. Vehicles passed beneath glowing traffic signals, and large screens displayed news coverage of the National Victory Banquet.

Silas appeared on one of them; his pink hair and white formal outfit made him unmistakable. Kelvina nearly walked into a street sign after staring too much. She recovered quickly, glanced around to make sure no one had noticed, and continued toward the café.

’Focus.’

She could admire him later. Right now, she needed to survive a conversation.

The café stood on a quiet street away from the busiest commercial districts. It was a tasteful establishment with large windows, wooden furniture, and a small garden separating its outdoor seating from the pavement.

Kelvina arrived fifteen minutes early. Naturally, she stood outside for a moment, staring through the glass.

A few customers were already seated inside. A server moved between tables, carrying a tray of drinks. Near the back, a woman with white hair sat beside a window: Chloe.

Kelvina’s heart skipped, and she considered turning around for a second. She could leave, send a polite apology, and ask to reschedule.

No. That would be cowardly.

She had called thirteen times to speak with Silas and accepted the invitation. She wasn’t going to run away simply because she was nervous. Straightening her shoulders, she walked inside.

The bell above the door chimed, causing Chloe to look up. Their eyes met, and for a moment, none of them moved. Then Chloe smiled and raised a hand.

"Kelvina. Over here."

Kelvina swallowed as she approached the table, her footsteps sounding far louder than they should have.

"Good morning."

"Good morning." Chloe gestured toward the chair opposite her. "Have a seat."

"Thank you." Kelvina sat down carefully, placing her bag beside her chair.

A server approached, and Chloe ordered another drink for her guest. Kelvina thanked him, then folded her hands on the table. Then silence enveloped the table. Kelvina had prepared several possible opening statements during the journey, but every single one had abandoned her.

Finally, she spoke.

"Thank you for agreeing to meet with me."

"You’re welcome," Chloe answered her.

"I know the circumstances are a little unusual."

"A little?" Chloe’s question made Kelvina wince.

Chloe chuckled.

"Relax. I’m teasing."

"Right. Sorry."

"You apologize a lot."

"I do?"

"Twice in the last minute."

Kelvina pressed her lips together, causing Chloe’s smile to soften.

"Kelvina, I’m not here to intimidate you."

"You aren’t?"

"No. I want to understand what you’re thinking, and I want you to understand something about Silas."

Kelvina straightened. "All right."

Chloe folded her hands on the table.

"Before we begin, I want you to know that I don’t hate you."

Kelvina blinked. She hadn’t realized how badly she needed to hear those words until they were spoken.

"Oh."

"But I also won’t pretend that this situation is simple."

Chloe’s expression became more serious.

"Silas is important to me. I love him, and I’m not interested in watching someone hurt him. The same goes for the other women in his life."

Kelvina nodded slowly. "I understand."

"Do you?"

The question wasn’t aggressive, but it carried weight. Kelvina took a breath before answering.

"I think so. I know Silas already has people who care about him. I know I’m not entitled to his attention just because I have feelings for him."

Chloe watched her carefully.

"And what do you want from him?"

There it was, the question Kelvina had feared. She could have dodged it. She could have offered a vague answer about wanting to know him better or admiring his accomplishments, but she had promised herself she would be honest.

"I want to get closer to him," she said quietly. "I want to know him properly. I want to be someone he can trust." She paused, her fingers tightening together. "And if he ever feels the same way about me, I’d like the chance to become part of his life."

Chloe said nothing.

Kelvina forced herself to continue.

"But I don’t want to hurt you. I don’t want to force myself into your relationship, and I don’t expect you to accept me simply because Silas might like me." She looked directly at Chloe. "I know I have no right to demand anything from either of you."

For the first time since Kelvina had entered the café, the tension between them eased slightly. Chloe leaned back in her chair.

"That’s a better answer than I expected."

Kelvina let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

"Is that good?"

"It’s a start."

The server arrived with Kelvina’s drink. Both women paused to thank him, and for a few moments, they occupied themselves with their cups.

"But you realize something..." Chloe said, causing Kelvina’s expression to take a dip. She feared what was coming.

"What?"

"You make no sense."

"I thought..."

"Yes, your answer is good. But you want to do all these things with Silas when you have nothing with him. You aren’t his friend, nor are you his family member. I understand; I was also in your position some time ago. It didn’t take much to get to my current position as Silas’s girlfriend."

"But what you want is arrogant. You speak as if you can get it just because you want it. Your statement is a prideful request, as if Silas is some prize."

Kelvina was rendered speechless at this as she realized that what Chloe was saying was all correct.

Then Chloe’s expression settled again.

"The point is, loving Silas isn’t just about wanting him. It’s about accepting the parts of him that aren’t convenient. It’s about being honest with him, even when it’s difficult. And it’s about understanding that if you become part of his life, you won’t be the only person whose feelings matter."

Kelvina nodded slowly.

"I understand."

"Good. Because I won’t lie to you. There are already complications among us. We don’t always agree. We get jealous. Sometimes we argue over things that probably shouldn’t matter as much as they do."

She gave a small, rueful smile.

"Silas is the one who keeps us together, but he can’t do everything. If more women join this relationship, the responsibility falls on all of us to make it work."

Kelvina looked down at her hands. She had known the situation would be complicated, but hearing it described so plainly made it real.

"Would you hate me," she asked softly, "if he chose to be with me?"

Chloe shook her head.

"No. Not simply for that. But I would expect you to respect us. To respect him. And to be honest about what you want. I won’t promise that we’ll become friends overnight, and I won’t promise there won’t be jealousy."

Chloe leaned forward slightly.

"But if Silas genuinely wants you in his life, and you’re willing to treat the rest of us with respect, then I’ll consider it."

Kelvina’s eyes widened.

"Really?"

"Don’t look so surprised. I’m not a villain."

"I didn’t think you were!"

"You looked like you expected me to throw a drink in your face."

"I considered the possibility."

Chloe burst out laughing, a rare laugh drawn from the usually cold lady, causing Kelvina to cover her face.

"I’m sorry."

"Stop apologizing!"

That made Kelvina laugh, too. The tension that had dominated the meeting finally loosened. They began talking about less dangerous subjects. Eventually, Chloe glanced at the time.

"We should probably wrap this up."

Kelvina nodded, though a small part of her wished the conversation could continue. She had arrived expecting an interrogation. Instead, she had been given a warning, a few uncomfortable truths, and something that felt surprisingly close to an opportunity.

As they stood, Chloe picked up her bag.

"One last thing."

Kelvina immediately straightened.

"Yes?"

"If you want to pursue Silas, speak to him. Don’t make decisions on his behalf, and don’t assume his feelings just because you want something badly enough."

"I won’t."

"And please, stop calling him thirteen times."

Kelvina groaned. "I promise."

"Good."

They walked toward the café entrance together. At the door, Kelvina hesitated.

"Chloe?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you. I know this couldn’t have been an easy conversation for you, either."

Chloe studied her for a moment before smiling.

"You’re welcome." She opened the door. "And Kelvina?"

"Yes?"

"Next time you want to talk to Silas, send a message first."

Kelvina laughed.

"I will."

They parted outside the café, heading in opposite directions.