Unforgotten Desire

Who is he?

Khloe

I'm so sorry. I'm late." I hugged my Mom and Dad.

Dad kissed my forehead. "It doesn't matter, baby. We're glad you're safe."

"Khloe, where have you been huh?" I heard a very loud voice behind me.

I turned around. "Aiden?!" I ran and jumped into Aiden's open arms. "I missed you."

He twirled me around, making me laugh out loud. "I missed you too." He told me as he put me down.

I steadied myself on the floor. My feet were aching because of my heels. I sat on the couch in our living room and removed my heels. Aiden sat beside me, put my feet over his lap and began massaging them.

"You didn't tell me you were coming." I pouted at him. I still loved this guy.

Aiden was a first degree cousin, a childhood friend and my brother's ultimate best friend and partner in crime. Aunt Stephanie and my mom Sophie were sisters. Aiden and I were so close that we missed each other's presence in just a short time. We were inseparable since we were in diapers.

Aiden went to Paris to run their company, the Smith Clothing, Inc. When he was 19, he had already become the CEO of their company. He was still in New York at that time. But then, his Dad believed that building a branch in Paris would be a very great idea because France was known to be very amazing and competent in the world of fashion and design. When he turned 24, his Dad had decided to let him run Smith Clothing, Inc. in Paris as well. Because of that, they entrusted Smith Clothing, Inc. in NYC to me. This was also the reason why I was so busy with work. I got two boutiques to manage.

I looked at my cousin. He had that cheeky smile on his face, which made him look cute. "I wanted to surprise my beautiful sister."

I grinned at the endearment. Aiden was the only child of Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Jacob. I meant, Aunt Stephanie had a miscarriage when she was pregnant with her second child. It was one of the most depressing moments of the family. We were sad. If it didn’t happen, Aiden would probably have a younger brother or sister around my age by now. We couldn’t do anything but learn to accept what happened. I knew Aiden really wanted to have a sibling. That was the reason why he cared so much about me. He treated me like his own sister and I was grateful for it.

‘Well, I’m really happy to see you.” I scooted closer to him, with my legs crossed over the couch. “So, I’ve heard you met a girl. Who is she?” I wiggled my eyebrows at him. I loved teasing him.

He laughed and slung an arm over my shoulder as he leaned back. “Who told you that?”

“Uhm… Ace.”

He made a tssk sound. “Freaking Axel. He couldn’t shut his mouth, huh.”

“So? Is it true? What’s her name? Is she French? When can I meet her?”

“Yes, it’s true. Her name is Sheena. And nope, she’s not French. And you’ll meet her when you’ll come with me, of course.”

I tilted my head to the side. “Her name is cute. But if she’s not French, then where is she from? And oh, I am busy right now. You should’ve brought her here with you.”

I saw that dreamy smile on his face. I rolled my eyes. “Sheena is an Asian. She’s my Asian princ-“

“Where in Asia?”

“Did you just cut me off?” He always stated the obvious things.

“What do you think? Let me guess, Japan?” I loved guessing games.

“Nope. Try again.”

“Indonesia? Thailand? Korea? China? Singapore? Philippines? Taiwa-“

“Philippines.”

My eyes widened in surprise. “Really? Wow. Now, I badly want to meet her. What is she like?” I pouted.

His answer was brief. “She is an image of my future wife.”

I slapped his shoulder playfully. “That was so cheesy.”

“I’m serious though.”

I looked at him. He looked really serious that I almost laughed at him. “Oh, okay. Go on.”

“She is perfect. I mean, she can be crazy sometimes, but she’s perfect.”

You can be crazy sometimes too. “How old is she?” I was really curious.

“She’s twenty-two. And…” He paused as he smiled widely at me.

“What? You look like an i***t right now.”

“And…” He sang.

“And what?” I was getting annoyed.

“She’s a…”

“A what? Come on. She’s what?”

“She’s a fashion designer like you!”

“What?! Really? That’s amazing. How did you two meet?” I got even more interested about his love life.

“I gave her a handkerchief. She was there at the Eifel Tower, crying. I didn’t get to talk to her at that time because I got a phone call. I was surprised when I met her again at the company after a week. It just happened that she works in the company.”

I sighed dreamily. “Wow. It must be fate.”

He smiled at me. “I really like her. I promise you’ll meet each other soon.”

I smiled. I was happy for him. I saw he really liked Sheena. She must be really special for him. Aiden had been in relationships before, but they were not serious. Let’s say, they were just flings. That was why it was surprising for me to hear him talk about a girl like that. And, I was even more elated to knowing that Sheena’s a fashion designer. Wasn’t it great? I could relate so much to her.

I realized I spaced out when I heard he asked. “How about you, Khlow?”

“What do you mean?”

He raised an eyebrow at me. “You don’t have a boyfriend, right?”

I burst out laughing. “What do you think?”

“Of course, you don’t. You’re too busy.”

I nodded my head. “Exactly. I have no time to be in a relationship right now. And if ever I’ll get into that matter, it’ll be serious.”

“Good. Don’t fail to tell me and your brother if someone is courting you. He must court us first.”

“Eww. Bromance.” I joked.

“I’m serious, Khloe.”

“Yeah. Yeah. I promise.”

“Good.”

I understand Aiden. That he was protective of me. That was one of the reasons why I’ve never been into a relationship. When they knew that somebody had a crush on me, they would get in the way and interview the guy. Just seeing the two scared my suitors.

I was about to ask Aiden about how long did he knew Sheena when we suddenly heard a very loud and angry voice.

“I DON’T f**k*NG CARE. I WANT THAT BASTARD OUT OF MY COMPANY!”

Axel Miller Evans. My one and only brother.

Aiden and I stood up.

Ace wasn’t aware that we were in the living until Aiden spoke. “Was that how you greet your best friend, dude?”

And just like that, my brother’s face lit up when he saw his best friend. “Bro!”

They did their signature manly hug and I couldn’t help but smile at them. Their bond was really strong. Our bond, actually. Aiden might not be our sibling, but he was our brother by heart.

“I didn’t know you were coming.” I knew Ace would say the same thing. Ace kissed my forehead. “Hey, Khloe. Glad you’re safe.”

I just hugged him. “I’ll leave you two here to catch up.”

I feel tired so I walked upstairs to my room. I knew I was supposed to mingle with my relatives at the pool, but my bedroom was calling out for me. They would understand.

I tossed my bag on my bed and went to the bathroom. I slipped out of my clothes and turned the shower on. The water cascaded on my naked body, making me my aching muscles relaxed. It had been a long, tiring day.

After a few minutes of being in the shower, I wrapped a towel around my body and got changed into my pajamas. As I lay in my bed, I couldn’t help but reminisce what just happened an hour or two hours ago.

HIM.

A lone tear slipped from my eye and I just let it trail down my cheek. Was it fate? Why did we have to meet again? They said, everything happens for a reason.

What is the reason?

Why did I have to see him again?

I recalled the way looked at me earlier; the way his eyes studied me. They wanted confirmation. They were trying to recognize me. They were seeking for answers.

I knew it; the moment he asked for my name. But, I was a coward. I was scared. I could’ve just told him who I was. It was that simple. Even if I got interrupted by a phone call, I could’ve just told him my name.

I was fine.

Why did we have to meet again?

Who is he?