WHAT’S Ken’s real name? – Adelle

Laurie drew her brows together as she read Adelle’s chat on her messaging app. She typed her answer and sent it to her friend. “Why she’s suddenly asking for that bastard’s name?” she asked on a knotted forehead. 

She was about to lower her phone on the table when it beeped again. She let out a sigh when Adelle’s name popped up on the screen. Her friend doesn’t know anything about her experiences with Ken, and she has a feeling that Adelle is starting to get curious about her ex-husband again.

I want to know if he’s worth all your trust issues in entering a new relationship. I’ll search for him on the internet. – Adelle

“What the fudge?” Laurie asked after reading Adelle’s message. She glanced at her watch and looked around the restaurant where she and Tyler agreed to meet for a dinner meeting-slash-business meeting. “Is he on his way?”

Laurie decided to call Adelle as she waited for Tyler to arrive. “Stop looking for Ken,” she said as soon as Adelle picked up. “You said that I should move on, right? Then what’s this fuzz all about? How am I going to move on if you’ll keep on mentioning that asshole?”

Adelle’s laughter aired from the other line. “You married an asshole before?” she asked in between laughter. “Girl, you can just finally move on from your past if you have learned to accept that it’s all done. Running away from the memories that once hurt you before won’t give you peace. It’s time to face them. Now, what’s Ken’s full name?”

Laurie laughed. “I can move on without telling Ken’s real name to you,” she said and glanced at her watch again. “I have to go. Tyler is coming.”

“Hey, wait, if you don’t want to tell me Ken’s full name, then send me a selfie with Tyler,” Adelle said from the other line. “I just want to make sure that you are really seeing him tonight and not other random guys.”

“What? Are you my mother?” Laurie asked with furrowed brows. She turned to the window and saw Tyler going out of his car. “I’ll go now. Tyler is here.”

“Convince me—” Laurie pressed the end call button immediately and lowered her phone.

Tyler entered the restaurant and looked around. The man was in his Parisian casual clothing. And even if half of his face was covered with a face mask, his fashion sense still shouted fab and gorgeousness. Laurie waved at her when he looked in her direction. The man’s chinky eyes turned into a slit as he smiled at her.

“Did I keep you waiting?” he asked as soon as he reached their table and sat in front of her. “You’re such an early bird.”

Laurie laughed. “It’s fine. And, besides, I’m the applicant, and you’re the employer. I should arrive earlier than you to make you impress.”

Tyler chuckled. “Well, I’m impressed.” He pulled down his face mask and looked straight into her eyes. “You’re hired, Laurie.”

“Before you hire me, Tyler, may I see your terms and conditions first?” she asked, trying her best to not get distracted by his charm.

“Oh, you mean the contract?” he asked, then opened the envelope in his hand. “I wasn’t sure if it’s acceptable as a contract…”

Laurie got a chance to take stolen shots of him as he lowered his gaze to the envelope. But to her shock, her phone’s camera flash was opened, and it flashed as she took photos of him.

“Gosh!” Laurie blurted out and hid her phone quickly. “I-I’m sorry…”

Tyler looked at her on a knotted forehead. “Did you just take stolen shots of me?”

Laurie scratched the corner of her brow. “Ah, Adelle wanted to confirm if you’re really with me…” she admitted awkwardly. “I didn’t mean to act like a stalker, Tyler.” She lowered her head and she can already feel the heat rising on her cheeks.

But Tyler just laughed. “You should have told me so we could take a selfie together,” he said but sounded like taunting her. “Give me your phone, Laurie.”

The man laid his hand in front of her, asking for her phone. Because of embarrassment, Laurie doesn’t have a choice but to give her phone. “You don’t really have to do this, Tyler—”

“I have to,” he said as he chose camera filters. “I don’t want to see my ugly stolen shots spreading on the internet.” He then winked at her. “That would ruin my image.”

Laurie felt guilty. “I’m really sorry, Tyler—”

“I’m just kidding, Laurie. But it’s okay,” Tyler told her with a smile. “I can let you pass this time,” he added and laughed. “Now, show the camera your biggest smile.”

Laurie looked awkwardly at the camera lens and smiled. Tyler looked perfect on the screen, and Laurie couldn’t help but admired his gorgeous smile that reminded her once again of someone. Her thoughts were interrupted when Tyler lowered her phone and gave it to her.

“Thanks, I’ll send it to Adelle right away,” she said and avoided his eyes.

“My brother made this contract after you called me a while ago. Your name is already typed in there, you just have to sign it on every page,” Tyler said and gave her the papers. “I don’t know if it’s fine. I haven’t read it, and I don’t have ideas in making a contract because this is my first time to hire a personal hair and makeup artist.”

Laurie nodded her head in acknowledgment. “I understand. But have you asked your agency regarding this? I don’t want any third-party complications with my employer.”

Tyler grinned at what she said. “Don’t worry, Laurie. There will be no third party in our relationship.” When she knotted her forehead, he continued, “working relationship.”

Laurie pressed her lips together and lowered her gaze to the contract. She can already feel her cheeks turning red. “It says here that this is just a one-year contract,” she said, then drew her brows together. “And, is this for real? Clause 4.1: personal feelings shouldn’t be mixed with a professional relationship. If proven guilty for the violation of rules, the affected party should resign and never show his or her face again?”

Tyler’s eyes widened in shock. “Is it really written there?” He took the contract from her hand. He groaned as he read the clause. “I will revise this—”

“No, it’s fine,” Laurie said and took the document from him. “I find it fair, actually. No personal attachment.”

Before she could sign the contract, Tyler snatched it again. “This contract is null and void without my signature,” he said in a stern voice.

“You have signed it,” Laurie said and pointed at the borders of the contract that has his signature. “It’s effective today.”

“I will revise it first, and I will kill my brother for making this trash contract,” he said, then raised the paper out of her reach. “Let’s wait for him. He’ll be here in a minute.”

“Your brother?” Laurie asked; her chest suddenly started to hammer as she remembered the familiar voice that she heard over the phone. “What’s his name?”

“I’m Ken.”

Laurie’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing that voice again. She froze in her seat and couldn’t move even a bit. Her hands felt cold as if everything around her turned to ice. She looked up at the man standing beside Tyler, and the ice around her shattered into pieces as she met the familiar gaze she never thought she would see again.

“Oh, he’s here.” Tyler raised from his seat. “Laurie, this is my brother, Ken.”

***