Chapter 12

"Shopping?"

Noctis nodded, her expression more relaxed and confined than usual as he looked up at her wife. Kaya didn't get how he came up with such an idea straight after what had happened. She had almost exposed them with the help of none other than Nate that Noct probably hated more than the vegetables.

"Uh... but I don't need anything?" She replied, her fingers relaxed against the cup of coffee she held while looking at her husband who was becoming more and more unpredictable day by day. Sometimes she thought she had deciphered the person Noctis was and sometimes she didn't think she will ever be able to make sense of what he did and didn't do. One of such things was asking her to go shopping with him while they had just avoided Luna.

"Of course you do, do you have anything to wear to the birthday party?" the question made Kaya look up at the raven head and retreat back into her bubble of discomfort and obliviousness. She obviously didn't know anything about the latest trends, and her own clothes were too... ladylike. She wondered if Noctis had any opinion about the way she dressed.

"I do... but..." But then she was just over thinking. It didn't even matter what Noct thought. She shook her and looked up at him with a well made smile.

"I guess I do need to go shopping." She said and Noctis relaxed back into the chair letting his head drop back.

"You know I hate birthdays, parties... they're so crowded and loud. It makes me sick, physically." He mumbled, letting the frustration sink at the back of his skull as he let out a heavy sigh.

Kaya watched him quietly, she could see how sharp his jawline stood. She had never really paid quite the attention to admire his face, but now that it was just the two of them, the early morning silence and the strong scent of coffee, she couldn't help but look. But her gaze quickly retreated to her cup as Noctis recoiled himself, straightening up and looked at her. She was quiet. She was always quiet but since last night she is specially hesitant towards him. He wondered if he had spooked her...

"Hey, about last night..." the words made Kaya's heart skip a beat. She hadn't expected him to bring it up, after all part of it was her fault for believing in Nate not leading her into the trouble.

"I'm actually sorry about being so rude. It's just..." Noctis began but at a loss of words. His gaze fixated onto the cup before him. Kaya noticed the quiver in his lips as he thought of the right words to speak. She didn't need him to apologize. Both of them weren't at all grounded when it happened so their reactions could be blamed on the spur of the moment.

"It's alright. I am sorry also, for being so... forward." Kaya added and he looked up at her.

"I didn't think he would..." she paused, biting her lip. She didn't even have the courage to bring up that name. Nate. just what on earth was his deal with her? Everytime she thinks he is a better person, he comes around and proves it wrong. She didn't know him that well but her hatred was at the height of it.

"I didn't think you'd be there... and I didn't know how to get out of the situation without making it awkward." She added shrugging her shoulders and held back a sigh looking up at the husband. Noctis returned the gaze with equally curious and forgiving one.

"I guess we need some time off our responsible selves sometimes?" He suggested, lips spreading into a smile and Kaya couldn't hold herself back from that chuckle quickly stealing her gaze from her husband's.

"Responsible self. Yes, I would like that." She replied taking a sip of her slightly cold coffee, savoring the bittersweet taste at her tongue as she avoided the unnerving gaze the raven head had upon her. She wondered what his gaze was searching for...

Kaya has seen this before, not once, not twice, but countless times, whether it be actually happening or just a mirage in her mind but this certain feeling inside her chest, throat drying, gaze restrained and a strange burning sensation clutching onto her heart, always made her lose a part of herself.

She had everything she ever needed to claim him his... everything but his heart. How do you love someone you've never known... and how do you hate someone you've loved more than you've known... Love was a strong word and she didn't want to use it lightly. But she was sure of one thing, she was getting used to Noctis day by day...

yet here she was, unable to move and unable to say as a certain woman had her arms around the man that belonged to her. Did he though? She was just married to him, which he didn't even want to think about. a relationship on the basis of a single request, purpose being to look after each other. How hollow does that sound?

"How badly do you wish that Regis could see this?" a certain voice spoke, dragging Kaya out of the abyss of that never sensible feeling. Jealousy? She blinked, her gaze softened as she looked at the man standing next to her.

Nate. He was a strange man. His voice always followed these unsettling feelings rising inside her, his gaze reflecting a glimmer of her own raw emotions, restraint, regret, sadness, pain... She wondered if he was always watching her.

"If only Regis could see this for himself... would it be worth everything you've been through?" Nate spoke again, his voice as hollow as his gaze as he stared at a certain couple in their own world, the two of them completely forgotten as Noctis and Luna browsed through the store looking for the promise rings they both could agree on. How bad did Kaya wish that smile was for her... it hurt. Her brows furrowed as she looked down, she didn't want anyone to find out about Luna. Specially not Regis. She couldn't even think how hurt would the man be, it would break him.

"It's worth it. Isn't it? the pain you've been going through everyday?" Nate spoke again and Kaya felt her throat run dry. She couldn't grasp this feeling, this certain betrayal of her heart against her mind.

"How sad is it, that Noctis and you came into this relationship together, stepped onto this pyre alongside each other yet you're burning every single day and he doesn't even feel the heat." His words pierced through her very heart, wasn't it true. Nate sighed letting himself lean against the wall and watched the back of Kaya's head. She was at a loss. It was quite a thrill to see her defeated by her own mind. His gaze lowered to the floor and he felt guilty for striking these feelings in her that she tried to avoid with every piece of her being.

"You're kind, Kaya...but you're not strong."

Kaya felt her emotions seep into her very bones, the chuckle that escaped Luna's lips as Noctis murmured sweet nothings into her ear, that very warm breath brushing against her cheeks as he held her close. It hurt. She felt the burn on herself. Everywhere. Her eyes filling up with something warm and salty... a rebellious tear rolled down her cheek as she held her breath, trying to keep herself from breaking. Nate could see the evidence of her sadness, a part of him drowning into despair of bringing this upon her but it was the right thing to do.

"Or you can put an end to this suffering. Right here, right now." Kaya felt her heart skip a beat, she didn't want to even think about it. But this man next to her, he was capable of ripping her still beating heart out of her and placing it in her very hands, letting it beat and bleed. She could feel the wetness of her tears against the skin, Cold. She closed her eyes, clenching her fists as she held herself together.

Nate waited curiously, for any movement but Kaya stood still, her breath even and slowly coming back to her usual restrained self. It made him almost laugh. Did he just fail? He wouldn't.

"I'll make this easy for you." He spoke and Kaya looked up at him. Nate. He was chaos. She needed to stay away from him. Her gaze followed curiously as he pulled out his cellphone and held it up, fingers working their way through perfectly as if he had been training to do this. Kaya watched as he clicked a picture, with Noctis and Luna clearly in the frame, the raven head holding her very hand and putting a certain ring on. She lit up at the gesture and wrapped her arms around him. How adorable... Nate thought, a merciless smile spreading onto his lips as he stepped closer to Kaya.

She looked up at him, his emotions unreadable.

"See, Regis is a very kind man. He's helped me a lot and apparently I'm one of the very few people that he trusts, will never sell him lies." Nate continued, and Kaya frowned. What was he talking about? What was he thinking? Was he actually going to send it to him?

"I'm a 100% sure he will be furious to see this very picture of his son merrily putting a ring onto someone else's finger. Someone that isn't his lawfully wedded wife." Kaya's heart sunk in her very chest but she didn't let it falter her expression. She couldn't let Nate see that he was getting to her. She stared at him, with the most bitter expression she could muster up and Nate smiled, shameless and arrogant as ever.

"But you know what will hurt him the most?" Kaya didn't blink. She knew the answer and didn't need an arrogant stranger to tell her. Nate had the tendency to get on her nerves when she was at her worst, it was almost becoming a habit to control herself while dealing with his excessive interest in her matter. Nate leaned in, a step distance between the two of them, his gaze curiously looking for something more than hatred for himself into her own. He had to admit, Kaya was very good at keeping it in.

"Regis will be so disappointed that you kept such a secret from him. You, of all people, that he trusted will never betray him. Yet here we are." He added smugly gesturing towards the couple that had just found the rings they were getting. Kaya didn't dare steal her gaze off Nate.

"What... are you going to do with that picture?" She asked and Nate couldn't have been happier. With a hearty smile he held his phone to her, all he needed was to press SEND. Kaya wasn't going to buy it, there was no way Nate was going to send it to Regis. He was a very clever man, and there was no chance he was going to send this and end everything. How would he get to torture her if this ended.

"Oh don't worry. I'm not the one to be sending it." Kaya froze, for a moment as she felt his hands upon her own and the phone slipping into one. was he actually going to do this? Did she misread him?

He held onto her hand and led her finger to the very button and she felt her insides churn, she couldn't. She couldn't. But her body felt so heavy, even her fingers felt like ton of weight and she watched helpless, anxious. She felt her legs about to give up, panic taking over and she couldn't think of a way out. Before she could even think through, she jerked her hands out of Nate's grasp, the phone dropping on the floor carelessly, her breath quickened as she looked towards Noctis and Luna. She couldn't believe Nate would do this. How shameless and careless was he. For a minute she thought he cared about her. She thought that maybe he saw through her, respected her feelings, understood her pain. But she was wrong. It was just a game for him. Game to win against Noctis.

"Kaya... are you okay?" She heard Luna's voice in the distance, muffled by the ringing in her ears as she stepped back, her gaze lifting upto meet Nate's and he looked at her as if he didn't understand what happened. She felt betrayed. Emotions overwhelmed her very posture and she didn't know the better way to escape, without sparing a single glance to the couple, Kaya stormed out of the store. Her hands were cold, her legs were getting numb as she ran, she didn't know the mall, or where the exit was so she ran aimlessly, running into people, unable to hold herself. Escape. She needed to escape herself. Escape these overwhelming feelings of betrayal, pain. She burned in her pain and no one could see it. No One.

meanwhile back at the store...

Noctis knew something went wrong and Nate did it. But he wasn't likely to question that. He needed to find Kaya.

"Is she okay?" Luna asked him, but he didn't respond. Instead he stepped forward and gave Nate a knowing glare. Knowing he did something. He had been the only wrong happening to Kaya since she met him.

"I'm gonna get her, Don't wait up for me." Noctis let Luna know, without even looking at her once and rushed out of the store. Luna, feeling suddenly insecure and self conscious held back a nervous laugh and looked at Nate.

"Well, that was shocking. I hope she is okay." She said. She needed Kaya to be okay, so Noctis would stop worrying about her and pay attention to them.

Nate knew what was going to happen. His gaze out lost in the space, that very face lingering into his mind. He knew it hurt Kaya, everything he did and said. But it was necessary. She wouldn't have the guts to speak for herself unless the pain is beyond her endurance. He just wanted to help... and just happened to know the worst way to do so.

It took quite a while to look for Kaya, first because of her choice of clothes, she wore too many whites and greys and she had ran off without the thought of coming back so she had been too deep into the mall. She was found by Noctis in a coffee shop, having cried her eyes out and cold. She was cold. She had her arms wrapped around her very tight and kept talking to herself in an inaudible tone.

Noctis didn't want to trigger her anxiety and discomfort again and risk her running off. It was such a shock to him that Kaya acted out. She was the most patient person he had ever met in his life, he was really worried about her now. She looked like a mess. It was an entire different Kaya that Noctis didn't know how to handle. She looked like she would break if he even raised his voice slightly. He kept his gaze off her and onto the cup of coffee before him, that had gone cold a while ago. It was just an excuse to keep Kaya occupied. She didn't look up at him since he had brought her to her seat, she had calmed down but a part of her was still hing up onto her sudden emotional breakdown.

"So... did you decide what you want to buy?" Noctis spoke, an assuring smile on his lips as he looked at her. He didn't want to bring up the incident straight to her when she had just calmed down, as far as he was concerned this question made him sound quite insensitive but he figured Kaya wouldn't mind. She looked up at him but instantly stole her gaze, holding onto her cup firmly as she stared at it.

"N... No. I... I don't really know... what would be suitable for the...environment." She replied, hesitant. Her voice low, almost as if she had a sore throat. Of course she did, she cried like a baby for 15 minutes straight. Noctis felt bad that he found that adorable. But she was very hurt. He had held her quietly for a long while to help her calm down. She was trembling like she didn't have any control over herself and she was awfully cold.

"Environment? Oh please." Noctis spoke rolling his eyes, amused that Kaya thought there would be an "environment" to a birthday party. It was just crowded commotion of sorts that he so despised.

"It will be crowded, 80% of the people there wouldn't even know you. We will just sit down and have some decent talk. How about that?" He suggested, that never fading smile adoring his features and seeing it made Kaya feel better.

She held back a sniff and looked down at the table. How embarrassing it would have been for him to hold her in the middle of nowhere as she sobbed her sorry heart out. She felt bad for putting him through everything. She even ruined his and Luna's shopping date.

"What... do you think I... should wear?" Kaya asked, her cheeks flushing into a slightly rosy shade as she held herself from making it too obvious. Noctis wasn't likely the person to ask for advice on this matter, he had awful taste in women.

"Umm... you should just wear a dress like you usually do. I think you look pretty in those." a part of Kaya felt quite encouraged that Noctis liked the way she dressed. She didn't like exposing herself too much, and the frills and layers of the dresses add comfort and thrill.

His words reminded her of what he sister said and she couldn't help but chuckle at the memory. Noctis's gaze following the soft sound and smiled, she seemed to have relaxed completely now.

"Its just... my sister said I look like a grandmother in the dresses. So frail and slow." it was quite a stupid joke but it did make sense. She had an odd taste, what can one say. But it comforted her that Noctis liked her in dresses. Or liked her dresses.

Noctis straightened up and gestured Kaya to lean closer, her lips spreading into a calm smile as she obliged.

"Tell her she should wait till you have grandchildren, then her joke would be valid." He whispered and Kaya couldn't help her smile from widening. But a part of her wondered if she would ever have a family... Her gaze followed Noctis' as he began to talk about how the parties bored him, to the extent he never felt like getting out of his room.

"Just the thought wears me out-"

"Oh you guy's are here. We've been looking for you everywhere." said Luna, followed by Nate. Noctis had almost forgotten about her, getting up from his seat he smiled at his lover.

"Right. We just wanted to get coffee. But we should start shopping, at this rate we will be wandering the mall till midn-"

"Don't worry about that." Luna interrupted looking at Kaya with the sweetest smile and held out her hand which Kaya took quite hesitantly

"Because I found the perfect choice of clothes for Kaya. She will look amazing."

Both Kaya and Noctis shared glances before turning back to the girl, keeping Nate out of the picture for the time being. She handed the bag to Kaya and the brunette thanked her with a smile, Noctis still unable to wrap his head around the sudden change in Luna's behaviour.

"So? we should get going now. It's going to rain soon." Luna suggested, grabbing Noctis' arm and pulled him along towards the door meanwhile Kaya kept her gaze off Nate and just followed the couple quietly. Nate acted as a true jerk sometimes but that wasn't likely to stop Kaya from maintaining the trust Noctis had given her. She wasn't going to let him down. Regis trusted her to look after him and she will fulfill her promise.

Nate decided he had made Kaya's life fairly miserable for the day so it was only fair to lay low for now. Stealing glances at the brunette walking next to him, he wondered if she was truly capable of hate. Because despite everything he had put her through, she still listened to him and talked to him like she would to a friend.

friend.

Nate laughed it off, Kaya of all people would never consider him such a thing. He had earned himself a title far worse and suitable than that.

jerk.

"We good to go?" Noctis called, stepping out of the bedroom, clad into a casual grey shirt with his trademark black, actually pitch black jacket that highlighted his fair face, the raven locks and an unusually charming smile.

"Yes. We are."

replied Kaya, coming out of the kitchen. She hadn't forgotten to put away the dishes she had washed so to tend to the task.

She wore a white dress, the skirt reaching just below her knees covering as much as she needed and for some reason, sense of deja vu ran through Noctis'. His gaze fixated onto the airhead of an wife of his, who looked... angelic.

White suited her the most, the raven head thought because of fairly lean build, that tightness of the dress around her waist the highlight and her coffee brown locks, falling gracefully below her shoulders and adorning her face. She had put on slight hint of pink lipstick that was fairly visible from up close.

"Shouldn't we... get going?"

Kaya reminded her husband who looked like an train had through his brain and he couldn't quite function well but as soon as she turned around, the skirt followed swirling around her knees and presenting even more stunning effect.

"Uh... sure."

Noctis spoke, finally out of the daze as he adjusted his jacket and gestured Kaya to follow.

the day of the doom. Jenny's birthday. Noctis didn't want to attend this very discomfort of am event, but the sorry excuse wasn't valid enough. and since Kaya was going, he couldn't help but worry. She didn't know anyone and highly doubted the creeps wouldn't bother her. that was all. It wasn't like Noctis had some husband complex kicking on... no. there wasn't.

the two walked in the comfortable silence, off to the parking lot and Noctis held the door open for Kaya, gesturing inside.

"Your carriage awaits, my lady."

and Kaya was wonder struck, a genuinely content smile spread onto her lips as she nodded and to add the dramatic effect, presented a slight bow before getting inside the car.

Noctis brain stalled and he realized he had done something unnecessary and unreasonable. though it didn't matter now that Kaya was inside and comfortable with his antics. He decided not to make himself more miserable and got inside, buckling up and drove off.

His gaze kept lingering towards his wife, that seemed to be enjoying the silence of the atmosphere and watching fondly as the scenarios passed by, the sun had set so there was a slight tinge of red adorning the almost raven sky, the stars having added beauty to the environment. glitters. Kaya could only think of the sky and stars.

"You look pretty."

She turned to her husband, who had a nervous frown on his lips probably regretting what he had just blurted out. She stared at him intently for a moment before smiling.

"You look... pretty too." She replied, feeling the need to return the favor but she couldn't quite say handsome or good looking because her knees would give in. Words were powerful, both Kaya and Noct knew that very well.

"Luna chose this dress right?"

He spoke again and Kaya didn't feel the tug at her heart, because Noctis didn't seem too interested in the dress.

"She was right, this dress... I mean white does look good on you."

Kaya didn't think the color has any significance other than the fact that white went quite well with her brunette head, coffee in a white mug. Her sister joked and Kaya felt annoyance surge through her.

"You looked pretty in the wedding dress too."

Her heart skipped a beat. memories of the fateful day flooding her mind, Kaya felt a strange heat spread through her chest.

Her sister had chosen the dresses and Regis had handpicked one. He had called her his own, and promised to look after her. He had made many promises and kept every one in his power he had made. and Kaya felt like the promise about Noctis looking after had been fulfilled too...

she couldn't get the events of that day at the mall out of her head, the way Nate drove her to the edge of anxiety and then Noctis comforting her. He didn't worry about Luna or anything else, and waste his time sitting in the cafe and talking nothings to her. She couldn't really point on what she felt at that moment... somewhat comforted... LOVED.

"Kaya."

She looked around then at the raven head, a faint smile on his lips as he gestured with his head.

"We are here." Noctis spoke and Kaya realised the intensity of the moment. Endorphins flooding her entire body as she felt dizzy, with excitement and anxiety. She held back a nervous chuckle as she stepped out of the car and adjusted her skirt. She wasn't at all prepared to face so many people who she didn't even know. what would they think of her? what would be the impression...

"Noct!"

a familiar complaining voice spoke, Noctis sighing as he opened his arms to receive Luna.

She looked quite happy, judging from the smile she had on her lips all along as she held onto Noctis. It took her a few moment to realise another presence and she narrowed her eyes.

Her gaze roamed over Kaya's dress, examining her from head to toe. She looked... okay.

"Hey, Kaya... you look good." She supplied and Kaya gave a thankful smile before turning to Noctis.

"Look what we have here..." spoke the only voice Kaya would have appreciated not hearing. She turned to look at Nate, who had been standing by the door all along watching. She didn't really know how to feel around anymore, he had literally terrified her. She still remember the horror surging through her at the risk he put her in, she had almost hit send.

"You look beautiful."

Nate spoke, trespassing Kaya's personal space and stood next to her watching curiously as Noctis and Luna exchanged greetings as if they hadn't seen each other for days. actually they hadn't seen each other for days.

after Kaya's mental breakdown at the mall, Noctis had prioritized spending time with her. He was really worried about her, she had never acted so... shaken up.

"Thank you. You look very well yourself."

Kaya replied smiling dryly before stealing her gaze from the blonde and looked around.

"Come on Guys. Let's get inside! the cake is about to be cut!" Luna insisted already pulling Noctis along heading inside and Kaya sighed, another day with Noctis and his girlfriend and a malicious stranger. what does fate have in store for her now...

Hey, everyone. thank you so much for your support. I know this chapter is not ending in a cliffhanger and is epicly late but I was just experiencing a very bad writers block. but next chapter will up soon! we are nearing the end!