Chapter 24 – Epilogue

"Ah Raymond! I wondered when you'd be popping in to see me!"

At the bright welcome, Ray sent the plump older woman a fanged smile and greeted her back with an equally cheerful tone once he'd reached the front of the line.

It was probably the worst time for him to turn up at the café considering it was a lot of neighbouring businesses lunch hour, but he couldn't get away from the restaurant any earlier today. All morning had been literal chaos.

"Heh, good morning Betty. Or, afternoon rather," he corrected himself in a chuckle noticing the blue clock behind her on the wall had just turned two o'clock.

"I thought you weren't going to stop by today," Betty smiled to him behind the counter, pale blue eyes softening as they sent over a sympathetic look.

"Work been that busy, dear?"

"Ohh it's crazy..." he groaned out, "Got a handful of newbies in the kitchen and it's just..." his voice trailed as he shook his head, clearly having lost the will to live today already.

"Aye, I know the feeling," she sympathised, gesturing to the packed café behind him. "I'm not sure you'll get sat down today, love."

"I'll risk it," he waved off with a smile, "I need one of your magical sandwiches."

Betty laughed lightly as she watched his hands clasp together in prayer, and placed one of her own hands on her large chest covered by a peach coloured apron sporting several patches of flour.

If only she were forty years younger...

"Ah bless your heart. The best chef in town deeming my sandwiches magical," she gave another hearty chuckle, "The usual?"

He gave her a nod and a toothy grin. Ah he loved this woman. She had always treated him like one of her own.

"Yes please!"

Pulling out a wooden tray from a shelf underneath, she set it on top of the granite work counter in front of him before waddling over to the side where the array of freshly baked bread sat in a basket.

Every morning on his way to the restaurant he could smell the warm inviting aroma of it all radiating through the doors as he passed by. It wasn't often he had chance to quickly grab some buttered toast, but whenever he could, he was straight in for a warm cheeky slice.

"Say, how long have you had the restaurant for now, Raymond?" she asked, picking up a bread roll and cutting it in half with a knife.

Ray smiled to the back of her head and rested his folded arms on the counter. He'd told her many a time that just 'Ray' was fine but she still insisted on using his full name.

"Will be uh, four years? Yeah, four years in the spring," he answered after a second of uncertainty, speaking slightly louder so she could hear him over the kettle boiling in the corner.

"Four years, my goodness," she mused aloud preparing his usual sandwich consisting of simply tuna mayo and some salad before setting it on a small plate and carrying it back over to him.

"Y'know, I remember when you first came in here one lunchtime. Oh, dear, you were ever so upset," she recalled and her expression dropped sullen to match the tone as she set the plate down on the tray.

Ray hummed low in agreement as he too remembered the exact memory. It had been the day that Mariah had dropped the absolute bombshell on him mid-shift that he was going to be a father. Seemed so long ago and yet only yesterday at the same time.

If he'd have known that morning his life was going to change that much he'd have just stayed in bed...

"Yeah, but it wasn't nothing one of your lemon cupcakes couldn't fix!" he diverted with a small laugh, lifting the tone again as she poured him a cup of green tea.

"You are too kind, sweetheart."

Setting the steaming mug down beside the plate on the tray, Betty gently took the bill that he handed to her and after pressing a few buttons on the cash register the drawer popped open.

"Well I hope the rest of your shift isn't too hectic, darling," she offered, retrieving a few coins and reaching to give him his change, "However, just in case it is... Here, on the house."

Reaching into a glass display cabinet on her left, where an array of pastries, pies and cakes sat, she placed a dainty cupcake on the tray in front of him decorated with lemon yellow icing and white sprinkles.

"Aw thank you so much!" Ray gushed down to his freebie. "Best. Lunch. Ever."

Sending another fanged smile to her opposite he did her one better and offered an all expenses paid meal at his restaurant whenever she liked.

It was probably more than over due considering she was always an ear to listen when he needed to rant about work.

He hadn't been able to do it for some time now, but if he ever had the chance to stop by before the lunch rush, the two of them would sit with some tea and put the world to rights over one (or two) of her to die for lemon cupcakes.

After another few words and a 'good luck' wish from Betty, Ray slid the tray off the counter and began his search around for a table.

Betty's well wish hadn't worked though as, like he had been forewarned, couldn't find a table.

His eyes scanned round as he wandered around, locking on coffee dates and friendly catch ups.

Every table and chair in the café seemed to be occupied.

He internally cursed himself for the gamble and just as he was about to turn back to the counter to ask her if she could wrap up his lunch to go, he caught sight of a table with a free seat, the one person sat at it seemingly alone with a laptop.

Without really thinking or taking in any of the features of the male he stepped over and politely spoke down to him.

"Excuse me, do you mind if I sit he-"

Having just been quickly typing away on his laptop, hard crimson eyes snapped up over the screen to glare at whoever just dared to interrupt him though his entire expression immediately softened when he realised who the golden eyes staring at him belonged to.

"...R-Ray?" he breathed out, both a question and statement as he stared at him in almost shock, his lips parted like he'd just seen a ghost.

In one instance it felt like a mere handful of weeks had passed them by since they last saw each other but it had in fact been years. How many exactly, Kai wasn't sure, but staring into those eyes made time irrelevant and it was like he'd been thrown back to a time where the male opposite was a huge part of his life. It took everything within him to refrain from grabbing him and pulling him into a tight embrace right then and there.

Ray's heart was doing somersaults once his brain figured out who the hell he was standing a few feet from.

Had he really just sauntered on over here, not even clocked the two toned hair, the sharp jaw line and ivory skin? Just strolled on over to what was the love of his life and casually asked if he could sit opposite him so he could eat his damn lunch?!

He had not imagined bumping into Kai today when he woke up this morning. Or ever again for that matter, which was strange considering they lived in the same city but even so, they'd yet to have seen each other during all these years that had passed them by so why would he have thought they would cross paths again?

Truth be told it had been a good while since Kai had so much as even crossed his mind. What with everything going on in his own life the last handful of years, the memories they'd shared, and just the idea of the other man had been placed in a box and pushed to the back of his mind.

At locking eyes with him now though, that box had been brought down from the attic and frantically ripped open like a child on Christmas morning.

"Um, may I?" Ray sheepishly asked, still standing with his tray and looking pointedly to the spare seat opposite him.

There were a few reasons as to why he was hesitating but the main one was the sea of paper currently swamping the table. He looked to be drowning in the stuff.

"Y-yeah! Of course," Kai stuttered in a slight fluster, he too coming back to the present and instantly closing the lid of his laptop.

Quickly he collected up all the sheets of the paper that had been splayed out and once in a messy pile tapped them on top of the computer to straighten them.

"I just had a meeting here," he added in explanation, "Was just sat documenting it all. Please, sit."

At the formal gesture to the empty chair like he was welcoming a client, Ray eased himself down into the seat sending half a smile as he set his tray down, feeling slightly awkward that he'd both interrupted and potentially inconvenienced him by being here. Kai was clearly still a really busy guy which was good to see. He always had been majorly successful.

Now settled he reached for his tea in front and peeked at him over the cup.

Kai looked great, of course, what with his crisp white shirt and tie, but most importantly he looked healthy. The last time he'd seen him he was laid up in a hospital bed so it wasn't like he could have looked any worse than he did that day.

As long ago as it was, Ray could remember the insane amount of wires surrounding him... the neck brace... the cuts and bruises. He'd held on to that visual of Kai for a while as it was the last one he had.

He was made aware that his recovery was going well as Kai had kept him updated back then but it wasn't like he'd had any actual physical proof. He'd been really beat up after that crash. Was lucky to even be alive in fact...

Having the new image of him now for his mind, without a single bruise or scratch on him, was nice to see. The thought alone warmed up his small smile.

"Work's still busy then? That's good," Ray then commented to fill the silence before taking a sip of his tea.

Kai reached for his coffee next to his laptop and settled back into his chair.

"Uh yeah, same old," he answered conversationally. "Well, got a big thing ongoing in Sweden right now actually so, even more so than usual I'd say."

He huffed a laugh taking a mouthful of barely warm coffee that had been sat there his entire meeting. All recollection of said meeting not even at the forefront of his mind now when Ray smiled back at him and said how pleased he was for him.

Damn, he looked great, Kai mused to himself.

Had his eyes always been that bright? They appeared more rich with amber with the afternoon sunlight pouring through the window and reflecting off the wooden table.

With the complete realisation now more than set in that this was in fact Ray Kon sitting opposite him, Kai's own box of memories that had been in his mind's cellar had been reluctantly opened and rummaged through.

The first one of course, being the absolute pessimist that he was, was the memory of why they'd fallen apart in the first place. It had been the one question he'd pondered and dwelled on the most during his evenings alone in the hospital when he couldn't sleep; even with the copious amounts of pain relief running through him.

Besides the raging obvious, which was ultimately the last straw, it was the long work days, the conflicting shift patterns, the lack of time and attention for the other which was how it all started.

The effort they'd once put solely into each other had dwindled and began to go elsewhere. Perhaps due to being too content with each other, who knows? Their friendship had spanned years prior to the relationship, so maybe they'd gotten too comfortable and lazy in showing their affections and didn't feel it necessary anymore to give 100%?

When it dawned on him that he'd just been staring again, Kai cleared his throat, took another sip of his coffee and gestured across the table to him.

"So uhm, how're things with you?"

The question was asked as casually as was to be expected by two people catching up. There was no real hesitation when it was uttered and didn't hold any form of reluctance. But once the final word left Kai's lips he immediately braced himself for the answer he was sure to receive.

That final straw.

Whilst he'd swam in his own sea of sin, there were no long lasting effects or evidence as it were of his crimes. He and that redhead had done what they did, and both had walked away. That was the benefits of having relations with men, nothing generally came from it. (Apart from when you're not exactly single and your boyfriend walks in and catches you but, we all know how that played out.)

The last he'd seen of Ray, Mariah was only just pregnant. By now, the kid would be in school or something by now, right?

He may have asked how things were with him, but Kai was hoping here Ray would spare him those details and just divulge solely about himself.

"Yeah they're good! Well um, very good actually," he answered, setting his cup down on the table though kept his fingers gently clasped round the ceramic.

"I'm still working at the restaurant, just round the corner from here, but around four years ago the owner actually asked me if I'd be interested in going into partnership with him."

Ray's expression beamed and held clear pride though was keeping it modest with the news being fairly old to him now.

"So, long story short, I now part own the place. Business man myself here now."

Kai couldn't help but absorb the other males happiness and sent him a warm genuine smile of his own back with his brows raised.

"Wow, that's amazing, congratulations."

Ray soaked it up with a smile of his own.

"Thanks, it is hard work though, I'll admit that much. I have an apartment just on the outskirts of the city, and even with me only dealing with half the stuff, I'm barely ever home!" he chuckled, lifting up his cup and resting it just in front of his face.

"Everything's just so time consuming," he continued to complain, "I honestly never realised... Major props to you for running everything how you do. I feel like I have to apologise for all the times I gave you grief for never being home..." Ray laughed again as he sipped at his tea and Kai couldn't help but smirk some and huff his own laugh through his nose.

"Mm, and here you thought it was easy being me," he teased, hand holding onto his cool cup on the table when his gaze turned to Betty beside him who was pouring him a fresh refill.

"Ah, you managed to get yourself sat down then," she directed to Ray with a smile though kept her eyes down on Kai's cup. "You two know each other?"

Both males locked eyes across the table, Kai giving his thanks for the coffee before busying his mouth by taking a sip of it so he didn't have to answer her.

Ray lightly shook his head at him with his own faint smirk on his lips. Still an asshole of course.

"Yeah we do actually," he sent up to her almost proudly, "Go back a while. Really good friends."

Betty smiled to them both, taking her coffee jug over to the next table and leaving them to it.

Kai cocked a brow at his answer, smirking on the rim of his mug before setting it back down on the table.

"We are?"

"Of course, why wouldn't we be?"

He shrugged, gaze down on the steaming black coffee before him.

"I don't know, just wasn't completely sure what your thoughts were I guess."

Ray started to break apart his sandwich having forgotten about it for a moment then. Now his initial nerves had simmered he'd got his appetite back.

"Well, I don't have any bad feeling towards you," he stated honestly, "I didn't that day I left you at the hospital. Sure I still felt a way for some time, but you've always been my friend, Kai."

He popped in a bite size piece of his sandwich whilst Kai mulled over his words.

Ray always had been mature. They both were, but whilst Kai's was due to his more than serious personality, Ray had always just been the one that saw things for what they were and said things how they should be said all with a positive attitude. It was nice of him to have admitted that just now, and most of all actually mean it.

He was proud of him, immensely, of course he was, but a small bout of sadness sat within him now.

Obviously Ray's life would sky rocket without him being in it. Improve tenfold the moment the two of them had parted ways to go on and live their own separate lives.

Kai too had his own list of achievements under his belt since they last spoke but it didn't really compare to the males opposite him.

A business owner with his own apartment; A girlfriend. (He could only assume by the lack of wedding ring on the tanned hand); and just to top it all off, a kid... Maybe he even had more than one by now...

Was all just perfect for him wasn't it? And all it took was for him to leave the scene...

Kai forced a smile, not really knowing how to address what is or was between them. He too had no ill feeling towards him now, but that still didn't mean he was able to go on and talk about the past so easily as Ray had.

He chose to do what he did best and divert.

"Well, I told you that you'd have your own restaurant some day, didn't I?" he sent over his mug, "Might only be part yours at the minute but, give it a few years and it'll be all yours, I'm sure."

Ray smiled and sent him a nod. He knew Kai well enough to just go on and accept the change of conversation. Reading between his jagged lines as he'd always been able to do, and taking the fact that he allowed him to sit down opposite him in the first place as sign he had no issue with him either.

He didn't have to openly say it. Though, would have been nice to have his words reciprocated.

"That you did," he agreed, not being able to recall the exact moment but remembered that Kai had at some point. "I never did believe you though. Didn't think I was good enough."

A light scoff came from opposite.

"You're kidding right? Your food is amazing."

"Oh yeah? That so? Then how come I haven't ever seen you in the restaurant, hmm?" Ray challenged, coy expression on his face as he popped another bite-size piece of his sandwich in his mouth.

Kai parted his lips though closed them again, settling them on his mug to give him a few more precious seconds to think up an answer but Ray jumped back in before he could.

"Exxxaaccctlyyyy. Check and mate."

Kai shook his head.

"You know full well why I wouldn't just show up, Ray, c'mon. Would've been weird..."

The shoulders opposite shrugged.

"I wouldn't have thought it was. Would've been nice to see you after so long. Like I said, we're still friends."

"Well, like I said, I wasn't sure on your feelings... and besides, I didn't wanna just reappear like a bad penny back into this amazing life you have now..."

Ray's face scrunched some at the tone he was using. What was he trying to get at here?

"I wouldn't go that far, Kai. Sure things are really good right now work wise but that's about it really?"

Kai wasn't really sure what to say to that or what he was really wanting from Ray right now either.

He just didn't really understand as to why he wasn't bringing up his home life?

When he'd originally asked 'how were things,' of course he'd not wanted the full story and to be spared the mushy details. Whilst many a year had passed that still didn't mean he could sit there and listen to him gush over her and his child.

But now that he'd been denied of such information completely his curiosity had piqued tremendously whether he'd wanted it to or not.

Sure he appreciated the clear protection of his feelings, but he was a big boy and the elephant in the room couldn't be ignored any longer.

Like his therapist had told him, if something was bothering him, playing on his mind, or he had something to say, he had to just go on ahead and say it.

Why he cared to know, he wasn't sure.

And why he even wanted to ask, he wasn't sure of that either, but before he could even really stop himself Kai went along and spewed out the question anyways.

"So how are you and Mariah?"

Ray's eyes nearly bugged out of his head over his cup, some tea going down the wrong hole in his throat causing him to choke.

He set the cup down and placed his hands over his mouth as he coughed and caught his breath back, noticing a few strangers turn to look in his direction at the racket.

"Sor-ry," he spluttered through his coughs before clearing his throat.

"Mariah?... Oh my god... That's right, you won't even know..." he managed once he'd composed himself, speaking more to himself though was looking in Kai's direction.

He rubbed a hand down his face, looking to be preparing himself for some public speech before further muttering, "Oh jeez..." He couldn't believe he was about to tell this tale again...

Kai took an almost nervous side glance before locking back on Ray in front of him. His expression speaking volumes yet not giving him any more of a clue as to what was going on right now.

"What?" he asked with clear apprehension, "...What don't I know?"

Ray pressed his lips together further showing his reluctance which only made the slight bout of anxiety sitting in Kai's stomach swirl more.

What the hell had he missed?!

"Mariah, she uh..."

Ray took in a deep breath, the exhale long drawn out whilst he racked his brain on how the hell he could deliver this. Though it wasn't like there was any other way to say it besides just, saying it.

"She lied, Kai. The baby wasn't mine."

It was his turn to choke.

Wait.

"What?"

Ray slowly nodded to him, feeling all kinds of awkward... embarrassment... even a hint of shame for the whole thing but continued to divulge. He felt Kai had some right to know at least even after all this time of it not concerning him.

"Yeahh... she was actually already pregnant when we, y'know..." he awkwardly waved off.

"Was to some guy from the village but she tried to pin the whole thing on me... Not even sure as to why. Only thing I could put it down to was because, unlike him, I actually have my shit together, but anyways, was really messy. Won't bore you with the details... But long story short a DNA test determined there was no chance it was mine, and yeah... She flew back to China not long after it was all revealed and I haven't heard from her since. Was around, three and a half years ago now? Something like that..."

Once again Kai was left dumbstruck, not really sure what to respond to him with.

This whole time... and it wasn't even his?

He was flabbergasted.

The audacious slut, had the balls to come to his house, saunter on up his driveway and rub that scan photo in his face, all whilst knowing, it wasn't even Ray's baby?

"Well then..." he managed after a moment. Cogs in his mind still turning, processing the tale. "Con.. gratulations? Maybe?"

Ray snorted. He always found the sight of an unsure Kai endearing. He was usually so confident in his stature and words so seeing him awkward was amusing.

"Oh yeah, it's definitely a good thing!" he chuckled out, appreciating completely it was a lot to take in.

He remembered when he was first told the results of the DNA test and at the time he too wasn't even fully certain on how to take it all.

A part of him was relieved once he'd read the report but who wouldn't be?

Whilst he had feelings for the girl once upon a time, they had long diminished; so who in their right mind wouldn't be relieved to not be forever connected to someone they'd actually grown to dislike?

But then a small part of him had been a little disappointed. For several reasons actually.

The whole thing had just seemed like a complete waste of time. His energy.

All the sleepless nights, stress and tears. And for what?

Mariah had been so manipulative. Had stooped so low... and for what?

There was of course the other main reason why the news had deflated him some.

"I mean, sure, I really want kids some day but not like that, damn..."

Kai lightly laughed.

He still held zero desire to be a father. The whole thing just didn't appeal to him. Going by his family track record too he knew he wouldn't make much of a good one either so that was more than likely the biggest influence to his decision.

Ray though, he did truly believe Ray would make an awesome dad. He was just the right balance of work and play, which Kai hadn't quite got figured out yet. He also possessed the patience of a saint, which, he didn't have a great deal of either.

The two continued to talk. The conversation quite easily flowing away from the awkwardness that was the previous topic but settled on an equally uncomfortable one a moment later.

"So, are you, with anyone right now?" Ray asked a little hesitantly though pleasant all the same before taking the final bite of his sandwich.

It wouldn't have surprised him if Kai was. Had been long enough and he was a total catch, but then the guy was practically married to his career so wouldn't surprise him if he'd just thrown himself back into his work after they had parted ways.

"Me?" Kai questioned, pointing to himself in surprise like the simple query was a ridiculous one.

"Uh no, I'm not. Don't really have time for all that to be honest."

Ray huffed a laugh at his predictability.

"Yeah don't I know it."

Kai rolled his eyes though a smirk sat below.

He'd been on a handful of dates since but it never went further than a second one. There just never seemed to be a spark that held his attention long enough to entertain the thought of pursuing it further.

"How about you? Are you with anyone or..."

Ray shook his head.

"No, not at the moment. I was with someone last year for several months but..." he shrugged, "Didn't work out."

"Sorry to hear..."

"Nah it's fine. Wasn't all that dramatic," Ray assured finishing off the last of his tea and setting it down on the tray beside the now clear plate.

"Ah, not like us then?" Kai smirked, joking like their relationship was worthy of some kind of award.

Ray snorted scratching his temple.

"Nooo definitely not like us, Jesus," he scoffed looking across to him with a smile. As bad as the whole thing was it was sort of nice that they could laugh about it now. Had definitely not been a laughing matter all those years ago.

"She was an air hostess, so naturally was away a lot. I don't even know if I can say we were together all that time cos half of it was pretty much long distance.

"Anyways, whenever she was in the city for downtime she understandably wouldn't wanna do much, and I'd be working myself at the restaurant so we just kind of drifted... nice girl but, just didn't really have the time for each other. Definitely better off as just friends."

Kai sent him a nod as he listened, he too finishing off the remainder of his coffee before he spoke.

"Guess it's all about finding the right person to make the time for, huh?"

Ray hummed to him.

"Yeah..."

A ping in Ray's pocket then took his attention down and after a quick fish out of his phone he shoved it back in.

"Shit, I didn't realise that was the time, I should be getting back to the restaurant."

Kai took a brief glance down to his watch. Slate brows rising some at noting how much time had passed them by.

"Wow, yeah, I probably should start heading back to the office too. See how much chaos has occurred in my absence."

Ray lightly laughed, taking his cupcake off the tray and setting it on the table.

"Hopefully nothing too dramatic, and you can get yourself home at a decent time."

"Hn, here's to hoping."

Ray smirked. He could only hazard a guess this 'big thing' in Sweden would have him walking through the door at around midnight.

"Here you can have this, will keep you going," he offered, nudging the cupcake in Kai's direction.

He looked down to it, refused it at first before Ray insisted that the sugar would do him some good, especially knowing he probably wouldn't be eating much until a lot later.

With a smile in resignation Kai sent his thanks before starting to pack away his laptop and paperwork and Ray stood up from his chair. Lifting his tray with him he head over to Betty at the counter. He spoke with her briefly again for a minute or so, reinstating his offer for her to come for dinner anytime she pleased, before stepping back over to the table to slip on his denim jacket.

"Well it's been really nice seeing you," he sent down to him as he pushed his arms through the sleeves as slow as he could without looking like he was stalling but was in fact stalling.

That hour had passed by way too quickly and he really didn't want this to end.

"Yeah, likewise..." Kai sent up, he too appearing to be packing away his things at a glacial pace before reaching for his suit jacket on the back of his chair.

After a moment of silence, Ray seeming to linger by the edge of the table fiddling with a loose thread on a sleeve as Kai shook on his jacket, both men in unison then started to speak before cutting themselves off.

"-Sorry go ahead."

"No, no it's fine, you go," Kai offered.

"I was, just going to say, if you're not too busy... We could perhaps, go for a drink or something sometime?"

Kai noticeably tensed and seemed to hesitate in giving a response. Ray reading the shift in his body language as clear discomfort at the suggestion so quickly backtracked feeling a total fool.

"S-sorry that was a probably really stupid thing of me to say, I'm sorry, just forget I said anything."

"No no, it's not that. I'd love to see you again it's just... Well, I, don't actually drink anymore..." Kai's tone quietened before he continued.

"Part of my recovery was a 60 day programme at a rehabilitation centre. Included a load of counselling and all that. Actually haven't so much as touched alcohol since that night of the accident."

Ray's expression brightened.

"Wow, Kai, that's amazing! You should be really proud of yourself!"

He gave him a small shrug in his modesty before lifting his laptop case strap on to his shoulder and picking up his cupcake, the two starting to meander from the café when Ray threw Betty a small wave as they stepped out into the warm afternoon air.

"That's what I was actually going to ask you though, if we could see each other again sometime... Just, rather than a drink, maybe we could get something to eat, or something..."

Ray smiled again at the adorable sight of Kai being hesitant. Treading on egg shells even with his well put together outer self.

"That's absolutely fine by me, anytime, just say when," he stated.

Kai's heart jumped at the accepted invitation.

"How about you say when, and I'll work around you."

"Are you free tomorrow night?" Ray keenly asked, not even caring that the suggestion seemed a little eager. He didn't even know if he was free himself but if Kai was then he'd make it so.

An unsure drawl came Kai as he mentally scanned his calendar though his mind had gone blank on what he actually had scheduled for the rest of the week.

"Yeah I am," he assured anyways. Couldn't be anything important if it wasn't jumping out at him.

"Shall I pick you up around seven? Oh! Y'know where we can go?" Kai reeled off in clear excitement. "That pizzeria on the corner."

Ray felt a swirl of butterflies in his stomach. The same pizzeria they'd had their first ever date...

"Sounds amazing. I'll text you my address. You have the same number?"

Another uncertain hum came from the other as he fished out his phone.

"No, I actually got a new phone entirely a while back, let me give you it..."

With Ray too taking out his phone they exchanged numbers again. Kai adding the others into his contacts and Ray updating the caller ID he'd never had the heart to delete.

"So seven tomorrow?"

"Seven tomorrow," Kai confirmed with a smile, the buzz on his phone being Ray's address that he'd just sent him.

Checking it over he nodded though more to himself as he had a pretty good idea on where his apartment was.

Was a fairly nice area of the city. Ray had done well for himself. If he was picturing it right that building block looked out onto the canal.

"I'll see you then. Enjoy the rest of your shift," he sent to him, taking a coy bite of his cupcake as he turned, heading towards his car parked a few feet away by the pavement.

Ray huffed a laugh as he too started to turn on his heel, heading off in the opposite direction.

"Yeah you too, don't work yourself too hard!"

"Least I've this cupcake to keep me going!" Kai called as the distance increased between them.

Unlocking the car he set his laptop case down in the back before slipping into the driver's seat, a small sound of delight sitting in his throat at the zesty flavour of the lemon on his tongue.

Damn, he'd have to get another one of these sometime. Was gorgeous...

With cupcake long gone and seatbelt fastened, Kai watched as Ray turned down the corner heading back to the restaurant.

He started the engine, and head back to his office, small smile on his face and not even caring what fire had potentially started whilst he was gone as nothing could damper his mood now.

Should probably double check his schedule though...

"Hey Tiffany do I have anything on tomorrow evening?" he asked once his assistant had picked up, her chirpy voice radiating through the car's speakerphone.

"Yes sir, you have that big meeting with the team in Stockholm to finalise everything. Starts at six thirty."

Kai clicked his tongue. Shit.

"Right, I'm gonna need you to cancel it. Either rearrange it for earlier in the afternoon or move it to another day entirely. Any other day is fine, I just can't do tomorrow now."

"C-cancel it? Sir, with time differences and other schedules going on, both yours and theirs, if you cancel tomorrow the whole deal will drop. This has been booked for weeks. Cancelling isn't really an option?"

Kai stayed quiet for a moment. Thinking about... well just about everything right now.

He knew it wasn't an option. It had taken them enough toing and froing to get the damn meeting booked in the first place but seeing Ray today had caused something in him to shift.

And that shift was his priorities.

"Sir?"

"Cancel it," he repeated, "If it can't be rescheduled then that's just how it is. That's my loss and I'll accept that. Send them my apologies."

"...Are you sure about this, sir? Absolutely positive?"

"I've never been so sure about anything in my entire life."

There was a moment of silence. Tiffany clearly feeling torn but it wasn't her decision in the slightest. She just really hoped that Kai knew what he was doing here.

"Alright. I'll get on that right away... Tomorrow must be something pretty important."

"You've no idea..."

Hanging up the call he continued on his way over to his office. Fully preparing himself for an onslaught of angry emails and pissed off staff that were going to have to clean up this mess of the deal inevitably going belly up.

It was worth millions in the long run, and had been weeks, even months in the making.

Deals come and go though. Another will come along in due time.

Golden eyes and a long lasting spark like that though only come by once in a lifetime.

He'd been given a second chance here and he wasn't going to let it fall through his fingers again.

It's like he said, it's all about finding someone worth making the time for.

And in Ray, he believed he had.

A/N: ... and that's it. It's done. Finished. Finito.

I first started writing this March 2019. Dared to upload the first chapter in the June after a stern word from my dear friend Lux. (Thank you for all your help with this love)

And now, 20 months later, it's finished.

It's been a bit of a journey, and I'll actually be pretty sad, but also feel really accomplished to finally press that completed box.

Never did I envision I'd write a full blown fic and actually finish it. Damn.

Gah. If I was a cryer I'd defo be shedding a tear or two here.

But I just want to say a huge thank you to anyone that has actually stuck with this absolute shit storm, helped me with ideas and let me rant to them about it, read, reviewed, favourited, followed, whatever else you can do on here xD and yeah... that's about it...

I hope you enjoyed it T^T

K~