Chapter 4: Must be a prank

Oh my God, Brian!” Briella gasped, rising from her chair.

Brian's lips curled into a warm smile as he closed the distance between them, pulling her into a firm but brief hug.

“It’s good to finally see you again,” he said, stepping back slightly, his hands lingering on her arms.

Briella beamed. “I know, right? It’s been way too long.”

“Yeah and thanks for the gift.”  She added 

Brian waved a dismissive hand. “Oh, come on. You deserve more than that.”

Brian, seeing how beautiful his long time friend is, couldn't help but admire her. He had always liked her but never said anything. When he received news that Briella was divorce he felt this was the perfect time to make a move and win her over.

Interrupting his thought, Bella spoke.

So where have you been all these years?” Briella asked, her voice pulling him from his thoughts.

Brian opened his mouth to answer, but before he could speak, Briella’s phone buzzed on her desk. She glanced at the screen, her expression shifting to mild annoyance.

“I’m really sorry, Brian,” she said, eyes pleading. “It’s my secretary. I have an urgent meeting.”

Brian sighed but nodded. “Understandable. What about dinner tonight? Let’s catch up properly.”

Briella hesitated only for a moment before smiling. “That sounds perfect. Send me the details.”

****

That evening, Briella was curled up in her bedroom when her phone rang. It was Brian.

“I’m outside,” he said.

Her eyes widened. Oh, God. She had completely forgotten about their dinner.

“Give me five minutes!” she said, rushing upstairs to get dressed.

At an Elite restaurant in the city.

Across the city, in a high-end restaurant, Hayden sat with Hilda, their laughter filling the intimate space between them. She leaned into him, her hand brushing his lightly.

“So… when are we getting married?” Hilda blurted, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

Hayden took a slow sip of his wine before responding. “Soon, my love. After my grandmother’s funeral, we’ll start planning everything.”

Hilda’s heart swelled with joy. Soon, she would be Mrs. Linford, a title she had fought for.

Their meal arrived, and as Hayden lifted a forkful of spaghetti, his gaze suddenly froze. Across the room, a familiar figure stepped in.

Briella.

She wasn’t alone.

Dressed in a sleek designer gown that hugged her curves, her hair cascading in soft waves, she looked breathtaking. More polished. More radiant. More… untouchable.

And the man beside her? Hayden’s grip on his fork tightened.

Hilda, sensing his distraction, followed his gaze. Her breath hitched. Briella?

She blinked, then blinked again. The woman who used to wear plain, unfashionable clothes now radiated sophistication. And that bag—a Bucci?!

Jealousy curled inside her chest like a venomous snake. She turned back to Hayden, sliding her hand over his. “Babe?”

Hayden didn’t respond. His eyes were still locked on Briella, his expression unreadable but his knuckles white against the table.

Suddenly, he clenched her hand too tightly.

“Hayden… you’re hurting me.”

At her words, he suddenly came to his senses and immediately let go, but his eyes were still dark.

Briella, who was led by Brian, felt someone staring at her, when  she realized it was her ex husband. Her face darkened.

Why was he here, of all the restaurants to be?

She ignored him and walked with Brian to their designated seats. She wouldn't let her evening be ruined by them.

Brian, oblivious to the silent exchange, smiled. “What would you like to order?”

Briella forced a smile. “Anything is fine.”

She wouldn’t let Hayden ruin her night.

Not anymore.

After ordering their food. Brian and Briella started conversing

Brian was Briella's high school crush before he and his family traveled out of the country.

"So Brian, are you back in the country or you'll be going back soon?"

"I'll be here for a year before going back to England. My dad entrusted me with some work over here."

Briella lips curled up. "Wow, that's very good, I guess we'd be seeing each other often."

"That's if you won't get tired of seeing me." Brian chuckled his eyes fixed on Briella, admiring her beauty.

Let's hope we don't get tired of each other then. 

After paying for the meal. They headed out of the restaurant.

Brian locked his hands in Briella's hands as they walked to the waiting Maybach. 

Briella found the gesture warm and so didn't object.

Suddenly a voice halted them.

Looking back, Briella saw the fuming Hayden Approaching them.

What does he want, hasn't he done enough. Briella, though her heart was still aching seeing the man she still loved.

Hayden saw Brian's hands locked in Briella's and he felt like smacking it off.

He initially wanted to reprimand Briella and insult her. But he didn't want to draw attention.

"What do you want?" Briella asked impatiently.

"Come and pack your belongings from my house" He muttered sternly.

A bitter laugh escaped her lips. “You can burn them for all I care.”

With that she pulled Brian gesturing for them to leave.

Hayden was stunned. Did Briella just speak to him like that? Someone that begs for his love.

He chuckled bitterly. She had been a slut jumping to another man immediately after their divorce and his grandma spoke so greatly of her.

He suddenly felt a soft hand rubbing his back.

"I was waiting inside for you, are you okay?" Hilda said softly, noticing something was off. And assumed it was because of Briella. She fumed but didn't show it.

"Let's go home," Hayden muttered coldly Startling her.

In the car back to Briella's Villa.

Was that your ex husband? Brian asked, pretending not to know.

Yes, that was him. Briella said in a low tone.

From her mood, he noticed that Briella still had feelings for Hayden.

I won't pester you or anything Briella. Just call me if you need someone to talk to. Okay?

"Yeah. Thanks Brian."

The car soon halted at Brim wood Villa.

Thank you for the wonderful evening. Briella muttered, her mood has already improved.

"I'll call you. Remember you promised you would get tired of me." Brian said with a chuckle.

"Sure sure." Briella replied.

As she got into her villa, she kicked her heels and legs feeling the coldness of the floor.

Her phone suddenly beeped..

She saw a text from Brian. 

Good night, angel. It was really nice having you around today.

A small smile tugged at her lips. She typed back: Good night.

As she recalled what Hayden told her to get her belongings. Her mind suddenly flashed to the box under her bed. 

She slapped her head for forgetting the only important thing in that room to her.

After much consideration. She made up her mind to go back to Hayden's mansion. In the afternoon when he's still at work.

She called her brother to cover up for her that she wasn't feeling too well due to the stress of the company.

Briella wore her thick fur coat and drove out to Hayden's mansion.

The staff welcomed her warmly. She quickly rushed to her room seeing that Hayden wasn't around.

She brought out the box from under her bed. After inspecting the contact she dashed out.

As she was about to step outside a voice halted her.

"Briella?"

Her gaze fell on Hayden.

He looked calm, not the usual cold looking Hayden. Something was different about him.

He walked towards her and held her hands. Let go of me now. Briella was already fuming.

"What did I do wrong? I'm just trying to be polite."

Briella's brow shot up confused. “What do you mean trying to be polite?”

Why is he acting this way, did he lose his memory or what.

Yesterday at the restaurant he was fuming and today he's calm.

"Can we talk please?"

Briella looked up at him. His eyes were soft. 

Briella hesitated a bit. and said "fine, two minutes."

"Not here please, somewhere private."

Briella looked around, there was no one. She eyed him. Speak now or forever holding your peace. She was still angry with him but eager to hear what he had to say.

He exhaled sharply. “I miss you, Briella.”

Briella blinked. "Are you alright?" She asked. "You served me a divorce and cheated with my bestfriend and you claim to miss me?"

Deep down, Briella wished he really loved her.

"Divorce how, when??" Briella was certain he hit his head on a rock.

"When I regained my memory the first person I thought of was you and I traced you down here."

“What the heck are you saying?"