ONLY YOU, NO CONTRACTS.

The bathroom was shrouded in a soft mist, the steam curling upward and clinging to the mirror. Kai remained motionless under the cascading water, the hot stream drenching his hair and rolling down his tense shoulders. He tilted his head back, letting the heat seep into his skin, but it did little to ease the ache coiled in his chest.

His hands braced against the cold tiles as the water pounded relentlessly against him. Silence wrapped around the bathroom just the sound of the shower and his steady breaths. 

He closed his eyes, and she was there. Tiffany. She had been the only one on his mind, occupying his loneliness. 

He could almost feel her presence. Her laughter and, most especially, her soft moans echoed faintly in the corners of his mind.

Kai swallowed hard, his throat tight as his hands curled into fists against the wall. It had only been a week since she left, but the emptiness felt eternal. Now, it was just him. Alone.

His chest tightened as his mind wandered to her touch—the way her hands slid over his shoulders, tracing the lines of his collarbone, her voice soft and teasing as she murmured something only meant for him. He could almost hear her voice now, calling his name. 

He laughed bitterly at the thought, the sound hollow in the tiled space. The silence only reminded him of what he had pushed away. The regrets hit harder than the water against his back.

 He didn’t want to think about her, didn’t want to miss her.

A few minutes later, Kai walked out of his bedroom in a grey singlet, a white jacket, a pair of white and black stripe trousers. He walked to the white sofa, sitting and letting it drown him. 

“Good morning, Sir,” Peter said, his voice cutting through the stillness of the morning.

Kai paused mid-motion, his hand frozen on the lapel of his tailored jacket. His sharp, deep blue eyes fixed on Peter for a moment before he blinked and drew in a deep breath. 

“Is this about Mrs. Winson?” Peter asked hesitantly, gauging his mood. “Her store opening was quite a success. Would you like me to arrange for you to attend?”

Kai’s jaw tightened. He turned slightly, his gaze shifting to the window where the morning light filtered through the heavy curtains. “Why should I?” he muttered. “She’s just an ex-wife.”

Peter cleared his throat, stepping forward. “I heard your brother and Mr. Jones are planning to attend the opening next week. Shall I book—”

“Peter?” Kai interrupted sharply, his tone cutting through. He dropped the tablet he had been holding onto the polished surface of his desk, exhaling deeply.

“Yes, Sir?” Peter asked, his posture straightening.

“I didn’t ask you to come here every morning to give me updates on my ex-wife’s activities, did I?” Kai’s tone was icy, but his expression faltered momentarily.

“My apologies, Sir,” Peter said quickly. “I only thought—”

“Forget it. When is Henry going to arrive?” Kai asked abruptly, steering the conversation away from the sensitive topic.

“Soon, Sir. Mr. Carson called to inform me that he’ll be late because of his mother-in-law,” Peter replied, his words carefully chosen.

Kai raised an eyebrow, his features shifting into a brief expression of confusion. 

"Mother-in-law?” he echoed, he chuckled, "He isn't even married yet," he said under his breath, rolling his eyes. 

It had been a week since Tiffany had left the mansion. The void she left behind was palpable. The once lively space now felt cavernous, each room an echo chamber of memories he couldn’t escape. Even Saturday mornings, once filled with laughter and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, now stretched on in silence.

Peter hesitated before speaking again. “Oh, Sir, your father wanted me to remind you that his anniversary is approaching. He mentioned he’d like you to bring Tiff—Mrs. Winson, I mean.” His voice trailed off, cautious. “What should I tell him?”

Kai sighed, leaning back in his chair and pinching the bridge of his nose. “She’s no longer Mrs. Winson, Peter and I’ll handle it myself.”

“Understood, Sir,” Peter said, bowing slightly. He stepped back until he was out of sight.

Kai sat in the ensuing silence, the air around him heavy with unresolved emotions. He pulled out his phone, staring at the screen. There she was—Tiffany. Her smile radiated from his wallpaper. His thumb hovered over the screen as he debated whether to change it, but instead, he opened his gallery. His fingers navigated instinctively to a hidden folder, filled with shots of her.

For a moment, the room seemed to fade, leaving him alone with the ghost of their memories. His mind drifted back to Peter’s earlier words. His brother. Mr. Jones. The opening.

Kai snapped the phone shut with a quick inhale, grounding himself. Without overthinking, he reopened it and dialled Peter. His tone was resolute. 

“I need the next flight to Seattle. Immediately." 

"Are you insane? You're going to attend your ex-wife’s opening. Kai!" Henry said over the phone. Kai had already packed his bags, heading for the airport. 

"You don't need to put it that way. Besides, the news of our divorce isn't out yet," he said firmly. 

"She's still your ex-wife. No, you're not planning to marry her again, are you? Don't forget you're the one who sent her out late at night. Do you think she's going to forget that and open her arms for you?" 

"I don't care. I have to try. besides, Conrad is going to attend. Why can't I?" Kai asked; Henry sighed. 

"You're crazy. You are... You were so cruel to her, now you want her and you're jealous she invited your brother and not you? Just admit it, you fell in love with her." 

Kai stayed quiet, focused on the road. The silence dragged on for minutes before Kai hummed in agreement. 

"Hmm, I agree. I fell in love with her and I need her. There's— I can't get enough of her, she's it for me, Henry."