Chapter 8: The Woman, the Friend, and the Wall
The sun was already down by the time Kai Harlon's car pulled back onto the narrow street where he'd left River hours ago.
The city lights flickered across puddles from the earlier drizzle. Pedestrians walked in clusters, laughing, rushing, talking into their phones. But Kai's eyes scanned through the blur for one face.
He spotted him.
River.
Still standing near the same spot. Tablet under his arm. His shirt slightly rumpled from the humidity. His expression calm. Detached. But Kai noticed the slight shift in his shoulders when their eyes met.
The car slowed.
Kai rolled down the window slightly.
"Get in," he said.
River didn't move immediately.
"You're really back?" River asked.
Kai sighed. "I said get in."
River stepped into the back seat without another word. The door clicked shut behind him. The silence was heavy. Kai leaned back in his seat and looked out the opposite window. River adjusted his seatbelt, set his tablet in his lap, and said nothing.
The driver pulled into traffic. No one spoke.
---
Back at the office, they went their separate ways. Kai entered his glass-walled office. River returned to his desk, opened his tablet, and resumed working.
The hours passed. The usual buzz of the office dulled into a soft hum. Typing. Phones. Footsteps.
By 8 PM, the floor was nearly empty.
Kai left his office without a word, briefcase in hand.
River didn't look up.
---
Half an hour later, Kai sat in the far corner of a dim bar tucked beneath a hotel.
Across from him was Jasper.
Late 30s. Bearded. Witty. Always a sharp eye, always dressed too casually for the places Kai took him. But Jasper didn't care. He was a counselor — and the only person Kai ever talked to.
Jasper sipped from his beer. "You're tense."
Kai leaned back in the booth. "Do I ever come here relaxed?"
Jasper grinned. "You don't come here unless something's eating you alive."
Kai stayed quiet.
Jasper set his glass down. "Alright. Talk."
Kai looked down at his untouched drink. "I have met the someone."
"Is it Someone-someone or someone?"
Kai gave him a look.
Jasper raised his eyebrows. "Oh. Him. That him."
Kai nodded.
Jasper tilted his head. "You okay?"
"No."
Another pause.
Kai finally added, "I threw him out of the car."
Jasper blinked. "You… what?"
"I told him to get out. On the road. And I drove away."
Jasper leaned forward. "And now you're drinking?"
"No," Kai muttered. "I went back."
"You went back?"
Kai nodded. "He was still there."
Jasper leaned back, whistling low. "Wow. So… what happened?"
"I told him to get in. We didn't speak. We worked. Then I left."
"Let me get this straight." Jasper counted on his fingers. "You pushed him away. Went back. Picked him up. Said nothing. And now you're here, drinking, looking like someone punched your soul."
Kai looked away.
Jasper chuckled. "God, you're a mess."
Kai rubbed his temple. "I don't know what I'm doing."
"You still care about him."
Kai's jaw tightened. "I don't want to."
"But you do."
Kai didn't answer.
Jasper shrugged. "People come and go. You shut everyone out. But not him. He stayed in your head."
"He left."
"He left because you let him," Jasper said. "You're the one who never asked him to stay."
The words hung in the air.
Kai shook his head " No, he was the one who left me waiting for 10 years, and each time I asked him why , he will just go quiet"
Kai took a sip from his drink.
Jasper sigh and shook his his head.
Just then, Jasper looked past him and smiled. "Well. This night just got interesting."
Kai looked back
A woman approached their table.
She was stunning. Tall, glowing skin, eyes that didn't flinch. Black dress hugging her curves in all the right ways. She walked like she knew what she wanted.
Jasper stood slightly. "Hey. Long time."
She smiled. "Didn't expect to see you here."
He gestured to Kai. "This is my friend. Kai."
Her eyes landed on Kai. She extended a hand. "Pleasure."
Kai took her hand, firm shake and a bright smile.
She slid into the booth beside him.
Jasper smirked. "I'll let you two talk."
He stood up and headed to the bar.
For a while, Kai and the woman chatted. Light things. Drinks. Travel. Music. Her laugh was soft but full. Her eyes lingered on Kai's lips.
She leaned closer. "You look like someone who needs distraction."
Kai looked at her. "What makes you think that?"
"Because I've seen that stare before. It's not anger. It's heartbreak."
Kai didn't deny it.
She smiled. "Let me help you forget, even just for a night."
" Can you?" he said leaning closer
" Try me" she whispered
Then slowly, he nodded, and they both stood and headed out. His right hand on her hips.
Back at the hotel room, the lights were low and a soft music played in the background.
Kai poured two drinks, handed her one. She slipped off her heels, walked barefoot on the rug, took in the view.
"You really love the best," she said.
"I work hard so I deserve the best."
She turned and looked at him.
He walked toward her, his hand on her hips slowly he leaned closer and they kissed.
Soft at first. Then deeper.
Her hands slid up his chest. His fingers found the zipper of her dress and her dress fell to the floor revealing her boobs.
"You really prepared for this night" he said through kisses.
"Hmmm..." She responded with a moan
They moved through the apartment in silence. Only the sound of breathing and moaning.
But as he kissed her again — something shifted.
A flash.
River's eyes.
River's voice.
River's smile when he used to sneak into Kai's bedroom through the window just to leave a note.
Kai pulled back.
Why am I imagining him now?
The woman blinked. "What is it?"
He stepped back further.
She moved toward him. "Did I do something wrong?"
Kai shook his head. "No. It's not you."
She looked at him — confused, but no backing down.
"I'm sorry," he said.
She scoffed " what?, I am horny, you can't just stop. Let finish what we started" she said placing her hand on his bare chest. He held her hand firmly.
" That all for today, I will pay for the hotel room and the pay for the wasted time"
She let out a scoff " I don't need your money" she said wearing back her clothes " I am rich enough"
Kai said nothing.
She held the door handle and before she stepped out, " This is not over lover boy, we will meet again" she blew him a kiss and closed the door.
---
Kai stood alone in the middle of the hotel room.
Bare chest. Drink untouched. Hair slightly messy.
He walked to the window, stared at the night skyline.
And whispered:
"Why does it always come back to you?"
---