My Heart Was Wounded Deep
Chapter 69's

Rey had to bend over to look at Kikan. "It's obviously not safe if you leave! And that would make me evil? Because I don't want anything to happen to you.

"I haven't even tried calling, yet" Kikan argued. "How did you know I wasn't gonna get a car? "

"Now it's almost 23:00 and we're in a difficult place to reach! It's just a waste of energy. Most likely, Kikan must have had trouble finding a driver who wanted to bring him here earlier. He just wanted to save face. Besides, he didn't walk to the phone table, he walked to the door. So when exactly, and in what way does he plan to call the car rental company? "It'll be easier tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow morning?" Kikan threw a doubtful look towards Rey. "You have a date! You two have."

"Not really," said Devan. "I mean Rey's partner isn't a real date, 'cause I asked for it, okay? "

Kikan twisting eyeballs. "At any rate, there's not enough room for me here."

Devan waved around the house. "This place is huge."

"And you have many friends, each of whom needs a bed."

Rey didn't think about it. He would think of a place for Kikan to sleep later, even though he himself had to sleep on the sofa, but he let Devan answer, because it seems that he will be easier to convince Kikan with a better and softer approach.

" It's not that much until we can't spare one" he replied. "Me and Rey were given a room with a bunk bed. But we're too tall so you just use our room and we'll find another room."

Kikan. "I appreciate that, but.."

" Nothing but but again." Rey can't wait to let Devan work through the issue, and take over. "You still have to stay, because if you insist on going home, I'll drive you myself, no matter if there's a party or not."

" No," Kikan argued. "You can't go. It would be very strange if the guest of honor were to leave. And it'll be too late if you come back. I don't want to ruin your party, you're overreacting."

" You're the one who's overreacting! Is it hard to buy a few more hours here? I'll drop you off, or arrange a way to drop you off tomorrow."

" I invited Cindy. Not Rey." Devan added.

Kikan snatched towards Devan. "Please stop saying that. There's nothing between Rey and me, so your explanation makes no difference."

" You didn't come here because you wanted to see me?" sue Rey.

Kikan looked very surprised to hear Rey say that. "It's not like that..."

Rey put both hands on her hips. "What then?"

" What do you mean?" Kikan clearly had difficulty swallowing saliva. "It's your birthday. L'm... I want to give you a gift."

Not just that. No ex-lover would bother to do that for no reason. Kikan could have waited until Rey came home to give the photo book away. "Then why don't you stay the night?" ask Rey. "If you're not interested in me, it doesn't matter that I have a date, even if I have a serious relationship with Cindy later."

When their gazes meet, Rey can see her challenge making an impact, but she doesn't actually mean to challenge Kikan. Maybe Kikan will stay over just to prove he doesn't care...

" You can do whatever you want with Cindy" he said.

" Rey won't be a match for Cindy" Devan said. "He doesn't even like that woman."

Rey patted Devan on the back. "No need to explain. You heard him. He doesn't care what I do because he doesn't care about me."

" In that case..." Kikan tried to explain

" Maybe it's time to acknowledge the truth" Rey said. "Actually you care even if you don't want to. I can feel it."

Kikan's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"

Honestly, Rey herself is not sure. Obviously this won't give him what he wants. The need he felt to force Kikan to confess, in order to respond to his feelings, had made him push too hard. He should calm his emotions and be calm.

" good. I accept, even if it means you're gonna have to sleep with Cindy!" hatch Kikan.

Rey smiled faintly hearing the angry tone in Kikan's voice. "Maybe that's what I'm gonna do." Said.

" Don't be fooled by him" said Devan. "He doesn't want Cindy."

" Devan, I don't need your help." Rey is already frustrated enough, and seeing Devan meddling, even though it's to clear things up, only makes the situation worse.

But Devan continued, unaffected by Rey's words. "Actually, Cindy and my date were more interested in approaching Simon. I'm guessing they'll keep it that way while they're near Simon."

" It's a pity" said Kikan. "I don't like Rey not being able to be with that woman. He's used to getting whatever he wants."

" I can live with that disappointment" Rey said. Or is Kikan trying to make it clear that Rey won't get what she wants from Kikan?

" Good." Devan said as he clapped with a false enthusiasm. "Then how about we go downstairs and play the billiards before you guys really fight? I'll tell Cindy and Samantha that they can come whenever they're ready."

Kikan rubbed his arms as if he had not decided and did not like the choice he had to take.

" Do I have to get the car keys?" ask Rey. "Are we going home?"

Kikan dropped both hands. "No."

" Would you stay the night?" ask Rey to make sure.

" Just until tomorrow morning" Kikan said resentfully, then turned to Devan. "Who's going to play?"

" Rey and David."

Rey almost laughed when Kikan grimaced to hear Rey's name. He had made the woman angry, but did not want to pretend anymore. They have a history, and that history may be difficult to overcome. But he did not believe that other men would treat Kikan better than he did. All this time he never wanted things to get worse, never intentionally trying to hurt Kikan. Rey begins to think that they met too soon, too early...

" Who's David?" ask Kikan.

Again Devan answered. "Eva's betrothed."

" He's good at billiar?"

" Yes." Devan turned his head towards Rey. "He and Rey have not been defeated until now. They are the ones who control the Arena. But we can try, anyway, this is just for fun."

" Don't be so quick to think we're going to lose" Kikan said flatly. "You've never seen me play."

Devan pursed his lips while observing Kikan, "you've never seen them play either."

" I don't care. Let's bet who can win."

Rey lifts Kikan's suitcase. "I wouldn't bet if I were you."

" I'm not worried" Kikan said.

as Kikan snatches at him, Rey hopes the situation between them isn't so complicated. There is such a strong pull. He felt it even now. And he knew Kikan felt that too.

" It's up to you" he replied.

When they get back inside, Rey keeps Kikan's suitcase by the door, planning to take care of the suitcase later. "Call David" he told Devan. "Kikan and I will soon be rivals for this game."