Cayenne thought that things were fine between her and Seiji but after that day, he never came back to school. They just heard from his teacher that he'd be taking a long break but will also take classes at home. It was considered as special privilege but when they found what was his real identity, no one really complaint to the school.
Many women started to get jealous to Cayenne because she was very close to Seiji. They thought she knew a lot of things about her but when Cayenne thought about, she actually knew basic things only. She even only found what his real identity was when his mother came to pick him up at school.
And because they were getting busier, and perhaps, because he was busy managing their family business under his father's tutelage this time and studying at the same time, Seiji had less time to think about Cayenne.
When Cayenne turned 18, he sent her a gift but it was returned back to him because the recipient has moved out of the place that she used to live. He also found out that Arthur left to study abroad and Marian moved to another city because of her father's work. That's when Seiji that Cayenne was left alone.
He hired some private investigator under his father's name and asked them to look for Cayenne Ardolf. When he finally learned the truth, his heart broke.
Cayenne has stopped going to school. Her mother was sent to the hospital due to early signs of tuberculosis. Her father, the man that she never mentioned to him before, was currently in jail after he was accused of killing someone. Cayenne was working from day in and day out. She took different kinds of jobs as long as they were descent and would pay her with the right amount that they owed her for a job well done.
He tried paying the hospital fees but he found out that a mysterious person had been paying the hospital bill for Cayenne's mother. Thinking that it must be a donation, Seiji didn't think too much about it and just continued dealing with his own life.
He thought that everything was going well. He thought that Cayenne would forever stay single unless they met again. He thought that he'd be able to confess to her once he takes the seat as the chairman, and make her live a life without worries. He was very complacent. He was confident that nothing was more important to Cayenne now than earning money for her family.
And then, he found out that she was getting really close with Stefan Dumrique, one of city A's rich bachelor. From a very young age of 22, he made a name of his own by making a business without getting help from his family. And since he was known as the city's richest playboy, he thought that Cayenne would never love this man. He thought that maybe, they were just friends. After all, Cayenne was working for him. He was known to be someone who doesn't like getting entangled with his employees.
But Seiji was bound to be disappointed.
On the day of Christmas Eve, the most-awaited time that he had been preparing for has finally arrived. His father gave his chair to his son and formally announced him to be the next chairman to managed their businesses. But it was also the day that Seiji got his heart broken.
He had been busy the past few days and when he finally had time to sit and relax on Christmas day, he saw Stefan's post. Other people may not have the idea of who was Stefan's girlfriend but Seiji knows. He knew her stature very well. He recognized the dimples on her cheeks when she really smiles genuinely and he recognized the mole on her right collarbone. Even if Stefan didn't really show her face clearly, Seiji knew that Cayenne had become someone's girlfriend.
"I need to go back to City A. I need to get her back." Seiji told his parents after the Christmas party was over.
"Son, I know that you are worried but they're just into boyfriend-girlfriend relationship. You can still take her away when the time comes but not now. The business needed you and you have to make adjustment. You have to work hard in order to make a good impression to the old goats in our company. And may I remind you that we are currently having internal dispute with the other branches of our family. If they find you like Cayenne, they would surely use her against you." His father stated to stop his son from leaving.
Seiji thought about it several times and concluded that his father was right. The company was at its vulnerable moment because of the changed in management. He needed to work his way to win the trust of other people.
And while working so hard, Cayenne and Stefan already registered their marriage. By the time, he found out it was already too late. Although she's already married, Seiji didn't want to give up. He thought of ways to divorce the two lovers.
And to make matters worse, Nikko Rule came to visit them. Knowing that he's got so many underground connection, he asked him for help. He told him that he'd collaborate with them no matter what project the Rule family could think of as long as they could help him get Cayenne back.
Who would have thought that his careless remark will brought them to where they are now? Seiji took a deep breath and sighed in front of his mother. He didn't want to think much of his past anymore. He already regretted his decision of prioritizing the business instead of prioritizing her but he didn't want to think that he made the wrong choice back then.
"Mom, you can have a chat with Yenyen. I'll just go upstairs to prepare her room." Seiji excused himself and walked to the second floor of the house.
Cayenne looked her high school best friend and the man who always save her time and time again. "Auntie, you knew that Seiji likes me?"
"Hn. In fact, you were the reason that he transferred to City A but you don't have to think about it now. Everything has happened in the past and we're just happy that you are safe and sound. He might be having a hard time moving on but I'm sure he will be able to do so."
"I really hope he would. I don't want him to be stuck in his feelings for me."
"Honestly, when I heard about your relationship with Mr. Dumrique, I felt so disappointed and sad as well. When you were still studying with Seiji, I heard so much about you and from his stories, I learned to like you as well. I was even thinking that it would be great if you would become our daughter-in-law but maybe, you were not just destined to be together. Still, I felt sad for my son. I was sad that the future wife he carefully raised for several years was taken away by another guy."
"Didn't you feel angry?" Cayenne asked. "I mean, Seiji already had this thought in mind when he was young and at that time I was poor and had nothing compared to you. And then now, I suddenly got married to someone and yet, when I'm in a dire situation, it was still your son who came to save me."
Isabela smiled faintly while moving closer to Cayenne. "Actually, I yelled at him when I heard about your situation. As a mother, I don't want my son to get involved in your affairs again. I know he will be hurt but, he cannot just sit and watch you being used by old Rule. He didn't want you to get hurt. So, we can only choose to support him. Besides, he promised that he would look for a new girl as soon as you get back to your husband."
Hearing these words, Cayenne's guilt increased but even if given the chance, if she could choose to marry someone again between Seiji and Stefan, she would still choose Stefan. What she felt for Seiji was gratitude and overwhelming sense of gratitude. There's nothing else. She cannot marry him just because she was grateful for him. It will not only ruin them but it's unfair for Seiji. He deserves someone better.
"Auntie, thank you so much for helping me. As long as I'm done with all this, I will certainly help Seiji move on."