This chapter is dedicated to my friends Chrisia, Biya, Shareen, Jim, James and Crismarfel. You have given me inspiration to write two chapters in just one day. Thank you for giving me pieces of advice. :)

19: The Day There Was Another Color Other Than Black and White

Emil's POV

Black and white. Everything was black and white. My world was like that and I didn't need any more colors in my gloomy days. I had avoided every person who tried to talk to me about Biya especially the reporters who wanted insight on what I feel about her being a topnotcher. I always dug into my work now until it's midnight and would return home drunk. That was my cycle and I think it won't end. I wanted to numb the pain I was in but I was being unsuccessful. My family and my friends expressed their concern for me but I just told them I was fine. My workers became silent about Biya and I was glad no one had brought it up. Maybe it's because they fear I might explode. They don't know I already have. This is the new me. An empty shell. Gone were the days I have fun and entertainment. Now, I was focusing so much in my work. I don't know where she is now but I know she's doing her best. I don't watch news knowing she's there and I knew to myself that once I see her again, it would just be pure torture and the urge to talk to her or see her would just grow like a monster. I took a drink on my whiskey as I began to answer the emails I have received for the day. I knew I was being reckless with myself but I wasn't reckless with my work. This is my slice of the pie. This is my life's work and I won't let myself ruin this empire that I have built.

"Sir, your flight will take off in an hour." Martina informed me from the intercom.

"I will be out in 5 minutes." I replied back before I got back to work. Once I was done, I took my laptop with me together with my personal bag. I had a flight to New York tonight to see my restaurant there then I would go and check my other chains – restaurants, bars and hotels included- in LA, and Washington before going to Spain then to Philippines to check on my other chains. Luigi would be my OIC in my restaurant here in Italy since I would be gone for a long time. I have been invited to be their guest in TV shows and cook shows so I might take a month before going back here. My plane was waiting for me when I arrive at the airport and I got in on time not wanting to be in this place anymore. I admit I love where I came from but the thought of just being near with Biya makes my heart ache every time. I wanted this to go away. I really want it because it's making me discouraged at everything personal in my life. How can I get myself back up? I don't know what to do anymore.

Once I arrived, paparazzi followed me and like always, I wore a smile in front of the camera. I have to smile for them. The love I receive from my supporters keeps me going and I wanted to give the best for them. Some asked how I was doing and some asked what I feel about Biya now. A twist of pain shot through me when I heard it but I hid it not replying to them as I continued to walk towards the car waiting for me. Marcus and the rest of the team prevented them from coming close to me but I can still hear them. Then, I remembered Dante who came with me. I searched for him and he perfectly blended with the crowd taking pictures. I had someone to watch his back as he took pictures. I don't want him to be distracted while he took his pictures for his project. He got accepted in my office and now he was one of my photographers. He's really good at his work and I was hoping he would be known for his talent. I expressed that to him and encouraged him to go on and he would thank me multiple times and I saw that he's growing into a better person. I tagged him along this time so he would see how my business works and to see how everything works in my company. He was just silent and would give his thanks once he was done never disturbing me. He's a good kid and I tend to keep him for the job. Once I got in the car, Marcus closed the door and people's voices became muffled.

"Everyone in?" Marcus radioed his fellow guards and they all replied positively. We arrived at my hotel in just a few minutes. Everyone who was with me for this trip went to their rooms and settled in. Silence greeted me as I entered the suite and I breathed out a relief my body relaxing from the flight. I put my bags on the chair and began to undress. I was taking my tie off when my personal phone rang. I took it out of my pocket and saw that it was Gabriel calling.

"Hey man." I greeted him as I took my shoes off.

"Hey. You in New York?"

"Yeah. I have to see my restos here." I replied taking my socks off this time.

"I see. I can't call you with your home number so I guessed you're out of the country."

"Sorry for not telling you."

"It's okay. Anyway, your boy's files are very hard to find." He began to talk about Dante.

"Yeah. Sorry for that." I chuckled as I heard him sigh.

"But did you find anything interesting? Any bones in the closet?" I asked. I wanted to make sure that my employees have good record and I tended to keep it that way.

"Yeah. It's very interesting..." He trailed off and I heard papers being flipped at the other line.

"There are no bones in the closet." He began to state what he had in his report.

"I'm glad." He chuckled.

"Don't say that yet. And... hmmm... let's see." He's dragging the report. He's playing with me.

"Don't play with me, Gabriel. I'm very tired." I heard him let out a soft laugh but there's something off with him.

"Yeah. Yeah. Okay here it is. His real name is not Dante. It's Nyle." Nyle?

"Nyle?"

"Yeah. Damn that kid but he's really hard to find. My team has to trace their line in Tuscany, Greece and America."

"Where is he originally from?" I asked my best friend.

"He was born in Greece. And it's true,"

"What is true?"

"He's a Kairis."

"Is he related to her?" My heart began to race not knowing what to say with this information being transmitted to me.

"Closely related, man. Nyle is her brother. His little brother. Small world, isn't it?" I paled at the information and I felt goosebumps all over my skin. Nyle is her brother. For all these years, she had no clue that she has a brother. She has someone in her family left.

"Are you sure?"

"100%." He replied confidently.

"Okay. Thanks, man."

"No problem. You owe me. My team had to worked their asses off for this case. Even Caralei's friend, Voj, helped."

"Wait... Isn't that the man that wanted Caralei?"

"Not anymore." I chuckled. He's still bitter about it. He didn't want anyone talking about Caralei with another man.

"Don't change the subject. What are you going to do about this? You have employed him. Her brother is working for you."

"I'll think about it."

"But you know it's the right thing to do, right?" I knew what he was talking about. I scratched the back of my neck. Am I ready for this?

"Yeah. I am going to talk to Biya."

"Yeah. You should. You really look like shit, to be honest."

"Yeah. I know."

"You know and you are not fixing yourself."

"Why the hell are you becoming a shrink?"

"I am not. I'm just saying, dude." I sighed.

"I'll figure it out."

"Okay."

"Thank you, Gabriel."

"Anything to make you less shittier, my friend." He said before laughing.

"Yeah. Thanks."

"Just give me food good for two and you're off the hook."

"I thought the service was free?" He chuckled.

"Yeah but it took us months to find him. Besides, you always give food to the homeless... Perhaps, I'll become homeless to have your free food." That made me laugh.

"Just go to the restaurant, Gabriel. I will inform them to reserve a table for two."

"Thanks man!"

"Hey! Aren't you embarrassed that you are taking your lady out for dinner and you won't be spending money for it. You know, there's a word called effort."

"I have been giving my best. We even go to your restaurant, bro. But it's different and food would taste better knowing it's free."

"I'm going to tell Caralei about this."

"No need. I will tell her." Gabriel and Gio really became very honest when their ladies have appeared. Love can be a miracle sometimes. But for me, it's a disease... Why? It's eating me away, My love for Biya is still here and it's making me cry in agony.

"Okay. Thank you again."

"You're welcome. I will send you the files so you can read them yourself."

"Yeah. Okay. Thanks. Goodbye."

"Bye!" He said before he ended the call. I put my phone down on the bed and I fell down on the soft mattress. What should I do? I know I am going to tell her but am I ready to face her? When will I tell her? Today? Tomorrow? Next week? I grabbed my phone and called Gio's number.

"Gio De Luca speaking." He answered at the second ring.

"I need her number." I told him.

"What? What for?"

"It's important, Gio. Just give it to me."

"What are you planning to do, Emil?" He asked and there was a warning in his voice.

"She's with Ezekiel now." Why the fuck does he need to remind me?

"I know. I know. It's not about that. I really need to talk to her about something."

"What is it?" He won't let me off the hook. He wanted to know before he can give it to me. He's playing safe here.

"Gabriel has the information about Dante."

"Dante... Oh yes! That kid! Yeah. What about him?"

"He's her brother." Silence greeted me.

"Woah... That's big news." He breathed out.

"Yeah. I need to talk to her about this." I heard him sigh.

"Okay. I will give it to you. Just be careful, Emil. Don't be intense." He warned me. He knew I can be intense even if people see me as a man with a smile always plastered on his face.

"Okay. I will, big brother." I called him that whenever he begins to act like what he is now. He was always the more mature guy from us acting like a brother to me and Gabriel. He can't deny it. He's a very caring person like his wife. I heard him laugh.

"Sure. Sure. Good luck, bro."

"Thanks. I really need that." I said before we ended the call. After a few seconds, Gio sent me her number and I quickly saved it. Just looking at her number gave me an opportunity. An opportunity to talk to her again. But then, she has a boyfriend now. I shouldn't be the man who steals a girl from someone else. That's just a big NO. I paced the room back and forth barefooted hesitating whether I should call her or not. Should I? Or should I do it tomorrow? Ah! Let's just get into it! I pressed the call button not wanting to have fear consume my thoughts. I waited for her to answer. After three rings, she answered.

"Hello?" Hearing her voice takes the breath out of me. I was acting like a lovesick fool with my heart racing so fast. Well, I am a lovesick fool.

"Hello Biya." I said holding my breath. I heard her gasp on the other line before I heard loud thudding sounds.

"Hello? Are you okay?" I was concerned at what I heard. Then I heard shuffling noises.

"Sorry."

"You okay?" I heard her breathe out loudly.

"I am fine."

"I need to talk to you." I said. I didn't hear anything. Only the static noise coming from the phone.

"Uhm... I am busy. Uhm... I have to go. Bye!" Then she ended the call abruptly and the line was cut off. She didn't want to talk to me. But I need to inform her about this. This is big news. She has a brother for crying out loud! I knew she wanted her really family and now it's her chance to know about it. I called her again but it just went to voicemail. I ended it and attempted to call her again but she didn't pick up so I decided to speak on the voicemail.

"Hey Biya. I really need to talk to you. It's not about us." It's very hard to say it but I have to be formal about us. We're not together anymore. I won't act and send affections to her anymore.

"I will not be talking about any of our past. I am talking to you because I have met someone that you might want to meet. It's your brother. Call or text me if you want to know about him more. Goodbye." I ended it before I threw my phone away. Romance 2.0 of my employees has gone down the drain even when it had not started. Now, I have a new mission. Formal Emil has started. I am going to act formal and not show any emotion that can make her know I still love her. This is for the better. Dante is becoming the bridge between us and I will use that bridge to heal everything and let Biya go. I felt better after my resolve. I think I was beginning to have my closure and just knowing that Biya is happy made me feel contented now. I have to teach myself that not everything that I want and need can be met. I have to teach myself to love myself and to love Biya from afar. This was a start of something. I can feel it. I don't want to live in a world of hate. I think it's a start for us to treat each other not as lovers but as friends. Can that be possible?

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