599 Gemima
If Candace had not pointed out the cafe and asked to have lunch there, she would have believed that Jade had deliberately brought her here so they could run into Matt. But seeing how it had been her own decision, she marveled at the way the universe pulled it off.
She remembered during his visit to the hospital he had said he would visit Jamal at Tom's place some time this week (chapter 413). It was funny how she had forgotten about it and only just remembered now.
Immediately Jade sighted Matt, she turned to Candace, "We can go somewhere else," she offered.
"Make up your mind before he looks this way," Jade whispered when Candace said nothing, and just then Matt who was laughing over Bryan's joke looked up, and saw them.
"Too late to bolt. He has seen you," Jade announced as though Candace was blind.
"For god's sake Bryan! I asked you not to let her know I was here," Matt hissed under his breath.
"Let who know what?" Bryan asked in confusion and turned to look behind him to see who Matt had seen.
"Oh, wow! Even Sonia didn't know we were meeting here, so it has to be a coincidence," Bryan said as he waved at Jade and Candace.
"There is no need to leave without saying hello," Candace said with a shrug.
Matt wasn't her enemy after all. The last time they met they had parted on friendly terms. She was pretty sure this awkwardness was mostly one-sided since she was the guilty party. She also reminded herself that Matt had been out on a date the other day, so he must have moved on.
"Alright. Let's say hello to them. Get whatever we want, and scoot. We can eat in the car," Jade offered as she waved back and approached their table.
"What coincidence? You expect me to believe that?" Matt asked incredulously, but his face did not give away anything as he smiled at the ladies and rose.
"So, what? You think she heard you were in Ludus and ran all the way over here to run into you after rejecting you?" Bryan asked with a scoff as he rose and Matt glared at him.
He did have a point, Matt thought.
"Hello, beautiful ladies!" Matt greeted pleasantly as he embraced Jade and flashed Candace a smile.
"It's always good to see you, Matt. I didn't realize you were in Ludus," Jade said, and he shrugged.
"Got in a while ago," Matt explained and then looked at Candace again.
"Hello, Candace!"
"Hi!" she responded awkwardly without meeting his gaze.
"It's been a while. How is everything going with you? And how is Jamal?" Matt asked, and Candace risked a glance at him.
"Great! He is great. Everything is great!" she said, wishing they could leave now.
"You look gorgeous, Candace," Bryan said as he admired her outfit.
"Thanks," Candace said with a polite smile, doing her best not to look at Matt again.
"What are you both doing here?" Bryan asked Jade curiously.
"We went to inspect the crime scene. Candace is working with me as an intern. We decided to stop over and get something to munch on...."
"Why don't you both join us, then? We have been standing for a while now and people are watching," Bryan suggested, and Jade turned to Candace who quickly shook her head to Matt's relief.
The last thing he wanted was to be in the same space as Candace. Yes, he had no hard feelings toward her, but he was yet to successfully get over her and running into her like this was just going to just make things hard for him.
"I was going to call you after leaving here, Jade. Let's speak privately for a moment. You both can catch up," Bryan suggested, and walked over to another table with Jade, leaving Matt alone with Candace.
Matt cursed Bryan in his mind as he held out a seat for Candace, "You should sit," he suggested, and Candace sat down stiffly, praying that Jade would be quick.
They were both silent for a moment and Candace's gaze was fixed on her hands which were resting on her thighs.
A waiter came to their table to ask them if they wanted anything, and they both said they didn't. Eating alone together would look like they were on a date and they both didn't want that.
"You look quite different. Beautifully so," Matt observed, and she looked at him.
"It's just the clothes. I got them earlier. I wanted to look smart beside Jade as her intern," she explained awkwardly.
"No. It's not the clothes. The clothes do look good on you, but you look beautiful," Matt said, thinking she looked brighter.
"Thanks," Candace said with a nod.
"You don't have to take it the wrong way. It's only a compliment, I'm not trying to hit on you," Matt assured her.
"I wasn't going to take it anyway. I know you have moved on," Candace said, and Matt nodded.
"Yeah," Matt said, and Candace swallowed, feeling oddly disappointed that he did not deny it.
"You still haven't heard from your sister yet, have you?" he asked, and she shook her head.
"No. No news from her yet," she said, and they both turned when a pretty young lady approached them.
"Hello! I'm sorry to interrupt. I'm a huge fan. Can I get a picture?" she asked shyly, and Matt shrugged.
"Sure," he said, and she turned to Candace with an apologetical smile.
"I'm sorry," she said, and Candace nodded as she watched the girl lean close to Matt and take a selfie.
On seeing that, the others who were hanging around but didn't have the confidence to walk up to Matt approached them too and Candace smiled awkwardly as she watched them.
"I'm sorry," Matt said apologetically after they had left, and she shook her head.
"It's fine. You're a celebrity after all," she said, and Matt nodded.
"One of the reasons you don't like me," Matt said with a grin and Candace opened her mouth to deny it, but he shook his head.
"By the way I heard about you meeting with your family. I'm happy for you," Matt said changing the subject.
"Thanks. Do you still plan to see Jamal while you are here? He's at Harry's. He will be happy to see you," Candace said, and Matt smiled.
"Sure. I should. I will arrange to see him before leaving," Matt said, and they were both visibly relieved when Jade and Bryan returned to the table.
Candace rose immediately, giving Jade a let's get out of here look.
"We will just get what we need and be on our way. I have a date to prepare for," Jade announced as Bryan sat down.
"Bye," Candace murmured to the guys.
"You guys enjoy yourself. See you some other time, Matty," Jade said and linked her hands with Candace as they went to the counter to get some snacks.
"She looks so chic, doesn't she?" Bryan asked, and Matt glared at him.
"Was that the reason you left me alone with her? What did you have to discuss with Jade that couldn't wait until later?" Matt hissed.
"You both are not enemies. How would you know you're over her if you don't spend time with her? Candace is practically family now, and you are bound to run into her often as long as we remain friends. Signing with I-Global where her twin brother works guarantees that too," Bryan pointed out.
"I should reconsider our friendship then. And I should definitely think twice about signing with I-Global. Thanks for...."
"Matt, darling! I was wondering where you went to," an excited feminine voice called from the doorway causing heads to turn.
Jade and Candace who were still standing by the show glass also turned to see who it was. It was the beautiful model, Gemima. One of the numerous celebrities Matt had been romantically associated with in the past.
She was dressed in a skimpy black dress and gold gladiator heels. They looked from her to Matt who was now standing to greet her.
Matt tried not to wince or look in Candace's way as he welcomed Gemima who gave him a full lip kiss right there, not caring that they had an audience.
"Gem, you do realize we are in a public place, right?" Matt asked as he pulled away.
"Will you feel better if I kiss Bryan too?" she asked, and Bryan shook his head.
"Don't think about it. My girlfriend is going to rip you apart if you try that," he warned and glanced in Jade's direction in time to see her and Candace walking out of the cafe.
"I can at least peck you," Gemima said as she did just that, and then she sat on the seat Matt held out to her.
"So, what's up? I was surprised to receive your text," Gemima said, looking at Matt a happy smile.
"What text? Are you both getting back together?" Bryan asked incredulously.
"Why do you sound like that's such a bad thing?" Gemima asked, mildly annoyed.
"It's not bad, it's terrible! And I don't approve!" Bryan said, and Gemima scowled at him.
"We are never getting back together. I asked her to come keep me company since I was bored. Gem, don't attach any meaning to it, okay? We both know we are not good for each other," Matt said and Gemima sighed.
"But you know I want us to get back...."
"If it's going to be difficult for you, you can just forget my text and leave," Matt said, and she raised a hand.
"Fine. It's fine. I will keep you company if that's all you want," Gemima promised.
"I need to be alone with Bryan. Maybe you can go back to my suite and wait, or do whatever you want until I'm done," Matt suggested, and she rose.
"Try not to keep me waiting for too long," she said as she glared at Bryan before walking away.
"What are you doing?" Bryan asked under his breath.
"I just told you I was bored and invited her...."
"If you were bored you could have called me over. I'm in Ludus....."
"You don't have boobs. Sex with Gemima has always been great. I need the distraction."
"Have you forgotten how she used you?" Bryan asked in disbelief.
"I haven't forgotten. Now I'm the one using her to keep my boredom at bay. So can you please drop the subject now? I'm really not in a good mood right now," Matt said irritably.
"I don't want to see you get hurt," Bryan said, and Matt grinned.
"What a girly thing to say. What was the news you were going to share earlier?" Matt asked, changing the subject.
"Oh, that!" Bryan said with a grin.
"Shit! I've forgotten all the lines I memorized. I'm going to be a daddy," Bryan announced in a low but excited voice, and Matt's eyes widened in disbelief.
"What?" he asked, and Bryan chuckled as he bobbed his head.
"It's Sonia, right?" he asked suspiciously, and Bryan raised a brow.
"Who else would it be?" Bryan asked and watched as Matt's shocked face transformed to a happy smile.
"You lucky bastard! I always thought I was going to beat you to it!" Matt exclaimed as he shook Bryan's hand happily.
"We are keeping it a secret right now. Only the family is aware," Bryan said, and Matt nodded.
"Sure. So what's your plan? Are you going to wife her or do you just want her to be your baby mama for now?" Matt asked in a low voice.
"I'm thinking of proposing to her this weekend. I want to be married to her before the pregnancy becomes public knowledge," Bryan explained, and Matt grinned.
"Why the hurry? You want to make an honest woman out of her, huh?"
"That sounds so old-fashioned. I have always wanted to get the order right. Marriage then kids. Not kids then marriage. I told you before that I want Sonia to be my wife. So it may be coming earlier than planned, but it's what I want," Bryan said, and Matt raised a brow.
"Have you asked if that's what she wants? Do you know if she wants that too?" Matt asked and Bryan shook his head.
"I believe she wants it too, but just to be sure I asked Jade to find a way to ask Sonia about it. And to find out the sort of proposal Sonia might prefer. I don't want to involve her best friend, Lucy. I can't trust her not to tell Sonia about my plans," Bryan said, and Matt grinned.
"Alright. I guess you are telling me this because you want me to be present?" Matt asked, and Bryan nodded.
"Of course. You are going to be my best man, you know?" Bryan asked, and Matt chuckled.
"Sure. I'm glad it worked out between you two. Apart from the fact that I love Sonia, I think she is your perfect match," Matt said, and Bryan nodded.
"I think so too, even if I some times feel frustrated by her independence and stubbornness."
"I'm sure you will both be fine. I will stop by the house to see her tomorrow," Matt promised as he glanced at his wristwatch.
"I should go join Gemima," Matt said, and Bryan scowled.
"You still have feelings for Candace, you know?" he asked, and Matt shrugged.
"Doesn't change anything," Matt said as he rose.
"She has feelings for you too," Bryan added as he rose up top.
"Still doesn't change anything. She is alright now and won't be needing me to play friend, protector or whatever. Give Sonia a kiss for me," Matt said as they both walked out of the cafe.
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