1 8

s i n   a l   f i n e

[It.] : Up until the end.

KADEN'S TWENTY-FIFTH birthday was like several of my Christmases and birthdays rolled into one. And that wasn't even an apt comparison. The first thing I noticed when I came into work on Thursday morning was the fact that my desk, and the general area outside Kaden's office, were swamped with presents addressed to Kaden.

There were bottles of expensive wine and champagne, gift certificates and extravagant bundles, cards with well-wishes and birthday greetings. Those were just the icing on the cake. The actual cake itself – and there was cake, in fact, there were at least eight birthday cakes still wrapped up in boxes – consisted of all-expenses paid trips to various countries and keys to two separate cars that were presumably valet parked for him outside.

Parker, who had taken some time off to drive me to work and simultaneously wish Kaden a happy birthday, seemed far more amused than surprised. "This is just from his business clients," Parker told me, carefully shifting some gift hampers down onto the floor so that he could sit at the edge of my desk. "You should see his actual party."

My eyebrows knitted. "I thought Kaden wasn't having a birthday party."

"His parents throw one for him every year. It's more of a business party than anything, a way to let the rest of society know that their son's one of the most influential bachelors in the world."

"Are you going?"

"Me?" Parker rolled his eyes and chuckled. "I'm nowhere near as influential or wealthy as Kaden is. Nolan gets invited every year though, but he'd rather stick pins into his eyeballs then spend an evening with Lawrence and Adelaide Bretton. Speaking of celebrating birthdays, Isla, you should join us for drinks this Saturday," he added, before grinning. "It was just going to be the three of us, but I'm sure Kaden would like you there."

"I don't think so," a tiny smirk played on my lips as I set my bag down on the empty spot on the desk and began to shift away the presents onto the coffee table and adjoining sofas opposite. Parker quickly hopped off the desk to help. "I wouldn't dream of ruining the bromance between the three of you. Apparently, Nolan's trying his best to preserve the love."

"There's no bromance," Parker scoffed, "especially when Nolan's got himself involved in so many open relationships that he doesn't even have time to meet Kaden or me for drinks on weekends."

I was vastly amused. I'd known all along that Nolan was a massive flirt, but I hadn't known that he was in an open relationship, let alone several of those relationships. The intercom buzzed at that moment before I could reply, and I hastily reached over to pick up the call, setting it on speakerphone. "Mr Bretton's office, how may I help you?"

"Isla?"

It was Dylan, and a smile curved on my face when I heard his frazzled tone. "Hey, Dylan! Everything alright?"

"Yeah, it's just – there's quite a few people here in the lobby wanting to meet Mr Bretton. Shall I send them up?"

This was something unexpected. Kaden wasn't in his office yet and I had absolutely no idea where he was. I threw a frantic glance at Parker, who immediately lifted his hands in an x-sign.

Turning back to the intercom, I took a deep breath and tried to calm my frazzled nerves. "Mr Bretton is currently engaged at the moment, Dylan, could you tell them to wait?"

"Sure – they just seem rather impatient so things aren't looking so good. I'll try to hold them off, but ring the front desk the moment Mr Bretton's available."

"Alright," I promised and quickly hung up. Then I turned to Parker, who had a look of calm amusement on his face. "Is it always this crazy on Kaden's birthday?" I couldn't help but ask.

Parker smirked. "That's – one way to put it. Okay, here's the plan," he stood up and straightened his suit, before glancing over at me. "I'm going to head downstairs to see what I can do about the crowd. And you're going to find Kaden."

My mouth fell open. "How am I supposed to do that?"

"Isla, you're his personal assistant. It shouldn't be that difficult."

"Well, it is rather difficult when I'm one of the people he's always hiding from."

That wasn't an exaggeration at all. Kaden continued to avoid me and interacted with me as little as possible. Our conversations had dimmed and diminished to mere obligatory exchanges, all of which had to do with work.

Parker offered me a sympathetic look of understanding. "There's no harm trying. I've a feeling he'll want to be in your company today." I opened my mouth to argue, but he shook his head. "It's time to do some damage control, Isla. I've really got to go."

Reluctantly, I followed Parker towards the lift. "Did you and Nolan have to do this on Kaden's birthday last year?"

"Well, no – last year, Kaden spent the whole of his birthday hiding out in his office until the time came for him to head to the party his parents threw for him."

I stared at him in surprise. It seemed almost ridiculous that someone as rich and powerful as Kaden Bretton would spend his birthday alone. Somehow, the thought of that made my chest tighten. "You're kidding."

"I wish I was," Parker returned, with a rueful smile. "But that's just one of the perks of being Kaden Bretton."

Shaking my head, I waved him off into the lift and watched as the doors slowly slid shut. Once Parker was out of sight, I spun on my heels and headed back to my desk, reaching for my mobile in the pocket of my coat. Kaden's number was saved under my contacts solely for emergency purposes, since I saw him at work everyday and he'd made it explicitly clear that there was nothing between us other than an employer-employee relationship.

Settling down on my chair, I hastily dialled Kaden's number and pressed the phone to my ear. It took about five rings before he picked up, his voice velvety and deep, but not without his usual trace of suspicion.

"Isla?"

I blinked. "Have I given you my number before?"

There was a beat, before he spoke again, sounding rather defensive this time. "Have I given you my number before?"

Touché. I couldn't help but let a tiny smile gloss my lips as I recalled how I'd asked Parker for Kaden's number. Had Kaden done the same?

"That's not important," I said breezily, pushing any thoughts about phone numbers and Kaden Bretton's true intentions firmly out of my mind, focusing on the matter at hand instead. "Where are you? Dylan said that there are dozens of your business associates and acquaintances waiting for you in the lobby."

"Dylan?"

"He's from security – "

"Oh, you mean your secret lover?" The suspicious tone in Kaden's voice made me roll my eyes instinctively.

"Just as much a secret lover to me as Diane Crossbow is to you," the words slipped past my lips before I could think twice. I bit my lip, wondering if my sarcasm was uncalled for, but his voice cut in before I could speak.

"Has she been telling you that?" He demanded in vague irritation.

"What?" Feeling rather thrown off by his question, I frowned and shook my head, before realising that it was a pointless gesture because he couldn't see me. "No, I was riling you up – "

"So she hasn't – "

"Just forget it," I chuckled when he let out an agitated noise on the other end of the line. "Anyway, where are you? Are you coming to work today?"

"I'm in the bloody building, Isla."

His words made me frown, because I hadn't seen him anywhere on my way up. "Which part of the building?"

"The stairs," he said reluctantly, after a prolonged pause, "it's the one closest to my office."

My lips tilted up in an amused smile. "What're you doing there?" I asked, keeping the phone pressed to my ear even as I stood up and picked up my bag, swinging it carelessly over my shoulder.

My mind was racing with a sudden idea that had occurred to me, and I wondered if I could get Kaden to go along with it. Casting a quick glance around to make sure that no one was watching, I walked quickly towards the stairwell. "Are you hiding?"

"No – " he sounded almost insulted and I bit back a laugh. " – I had to take the bloody stairs because there were too many people in the lift lobby."

"Sounds a lot like hiding to me," I mused, heading down the stairs quickly.

"What the hell do you want, Isla?"

"Nothing – it's just a little difficult to do my job when my desk is covered with presents that aren't even for me."

"I'll get someone to clear them up in a bit. Is that all?"

"No, just keep talking," I paused when I saw a familiar mop of raven black hair two floors down. "No, nevermind, just look up."

"Isla, what're you – " He glanced up, eyebrows rising briefly when he saw me, and I smiled at him. "What're you doing here?"

Climbing down the last few steps, I stopped when I was a short distance away from him. "How busy are you today?"

He frowned, suspicion flashing in his eyes as he stared at me. "I'm fairly busy – "

"Even on your birthday?"

He faltered, and it was affirmation enough for me to close the gap between us, reaching out to take him by the arm. I could feel his body heat in spite of all the layers beneath his suit, and he visibly froze.

"Isla – "

"I think you can afford to take a day off work," I told him, meeting his gaze squarely. "I arrange your schedule and I know that apart from a meeting with human resources regarding the company dinner, you don't have any other appointments. So I think you can take a day off and come with me."

He wrenched his arm out of my grasp. "Actually, I was supposed to meet some of the people waiting for me downstairs. And Diane and I have a lunch appointment – "

"Alright."

It was difficult to keep the disappointment out of my voice and I glanced away, mentally berating myself for being far too presumptuous. I'd done it once before, you see, back when I'd brought Kaden out to the beach. But things were different this time round. He was no longer the same, trusting person he'd once been.

"I'll reschedule," Kaden said at last, his words taking me completely by surprise. I looked up at him, only to find that his gaze had softened marginally but the expression on his face was still as unreadable as ever. "Where're we going?"

It was an olive branch he was offering after all the days he'd closed himself off and I eagerly took it.

"Somewhere."

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

We ended up taking Kaden's car. A heated debate had ensued between the two of us in the parking lot, because Kaden, ever the chivalrous gentleman that he was, wouldn't hear of letting me drive him anywhere. But I insisted on driving, because I wanted the place to be a surprise.

In the end, we came to a compromise. We got into his car after he insisted that I shouldn't have to worry about fuel prices for my own car, and tossed me the keys just before I got in. It surprised me, because Parker hardly allowed me to drive his cars before, and Nolan watched over his cars like they were the most important things in his life.

But Kaden didn't seem to mind much. In fact, his posture seemed to relax as he got into the car, and he didn't give me any of those anxious glances that Parker or even my Dad gave me when I drove.

It was the littlest of things – but the fact that Kaden saw me as someone proficient and equally as skilled at driving was important to me. I liked being treated as an equal, even if I did appreciate chivalrous gestures at times, and this was the reason why I often forgot the distance between us, whether physical or psychological.

Kaden was busy for the most part during the drive. His mobile rang off the hook with people calling in to send him birthday wishes, but I soon realised that the birthday wishes were fleeting and almost obligatory, before the conversations turned a three-sixty to the business aspect of things.

I'd worked for Kaden for a few weeks, but that was enough for me to realise that most of his business associates were really there to do business with him. It was hardly ever the other way round. It wasn't like Nolan's company, The Mortezion, which required a constant flow of customers to uphold their reputation. Bretton Industries was a goldmine all on its own, and the company was established enough to spin money out of thin air without having the financial backing from any other company.

And perhaps I was involving my personal feelings with work, but it didn't seem fair that Kaden had to pick up every call and try to work out an arrangement that would benefit a lesser company on his birthday.

So when there was a lull in between phone calls, I took my eyes briefly off the road and turned to him. "It's your birthday, Kaden," I said lightly, "you're not obliged to pick up every call."

His mobile rang again, and he hesitated, his instinctive good manners clearly getting the better of him. After three more rings, he slid his finger across the screen to end the call. Then he shut his phone off completely.

It was difficult to keep the smile that threatened to bloom across my face. So rather than smiling or calling him out on the fact that he'd actually listened to me, I focused on driving instead. It took a good half an hour's drive before the car turned into a familiar street. It brought back a feeling of sweet nostalgia mixed with a weary tinge of bitterness, especially when I caught sight of the café that I was bringing Kaden to.

When we finally arrived and pulled into the parking lot, I couldn't help but notice that Kaden's sleek black car looked completely out of place among the other dusty, older ones. I parked the car in the best spot I could find, before getting out and passing Kaden his keys. He was silent as we headed towards the café, but midway through, he stopped abruptly in his tracks.

I glanced at him over my shoulder, only to realise that he was scanning the surroundings with narrowed eyes. "What's wrong?"

He turned back to me and shook his head. "Nothing. Let's go," he muttered, and resumed walking.

Confused, I stared after his departing figure for a second or two, before dismissing it as nothing important. With a few quick strides, I caught up with him again. Through the glass windows of the café, I could see that it was relatively empty. It was still morning but past the morning rush hour, so the place was both tired and quiet with only a couple of customers, which was just as well, because Kaden didn't like crowds anyway.

"So, welcome to Sugar Rush – possibly the best café ever. I know this place isn't anything fancy, but they have the best red velvet cupcakes," I added, smiling when we reached the entrance and he held the door open for me before heading inside himself. "You get a free one if it's your birthday."

Kaden paused, shooting me an incredulous look that was almost laughable. "You brought me here to get a free cupcake?"

I opened my mouth to reply, but a familiar person standing by the counter waved me over, a wide grin splitting his face when he saw me. "Hey, Isla!"

I smiled automatically at the sight of my best friend. Ever since moving to Parker's apartment, Castor, Millie and I hadn't gotten the opportunity to meet up often. We were all busy with work, and I had been hoping to see Castor on his shift today.

"Hey, you," I greeted, chuckling when Castor eagerly hopped over the counter, rushing over to give me a hug. Pulling back, I glanced over my shoulder at Kaden, whose posture seemed rather stand-offish. "Kaden, this is my best friend Castor Matherson. Cas, this is Kaden Bretton. My boss," I added, as an afterthought, because I often forgot that I was his subordinate at work.

Kaden automatically reached out a hand to shake, but Castor's eyes widened as he stared up at Kaden, who was a good two inches taller than him. "Is this the bloke I'm supposed to beat up?"

Kaden automatically stiffened, his eyes darting between Castor and me in confusion. But I was equally as confused as he was.

"Cas, what're you talking about?"

"It's him, isn't it? The guy you spent months crying over? I remember that night when you showed up at Millie's place, and you'd completely lost it, we'd never seen you so wrecked up before because of him – "

But he stopped abruptly when I reached up and clapped a firm hand over his mouth. "Don't listen to him," I told Kaden hurriedly, trying to ignore the fact that his green eyes were searching my face to see if Castor had spoken the truth. "He's just blabbering as usual." Castor made an annoyed noise behind my hand and I quickly removed it, hastily trying to switch the subject. "Where's Dink, by the way?"

Castor cast one last mutinous glare in Kaden's direction before falling a step back. "In the kitchen," he said, glancing over to the counter and raising his voice to yell, "hey, Dink, Isla's here!"

I immediately shushed him, looking around warily. "You have customers, Cas!"

He simply grinned and gave a shrug. "S'alright. The employees here yell at each other all the time, and Dink yells the loudest."

"Since when have I ever yelled?" An indignant voice echoed from behind us.

I turned, a wide smile curving on my lips when I saw Dink heading towards us, wiping his hands on his apron haphazardly. It had been at least three months since I last saw him, and I noticed that he had a new tattoo along his collarbone. "Hi, Dink. Missed me?"

"Always," he winked, reaching over to pull me into a brief hug. "How've you been?"

"Work keeps me busy," I answered honestly, before sidling up to Kaden, who'd been rather subdued throughout this whole exchange. "Kaden, this is Dink – er, I've never really known your real name, Dink – "

"And you never will," he chuckled when I rolled my eyes.

" – and Dink, this is Kaden Bretton, my boss, whose birthday so happens to coincide with the day I've come to visit you. So, um, how do I put this in a nice way..." I trailed off, gazing up at Dink with a wicked gleam in my eye.

He glared at me in mock-offense. "Did you come all the way here just to get your boss a free cupcake?"

"Um – "

"I swear, Isla, if it weren't for all those tips that lady gave us whenever she brought you here, we'd be making a losing business when it comes to you."

His words made me stiffen. "Yeah, well," I tried to shrug it off with a faint smile, carefully avoiding the way Kaden looked over at me intently. "No losing business this time, I promise. Come on." I reached out to pull Kaden away from them, and he followed without a word. "Is the corner booth okay with you?"

He nodded, silently slipping onto the bench opposite me. With his pristine black suit and perfectly styled hair, he looked completely out of place in this faded old café. It was just another pressing reminder that Kaden Bretton didn't fit into my world, as I didn't fit into his. I'd never given it much thought before, not when I was back at the beach-house with him, but it was now more glaringly obvious than ever.

Castor soon came over with the menus and he stared at me with concern plain on his face. "You alright there, Isla?"

"I'm good," and I didn't miss the way Kaden's eyes narrowed when the lie slipped past my lips so effortlessly. "I'll have two red velvet cupcakes and a hot chocolate, please."

Kaden didn't even bother to look at the menu, simply nodding at Castor. "I'll have the same."

Castor soon left, and then there was nothing but silence between the two of us. Feeling compelled by the need to say something, I folded my arms on top of the table and blew my hair out of my eyes. "Sorry about earlier. This place just – it brings back good and bad memories. I used to come here a lot with – someone."

Kaden didn't reply for so long I almost thought he was intending to ignore me again. But when he spoke, his voice was unexpectedly careful, like his words had the ability to break me. "Your mum or Rosemary?"

My breath lodged in my throat because – how? How had he known?

"What?" I rasped at last.

He shrugged. "Doesn't take a genius to figure it out. I'm not too sure about your mum, but Parker told me that you used to be fairly close to his mum until they left."

It was funny how Kaden was so distant from me now, but yet he knew far more about my life than most people did. Even Castor, who'd been my best friend for years, didn't know about Rosemary. Neither did Millie.

I took a deep breath and fixed my eyes on a particular faded scratch on the table. "Rosemary. She brought me here every weekend for breakfast, because they serve great pancakes and bacon here too. We never brought Dad or Parker along, because she said it was just our thing, just the two of us. And, you know," I swallowed, forcing the words out of my mouth, "for a while back then, I really believed her."

Kaden was silent, something that I found myself unexpectedly glad about. I didn't need him to tell me how sorry he was that Rosemary had left, or try to slip in some half-hearted excuse about why she did. Sometimes, silence and a listening ear were the best remedies to any kind of heartache.

"Anyway," I continued, my voice several notches softer this time, "after she left, I continued to come here by myself. It was a stupid idea, but I couldn't help hoping that Rosemary would miss me just a little and maybe come back to visit. But she never did. Eventually, I gave up and since then, I've only been coming on special occasions, like my birthdays or Christmas. And now your birthday."

There was a pause. And then Kaden reached across the table for my hand. My eyes widened and I froze in surprise as his fingers brushed mine briefly, so fleetingly I almost missed the contact, but it was there and I hadn't imagined it.

You could tell me of a million and one ways to react to that and I would have, if I'd thought of it at the moment. But my mind was just blank, chest tightening at the idea of him being close enough to reach, but not daring to reciprocate the gesture, grip his fingers tight and never let go.

And he was pulling back before I knew it, his face carefully blank and devoid of emotion. I didn't say a word because the silence this time round was too fragile to break. It almost felt like we were suspended in mid-air, with a myriad of emotions too strong to escape from and words too difficult to say out loud.