॥The Wrong One॥ 

 
Stepping out of the limousine, Kayana could not believe what had happened. They had travelled all that way for nothing. 

Feeling numb, she simply let Vodia's form in front of her guide her back into their apartment. 

Heading straight into the kitchen, Kayana flicked the switch for the jug, the slow rumble fading into the background. 
What was she to do now? 

Mechanically, she reached for two cups as her thoughts began running wild. 

If Mr Hury was bankrupt, that means the Balu Sands had broken up. And if the Balu Sands had separated, that meant that Raian was alone somewhere in Balu, if he was even still in the country. How was she to find him now? What if Vodia decided that this wasn't worth the hassle? 

Pouring the hot water into the cups, Kayana picked the two up, catching sight of Vodia standing in the doorway. 
Stepping forward slightly, she placed one cup away from her before retreating back to her corner of the kitchen wrapping both her hands around her hot mug.

Nodding his gratitude, Vodia settled himself diagonal from her, leaning back onto the counter. 

Silence reigned as the aroma of tea filled the air, trying to diffuse the obvious frustration. 

"Vodia ji," softly, her voice seemed to flow with the smoke, "What do we do now?" 

Looking up through her lashes at Vodia, she saw him take a sip of his tea, satisfied when he made no attempt to spit it back out. He closed his eyes, his adam's apple bobbed slowly as he swallowed the warm drink before opening them and staring right back at Kayana.

"We keep looking." 

Kayana looked down
"For how long?" She found herself asking him. 

Crossing his feet at the ankles, Vodia stretched lightly, his shoulders pushing backwards as he rolled his neck. Almost as if he felt her stare, his eyes made contact with hers, and she couldn't look away.

"As long as it takes."

Kayana felt the warmth from his commitment, continuing to sip at her drink as she mulled over his words.  Turning towards the sink, she gently rinsed her cup under the water, placing it in the drainer before she spoke again. "What was on that paper?" 

"An address." 

Raising an eyebrow, Kayana looked shyly up at his face. "Whose address?" 

Vodia grinned, placing his cup in the sink behind Kayana then leaning beside her. Kayana could smell his cologne. 

"Raian's living address." 

Kayana's muscle's went limp, her mouth falling open. 
"Raian's address?" 

"Yes Kayana." The grin never leaving his lips. 

Not knowing what to do, Kayana extended her hand out, grabbing his in a handshake. 

A moment of silence passed before she was pulled forward into Vodia's chest, his arms wrapping around her gently, before quickly letting her go. 

With a blush staining her cheeks, Kayana bit her lip, "Thank you." 

Taking a step backwards, Vodia replied with, "You're more than welcome." Before turning and leaving the room, quietly whistling. 

॥The Wrong One॥ 

A knock from inside her bedroom made Kayana turn from her spot on the balcony. The feeling of freedom she had experienced the first time she was out there was so addictive that she just had to try it again. 

"Yes?" Calling out, she pulled her scarf over her head. 

Vodia stepped in, quietly closing the door behind him as he made his way towards her. 

"What are you doing out here?" His tone, though questioning, was not one that Kayana was use to. He was curious, rather than angry. 

Closing her eyes and allowing the breeze to caress her skin, goose bumps erupted along her arms causing her to wrap her slender fingers around herself. 

"I feel free," She simply replied. 
Nodding, Vodia turned to look out towards the beach they were facing. 

"Would you like to go out for dinner?" 

Stunned, Kayana looked at him. "I can cook Vodia ji." 

Vodia sucked in a breath as Kayana looked at him slightly hurt. 
"Oh no Kayana, it's just that, we have not been shopping and it's been a long day. It was merely a suggestion." He ended, scratching the back of his head.

Relaxing her shoulders, Kayana nodded, her attention on the different colour of Vodia's eyes as the suns setting rays casted an array of light towards them. Instead of their usual chocolate brown, she could see hints of green and light blue, swirling together to give the illusion of the darker colour she was familiar with. His eyes that looked so strange yet mesmerising were staring right back at her, silently questioning. 

Nodding once more, Kayana turned to face ahead again, trying to cover her blushing cheeks. She was only staring because his eyes reminded her of Raian, or that's what she was trying to tell herself. 

"Great, shall we leave in an hour?" 

Nodding again, Kayana couldn't trust her voice to speak after being caught out; only letting out the breath she had been holding when he'd left the room. What was happening to her? 

Giving one last longing glance to the ocean, she turned around and headed back inside her bedroom, sliding the doors shut behind her. 

Maybe dinner would be good for her. 

॥The Wrong One॥ 

"This way Ma'am."  

In front of Vodia, Ricki led the couple to their table for two. 

Wearing a maroon skirt paired with a black top, Kayana opted for casual whereas Vodia was in his usual shirt and khakis, his loose tie matching Kayana's skirt. 

"Here you go. Please be seated." 

After thanking Ricki, Kayana was surprised when Vodia was around her side of the table, pulling her chair out for her. A gesture that she was not accustomed too. 

Smiling shyly at him, Kayana lowered herself graciously down, placing the napkin on her lap as Vodia seated himself. 
Kayana's fingers fiddled with the corner of the tablecloth as she sat opposite Vodia, waiting for him to say something to fill the silence. 

Conversations of the other diners faded into the background as both Vodia and Kayana seemed to avoid eye contact with each other whilst still trying to make it. 

Clearing his throat, Vodia busied himself with placing his own napkin on his lap, before placing his crossed hands in front of him, right on top of his plate.

Flicking his hands off the cold surface, Vodia hesitantly smiled in her direction. 

Biting her lip, Kayana attempted to stifle the giggle that was building up, not wanting to offend her husband. By the light red tinge to his face, she could already tell he hadn't meant for that to happen. 

"So, Kayana," He began, clearing his throat, "I know your story, but I do not know you." He let his words settle for a bit as he leaned forward to uncork the wine bottle that was resting to the side of table, opening it with a slight pop. 

Offering her glass, Kayana watched as the red liquid filled half of her chute, waiting patiently for Vodia to finish before she took a sip. The bitterness shocked her as she tried not to let the displeasing taste show on her face, especially as Vodia seemed to watch, gauging her reaction. 

Giving him a tight smile, Kayana placed the wine glass back on the immaculate table, the white tablecloth shining beneath the dim lights of the restaurant. 

"Tell me more about yourself." 

Kayana peeked at Vodia, watching as he took a sure sip of the foul tasting wine. 
"What would you like to know?" 

Settling further into his chair, Vodia gazed at Kayana's face. He watched the light reflect from her eyes, making them seem brighter than usual, a spark in her eyes that wasn't there when he first married her. A spark, he realised, that was hope. Hope he put there. For another man. 

Frowning, Vodia lifted his glass towards his lips again. 

Sensing his sudden change, Kayana opened her mouth to ask him what went wrong when another voice cut her off. 

"Your menu's Sir, Madam." 

A hard, book-like menu was thrust into Kayana's lap, whereas Vodia's was placed gently in to his awaiting hand. 

Looking at the new arrival, Kayana came eye to eye with a girl with blonde hair, pulled back into a tight high ponytail. Black winged eyeliner decorated her eyes as her pink painted lips continued moving. 
"Please call me when you are ready to order." She purred towards Vodia, who simply smiled back politely. 

Turning away from him to give Kayana a once over, she turned on her heel, her nose up in the air as she swished her hips away from them. For a second, Kayana was afraid her skirt, though it looked more like a belt, would be flung off. 

Wide eyed, she turned back towards her husband, whose eyes were firmly planted on the menu, skimming through the selection of foods. Twitching her lips to one side, Kayana mentally rolled her eyes, before she too looked towards her menu. 

Words she had never heard of popped out at her. 

Smiling at Vodia, Kayana waited until he noticed her gaze, his head lifting up as he lifted one eyebrow. 

"Yes?" 

"What will you be ordering?" 

Though it sounded like a simple question, Vodia realised what Kayana was trying to get at. Matching her expression, he brought his chair around a little, until he was next to a startled Kayana and placed his menu between them. 

"What kind of food do you like?" 

Though Kayana was vegetarian most times, only eating chicken if she had to, she knew she now had to follow Vodia's way of life, at least until she was reunited with Raian. 

"Do you eat meat Vodia ji?" 

"It is incredibly rude to answer a question with a question Kayana." 

Stunned, Kayana ducked her head, how could she be so stupid? She shouldn't have asked. Shaking her head, she mumbled out an apology as her hand reached for her glass. She knocked back the remaining wine causing a cough to fight its way out of her.

"Hey, hey, I was only joking Kayana." Vodia awkwardly began rubbing Kayana's back as he tried to justify his words. Sure he wasn't used to being in such delicate company, but why would he even think saying that would be okay? Shaking his head, he continued to gently tap her back, in an attempt to help the wine pass smoothly. 

Swallowing once more, Kayana felt a warm feeling overtake her body, a buzz echoing within her mind. The new feeling was welcomed over her embarrassment. 

Tingles shot through her as Vodia's hand rubbed small circles across her upper back, the heat from his hand warming her up even more. Unconsciously she leaned against it. 

"I'm sorry Vodia ji." She meekly whispered, not looking at him. 

Vodia was disappointed in himself. He knew she didn't have the same trust of people since what happened but they had been making progress. And he ruined that. 

"There is no need to be sorry Kayana. I apologise, I didn't mean for it to offend."

Sighing, Kayana raised her eyes to look at his, his hand still absentmindedly drawing circles, and for once, after everything, Kayana felt safe. 

"Chicken." Mixed with, "Yes." As they both tried to answer at the same time. 

Laughter erupted from the table, the previous moment forgotten for the time being.

"Go ahead." Vodia's voice was laced with mirth as he watched Kayana smile freely. 

"I like chicken, Vodia ji. Your turn." 

"I do eat meat." 

Smiling at each other, they were interrupted with a rude throat clearing as the girl from before was back, her eyes glaring daggers at Vodia's close proximity to Kayana. 

"Are you ready to order?" She all but spat towards Kayana. 

Kayana apprehensively looked back, before turning her attention to Vodia who nodded, moving his chair away from her. 

"My wife and I would like some starters first, garlic bread sticks, and a coke for her," He ordered, winking at Kayana as she blushed. 

"Is that all for now?" 

But her question fell on deaf ears as Vodia's attention was now directed completely towards Kayana. 

Huffing, Kayana saw her storm away, the sway to her hips no longer present. 

"Have you decided on what you would like to eat?" 

Moving her head in the negative, Kayana diverted her eyes to the menu, dancing between the oddly names foods. 

"What are you going to have Vodia ji?"

"Perhaps the cook's special. What about you?" 

Not wanting to look as if she knew nothing, Kayana closed her eyes briefly, and pointed to a dish at random. 

"I would like the Calamari Fritti thank you." 

Vodia nodded, a grin playing on his lips as he repeated her order to the waitress who had returned with their previous order. 

Dumping her glass of coke in front of Kayana, she turned to lean closer to Vodia as he spoke, who was grimacing from the overwhelming smell of perfume from her. 

Kayana watched interested in the way Vodia kept his voice polite as he spoke to the girl, though cautiously moving further away from her. His jaw ticked subtly whenever she got too close to him, resulting in him moving further away, though he tried not to be obvious. 

Resting an elbow on top of the table, Kayana placed her chin on top of her hand, watching Vodia interact with the young waitress, politely trying to discourage her. 

Finally having enough, Kayana leaned forward, grasping Vodia's hand that lay on the table in a fist, her small hand barely being able to hold his. He jolted, looking down at her hand, before turning his around, holding her delicate one in his calloused palm.  One side of his lips lifted as he smiled at her. 

"Thank you, we've ordered now." Clear dismissal was evident in Kayana's voice as the girls face paled. Pocketing her book with their orders, she left again. 

Leaning to pull her arm back, Kayana was kept rooted to her position as Vodia's hand continued to hold hers. 

For once, Kayana did not feel the need to pull her arm away, she did not feel a sense of betrayal towards Raian. For once, Raian was not the only man on her mind. Kayana didn't know whether  it was the drink she had, or if she was just going mad, but the feel of her hand in his made her feel things that were long forgotten. And so she left it there. 

As Vodia's thumb rubbed circles along her knuckles, Kayana's nerves seemed to melt away.

"What do you like to do in your spare time?" 

Blushing, Kayana ducked her head. "I read, Vodia ji. And yourself?" 

"I also enjoy reading Kayana, though perhaps I may enjoy it more than even you." 

Kayana knew that Vodia was teasing her, the glint in his eyes making it obvious. 

"Is that so Vodia ji?" 

"I do believe it is Kayana." He gave her hand a gentle squeeze as he realised she was opening up to him. 

Kayana let out a wondorous laugh, "That is debateable Vodia ji. What's your favourite colour?" 

"Blue. What's yours?" 

"Yellow." 

Shortly after this Vodia's chowder came out, accompanied by some baguettes. Kayana looked at him to see he was already looking her way, his lips contorted in a way that showed her that he was holding back a laugh. She looked at him quizzically until the waitress unceremoniously dumped the fritte in front of her, huffing as she walked away. The squid looked unappetising and Kayana swallowed, grinning apprehensively at Vodia. 

"Is it safe to assume that you are not fond of seafood?" 

Kayana shook her head, her smile now fully taking over her face, her eyes glossed over from her drink earlier and she looked at Vodia endearingly. "Nope." She made the 'p' pop and Vodia let out a shoulder moving chuckle, calling the waitress back and asking for a chicken pasta, something he had picked out the second he heard her original order. 

"I don't want to waste it Vodia ji" She mumbled, picking at her plate with disgust before she realised he was staring. 

Vodia leaned forward, his hand increasing the tightness of his grip ever so slightly. "It's not a waste for you sweetheart." And he would swear that he felt Kayana's own hand tighten slightly within his, but he couldn't be sure for the smile on her face had his full attention. 

The remainder of the evening was spent with each asking the other questions, getting to know each other when their time together was nearing the end. 

Placing the required money on the table, Vodia stood, his hand that had not once left Kayana's now let go, as he tucked it into his pocket. 

"Would you like to take a walk with me?" 

Nodding, Kayana followed his lead out of the restaurant and into the cold Balu air. Wrapping her arms about her, she lifted her head to the wind, feeling the rush as it weaved through her hair. Opening her eyes, she saw Vodia watching her, she grinned at him, feeling free. 

He just continued watching her while she spun around, enjoying the sight of her happiness. 

Following her down the cobbled footpath, Vodia grinned at the few people that were still milling around the area, their eyes joyously watching Kayana. 
Two children that had been watching her with wide eyes clapped when she smiled at them. 

Vodia knew then and there that he had made the perfect choice in choosing his bride. 
She completed him. Where he was hard and cold towards many others, she was gentle and sweet to everyone. Where he had been afraid to love, she had given her heart willingly. And although it was not to him, Vodia felt some satisfaction in helping his love find hers. 

She was perfect for him. It was he who was the wrong one for her. 

Kicking his toe against the pathway, he noticed Kayana speaking to an old lady on the side selling roses. He saw her gently stroke a rose with petals the colour of the setting sun. 

"Kayana," Coming up next to her in a few quick strides, ""Would you like that rose?"

Quickly, she brought her hand back, an impish smile on her face.  "Ji?"

Vodia smiled at her then nodded towards the lady, pulling his wallet out from his back pocket. 
Kayana nodded shyly in thanks when she was handed the beautiful flower, holding it immediately towards her nose. 

Inhaling deeply, she turned to Vodia, looking straight into his eyes. 

Vodia was lost. 

"Thank you."

॥The Wrong One॥