We Never Broke Up (A Second Chance Romance)

Chapter 22

I know it must be surprising for you to receive my call, Chef Everhart,”
Callista said, her gaze fixed on me.

The soft glow of the restaurant’s lights
highlighted her vibrant, red wavy hair, casting a warm aura around her.

“It is, and please, just call me Sera. Chef Everhart feels a bit too official,” I
replied, offering a friendly smile.

“Alright, Sera, no need for formalities. Let’s get to the heart of the matter.
What’s your connection with Thad, and why did you decide to go on a trip
with him?” Callista’s tone shifted, a hint of curiosity and concern playing in
her voice.

“What?” I asked, caught off guard by her statement.

“I can’t believe this,” she scoffed, her disbelief evident. “How can I come to
your restaurant with a date, and a chef managed to sweep my date off his feet
and go on a trip with him? Does any of this even make sense to you?” Her
voice raised slightly, frustration in her tone.

I stared at her, my silence speaking volumes.

“You’re just a chef Thad met in this restaurant, so whatever you have with
him won’t last long. But with me…” She paused, emphatically pointing to her
own chest. “I mean, I’m everything to him. We’ve known each other since
our college days.”

“So, what are you getting at, Callista?” I asked, forgoing the “miss” in her
name.

She sighed and leaned in closer.
“I’m saying this for your own sake. Don’t invest your time in Thad because
he’ll never choose you over me. He and I go way back,” she whispered, her
eyes locked onto mine.

A small smile curled up on my face as I regarded her with amusement.

“I’m glad Thad has had someone like you by his side all these years, someone who claims to know him inside and out,” I said.

Her expression shifted to confusion.
“Have you been keeping tabs on Thad, monitoring his whereabouts and the
people he meets?” I inquired, my smile fading.

“That’s none of your business,” she replied in a hushed voice, realizing I had caught her.

“Callista, let me be direct. I’m not the type to fight over a guy. And you should
know that I’ve known Thad for a long time, even before his college days.
Right now, we’re in a relationship,” I paused, observing her reaction, which
confirmed my expectations. Anger flickered across her face.

“I love him, and he loves me too. I don’t believe I’m wasting my time with
him,” I continued. I stood up, leaned in closer, and whispered, “Have a nice
day, Callista, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t call me for meetings like this.
Ever again.” With that, I turned and walked away from the restaurant, each
step carrying a sense of finality.

Thad
I stood a few steps away from Sera, both of us on a hill, gazing down at the
breathtaking beauty of nature. She had insisted on this location, and I didn’t
question her reasons.

My feelings for her were unwavering, and she was the one I desired. The past
no longer mattered; all I wanted was to be with her.

A gentle breeze rustled through her hair, and I couldn’t help but smile as she
tucked a loose strand behind her ear. Her actions only added to her charm.

I removed my coat, taking slow steps toward her, and then gently wrapped it
around her shoulders, ensuring she was properly covered.

I wrapped my arms around Sera, leaning in close to nuzzle her neck and
inhaling her familiar, delightful strawberry scent. It was a fragrance I had grown to love.

“Do you like it?” I whispered, to which she nodded.

“My mum wants to meet you, Sera,” I mentioned, releasing my embrace and
standing beside her.

She gazed up at me, her eyes reflecting a mixture of shock and a hint of fear.

“My mum is not a hard person to please. She’s genuinely nice,” I added with a light chuckle, aware of her nerves.

“Why does she want to see me?” She asked, her green eyes sparkling in the
night.

“Because you’re my girlfriend, and she’s eager to meet you,” I stated plainly.
Sera diverted her gaze, looking ahead.

“ I am sure you knew my mum in the past?” I asked hesitantly.

“Very well,” she whispered and turned to me, mustering a forced smile. “I did
everything I could ever think of doing with your mum, Thad. We cooked,
danced, laughed, and even went shopping together.”

“Oh…” I responded, taken aback by this revelation.

“It will be nice to meet her again, though,” she said, trying to ease the tension.

I nodded in agreement and took her right hand, squeezing it gently.

“It’s fine if you don’t want to meet her now; we can always postpone it,” I
reassured her, trying to warm her cold hands in mine.

“No. I can’t run away forever, Thad. I’ll have to meet her eventually,” she
whispered.

“What do you mean?” I asked, puzzled.

“Nothing,” she replied, shaking her head slightly. “Why are you no longer
curious to know about your past and what really happened?”

“Why should I?” I questioned.

“Thad… you were already regaining your memories, and they suddenly
stopped coming to you. Aren’t you curious to know more about our past?”

“No. I’m not. Not anymore, anyway. I mean…” I paused, pulling her closer
to me. “You’re with me now, and there’s nothing more I need to know,” I
whispered, planting a soft kiss on her right cheek.

She gazed at me as if she wanted to say something but stopped, offering a
warm smile.

“I love you,” I whispered and pulled her into a loving hug.

“So, do you mind telling me more about your senior friend, the guy who
always seems to be around you?” I asked, pulling away slightly.

“What do you mean? Senior friend? He’s just a friend, haven’t we talked about
this before?” She replied with a brief laugh.

“I don’t like him getting too close to you. He seems obsessed with you, Sera, and it worries me,” I confessed.

She playfully smacked my chest. “No, you’re the one who’s obsessed with
me.”

A sense of déjà vu washed over me as I looked at her smiling face.

“You’re so obsessed with her. Why are you going to find her at this hour? It’s late, Thaddeus,” a voice echoed in my head.

“Thad? Thad?” Sera’s voice brought me back from my thoughts.

“Huh?” I mumbled, shaking off the reverie.

“Are you okay?” She inquired, and I nodded quickly.

“What about you? Callista clearly has feelings for you, and I’m sure she still
visits your office,” she probed.

“No, she doesn’t. I told her not to come since you didn’t like it,” I admitted.

She pouted slightly and turned away from me, heading toward the car with
long strides.

“Where are you going?” I asked, laughing softly as I followed her.

“Somewhere away from you, you’re lying,” she retorted, her voice rising with a  tinge of jealousy.

A smile crept onto my lips as I caught up with her.