Hailey didn't see him tomorrow in the house.

And it didn't take her too long to dig up information on him , he was out of the city for "meeting."

Angry at his cold behavior , she dialed his number right away.

Him , who actually attended a meeting and was tired , saw her name flashing on the screen. His heart ignited but this time he was in control of the flames.

He knew he couldn't ignore her even if he wanted to. .

Van picked her call.

And she ripped through it.

"Why are you running from me?! You think you can get me through this hide and seek?! I would rather jump off a cliff than be with you!" Her voice held bitterness , he didn't know since how long had she hated him? Lips pressed in a tight line he let her burn him.

"Talk to me!" She snapped.

"I don't have time for being petty over things that hardly matter. Your father had a wish and you don't want it. There's nothing else to say over it." He said in a detached manner , not letting her feel how hard it had been to accept her decision.

She was silent for a few seconds and then ,"Good. Love isn't for cowards. Love isn't for someone who can't step up."

Van smiled , a very frosty one.

"You'll say no to Dad right?"

"Yes."

"When?"

"That's my headache."

"Dad shouldn't know anything about Todd." She reminded him.

"He won't."  Van clipped.

"Anyways you have your girl right? The one you keep writing for? Did she dump you?" Her tone as acidic.

This time he couldn't take it.

"You're being personal , Hailey." He said it in a calm voice telling her to stay back.

"Oh! So sorry. My bad."

She cut the call.

And burst into tears.

××××××××

"Are you listening to me?" Todd said impatient.

"I'm." She wasn't.

"I want you to come over again. Make something up. Didn't Van help you out the first time?" He said in a hopeful voice.

"He did. Didn't he?"

He didn't notice the bite in her tone.

"Listen love , I don't know what you do and how you do it. .just come over. I miss you."

"I know. .I miss you too."

Then how come her heart felt empty?

And so did her words. .

She was doing everything to spite him.

And it wasn't working , she thought.

Answering to Todd , her fingers typed on the phone.

Van , please come back. .

Van who had a slight temperature , read her message and . .deleted it right away.

×××××××××

"I don't understand. .why are you doing. .what you are doing?" Ethan asked in a soft voice , Van had a stoic face on.

"I would appreciate it if you don't interrupt my personal life and decision. I don't want to be with Hailey. I have never liked her that way—,"

"Then like her in that way!"

"Ethan, if you can have the right , the choice to dumped your wife without seeing her then my issue is of meager importance. And quite simple. I don't want to hear anything about it again." He voice was steady and non flexible.

That made Ethan shut his mouth not knowing how to tackle this Van.

Hard and unforgiving.

××××××××

Then she noted how he didn't come home much. Didn't have dinner with the family even though Matilda kept calling him , it always ended up on a voice note.

"You're like a guest ....rarely visiting us." She grumbled , piling up his plate with pancakes. He had come back and it took him whole one week . .Hailey who was surprised on seeing him at the table couldn't help but notice the dark circles , the pale skin and the shadow on his face. .

"I'm fine." He said in a dismissive manner , not expecting Hailey to be at the table so early in the morning.

"You're right. He's like a stranger at the house." She said in a sweet voice but he heard the bite in her tone and pursed his lips in a tight line.

"You should concentrate on your studies and Todd." His manner was brisk and it burned at her heart.

Matilda had gone to wake up Astrid and Jake hence Hailey got her chance.

"You're so sweet , Van. Did he call you to say that?" She whispered yelled, not able to control her anger.

"No , I don't want trouble is that." He dabbed the napkin on his mouth and then got up

"Maybe I should talk to the girl that lives in your diary and tell her—,"

"You shouldn't do anything , Hailey. That's what you're best at." He smiled seeing her cheeks go beet red in embarrassment.

×××××××××

Shutting his cufflinks , he was climbing down the stairs but he saw Hailey standing at the bottom of the stairs and he averted his gaze, hell bent on ignoring her but her arm shot out , closing his path brutally.

"What's this?" She asked , looking pissed . .a think chain of golden bracelet hung from her wrist blinging under the lights.

"What?" He didn't get her.

"You don't remember?!" She looked in shock.

"Should I?"

"It's my birthday, Van!" Her brown eyes burned like coal.

He shut his eyes, forgotten all about her special day. He always wished her the first in house.

"You didn't wish me." She sounded like a child who didn't get her favorite candy. .

Heartbroken.

"Yeah. .you know Hailey , you should keep that sort of expectations from Todd. I think it's about time you grow up." He smiled really worried for a her for a minute.

"You think Todd is a psycho possessive jerk?" She pushed her hair back , her nose in the air.

He checked the time of his wrist watch.

"I have to dash. Later."

She felt . .this weird sensation in her heart as if she was losing something very precious to her. Her emotions confused her. She didn't like it one bit how...distant he suddenly got with her. Maybe she didn't notice , she was the one who changed her road . .just to entice him . .

She didn't think about consequences now did she. .

×××××××××