8 Chapter 8
“She asked about what your past relationships were like so I um, told her about Jess.” Kenji was beyond upset. His best friend keeps bringing up his past, it’s hard enough for Kenji to move past it on his own but with his best friend constantly reminding him of it, it was becoming even harder.
Jessica was his ex girlfriend. He dated her for about four months before breaking up with her through a text message and never talking to her again. It’s what he did best, not getting attached. That was his number one rule, never get attached.
He made that rule after every person he got attached to hurt him in some way, starting with his mother passing away when he was little and his father becoming emotionally unavailable and emotionally abusive.
The next person to hurt him was his first high school girlfriend, Amelia. Amelia was his escape from his father, she made him feel happy and free and he quickly became attached to the feeling of someone caring. He loved her but Amelia quickly grew tired of how clingy he was and broke up with him.
That’s when he decided he wouldn’t get attached to anyone ever again. His number one rule, which he broke for a young author.
“Dani… He’s not a good man.” Tony tried to speak.
“Tony, he’s literally perfect. How is he not good?” Dani questioned with slight anger and disappointment lacing her voice.
“Listen, I talked to Hernan and his last relationship-”
“Tony, his past is his business. Unless he chooses to tell me about it I have no right knowing, and neither do you. I know you’re just looking out for me but I trust him and I need you to trust my judgement.” Dani ended the conversation and went to the guest room she was staying in.
Dani decided to text Kenji while she finished up the last few paragraphs of her work.
“Hi.” She sent the message and patiently waited for a response.
Kenji looked at the notification on his phone and felt nervous. She was probably not gonna trust him anymore. He sighed and replied to the message before waiting for another.
Before he got a response however, he decided to send another message.
“Look, I know Tony talked to you about me, and if you don’t wanna talk anymore I totally understand.” He sighed as he clicked send. He waited a few seconds before his phone dinged with a new message.
“Call me.” Kenji hesitated with his finger over the call button before finally pressing it and putting the phone to his ear. It rang for a few moments before Dani picked up.
“Hello?” Dani’s voice was soft through the speaker of the phone.
“Hey…” Kenji responded. “I know what Tony told you probably sounded really bad but-” He was quickly cut off from his rant by a soft voice.
“She didn’t tell me anything.” Kenji sat silently for a second.
“What? She was- why?” He didn’t understand, she had every right to be protecting her friend from him but she wasn’t… why?
“I told her I didn’t wanna hear it from her. It’s your past and if it was important then you would tell me, otherwise it is irrelevant to me. I don’t need to know unless you want me to, it’s not my business or hers.” Kenji smiled as he listened to her speak, this girl cares so much about him and respects his feelings, he’s gonna tell her everything. Someday.
“I’m not ready to talk about it yet, but I promise when I am I will talk to you and tell you everything.” It was Dani’s turn to smile.
“I know you will.” Kenji’s phone started vibrating indicating someone else was calling him.
“I gotta go, someone's calling me. Get some rest, blondie.” Dani smiled softly.
“You too, ink. Bye.” They both hung up and Kenji answered the other call.
“Hello?” He answered without looking at the number that called.
“Hello, son.” Kenji felt cold as he heard the voice come through the speakers.
“Dad? What do you want?” He asked as he collected his things from his desk and walked outside to his car.
“I want to meet with you. We haven’t seen each other in so long, let’s have dinner on Tuesday.” Kenji couldn’t help but roll his eyes when he heard those words.
“I guess we can meet. I have to go, I’m driving.” Kenji gripped his steering wheel as he hung up the phone and threw it into the passenger seat.
When he got to his apartment he started to think of different ideas for the date he was gonna take Dani on. He finally decided on just taking her to the coffee shop across the street from Rincila and then on a walk through the park nearby.
He texted Dani his idea and she replied saying she couldn’t wait and would see him in a few days.
