All Too Late

understand how insecure and lonely I must’ve been after losing my memories? Right then, Queena

pushed the food cart to the table where Samuel was at and placed a steak on the grill to begin cooking.

Halfway through the process, she must’ve gone into a daze, for she accidentally brushed her thumb

against a grill stone. Immediately, her thumb was seared and reddened like a tomato. Concurrently, a

yelp came through her lips. “Ouch!” At that juncture, Levi suddenly leaped up from his seat and bolted

toward Queena. Grabbing her injured hand with both hands, Levi was distressed as he urged, “Did you

hurt yourself? Come! I’ll send you to the hospital!” “Let go of me!” Queena appeared to be agitated,

hollering, “Don’t you dare touch me!” Huh? Levi froze as he witnessed her reaction. “I-I’m only worried

about you…” He loosened his grip sheepishly. Queena, in turn, ignored him and directed her gaze at

Samuel instead. “I’m sorry, Mr. Macari. Please excuse my clumsiness. I’ll go get my colleague to

continue serving you.” Samuel gave a curt nod.

Deep down, Samuel was puzzled by what he had just seen. From his perspective, something must’ve

been going on between this pair. Anyone can tell that he cares a whole lot for her. With that said,

Queena headed toward the kitchen right away. To Samuel’s surprise, Kathleen, too, rose to her feet

and followed Queena’s footsteps. A deep frown was etched on Samuel’s face. Why on earth did she

have to follow? When Kathleen entered the kitchen, Queena was already rummaging through the first

aid kit, seemingly looking for some medicine. Kathleen walked up and clasped Queena’s hand before

dragging the latter toward the sink. She turned the pipe on and placed Queena’s seared thumb under

the running cold water. “Always give it a good rinse before applying any medication.” “Thank you.”

Queena expressed her appreciation, her eyes teary. A faint smile appeared on Kathleen’s face as she

fished out her phone to dial Yadiel’s number. The call quickly got through. “Fetch me some burn

ointment,” was Kathleen’s command. She hung up the phone right after that. Queena bit her lip,

gawking at her injured finger. Out of the blue, Kathleen crossed her arms and asked, “Why did you

break up with Levi?” Her words stupefied Queena on the spot. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m not prying. Levi

asked me to help him out, but that doesn’t mean I take his side.

He simply wanted to get to the bottom of this.” Kathleen portrayed a fair-minded demeanor as she

spoke. “Forgive my bluntness, though. If you’ve decided to let him go, surely you wouldn’t mind telling

me, right?” Queena froze at that. Initially, she had really thought of keeping it to herself. However,

considering Kathleen had already put it that way, Queena was left with no choice. “He’s been seeing

someone else. During his absence, a woman came to me and showed me some photos of them acting

all lovey-dovey with each other. I couldn’t accept it, so I left him,” Queena gruffly blurted out the truth.

Kathleen blinked in disbelief. “Seriously?” The look on Queena’s face was stern as she said, “There’s

no reason for me to lie.” “No, no, no. I mean, Levi wouldn’t do such a thing.” Kathleen’s visage was

impassive, but her tone was all the more indifferent. Queena knitted her brows. “What makes you say

that?” “His mom is one of those devoted bunch. Naturally, Levi is, too. They’re the kind of people who

would forbid getting physical before marriage. I bet when you guys were dating each other, he had

never crossed the line except giving you some pecks, correct?” remarked Kathleen. Her deadpan

countenance didn’t waver at all. Queena nodded in agreement. Kathleen went on, “Trust me. I met

Levi’s mom before. She’s super strict when it comes to educating her son. Well, even if he’s nothing of

the sort, he wouldn’t just get himself another partner like that. I’ve known him long enough to know him

inside and out.” Listening to her claim, Queena pursed her lips. “But… what I said is also true.” “How

about that woman, though? Is she believable?” Kathleen shrugged. “You know, it’s relatively easy to

composite photographs nowadays.” Those words made Queena freeze for a moment. “Actually, you

should’ve confronted Levi about this. You’re his girlfriend. You have all the right in the world to do that,”

added Kathleen in a heartbeat. “It’s a little too late for that now…” Queena hung her head low,

concealing the emotions behind her hazel eyes. “I beg to differ. He still has a thing for you.

No matter what, you two should really talk it out before jumping to conclusions. Everyone hates being

set up, don’t we all?” Kathleen tried her best to talk some sense into Queena. The latter inclined her

head in approval. “I guess so…” “That’s settled, then. I’ll ask Levi to wait for you to get off work. I’ve got

to go now.” “Okay,” Queena responded with a nod. With that, Kathleen wheeled around to exit the

kitchen. Right after she stepped out of the kitchen, she bumped into Samuel. Samuel clenched her

hands and dragged her all the way into the restroom. “What are you doing? Let me go!” Kathleen

glared daggers at him. Samuel released his clutch at once before piping up, “That guy’s not into you.

He only cares for Queena.” Kathleen’s brows furrowed. “Oh, really? What does that have anything to

do with you?” “That man doesn’t love you.” Samuel’s voice was as deep as the ocean. “Wake up!” “So

what if he’s not in love with me? Why should I care?” came Kathleen’s ice-cold retort. Samuel’s dark

gaze pierced deep into Kathleen’s eye. “You don’t care?” A frown marred Kathleen’s mien. “Yes, I

don’t.” Of course, Kathleen couldn’t be bothered about Levi’s feelings toward her, for she herself wasn’t

attracted to Levi. Besides, Levi only had eyes for Queena. Although Kathleen knew that Samuel had

gotten the wrong idea, she hadn’t the slightest intention to explain anything. Some nerve he has to

intrude on my private affairs after getting Ashley pregnant! Kathleen fumed furiously, “We’re no longer

related, Samuel, so don’t pester me anymore!” She left in a huff as soon as she finished her words.

Alas, Samuel wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, yanking her back into his embrace. “Let

go of me!” Kathleen struggled as she turned around. As they grappled with each other, Samuel’s collar

was unbuttoned by accident. A necklace then fell out, coming into sight. Attached to the necklace was

the diamond ring that Kathleen had returned to him. Huh? He even wears that diamond ring on his

neck now?

Kathleen was stunned upon witnessing that. Embarrassed, Samuel stuffed the necklace back under his

shirt. He acted as though he had been stripped of his very last bit of dignity. “Fine. I’m staying out of

your business from now on!” After dropping those words, Samuel let go of Kathleen and strode off in no

time at all. A trace of helplessness and bitterness flashed across Kathleen’s face. What’s going on? Are

things never going to be the same again? Have we really reached the point of no return?