Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 111

Stella and Barbara's two-day trip suddenly got extended out of the blue.

Apart from work, I was fussing over recipes with Barbara every day, trying to figure out how to get enough nutrition into Stella's kid.

Iva seemed to be in a hot mess too. They kept ringing up Stella, asking who the father of the kid was, but she wouldn't spill the beans until Mitch would own up.

I was playing secret keeper for her too. I kept silence even when Simmons tried to squeeze it out of me.

“I suddenly crave for some chicken stew.” Stella blurted out, rubbing her belly.

Barbara was in the kitchen, stewing beef. She popped out and asked, “Beef won't do?”

“I'd prefer chicken.” Stella lay on the sofa like a limp noodle.

Lately, her morning sickness had been getting worse and her food tastes were all over the place.

Sometimes she couldn't stomach anything, other times she had to have a certain dish.

I grabbed my car keys, “I’ll go get you some chicken stew.”

“You're a lifesaver! Thanks!” Stella’s eyes lit up instantly.

It was drizzling outside. Without a second thought, I drove to the restaurant where we had eaten last time. Their chicken stew was the topic of the town.

It was dinner rush, so the place was packed. I ordered some chicken stew and a few other dishes to go, then took a seat near the door to wait.

When Neil walked in, I was engrossed in my phone. I glanced up at the sound of the door, and froze.

He wore a greyish-white suit with a black sweater underneath. The tailor-made suit flattered his physique, accentuating his perfect lines and proportions. His gentlemanly charm was off the charts, with a few strands of hair falling over his expressive features, making him super handsome.

His entrance caused a few gasps from the girls in the restaurant.

Good-looking people always steal the limelight, no matter where they are.

Neil noticed me too. Surprise flickered in his eyes, and then he masked it.

A waitress was already attending to him. Neil ordered two servings of chicken stew and some desserts popular Caladonia, also to-go.

Bonnie craves chicken stew too? I wondered, but kept my cool and went back to my phone.

Neil and I were divorced. His business was none of mine.

But for some reason, Neil came over and sat next to me.

I felt uneasy and wanted to change my seat, but I didn't want to look like a wuss.

If he could act cool, why couldn't I?

"Is Stella with you?" Neil broke the ice.

"What's it to you?" I retorted, coldly.

Neil seemed to chuckle, “She's none of my business. The kid in her belly isn't mine.”

I looked him in the eye, thinking, then why the hell are you asking?

Neil glanced at his watch, then he asked, “Can Stella see me?”

"Why would she want to see you? You guys hardly know each other." I teased, "Aren't you afraid Bonnie will be jealousy?"