CHAPTER 28
"That was quite a scene. Who is that woman? She kind of looks familiar," Sam asks about the wild brunet.
"Sheila Mateo, the CEO of SM fashion,” Natasha answers indifferently. “Girls, I got to go. My puddles must be hungry by now, and I have a sleep to catch on." She is in a rush.
"Oh, sure," I reply.
"I hope to see you again before you leave, huh?" Natasha smiles, and Sam gives her a nod. "Now where is my mister again? He has to drive me home, there's no way I'm taking a taxi like this,” she mumbles to herself as she wanders off.
With Natasha gone, my friend finally takes notice of me. She joins me by the pool and starts talking of Malik. We both wonder who that wild brunette is.
"Are you okay?" Sam asks afterwards.
And here we go again.
"Hey, how many times do I have to tell you that there's nothing between us? I do like him, yes, but only as a brother or a friend." I’m seriously getting tired of this.
"Okay, if you insist." She raises her hands in surrender, laughing. "But you look cute together." She lies gingerly on the sunbed while pulling her mobile into view.
"We're not puppies, looking cute doesn't prove there's love," I remark, and we both laugh.
"Have you seen Liam?” Sam asks all of a sudden.
"No,” I breathe, my thoughts running speedily at him.
"He wasn't looking great earlier, so I'm wondering how he's doing right now. Would it be awkward if I check on him?" Sam asks.
What do I say?
"Um, sure, I don't see any problem with that," I croak before clearing my throat. This is harder than I thought.
"Well, I'm not sure." Sam sighs audibly, looking rueful. "It's crazy that I don't function around him. What's wrong with me, Kira? I never fret for a trouser and yet here I am, debating whether to go and ask if he's okay or not. How stupid is that?" She huffs a ridiculous laughter. My heart sinks.
"Do you really love him, Sam?" I think out loud, but its better this way. I’m very curious about the depth of her feelings towards him.
Sam flushes. "I don't know what loving someone means, Kira, frankly speaking. I've never loved before . . . like really loving a guy head over heels. But with him, I feel different.” Her voice is amorous, dreamy, her eyes gleaming in similar design. I hold my breath tightly as she proceeds. “I’m trying hard not to show, because whenever I try to get closer to him, he takes a step back. It really scares me, and I know I don't have time as this trip will soon be over."
I feel a sting in my heart, the pain inexplicable. Oh God, why is this getting more complicated? Should I tell her everything? Should I just let my biggest secret in the open regardless the upshots of my dark reveals? My heart races rapidly.
"Sam,” I call nervously, my lips barely parting as the voice comes out. She hums her assent for me to on. “I have something to tell you and I’m sure it’s going to be hard for you to accept—”
"New number?" Sam scowls, interrupting my confession. “Hold on, Kiki, I need to get this. Maybe it’s from my landlord, because I asked someone to send his number so that we can sort the leakage problem,” she tells me.
I take a deep breath, partly disappointed, partly relieved. I don’t know what I truly feel honestly. As Sam picks the calI I take the moment to fetch us some drinks in the kitchen. Or better yet, to escape from the ticking bomb in the shape of my lies and deceit.
I stride in the kitchen and grab a gallon of juice, then the glasses. My thoughts are all over the place,deranged, and my anxiety casus a tremor of my hands. I place everything on the reakfast table, taking a deep breath.
“What am I going to do?” I murmur, ruing my sweaty palms.
I don't get a chance to do a thing, or think, as Sam breezes in, a ridiculous grin covers her pretty face. "Kira!" she calls loudly.
"What?" I wince back a bit, serving us some safe distance as she gets closer.
She catches a long breath. "Guess who has just called?"
Not a guessing game, please.
"Who?" I ask.
It takes eternity for her to answer, something that usually annoys me.
She finally speaks, "Well, it was Jeremy."
"Huh?" My face blanches.
"Can you believe Jay is in Miami?" Sam sounds more excited, and I’m suddenly cold, frozen with this unexpected news.
My throat goes dry.
Jeremy Kruger is the last person I'd want to hear for the rest of my life. I hate the sound of his name itself, I hate to even think of him; I generally hate him as whole.
Taking a deep breath, I brace myself and ask, "What does he want?"
"To hang, what else? He saw last night's clip . . . that's why," she says. "Apparently he's come with the whole squad for summer, and they want us to meet."
"Okay, do it. They're your friends, right?" I retort, carrying on with pouring the juice.
I’m not meeting them.
Sam scowls. It looks like she's being bothered by the asperity in my reaction. Well, I'm not happy, and I can't hide it.
"You're not going? He asked about you," she says hesitantly.
"No!” My voice comes out harsh. Sam looks startled. “I mean, I don't feel like going out today.” I mutter quietly, filling the juice in my glass without mirth.
"Fine, I'll just go alone," Sam utters, disappointed. "I hope I won't get lost."
"Why? Where exactly are you meeting them?" I breathe.
"Somewhere called . . . Coconut Grovel?" Her eyes are on the phone. "But well, I'll just get a taxi,” she decides.
With that piece of news from Sam, my day has succeeded to get ruined. I'm mortified by this anguish inside. It's as if my old wound is being reopened.
I cuddle myself at the corner of my bed, thinking of nothing but Jeremy. The feeling is so disgusting that I grimace and hug myself even tighter.
"Damn him." I grit my teeth, and the anger rises increasingly.
I've been standing in front of the window for a while now, my head utterly empty, lost into the sight of the ocean. Its water rolls softly, reflecting the color of the blue sky, and I find myself peaceful momentarily.
It's the sound of my buzzing phone, a call from Malik that brings me back to Earth.
"Malik," I utter as soon as I pick up. "What's up?"
"Professor, are you still at home?" he urges.
"Yeah. Is something wrong?" My voice doesn't conceal my concerns.
"No, not at all," he says, his voice assuring. "I only wanted you to check on Liam. Have you seen him?"
"Not since breakfast, why?" My curiosity grows wilder at the thought that I haven't behold my cowboy for a while now.
I hope he is okay.
"Relax, Professor, I don't need you in panic, please," Malik teases, probably aware of my unbidden concerns. Jeez, I can't help it! "I think our liquor party last night didn't agree well with him. He might've had a little too much to drink and—“
"A little?" I quip, accusingly, recalling how many bottles went down the drain through their livers. Malik's laughter fills my ears. "So you think it's still getting the best of him?" I quiz carefully.
"Maybe," Malik replies coolly, his sigh slightly audible. "I know I don't need to ask you to look after him, do I?"
"Don't worry, I'll take care of him," I reply.
With pleasure! My subconscious grins. So naughty!
Before disconnecting, Malik adds, "Don't fall for it if he insists he's okay, he can be very tough."
"I think I believe you," I say knowingly, for I can tell how stubborn and self-reliant Liam can possibly be; some kind who hardly communicate his inner turmoil.
Malik hangs up after one of his teasing remark towards my secret romance. God, I wonder how this is going to end. Anyways, I love his relationship with Liam; they are so much like real brothers. Sighing, I begin thinking of the matter at hand.
Now where are you, Mr. Intense?
Without wasting a second more, I walk towards the eastern wing of the house, where the boys sleep. The layout of the building is a lot to take in. It's quite unusual, but in style. I'm not sure which room is Liam's, so I just make a random guess.
I stand in front of the first door, followed by the knock. Hearing no response, I open it and find a gigantic room with no one inside. I can smell Malik's cologne from here, which indicates that it's his bedroom. I subtly draw myself in.
The bed is a little messy, but all clean, which is understandable when it comes to most guys with no help around. But the rest of the room is very neat. I'd love to peek on its adjoined dressing room, but my good manners won't let me.
Or maybe you are already busy with something else? I ignore this nosy voice.
After a small trial and error, I'm finally at Liam's room. I barge in with a single knock, for I can’t tell if he's in or not. Well, I guess he's right here! That very same voice mutters, impelling my heart to flip ridiculously. Damn! My cowboy is fast asleep, covered with a white duvet.
What a sight! My sex goodness pops her eyes wide open, unafraid to face the beautiful unknown.
It's just me and Liam in the house . . . in his room. Wow! It's a bit dark in here, the curtains are all closed. Either way, the Air Conditioner is on and I can feel the chill. How does he sleep in such condition? I glower as I get closer to him.
I take my time contemplating the sleeping handsome. Why am I getting excited? Get a grip, Kira Jones! Moving further, slowly, I reach the bed and sit down next to where Liam's head lies. He's totally oblivious, the sound of his breath regarding me with heartfelt delight.
My eyes find his relaxed face, smiling indulgently at the tranquil on his features. It's totally impossible to not touch him when I'm this close to him, so I do as my heart wishes. I delicately brush a hand on his bushy eyebrows, my face too near, and his eyes flex.
I quickly back off, feeling busted, when Liam tilts his head instinctively to my side, while slowly opening his eyes. I hold my breath, waiting for him to regain his full faculty. A soft, ruffled breath lurches from his lips. I smile. He looks like a baby, trying to familiarize with reality around him.
"Kira," he utters hoarsely, and I love when he calls my name. I just love whatever comes from him, I suppose.
He's simply the end and my beginning.
"Hi," I murmur, staring at him tenderly.
"Oh God." He tries to get up, and I place another pillow to support his back. "Thank you," he says gratefully, a warm smile splattered on his face.
He's actually shirtless, hypnotizing me with his masculine profile. This is a pure torture, I think to myself, and my sex goddess winks mischievously, twirling around as though ready to do the strip show.
"How are you feeling?" I pull back so that I sit next to him.
"I'm good, what a nice surprise." He finally breaks into a real smile, bright and sexy.
I smile back. "It wasn't really a surprise, actually, it's just everyone has left and I couldn't see you anywhere. But I'm glad you like it," I tell him calmly.
"I do, baby. Your presence is always a pleasure to me," he says, scooting me to his side.
Mine as well, baby.
"You're a flatterer, Mr. Darcy." I chuckle with delight. "But you don't look good." I immediately eject from his cocoon and palm his forehead, checking body his temperature.
I'm right, he's burning.
“No, I’m not,” he breathes.
“Yes, you are,” I argue, frowning. Before I take my hand away, however, Liam takes ahold of it and pulls me over so that I lean on his shoulders. My chest crushes on his bare one, quite inciting of a scene. My insides unfurl, my sex goddess hardly holding her legs together.
It takes me by surprise, a sweet surprise, so I set myself very comfortable in the same posture.
"I'm okay," he insists, his eyes fixed on mine impetuously.
"No, you're not," I answer in a whisper while holding his gaze. "Maybe you should stop drinking now, because it's obvious you can't handle it."
He laughs lightly. "You're very obtuse."
"I'm not obtuse. I'm being serious, and stop laughing." I nudge him, blushing at this close contact.
"Or else what?" he challenges me, his voice amused.
"Or else I'll do this . . .” I give him a very delicate kiss in a slow motion. Despite his lips being on fire, I still find them tasty on mine. When I draw back to see his reaction, he looks utterly turned on.
"Or more?" he says, and we kiss again, his hands coaxing my body smoothly, and it starts that fire. Why am I so easy lately? "I should protest more often, Ms. Jones, if this is what I get for a punishment,” he says.
"I'll be rough next time." I smile.
"Rough is also good, with the right amount." He winks, and it’s such a turn on too.
Oh God! Should I just attack his body like a trained slut?
"Well, how would I know if you refuse to give it to me?" I mutter in a very low voice.
"What did you say?" Liam asks, chuckling.
"You only had coffee this morning, so you need to eat. Is there anything I can make for you?" I change the subject.
"Yes there is," Liam answers. "Stay here with me; I want to hold you in my arms."
Just holding?
"Can you be serious for a minute? You need to eat. You had too much alcohol, and your stomach is empty," I snap.
"Come on, eating is boring right now," he whispers sleepily like a baby.
"Well, we could do something spicy if you weren't so barbaric," I mutter, but he fails to hear.
"Just five minutes, okay?" he says.
"Five minutes." I lie next to him, his arms encircling my body. "You're burning," I whisper.
"Because you're boiling my blood, Ms. Jones," he replies lazily. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm okay," I answer. "Terrific, now that I'm here with you." I bury my face onto his chest, feeling this terrible urge to ask him to just take me away and forget everything as he suggested last night.
I feel vulnerable.
"Now I feel like you're the one burning," Liam says, making me sniff with a soft laugh. "What are you scheming, Ms. Jones?"
"Nothing. I just love this," I say. And maybe something else will do.
"What?"
"Laying myself next to you."
"We can do it every day, Kira, if you just say yes," he tells me, I smile, but say nothing. "Damn, I love you. You know, I never imagined this would happen so soon like this." He hugs me tighter.
"What would?" I ask in a very low tone of voice, enjoying his warmth.
"Me loving a girl I've just met a week ago." Liam laughs a bit, and I just pinch my lower lip between my teeth. "It's strange, isn't it?"
"Very," I utter.
"At some point I question myself if this is really love or my own infatuation," he proceeds.
"And then, what answer do you get?" I ask, and he takes some time to think. "Do you think it's love?" I ask again.
"I think it doesn't matter," he replies quietly. "It's something special, strong, irresistible, very beautiful, and that's what matters to me. It just feels right, so it's not necessary for me to debate what love is. It's what I've decided." He now kisses my forehead, forcing me to face him.
I feel overjoyed, overwhelmed even.
"I'm so sorry that we had to meet under these circumstances, Liam,” I whisper, my eyes watery.
"Stop saying that." Liam cups my face. "It's not your fault, and we will sort it out." He sounds optimistic, but I'm not sure I have the same confidence he has.
Either way, we stop at that. Without another word, we keep hibernating and even fall asleep for a while. Well, Liam does, for I keep awake throughout the time with a lot in my head, mainly on what to do.
"Get up, Liam." I bolt up, sometime later. "Why did you drink if you're such a baby boy?"
"Because I'm adorable," Liam utters sleepily, making me forget all the troubles in the world with laughter.
"Stop your nonsense, and get up." I pull the covers off him. He is wearing black cotton joggers.
With a very exasperated sigh, he answers, "Okay, I'll take a shower first then we can go out for lunch."
"Out?"
"Yes, out." He now sits up. "I know you like taking care of everyone around you, which makes you more special in my eyes, but I want you to take it easy."
"But—”
"No buts, Kira!" he hisses. "We're eating out, and that's final!” he orders.
"Okay." I finally accept, chuckling like a giddy school girl.
"Good girl." He kisses me once more, before I give him some space.