CHAPTER 33
Liam is now out of sight and I’m only thinking of him. I wonder what he is doing right now. Malik, Jamal, and Natasha are still around the grill, chatting over something humorous judging from their laughter.
I have been oblivious of whatever Sam and her friends are hilariously discussing about, and only drop a comment when necessary. Sickly enough, Jeremy has been eyeing me and it’s uncomfortable.
"This house is so damn terrific," Veronica utters, her eyes batting around like butterflies. "Who's the owner?" she inquires while her boyfriend stares around snobbishly.
Sam gives them a clear picture of the owner by pointing out at Malik's direction. She tells them more than asked when Veronica swears to have seen Malik before. Discretion is never in my friend’s dictionary.
"And are you the one riding his dick?" Jeremy asks Sam, and the two ladies laugh as though it was something beautiful to say . . . or hear.
So disgusting.
"Jay, dear, when will you realize that not all men are as imbeciles as you are, huh?" Sam admonishes at him.
"Statistics prove otherwise though." He shrugs while sipping his water.
"But of course it does," I make an input. "If people like you conduct it, what else can we expect?" I gulp more of my beer, maybe furiously that they all eye me. Who cares? I'm so distressed.
"I totally agree with Kira," Traven says coolly, his eyes on his mobile. "Not all guys are crooked. There are still good men out there, or here.” He points at himself. We all laugh. He’s comic, and I badly want to believe his words.
“If you find that good man who doesn’t want to whip your panties let me know. Like I said, statistics shows otherwise. And you ladies know this so well and still you keep throwing your ways onto us.” He gives a look.
What is he insinuating?
"And since when do you read anything, Jay?" Sam asks. "You know, I like you a lot, darling, but that doesn't mean you're charming, and not everyone is impressed with your fake macho act."
I stifle a laugh.
"Easy there, girl," Veronica jumps in, "Jay is mine so you better watch out, huh?"
"Why don't you eat him while at it?" I think out loud. She glares sternly at me. "Sorry, it's just too ridiculous to think everyone has the same taste as you, McClellan."
"I didn't know you can talk," says Veronica, full of hatred. "Since when do you talk, huh?
"Veronica, shut it!" Sam exclaims.
"No, let her," I intervene. "I'd like to hear what you have to say, girl, say it," I add, and Veronica glares dangerously at me.
Yes, bring it, bitch! I think I'm in the mood to blurt out and maybe pull someone's hair.
I just don't understand what her deal is. She's been quite a blabbermouth ever since we were in college; not a second passed without making those stupid comments. If it weren't for what I wore, then it's my personality, just to annoy me.
Fuck, not this time.
"You just think you're so special, huh?" Veronica says, and I only scoff. "The innocent one while in reality you are nothing but a slu—“
"Stop it, V!" Jeremy snaps, furious. "Are you five or something? If you add another word—“
“What?” Veronica snarls, and everything gets ugly in a whiff. “Are still nuts over her? Is that it?”
What’s going on? What was this bitch about to call me? I get heated, and the others are in wonder.
"I said shut up!" Jeremy stands up briskly and his voice reverberates furiously. “I don’t do stupid insecure jealousy chicks and you fucking know that!”
“Okay, all of you chill.” Sam tries to calm them as Malik and his crew turns their attention to us.
How embarrassing.
"Okay, I'll keep quiet," Veronica says. "Breathe in, breathe out." She demonstrates.
Are we high schoolers or something? This is so pathetic.
"Hey, guys," says Traven abruptly. We look at him. "Jasper has just landed, and he said we're meeting up at LIV tonight. You in?" He smiles sheepishly.
"Jasper Orton?" Sam cheers.
"The one and only, darling," Veronica tells her. "Get ready to relive the past and maybe rekindle the fire of passion."
"Oh please." Sam rolls her eyes. "I never swallow the puke."
"I'm damn serious, twin," Veronica insists. "I heard he's now living in Paris and so very single, ready to mingle."
"That's news," Sam says, a little absentminded. "Maybe it's time I give a little payback for catching him with that bimbo on the same day we broke up. How I love revenge."
"So, are you going?" Traven asks.
"And what's that LIV?" Sam asks.
"The hottest club, apparently," the other girl prompts.
"You can't be in Miami and never set foot on it, that's abomination of the word fun," Traven says, and gets a big laughter including a little bit of mine.
Sam turns towards me immediately, and I know what she's about to ask. I'm seriously not up for it. "We are going, right?"
"No, we're not, I want to rest tonight," I tell her flatly.
"Lame!" Veronica snickers.
"Can't you just shut the fuck up, you brainless bitch?" I face Veronica furiously. "Your voice is so annoying if no one had told you yet!"
All I can hear is a gasp of shock.
"What did you say?" She gets up, and I move closer.
"I said shut the fuck up. What? Are you going to fight me? Let's do it, because I'm so sick and tired of the insults every time you want to deal with your inferiority complex!" I feel the rage overflowing my Anger Management System.
Damn, she makes me mad.
"Kira," Sam utters, stepping between the fuming Veronica and me, then pulls me aside. "Is something wrong with you today?" she asks.
Everything is wrong.
"Why? Can't I be mad when I'm being provoked?" I ask.
"No, I just—“ She runs a hand through her hair, bemused.
Yes, I never lose it, but there's a limit to everything.
"Yes," I say, sighing heavily, "there's something wrong, but I'm pretty sure you'd never understand even if I tell you."
"I'm sorry if I've offended you by bringing them here," she says, and I can't believe her.
"You know what, don't make me feel more miserable," I tell her sternly. "Sorry, guys, I'm not in the mood for the party." I turn my heel, unable to even stare back at Sam.
You're indeed going nuts, Kira. My subconscious sighs after observing taciturnly for a long while.
"What's wrong with her really?" I hear Veronica's pissed-off voice. "Did she just call me a brainless bitch? How dare—“
"Just shut up, will you!" Jeremy snaps.
I lose the audibility of their voices as I make my way inside the house. However, I don't even get to leave as Natasha calls after me with a sweet grin on her sun-tanned face.
She beckons me to join them since the feast is ready, and I force a smile.
I've lost my appetite all together . . . but suddenly my lifesaver drags me by the pool to share his large bowl of Korean vegetable noodles and ribs.
I guess God hasn't forgotten me after all.
"Cheer up, Professor! You look like you're carrying the world on your shoulders right now, let's dig in." Malik hands me the chopsticks.
"Sure, my prince." I smile back and gets into the noodles.
"So spicy!" Malik cries. I laugh heartily.
"You should drink milk instead of water," I tell him jokingly, and he quickly shifts to the alluring ribs for a change. "And Liam, where is he?" I fail to conceal my curiosity.
Malik pulls an exaggerated sigh and shakes his head. "He's probably going through the weekly report sent from London." He gives me a weak smile. "What did you do to him? I've never seen him acting like this?"
I've hurt him.
"Are you accusing me of something now?" I pretend to get mad, all in the way to lighten the mood.
As expected, he laughs wittingly.
"Aren't you responsible?" he prompts with a huge bite that fills his mouth.
"Well, I won't deny, but I never thought that I could be so irresistible," I brag, and it makes him laugh harder.
Once again Malik restores back my sweetest smile. Only he can influence good even in bad times, and I'm so grateful for his being supportive: at least I've got someone to share this ordeal with. Jamal and Natasha join us shortly, and I believe I'm more relaxed with them than my previous companion.
"And my job here lads and ladies . . . is done!" Jamal announces cheerily, and from a distance I see the others enjoying the self-service.
"You're the best barbeque maker, I swear." I give compliment when due.
I can't explain how tender and juicy this meat tastes inside my mouth.
"I know, right? My boo is the best." Natasha kisses him.
Malik and I share a smile.
"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, Kira," Jamal says, his voice calm and reverent.
"Oh you got that right." I thumb up. "And I seriously need the recipe for this vegetable noodles," I tell Natasha and she promises to give it to me anytime.
The sound of water splash catches our attention. It's Sam, Traven, and Veronica in the swimming pool.
"So, those are your friends?" Jamal asks.
"Not really," I reply with honesty. "They are more of Sam's friends, but we attended the same college." I add, and I feel the urge to get away for at least a minute. "Um, excuse me for a while, I've got something to do inside," I tell them while getting up.
"Something to do, huh?" Malik mocks. "Are you sure about that, Professor?" He throws me a mischievous glance that always involves Mr. Intense in the equation.
"Shut up, Malik," I snap quietly while moving. He laughs audibly, and I think the others have caught on given how smiley they all are.
I'm not sure why I'm in the kitchen though as I find myself useless today. I'm dying to see Liam but I don't know what to say to him if I decide to confront him. He's evidently trying to avoid me, for he can no longer stand a sight of me, I suppose. I gulp a half glass of water while running a hand through my thick curls.
I start looking around for the toothpicks. I remember we brought some when we shopped that day . . . right? I search through the cabinets and finally get them. I shift around to make my way out and what I encounter turns me stiff right away, a cold shrill thrumming in my blood.
Jeremy is standing in front of me, only a few steps apart.
"At last I get some alone time with you," he tells me, deadpan.
I suck in a sharp breath. "What are you doing here?" My voice is strong but I don’t think my legs are. His sight terrifies me until today.
He licks his lips, sighing. "Relax, Kira. I came in peace," he says gently, and I frown. I don’t trust him. I never will. "Besides, aren't you the one who purposely led me here?" He starts laughing . . . But I can’t tell if it’s his idea of being funny or not.
"I did what? You are so sick, you know? Why would I do that while I can't stand your name itself?" I instinctively stride to the other side, for I hate to even feel his presence.
"Is that so? I thought you called me here, what a pity.” He slides his hand absently on the marble countertop, his legs moving ditto. I gulp, holding myself tightly inside. He then looks up at me. “I tried so hard to forget you, Kira, but you see this?" He shows me the little scar on his left jaw, and I swallow hard at the recognition of it.
I inflicted it on him, and I could do it again without thinking twice.
"This keeps reminding me of you. I could easily get rid of it by surgery, but I just can't. It's like a souvenir from you, and I want to keep it." Now he grins like a predator, eyes raw on mine.
My stomach furls up. "Serves you right," I mutter valiantly. "And you better get out of here, if you don't want to end up with the bigger one. I’m not interested in hearing any of your tales." I search around subtly in quest for anything to defend myself in case he gets aggressive.
"You really despise me, huh?” He takes another step, gaily, as though admiring the kitchen interior. What is he up to? My brain gets wary. “But don't worry, Kira. I won't do anything to you. I never meant to harm you, it’s just . . ." He’s suddenly a different person, his face softer and . . . regretful? He stares strangely at me, his eyes clouded with sadness.
No! He is a jerk, that’s all.
“Whatever, Jeremy, please leave.” I hold his gaze firmly and He extends his hand to touch my cheek, which I brush away quickly. "Don't you dare touch me, you jerk!" I snap, pulling away.
"Or what?" He smirks, his face back into the bastard I so well know.
What an actor!
"I'll kill you with my own two hands and this I promise you," I say in an angry trembling-voice, panting with rage.
Jeremy’s eyebrow shoots up, stunned by my resolution. He bursts out laughing. "Oh, Kira." He shakes his head to the sides. He’s definitely sick . . . like mentally, asylum mentally sick. "Fine, we'll see about that." He waves his hands up in surrender.
Is he threatening me?
"You know what," I utter with a soft sigh, "get out of my way." I saunter towards the exit.
"Not so fast!" Jeremy blocks my path, and I rigidly cock my head to the side. My heart accelerates, feeling the horrible sense of déjà vu. "So are you fucking him?" he demands, glaring angrily at me.
"What?" I twist my face.
"The rich guy I saw you flirting with earlier," he snaps distastefully. "Are sleeping with him?"
Now he's making me lose all my patience. I mean, how dare him? Who does he think he is to question whom I flirt or don't flirt with? And . . . was I even flirting with Malik?
"Yes, I'm fucking him. Got any problem with that?" I snap back, slowly losing it. "After all he's a real man, not an excuse for a man!" I end up adding with contempt.
"Kira.” Jeremy flinches his fists, but ends up sighing.
"Have I ever mentioned that I hate you?" I snarl at him, and his forehead twists with anger. "Yes, Jeremy Kruger. I hate you will all my heart. You disgust me, and you make me sick to the bones! If I find you on the road, I'd probably run you over with a car. Yes, that's how much I hate you!"
"Shut up," he speaks between his teeth, and then runs a hand into his dark hair as if possessed by the spirit of some sort. He definitely looks brainsick, and I should be afraid of him.
But I don't even care about his reaction.
"I will shut up," I tell him seriously, "if you get the fuck out of my way!"
Seeing no . . . reaction from him. I force my way out by shoving him aside, but he clutches my hand instead, tightly.
"You and I are not done, Kira!" His eyes are vicious. "No girl walks away on me, you hear that?"
"Because you're an alpha? Let me go, you jerk!" I pull out fiercely but he fastens his grip. "I said let go of me, Jeremy!" I repeat but it's like he's competing with me like a maniac.
I eye the knife, menacingly, and I can swear there's a part of me that calls for blood. I feel the anger feeding in me, and I remember that I'm not alone in this house. Should I scream for help? No, I’m not a defenseless woman if I’m inside the kitchen full of weapons. However, I don’t think I need any of that,
"LET GO OF HER!" A familiar, yet very scary voice strikes. I quickly lift my eyes up and meet Liam's solid look directed to Jeremy.