CHAPTER 2
The next morning, a few hours before our flight, I bump into Amelia, my next-door neighbor who never stops talking of aura and energy. She's into Tarot reading, and I'm not a believer. As usual, she smiles jovially, her big green eyes shimmering brightly.
"Morning, Kira," she greets with that extra enthusiasm. "You look specifically beautiful today."
I arch my brows. "Amelia, I'm wearing my pajamas, and I'm holding a bag of trash, are you kidding me?"
She waves her chubby hand sassily. "I'm talking about your inner beauty, dear. I can see luck, luck, luck; you're surrounded with nothing but luck!"
"Huh?" I frown, stifling a laugh, for I swear there's no way I'll ever understand her words. "What luck?" I end up asking.
"Love," she says briskly, excited even. "You'll soon be blessed with love, lots of love. It may even feel surreal, dear."
"Huh?" I laugh, staring at the green eyes on my redhead neighbor.
Can she tell that dudes never visit my house and assumes I'm in need of one?
Seeing my puzzled expression, she laughs hilariously. "Oh, I'm so excited for you, Kira." She almost jumps.
This is . . . disturbing.
"Okay. Well, I'm going on a vacation for a while, so I hope you stay safe," I inform her, hoping to just end this session of whatever the name is.
"Oh, that's it!" she says stoutly, her bigger and bright.
"What is?" I ask, scowling bemusedly.
God, I hope this woman is okay in the head.
"No spoiler, Kira," she insists, sounding earnest. "Just enjoy yourself, dear. And remember, if your head doesn't know the answer, then your heart will." She beams, and disappears, leaving me completely stunned.
What is she talking about? I just shake my head, smiling. Sometimes you just have to take people as they are. With my smile intact, I dispose the trash bag, and slowly climb the stairs back inside.
"Why the bikini?" I ask Sam when I find her putting a disturbing one in my suitcase.
"You may need it," she says, looking so radiant in her quest for fashion emergencies, seated on my bed with my suitcase, clothes, and other stuff.
"Really? And where are we going?" I ask again. "Because I don't think there's an ocean in any ranch."
"Maybe a swimming pool? A river?" Sam shrugs, laughing.
"Help me, God," I mutter with a sigh.
"Or maybe not. Let's just leave unimportant stuff." She changes her mind, and I'm not even surprised. "I don't think there'll be swimming over there, right?" she asks and I sigh.
We spend some time packing, making sure we haven't forgotten anything important for a vacation. I'm not really excited about the trip, but I do like the idea of travelling outside California for a change. Good thing I'm so organized so packing doesn't take forever as Sam is in charge of the department.
We are finally heading to L.A International Airport, for our afternoon flight. My friend arranged everything, including the tickets, so I just follow suit like a shadow, no complaint given.
"So, where in the South are we going?" I ask again. It may sound weird, stupid even . . . but I only know that we're heading to Montana.
This is by far the reckless thing I've ever done. I guess I've reached a limit in my dull life that I desire some adventure. However, I know Sam wouldn't plan the trip without any head up.
"You'll see, girl, calm down!" Sam growls, trying up her hair with a rubber band as we're stuck for security check. "And don't worry, I've got all the information I need about this so it's not a mystery or some horror movie."
"Yeah, right. You've successfully made me feel the creep." I huff some air.
She knows what she's doing, I decide. But do you? My subconscious whispers. I don't care. I've been too uptight so let's face the unknown.
Sam can be quite handy, but I always trust her ability to plan things; something that makes her reliable at times.
Apparently we're flying business class, but I couldn't care less even if it were economy. I only want to hit the sky, and see if I can catch some sleep after my usual sleepless nights. I only ask Sam to wake me up when we land, and she too, makes herself busy with her tablet. I somehow realized that we're actually going to Yellowstone, Montana. I've never been there before but I like the idea. I'm excited even.
The plane finally lands at Bozeman Yellowstone Airport, at least two hours later. Smiling, I feel quite rejuvenated after my long nap. I don't understand how I did it, but I slept almost the entire time. We take our suitcases and proceed to the arrivals' curb, with no knowledge of our next move. At least in my case, I guess.
I ask Sam impatiently, "So, what's next?"
"Wait, Liam said he'd send someone to pick us up." She parades around with her phone. "I just need to wait for his call," she tells me absently while tapping on it.
"Send someone? Just great," I mumble, exhausted in manners.
This is seriously crazy. What am I doing, really? I can't help going back to the part of me that's still conscious.
Sam keeps roaming around, then suddenly smiles, and I see her on the phone a minute later. She's now grinning ridiculously that I can't help but shake my head to the sides.
Sometime later a rugged guy approaches us, dressed up in some cowboy attire that speaks loudly of his originality. He must be the one we've been waiting for. I smile when Sam talks to him, and her excitement is beyond explanation.
"No problem, this is all we have," she says, and it's the only thing I manage to hear.
The guy reaches for our suitcases and he finally takes notice of me. He's dark haired, a bit curly, with a serious kind of personality.
"Hi," he greets me with a curt smile. "I'm Peter. Let me help you with these."
"Kira. Pleasure." I let him do his thing before we all head to the van parked outside. My sight gets highly regaled as I'm immediately captured by the wonderful Montana sky.
So smooth, so blue.
"Loving it already?" Sam teases my smiling face, and I only shrug.
Peter places our stuff inside the car with such easiness. I watch his hard, tanned body that seems accustomed to heavy jobs, moving swiftly. He's hot, I guess.
Well, it's impossible not to admire the God's creation sometimes.
"I think I'm going to love this vacation," I think out loud, and all eyes turn towards me. "Well, I'm referring to this place."
"Really?" Sam murmurs, giving me one of her dubious looks.
I'm serious, though.
We hit the two-lane asphalt as soon as we dive away from the city. Sam has been striking a conversation with Peter, as I busy myself with the fascinating view through the half-scrolled window.
"So, are you related to Liam?" I hear Sam asking him.
"No," says Peter. "Sir Liam is my boss."
Attempting to stay oblivious of the two, I grab my camera from the handbag, and start clicking some pictures.
"How long will the ride take?" Again, she continues tormenting the poor guy.
"About one hour," he answers.
"Oh boy," she mutters, exhaling heavily.
She hates long rides, and I absolutely love this one.
Ignoring their voices, I focus my attention on the enchanting snow-capped mountains, and the enormous landscapes covered with serene shades of green. The sight is extremely breathtaking.
I stay awake the whole ride, watching some interesting farm houses, cows and horses grazing into several pastureland we pass by, and two cowboys riding their horses that make me grin like a fool. I think I'm a bit crazy for men in horses because I'm dazzled at the sight of their backs alone. There's something wild about cowboys that I perhaps need to explore. Goodness, what am I thinking now? A sigh lurches out of my lips as I clear my sultry thoughts.
Now we're entering some dusty road in which two fields are separated, bordered with a railing fence that seems to be long. This area is pretty beautiful, also, with yellow and white flowers adorning the green grass.
With the sky so clear, and the wind breezing like an ocean, I can't complain about anything.
"You seem to like this place already, Ms. Kira," Peter says calmly with a faint smile, handling the steering wheel with so much ease.
"Kira, please." I smile back. "And yes, this place is absolutely splendid." I fail to conceal the excitement, and he seems to quite understand.
"It won't be long, we're almost there," he says coolly.
"Oh, that's great." I hope there'll be food, I'm starving and I pray my tummy won't shame me as it usually does. Unfortunately my food goddess is hardly away from her throne.
We ride for extra five minutes, until I finally see a big and beautiful two-storey house, surrounded with a well-trimmed garden and trees capable to draw one's smile without any reason.
"Oh, finally." Sam stretches up, sounding like she'd dodged a bullet. "Are you good, Kiki?" She's now getting off.
"Never been better," I answer while putting my camera inside my shoulder bag.
Peter helps me with the suitcase as I get off, my eyes refusing to stay still in one place. Obeying their wishes, I end up seeing two people emerging from the house, probably to regard our presence. One of the two is a guy, a very good-looking guy in a denim shirt and blue jeans. And the other is a woman, dressed elegantly in a scarlet sweatdress, with some black wedge boots that complement her glossy, black hair.
Sam immediately jogs towards them, or him, smiling like a child facing the Christmas tree full of Santa's treats. The man smiles handsomely at her as their glances collide, but it doesn't last long as our eyes meet. His face turns expressionless, momentarily, making me frown a bit.
Well . . .
"Welcome, Samantha," he utters once he's resumed a bit of his seemingly rare smile.
"Thank you, Liam," Sam replies with her best smile.
Oh, Liam. Nice name. My subconscious seems to finally awake after the short nap. I get stuck in my feet, watching Sam and her Liam exchanging smiley greetings, until the woman throws a mirthful glance my way, a reminder of my impoliteness.
I pace over slowly, holding the strap of my bag as though my life depends of it. Now I'm starting to wonder if I did right by coming here. I mean, if I think properly, I don't really have any business here, right? Anyways, I'll just forget it and seize the day.
The woman, who's indeed beautiful even from a distance, hugs Sam happily. I can hear her charming voice as she speaks, and it draws my smile right away. It's that strange feeling of liking someone you know nothing about, in the very first glance and other details like their smiles.
"I'm so glad to meet you," she tells my friend.
"Me, too," Sam replies, her grin impeccable.
Well, someone is so whipped.
"And this one?" the woman queries, her smile intact, and they all face me.
Here goes nothing. Getting closer, I utter, "Hello."
"Oh, this is my best friend, Kira," Sam says pointedly. "Kira, this is Liam and his mother."
"Oh, pleased to meet you." I move towards the mother.
"Kira," she mutters. "What a lovely name. Welcome to our home, darling, I'm Eleanor." She now hugs me, and it feels so heavenly.
Her warmth is so motherly.
"Thank you." I grin, maybe stupidly grinning.
"Liam Darcy," the man says while moving near. "Welcome." He extends his hand towards me, his gaze piercing through my eyes so intensely.
Relax, Kira, he's not so intimidating.
Liam's emotionless voice makes me uneasy for some unknown reasons. Ignoring my unhealthy thought, I shake his hand. Astonishing, I immediately experience something like an electric shock.
It's nerve wracking!
I wince, and we quickly split hands. He frowns, then folds his palm instinctively and subtly inspects it; we both do, before staring back at one another in a strange way. I think he too felt what I've just felt, but what the hell has just happened? Is it real or some kind of imagination?