CHAPTER 5
I begin suffering from the idleness soon after breakfast. Sam and Liam are talking about business and other uninteresting stuff for my taste. I need something spontaneous; sitting on the porch isn't for me.
"I'm not trying to sell you off, Liam; I'm simply stating the facts. They even offer stock options in such cases," Sam keeps rumbling, and he listens attentively.
Just pretend you're busy, girl. Or at least go and find a book to read. You know nothing about business! I hear my nosy subconscious snorting, and I nearly roll my eyes. Yeah, so what? Must we all know about Debts and Equities? I snort back.
"Well, I suppose we shall see how things work. I'm sorry to drag you into this boring conversation, I know you're here to relax," Liam says while taking a cup of coffee to his mouth, soon after placing the newspaper on the table.
"Don't worry," says Sam, flushing scarlet in her cheeks. "It's just a small talk. It's not like I'm typing the report or something."
Oh Lord. I wonder when my friend has become this polite. The Sam I know would kill whoever destroys her idea of having a good time, yet she's here playing professional. I'm not sure what kind of spell this Englishman uses, but it's very effective.
"Ms. Jones," he suddenly utters, shifting his attention towards me.
"Yes?" I reply, lifting eyes up at him.
"Are you enjoying your stay, or would you rather I leave you alone with your friend?" he asks politely, his manners full of gallant.
"Pardon?" I utter, unsure of what exactly is his question. Frankly, I can't even concentrate with everything going on; especially when I stare him in the eyes. He simply puts me in havoc, and I know I need to put a closure.
He's Sam's crush, for God's sake! I shouldn't even look him in the eyes as I constantly feel impelled to, by he, himself. I sigh heavily.
"Are you okay?" He huffs a soft laugh, probably indisposed by my absentmindedness, and Sam gives me a worried look.
Am I? I ask inwardly, and the answer is quite evident.
"Yes, I am okay. You can carry on with your talk. Pretend I'm not here," I answer, grabbing the newspaper from the table.
"Kiki," Sam snaps, half-embarrassed.
"What?" I mouth, and she snarls with her eyes.
"Very well." Liam sighs. "I was curious, Samantha, about the restaurant we dined that day. Did you get the refund? Because you were so determined to get your money back."
"Oh my God! You still remember that?" Sam gasps, and Liam huffs that small laugh of his.
I dare not look at him, after what happened last night. I don't know what to think anymore, hence I'm totally absorbed in the newspaper that I'm probably holding upsidedown; pray that I'm not. My mind is miles away, thinking of just the dream.
"I love you, I always will." This keeps replaying in my ears, and I can't repress the urge to look him in the eyes. But no, I should probably stop thinking of anything related to Liam. It was just a dream, and nothing more.
Suddenly, our attention gets caught by the heavy whirling sound resembling . . . a helicopter? Instinctively, I throw the newspaper aside and travel my glance towards the open field. I'm so right. Well, a lot keeps happening in this place.
A black helicopter with 'Chopper 64' imprint slowly lands at the Darcy's grounds. Oh boy! My subconscious takes off her sunglasses to witness for herself. Sam and I quickly exchange glances, wondering who is gracing us with such a grand entrance.
"I can’t believe this," Liam mutters in a low voice, his attention on the same thing as ours. "Excuse me, ladies." He gets up to regard this visitor.
A minute or two later, we see a man jumping off the helicopter with a huge smile on his face. He hugs Liam, and he, too, smiles brightly. Sam looks at me, and I only shrug. The new guy has a medium height, a bit slim but fit, and looks fancy even from a distance.
They're now approaching towards the house, and from here I can see the new guy clearly. He's wearing full black; from his sunglasses, body fit V-neck shirt, to his skinny jeans. His shoes are brown boots, that seem to must have cost a fortune. But none of us knows who he is.
"Any idea?" I ask Sam.
"None," she answers.
We stay put as the boys approach, our curiosity shooting beyond range at each second ticking. I just wonder who this guy is; it's apparent how close he and Liam seem to be.
"Hey, Liam, you never mentioned we have beautiful guests here," the helicopter guy says mirthfully as he finally graces us his close appearance.
"They're my guests, not yours," Liam replies , before resuming his former seat.
Now I'm curious about their relationship. Are they brothers? No, they look nothing in common.
"Relax, brother," the new guy retorts, then turns towards Sam. Like all the other men I know, he gives her an interesting look. Who wouldn't? She's a catch.
"You're not gonna chew me, are you?" Sam asks teasingly, and he bursts out laughing.
We all do.
"No, gorgeous. I'm merely appreciating the wonders of the universe. I'm Malik, the only brother of Liam," he says charmingly, his grin impeccable.
"We're not brothers," Liam mutters under his breath, and I stifle a laugh. This feels like the usual banter and they surely do look like kids.
"Pleasure to meet you, Malik. I'm Samantha," Sam replies with a smile. Malik seems rejuvenated as he kisses her soft knuckles. Oh, some chivalry here! My subconscious cheers excitedly, and I have no comment.
"The pleasure is all mine." Malik bows dramatically, his big grey eyes glistening at the beaming sunshine and his own disposition. He resembles a happy person; his smile so genuine like a child's who sees color in everything.
"So, you're not really Liam's brother, are you?" My friend decides to quench her curiosity. Yes, girl. Is he? I stay attentive myself.
Malik glances pointedly at Liam, who is still frowning and answers, "Unfortunately no."
Oh! "And what are you?" I think out loud, but I don't regret.
"We're very best friends, almost like brothers, right, Liam?" He grins boyishly, and I think he's kind of funny.
"Yeah, sure," Liam says casually, reclining back in his seat. Oh, Liam! Always grumpy. I try hard not to smile at the sight of his handsome, but grouchy face.
Malik moves to my side, nonchalantly, and now that he's close, I grasp that he somehow looks like someone from the Middle East. Like a half-Arab if I'm not mistaken. We stan for diversity, don't we? I love this.
He's stares at me intently that I wonder if I appreciate those charming orbs hooded by long lashes fixing me like the last cake in the display. He has nice features; a clean shaved face, a flawless skin, his hair thick and black.
"Hi. I'm Kira," I tell him softly, not knowing what else to do in this kind of situation. Swooned? No, I'm not! I immediately shut my nosy subconscious who's about to spill her nonsense.
"Kira?" Malik mutters thoughtfully. "Beautiful name. What does it mean?" he asks, which takes me a little by surprise. This is a first.
"Means the throne, mistress or the ruler. Let's say . . . same as queen, in Russian," I prompt, and he lifts an amused eyebrow.
"The queen of my heart," he says gallantry, a hand on his chest as he makes a slight bow. I squint my eyes. "I think I've finally found one." He now laughs loudly.
Oh boy! I end up laughing along. I think he's . . . someone you can't stop smiling being around with. I hope he's not a jerk, though, for looks can be deceiving sometimes.
"I thought you came to speak business," Liam snaps, then proceeds, "Why don't we go to the study--"
"Come on, Liam. Business can wait." Malik waves his hand in the air, with his smile intact. "I'm here to relax, and enjoy my summer in peace," he says impishly, sucking in a deep sigh.
He's something else.
"We can give you some space if you have something important to discuss, you know," Sam suggests, and I'm sure she's tired of sitting on this porch like an old lady.
"No, no, no, we are not talking business. Don't mind Liam," Malik says strenuously. He then pulls a chair across from mine, and we're now facing one another, eye to eye.
"Of course we are," Liam insists frigidly, his looks tentative. "Samantha works at Northern Pacific Exporters, and I thought the deal was--"
"You do?" Malik jumps fast, eyeing my friend like he's just seeing her for the first time.
Oh wow! That escalated quickly. I just sit cross-legged, skimming through the New York Times.
"Yes, but I'm not giving you any confidential information, if that's what your excitement suggests," Sam booms, and I laugh out loud.
They all throw a glance at the crazy me. Honestly, I think it's my cue to find some adventure of my own. "Sorry," I tell them politely. "That was excellent, sweetie. Be professional." I get up with my laughter, ready to go wherever my spontaneity leads me to.
"Have we just been snapped, bro?" Malik asks with a dazzled smile, amusement so evident in his voice.
"I guess," says Liam gently, his voice precarious as usual, and I can't tell his true emotions. Our eyes collide as I place the newspaper on the table, and my breath hitches. "We are not like that, Samantha, and that offends me," he adds, serious in manners.
Really, now? Why is he taking it too serious, though? I think to myself. Maybe he knows nothing about joking and other social skills, I decide.
"I didn't mean to sound rude, Liam. It's just that--" Sam stammers, twiddling her fingers. I just stare, amazed. It's epic seeing Sam fretting over a guy, and I can't tell why. Is she that serious about Liam? I can't help but wonder on how deep it is.
"She was merely rendering a warning, gentlemen," I butt in, still at my feet. "It's two against one, and it's totally an unfair game."
"Woah! Now I'm the one feeling offended," Malik says, laughing loudly, making me quirk an eyebrow. "You think we're some kind of swindlers or something?"
"Who knows? Maybe you had a purpose luring us here." I shrug, and Sam gives a baffled smile.
"Well, why don't you stay so that it becomes the fair game, as you prefer," Liam says coolly, fixing his blue gaze directly at me.
Is he challenging me? I stare intently at him. He stills his eyes, totally unfazed . . . his gaze burning me impetuously. Jeez! What is he? My subconscious murmurs, and I don't really have the answer right now.
"I'd love to, really, but unfortunately it's not my scene," I reply truthfully, rejecting the challenge. "I'm a literature teacher and it's what I'm good at. Plus, Sam can handle you two, that I'm sure of." I give my friend a vote of confidence, and she gives me a fond smile.
Good girl! No need to dance his tunes, my subconscious whispers softly, making my lips twitch into a tiny smile as my eyes, once again, meet Liam's.
"I like her," Malik utters, and it acts as a cue for me to get out of here. I need something worthwhile to do, anything just to stop making a fool out of myself. I feel stirred up, the reason unfathomable.
Damn, what am I doing? Since when do I enjoy challenging men?
Leaving them talking business, I head inside and stride into my room. Immediately, as though I'm in a big hurry, I take off my sweater, and on a red swing top, leaving my jeans untouched. When done, I grab my camera and lead the way back outside. Now where do we go?
My eyes squint with pleasure as it's already sunny. I slowly walk past my ex-companion, still discussing their Merger and Acquisitions in a casual talk. Well, there's always a way to have self-pleasure. Luckily, this ranch is big, so there has to be something befitting somewhere.
"Wait, does it mean you're actually buying the entire company? And not a simple investment as you . . ." I manage to hear Sam who's practically astonished.
"Preach, sister," I mumble to myself.
"Where to, Kira?" Sam catches me, and I halt in my tracks.
Ah, can't she just stop being a mom now? I frown in a fleeting moment, but quickly unfold my face as I turn around.
"Just around, I need a breather," I answer vaguely. "I've got my phone with me; I'll call in case I get lost."
"She's interesting," says Malik, playful in manners. "Don't you agree bro?"
Liam says nothing, but his eyes say it all, that I'm probably sick in the brain.
And why are you so concerned about him? That annoying voice breathes in my head, ruining my ruin my mood. I'm not concerned. Why would I be? I mentally shrug my shoulders.
"Okay, be good," Sam says in a sisterly tone of voice. I nod and leave.
The moment I get familiar with the outside, my nose gets attacked by the fresh scent of trees, grasses, and all the flowers around. The sound of birds and churning leaves mingle, making this day so beautiful. Well, cheers to you, Kira. Perhaps some alone time will do me wonders right now.
Taking a small pause, I watch the brownish grassland from a distance, a place where the helicopter is resting. It's a bit alarming, the sight of it, as it immediately reminds me of the dream. It's like the same place, and an itchy sense of déjà vu overwhelms me.
But no, enough of the dream nonsense!