Samuel chuckled when Kali brushed her fingertip ever so gently along the bottom of his ear.
"You know that tickles."
"I find it odd. Such an odd place to be sensitive in."
"Kali, a lot of people are sensitive behind their ears."
She did it again, raising goosebumps on his skin. He shivered, his breath shaking as he shrunk away. "Stop, or I would throw you off me."
She laughed. "Fine. Such a baby."
Giovanna had left earlier with her friends, and Kali dragged him to the pool for them to enjoy some time in the open. She lay between his legs, muttering on about her sister's schooling and inviting her aunt to spend Christmas with them since she didn't think they'd travel home.
Samuel listened absently, half his mind on the conversation and the other half on the conversation in their room.
He hoped Flora and Kali would never cross paths, but even if they did, he didn't want them to fight. Flora was determined. Despite his bes
The next weekend, June visited the house, bringing some cake with her to say hello. It had been a while since she came over, and Kali was happy to see her. The house had been empty since Samuel left to visit a friend, and Giovanna had decided to spend the morning at her parent's house."How is my brother-in-law?" June asked."Good. He went to visit a friend. What about you? How have you been?""Busy. I have a report I have to submit in two weeks.""What about it?"Giovanna walked into the kitchen, stopping short when she noticed them. She took her headphones off and glanced at the cake on the counter before looking back at them."Hey!" June greeted, waving Giovanna over. "I came to see my sister. I didn't think to see you here. Do you want some? It's homemade."Giovanna glanced at the slice of cake. She hesitated before relenting and taking a seat."Yes. Thank you."June cut out a slice, and Kali handed her another paper
"June and Giovanna are hanging out again?""Yes. Giovanna was interested in the college, and now they are best buddies." Samuel pursed his lips, and she chuckled. "I am joking about the best buddies part. They are only together today because June is at the house. She called to tell me she'd drop by.""I am glad all the same. She is trying to change her attitude and be more accepting of you and your family.""No. No. She made it clear that with June, she was genuinely interested in learning more about her life at the university. June has nothing to do with the pact she made with Steven.""Oh, come on. Do you think Giovanna would have sat down long enough to learn about that without that condition?""You are r
"Hey, man?" Samuel lifted his head from the table, looking at Holland, who stood by the door. "I am done for the day. Want me to wait for you?""No, thanks. Go ahead.""Are you sure you're okay? You've been like this ever since we came back from lunch. Did you fight with Kali?""No. I am just tired.""You're sure.""Yeah. I'll be out of here soon. I have a few files to look over and sort through.""Okay. I'll see you.""Good night."Holland left, and Samuel looked around his office. It was getting late, and he promised Kali he'd be home early. He looked at his wedding ring, twisting it around his finger thoughtfully.Today, it seemed he got through to Flora better than he did the first time they spoke. He had been hard, but only to finally get through to her that things weren't the same. He didn't want her holding on to hope and realise later that there was nothing to salvage. She would only be miserable like that.
The beginning of the end was a phrase Kali rarely thought of but one she had read many times in books or heard in movies. Kali never really knew how to apply the phrase, and unfortunately, she had no idea that the happiness she felt staring at the reserved room was exactly that, the beginning of the end."This is beautiful." She dug her elbow into Samuel's rib, winking at him."It is."
On the last night, after a long day of celebrating Peter's birthday, everyone gathered around the large pit fire to have some drinks. Their parents went to bed early. They played a round of games, then moved to relieve the week before falling into conversations about their plans for the coming week.When they ran out of drinks, Samuel and Ember went to the nearest bar to pick up another round. As he waited, he watched everyone on the beach, especially his older brother."Have you spoken to him?"
Something was wrong.Samuel sensed it the moment he entered the room. She had been sitting on the bed with her purse on her lap, staring into nothing. When he asked what was wrong, Kali said nothing. She told him she only wanted to go home. So they got in the car and headed home.Throughout the trip, she had been quiet. She only spoke when he spoke to her. Otherwise, she remained silent, looking out the window. Each time he asked what was wrong, he got the same answer. He reasoned that she was waiting to get home before she told him what was wrong.
Samuel found his mother at home. She had been working in the garden when he called. She stayed there to keep their conversation away from the rest of the family. Samuel didn't have an issue with it. "Good afternoon, mom." "Good afternoon. You found me. What can I do for you?" "Why did you say those things to her?" He got straight to the point. "It's not my fault you were keeping your secrets. You two looked so close, and yet you weren't." "I don't care that you told her about Richard. Why did you say those things to her?" "You have to be more specific." "You told her I thought she was comparing me with him. Why?" "Isn't it the truth?" "You know that it's not. You said those things to humiliate her further. You wanted to hurt her. Why? Why must you do this anytime I feel a smidgen of happiness? What is it about me that makes you want to hurt me?" "Don't get ahead of yourself. At this point, I am saving yo
Kali wiped her face hard, using her palm and the back of her hand until every tear was gone. She needed to get her head right if she wanted to be standing at the end of the day. She waited in her car until she got her composure. Kali got down when she felt relatively ready and rang the bell on the gate.“Richard. It’s me.” She spoke into the microphone, keeping herself in view of the cameras.The gate unlocked, and she walked in. She couldn’t bring herself to go in and didn’t answer the phone when Richard called. She remained on the lawn, looking at the mansion and waiting for him to come out. There was nothing that would make her enter that house again. If not for her dignity, then out of courtesy.If she entered his home, her anger would lead her to behave irrationally. There were too many things she could grab and destroy. Out here, all she had was herself.“Kali.” Richard smiled when he came out to meet her. &