Chapter 3 - The Kiss

Why am I allowing this man to kiss me? 

But after hearing Slim’s voice at the trailer door, I was too afraid to move or even breathe. 

It felt like an eternity kissing Seven. No, I was not kissing him. He was the one who kissed me. There is a big difference. But who am I to complain. It felt lovely.

This is my first kiss. Who knew first kisses could be this sweet? But that is not part of my worries right now. How am I supposed to let go?

I tried not to think and closed my eyes when I felt his lips over mine. It made it worse. I started imagining things, feeling things.

He smelled of alcohol, but not too much. I can also smell his perfume, a bit musky and sweet. His hand behind my waist did not help. The taste of alcohol on his tongue somehow made me feel drunk. Or maybe it was just my imagination running 200 miles per hour.

My senses are slowly fading. All I could feel was bliss. My shoulders started to relax and I was not aware that my hand was already holding his back, just above his waist, slowly pulling him closer towards my body. I could feel him pulling me closer too. My mind was racing, my heart was racing.

I didn’t hear the trailer’s door closing or felt that we were moving again. I was already breathless when Seven let go of my lips.

We both stood there awkwardly. I didn’t know what to say, or do. It was my first kiss afterall. My knees was still weak and it was a surprise that I was still managing to stand up.

When the trailer wobbled a bit, it was Thomas’ voice who brought us back to Earth.

“Sorry about that, didn’t see the pothole.” He said.

"That was close." was all that Seven managed to say. 

“I think you should stay the night. Take my bed, I can have the floor.” He said, opening the door to his bedroom without waiting for my answer. Unconsciously, I stepped inside and found myself sitting on the bed. My knees were already starting to give up. I had to hold them together so they wouldn’t shake.

He was already going through his cabinet when I managed to stop my knees from shaking. He held a small black bag. It was a sleeping bag.

Meanwhile, I was trying to do deep breaths, trying really hard to avoid getting noticed.

“You can stay here for the night.” He said while removing his shirt and then lying on the sleeping bag on the floor. “We’ll talk tomorrow.” I heard him zip the bag up.

I sat there for a few seconds before I finally decided to remove my shoes. Maybe its best to stay the night. Today was too much for me.

"Can I use your bathroom?" I timidly manage to say.

"You can use that one." He said, pointing to a corner of the room. "Do you want me to get out first?"

"No, it's fine. I just need to wash up a bit."

Inside the bathroom, I was able to let go of a huge sigh. Who knew this day could bring so many surprises?

But this is what I wanted right? The freedom, the excitement.

Living my life.

I stood there for a good 15 minutes before actually washing my face. When I came out, Seven was lying on the side, his back on me. Maybe he was already asleep. I hoped he was already asleep.

I slowly lay in his bed, afraid to wake him up. 

I started to question my decisions. Was running away really the answer?

But I could not bear being married to a stranger.

Come to think of it, I was kissed by a complete stranger earlier.

But the latter was the lesser evil. 

It was definitely not my choice to kiss him.

But somehow I was given the choice to continue kissing him.

Somehow, I was still given a choice.

I tried to stop thinking and focused on sleep. But how can I sleep with Seven lying on the floor.

“Are you still awake?” I almost whispered.

“Yes.” He said, as soft as how I asked.

There was silence.

“I am sorry I didn’t believe you earlier.” He then said.

I sighed.

“Why are you running away? Who are you running away from?” He further inquired.

“My father I guess,” I paused. “A man, a complete stranger I am bound to be married.”

He chucked a bit. “You’re kidding. Fixed marriages?”

“Yeah, apparently they still do exist.” I sighed again.

“Excuse my word but its definitely fucked up.” You can hear the disdain in his voice. “People should marry because of love. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“You read my mind.” I wanted to say that out loud but I didn’t.

“Earlier, I didn’t mean too.” 

“Its alright. Forget about it.” I had to cut him off. I was not ready to talk about the kiss.

He sighed. “Get some sleep. Let’s worry about tomorrow when it comes.” I heard him shift his body.

I stared at the ceiling of the trailer. I looked at it and didn’t realize that sleep finally came.

—

I woke up to the smell of bacon and eggs. I looked at the clock at the dresser. I did not notice that yesterday. It was already eight in the morning.

I got up and followed the heavenly smell outside the trailer’s bedroom.

Seven was standing where the small stove was. He just poured pancake mix. He looked up and smiled at me. 

“Dig in.” He said, his spatula pointed at the table. 

“Good morning.” I managed to say in a hoarse voice.

“Uh, oh, I don’t like the sound of that.” He said,with the back of his free hand placed on my forehead. “You seem to have a temperature.”

“It’s nothing.” I felt normal.

“Eat. I’ll give you a paracetamol later just to be sure.” He sounded a bit worried.

The scrambled egs was a delight. I had bacon and eggs before but somehow the air of freedom made Seven’s cooking fancier.

He placed the plate of pancakes on the table and asked “Syrup or chocolates?”

“Definitely chocolates” I wanted to enjoy the morning. Who knows what’s waiting for me later.

We quietly enjoyed breakfast while talking about the bacon, eggs and pancakes. There were no explanations needed. However, I started to feel a bit dizzy.

“Can I have that paracetamol now?” I asked shyly.

“Oh, wait.” He opened one ofthe cabinets above the stove and handed me a bottle of tylenol. He was already giving me a bottle of water after I took out two tablets.

His hand was on my forehead again. “You seem to have a slight fever. Why don’t you remove the wig and washup? Maybe you’ll feel better after.”

I almost forgot about the brown wig I was wearing. I carefully removed it as well as the net that hid my hair.

“Wow.” Seven said, amused.

“Yeah, strawberry red.” I usually get those kind of reactions when people see the color of my natural hair for the first time. “Momma’s genes.” I explained.

“But no freckles.” He said, a bit taken aback as if he didn’t want to ask that out loud.

“Father’s genes I guess.” I nonchalantly said and sipped from the water bottle.

We sat there quietly for a bit before I said. “I guess I’ll head out now. Thank you for your help.” 

“No.” He was quick to answer.

“Excuse me?” I raised an eyebrow.

“You can’t leave with that fever or that headache. Rest if you must.”

“But I don’t want to bother you anymore. You are a busy person.”

“Come on. Do not pretend that you didn’t here me calling my Mom last night. I have two weeks off.” 

There was silence again.

“How about you come with me?” He sounded hesitant, but also hopeful.

“Come where?” I already knew where but I had to ask.

“We have a cabin, a very private one. Free from paparazzi and the buzz and fuss of the city. You can regroup there, maybe decide on what your next steps will be.” He explained.

It was tempting. But here I was running away from a stranger only to end up with a different stranger in some remote cabin.

But what were my choices?

I was lucky enough to escape my bodyguards. I guess I was not certain that I would succeed so I ended up not planning for my next steps after.

“I aint no serial killer. You can G****e me. I am quite a good person actually.” He said, chuckling but his voice was convincing.

“I don’t have my phone with me. My Dad could easily track me so I yeah, phoneless I guess.” I joked.

“Serioulsy, you can come with me. I don’t bite.” He continued. “And you are free to leave anytime you want, but not just now. I have to be certain that you have a concrete plan on what to do next.” Now he sounded concerned.

I looked at him. I was drawn to his eyes. In my attempt to avoid it, I ended up looking on his lips. I felt flushed and looked at the window instead.

“Ok then. I’ll come with you.” I heard myself saying.