"Over here! I'm trying on a dress!" I speak aloud, responding at Sam's call.
"Oh you! What took you so long to respond?" I feel Sam's steps getting closer, and I must think fast."DON'T COME IN!" I snap, and she halts right before the curtains. "I'm still changing, Sam," I add.Why am I lying? I'm disgusted with myself."And so what if you're changing?" Sam questions, chuckling lightly."Um, I'm kind of naked?" I say desperately."And since when do you care about that? You always strip without a warning," she casually remarks.Liam shoots me an inquiring eyebrow at this little piece of information.God! This is not going well, and I wonder what this Englishman is imagining right now.I decide to reveal my head through the curtains. "I'm trying on the new dress and I don't want anyone to seeWe finally walked into a classic ballroom of some nice hotel downtown. It's bigger than the Darcy's hotel but rather older in terms of its architecture. Judging from the cars in the parking lot, the Mayor must be very influential around here. After the authentication from the security team we take a seat at a round table for five. The venue is well decorated in cream and gold with plenty of white orchids and mixed colored roses in each table."Wow, seems like the town folks know how to do stuff, huh?" Sam comments."Well. They are not cavemen," I return.Settled down comfortably, my eyes immediately search for that subject of my interest. My gaze collides with Liam, and quite a faint smile appears at the corner of his mouth. Oh my! Feeling the rising heat, I quickly turn my gaze.What's happening to me?The waiter, immaculately dressed in black and white, passes by with a tr
Sam and I take an opportunity to run for the ladies' room. She's retouching her makeup when I get out of the toilet stall and start washing my hands.She grins at me by the mirror at our front and says, "Spill it.""Spill what?" I ask, bemused."Oh please, Kira Jones," she frantically cries. "Tell me about Mr. Loaded.""What?" I chuckle at the name."I saw how you two flashed together like a match made in heaven," Sam says while applying her cherry lipstick, looking fresh already."We were just talking.""Oh, yeah? Talk about what?" She nudges me.I don't think she'll let it slide so easily, hence I decide to shut her up. "Nothing much, just the basics," I speak truthfully. "What about you? How is it going with Liam?"Sam tenses up, and maybe I shouldn't have asked this. It's obvi
I wake in a good mood this morning, knowing that we're about to hit a road trip to Billings, the largest city in Montana. The boys have an urgent business with some banker over there, and asked if we wanted to tag along with them. But of course, we both answered with a big yes, full of ecstasy. I've decided that since I'm here, I should explore everyplace I can afford.Isn't that the whole point of a vacation?"Just wake me up when we arrive," Sam tells me, her voice groggy and lazy. She's seated between Malik and me in the backseat."Sure, ma'am. Goodnight," I reply placidly."Do you enjoy this, Professor?" Malik asks teasingly upon seeing my smile."Yeah, don't you?" I reply, gazing at his big, bright eyes."Well, I love the company better." He shrugs, forging some sort of gallant that makes me chuckle. Jeez, he's mood! "And you, brother?" He faces
God knows how sexy he looks when he smiles. It's almost impossible not to get lost into those ocean-like eyes.Okay focus, Kira."What else should the guy do to make sure his guest is having a good time at his home then?" Liam retorts seriously, but I find it more of a mockery.Or . . . maybe not? He's probably being earnest."A guest? Is that all she amounts to you?" I raise my voice, feeling a bit annoyed, and yet he looks totally unaffected.He's still smiling, to be precise, and I can't say I'm complaining. Well, I think I've lost myself at this point. Indecisive, hot and cold, I can't even tell what I am anymore."I clearly told you before, Ms. Jones . . ." Liam moves even closer, startling me, taking me completely off guard. "I don't harbor any special feelings for your friend; not at all. She kindly toured me around Los Angeles, and I was indeed grateful.She
"Hurry up, Kiki!" Sam urges, impelling me to snap out of my state of panic."Just a sec," I utter while opening the door, my heart still thumping from the earlier incident and this sudden appearance of Samantha. "Um, hi," I breathe, forcing an innocent smile.Bitch! My subconscious mutters, rolling her eyes at me, and I know she's right. It's just too uncalled for."What's up? You look like you've seen a ghost." Sam slips in hurriedly. "It's boring drinking alone, so here." She now reveals a champagne bottle and beams."Drinking? Right now?" I ask and she nods. "Why?""Why? Stop being a spoilsport! And why not? Do you have classes tomorrow?" Sam mocks, and I hiss with my eyes, making her laugh."Well, let's drink." I take a deep sigh, accepting the offer.I probably need a drink."That's my girl." Sam smiles while
I'm sure she's surprised that I've muted all this time since our last session back in L.A, and it's so unlike me. Originally I would've called her immediately when I had that dream about Liam, but I shockingly didn't bother."Yes, doctor. I'm out of California right now, and I apologize that I couldn't properly say goodbye before leaving," I answer softly, parading around the room with my hand on the waist."No worries. I'm aware that you dropped by my office when I was away in a seminar. So, how are you? I know I should take your silence as a good sign, but I can't get too comfortable either. Is everything okay with you?""Well, it is okay." I raise stop moving, leaning against the window that's leading to the balcony. "I guess?" I add, unsure of my exact status of mind."You guess?""Um—“ I stutter. Damn, I don't know how to explain it. What if she, too, despite being a psychiatrist
The coffee has extra cream shot, exactly how I love my stuff. My heart jumps aflutter at the thought of Liam knowing my taste so well.Could it be that he's taken deliberate to learn of it through our short dining experiences? Dream on, Kira. It costs absolutely nothing to have a lovely dream. I laugh at myself inwardly.Liam’s laptop is on the countertop with the Skype window open on the screen. He was probably video chatting with someone before I arrived. I resume my attention back as he finally hands me the mug.’’Thank you.’’ I feel giddy as I slowly start sipping it. Hmm, it's exquisite. Mr.Intense does know how to please a lady.Or maybe you are just too infatuated, breathes my subconscious with the look of ’oh, we’ve lost you, girl’. I just smile, enjoying my coffee."Shouldn't you be resting by now?" Liam breaks the silence, taking the same stance as mine, facing one
Singing, Liam finally looks at me. "I thought you two became closer enough to tell each other such details, was I wrong?"Why does he sound like my husband accusing me of adultery?"Yes, and no, at least we haven't reached that part yet," I say. "Does it bother you?Dang it! I’m really searching for trouble."You should go back to your room, it's getting late," Liam tells me casually, ignoring my query.I hate when he does this."What? But I'm not finished with my coffee yet and—‘’"Then do it when you're done. Goodnight, Ms. Jones," he practically snaps at me before putting his mug in the sink. He grabs his laptop, and leaves without eyeing back.What the heck! I can't believe he's so childish. Or could it be that he's jealous of his best friend? An apprehension makes me frantic . . . delirious even, of the