Liam laughs aloud, seemingly amused by the minutes. "Your ways of digging for information surely fascinates me, Ms. Jones." He glances down at me with a smiley face.
"I still want to hear it, and I quite appreciate the remark." I try to weaver my gaze from his by clutching the brush properly."Very well," Liam says, sighing as though he's about to disclose his most embarrassing secret. I stay attentive, my focus back on him. "I had a very hard time last night."Oh. "Why?" I urge.He releases a soft smile. "Because all I could think of was how alluring your body looked," he says gently."Um—“ I almost choke on my saliva or whatever. I think I've turned into a beetroot thinking of this little information."I wanted to fu—“ Liam pauses as I suddenly trip and almost fall from the ladder.What the heck! Thanks to Liam's quick reflexes I'm caught right on time."Oh, there you are," Sam's voice is laced with relief as she sees Liam emerging from the barn, I suppose. "What are you doing in there?" she asks.I hold my breath while listening attentively to their exchange."I'm working," Liam replies as smoothly as the water sliding its fall. He's something else! "Is there any problem, Samantha?" I can easily imagine the small furrow on his face."Um, nothing," Sam answers coolly. "I was surprised that neither you, nor Kira, were at home. I even tried to call you but you weren't picking."Oh boy! My heart pounds quickly at the mention of my name. I bend down and pick the brush that's no longer useful. It's smeared with dust and dry leaves."That's because I don't have my phone with me right now," Liam replies."Oh," Sam utters.Should I step out? I flounder on how the image of me and Liam, alone, in
What's wrong with him? I'm not used to hear him speaking monosyllable. "Are you okay?" I end up asking, my full attention back towards him."Oh yes," he answers fast. "I'm just a bit tired, and maybe bored.""You are bored? That's a lot to take in," I tease, and I'm glad to hear his grand laughter. "I don't believe that." I stand up, taking a pace towards the balcony while holding my towel tightly."Professor, I hope you're not taking me for some kind of Tom who always chases after Jerry," Malik remarks, and my big laughter is guaranteed."You're crazy, Malik.""I'm serious, though. I mean, I also get bored and in need of some solitude at the same time.""Well, I believe we all need that moment at some point. So, when are you coming back?" I ask, and I can feel Malik's enthusiasm back into full track."I was right! You do miss me, huh?" he teases. "I'l
Jeez, can't I sleep like a queen at least once? My frustration shoots higher as I fight the urge of drifting from oblivion when I need it the most. I'm unsure whether I'm dreaming or not when I feel someone shaking me gently. Oh, damn . . . I want to scream but I'm too lazy to even dare. For once I wish it's a dream and not reality.If I'm not dreaming then it can only be one person."Sam, please, let me sleep just one more minute." I snuggle as she continues shaking me slightly. "Ugh, I feel drowsy; can't I just sleep the whole day?"A soft and sweet chuckle fills my ears. "I know that's why I made this little serum for you," a soothing voice replies, and I wince in ascertaining manner."Um . . ." I bolt up immediately, clearing my eyes and catch the blurred features of Mrs. Eleanor's sweet smile. Oh God! "You're back!" I exclaim gleefully."Surprise!" Eleanor utters cheerfully.
Sam looks completely taken aback, despondent even. But I keep my eyes insistent. "Why? Has he said something?" she snorts, a mild anger filled in her eyes . . . the same reaction she gives whenever you tell her what she doesn't want to hear."No. I'm just saying that maybe he doesn't feel the same way. If not, then why would he keep the indifference? To play around with you? I don't think he's thatkind of a person," I say, clearing my throat. Sam frowns, but just momentarily."What did he tell you when he invited you here?" I ask, and Sam blanches.What's wrong with her? I squint my eyes at her quivering lips."Kira, I have something to confess," Sam mutters, and I look up at her. She's slightly fidgeting. "The truth is, between Liam and I, nothing extraordinary happened," she says, and I shoot a quizzical eyebrow. "We didn't even kiss like I told you before. We had nothing intimate."
"Morning," I answer crisply, watching Liam descending the stairs gaily. He's wearing a black fitted sweatshirt, his hands inside the pockets of his grey joggers.And my heart flips, as always. Such a foolish I am."Are you okay?" he asks, and I cynically huff a small laugh. He squints hard at the sound of it, probably wondering why I'm grumpy so early in the morning."I'm good," I reply and move my feet to wherever I was going, my rotten mood unchanged."Wait." Liam grabs my wrist deftly. His touch takes my breath away. "Are you angry at me?" he asks, a frown on his face.I slowly turn around to face him. His eyes are earnest. "Do I have any right to be?" I question while pulling my hand out of his.His lips harden in bemusement. "What is the matter wit—“"Oh, I nearly forgot; your mother said she had to leave early," I tell him while rubbing
I quickly change into a white max dress that's perfect for a lovely summer date.Except that I'm not going on a date. With my curls tied up, and brown sunglasses,I'm so good to go.My self-confidence is all that I need right now to beat my demons before they make me feel undeserving of good things in life."Long dresses are also beautiful on you, huh?" Malik comments when I step outside, his mien playful as always.What a tease."Is that supposed to be a compliment, Malik?" I laugh with a clear joy, and so does he with a slight shrug. "If it is, then thank you. I'm ready."Malik gives Liam a call to inform him about our little escape, and I choose to stay oblivious of their conversation as we near the helicopter. Cyrus, the pilot, regards me with a simple hello, and I answer as given."Ready?" Malik asks him after ending the call.
"I miss the ocean," I utter my inner thoughts, lost in my own trance as the afternoon stretches its wings under the blue sky.I miss home."It can't be a perfect summer without some salty water, right?" Malik slides his mobile on the table and graces me his full attention."Exactly.” Smiling, I glance up at him. "I mean, Montana is really nice, but I still miss L.A. I want to get tanned at the beach, hearing the sound of the waves, the swimming . . . I miss that.” Nostalgia blankets me.A long silence takes a reign, Malik's now-calm eyes pitching me some kind of avuncular concern. Did I say something unfitting? I feel like an incorrigible kid on the wait for the parental judgment. I hold my cooled drink once again.And suddenly Malik's face lights up and forms his infamous grin that never leaves anyone indifferent. He seems decided. What is he up to, though? My subconscious raises awa
He has no idea how striving I am to avoid any problem as far as our secret involvement is concerned. I take a deep breath, my feet heading for the stairs.But Liam doesn't let me go that easily. "What about dinner?"I halt by the staircase, gripping the handrails. "I had dinner already," I answer gruffly, whirling my gaze back at him."You did?" His voice is curt, displeased."Yeah. Would you like a receipt?" I sarcastically remark, making Malik block his mouth from laughing aloud.Liam's jaw constricts. Jeez! Well, he called for it. I stay firm."Actually, I wouldn't call that dinner, Professor," Malik says cautiously, eyes on me. "It was just a snack and—“"And I had enough for three," I interject."Well, if you put it that way, Professor." Malik laughs delightedly, successfully reading the signs. "I like your appetite, by the way.""Oh, shut up," I hiss, and he laughs even more.Jeez, there's no stopping him! I roll my eyes."You'r