Sam doesn't want to forgo about Malik and I have no intention in changing her decided mind. "So, where did you go with him? Did you get to kiss him?" She sits straight in my bed, ready to hear the nonexistent scoop.
Jeez!"Why would I kiss him?" I chuckle, for it's pretty insane. Well, at least for my case with Malik as I'm already preoccupied and becharmed by the cowboy."You didn't?" Her tone is accusing."No! Stop being silly, Samantha Ford!" I scold as it’s a bit annoying."Gosh, you need to stop being a nun. I can get you a form to join the convent if you want." She laughs, arching my eyebrows in wonder. Does being single makes one a nun? I mentally pout. "I mean, when will you get laid already? Until you get married?""I don't know; maybe never?" I say recklessly, feeling somewhat hurt from the harsh truth, even though it's not a foreign speech cominGod, he is so barbaric. What tree has he fallen from?Eleanor rolls her eyes, which makes me laugh for real, and Malik only shrugs. I love the way he never gets offended by Liam's disturbing remarks. Such a lovely friendship they share."Who wants to go swimming in Miami?" Malik makes a dramatic inquiry."I do." Sam raises her hand immediately.And I . . . well, I follow suit.Malik smiles triumphantly. "See, brother? Winner takes all," he rubs it in, and Liam frowns."You should loosen up a bit, honey. What's the point of taking a leave if you're only going to confine yourself in this country house?" Eleanor says in a motherly way, but someone doesn't flinch a muscle."Don't worry, Aunt," Malik says. "I'll just cancel his ticket."I don't know why, but I always find them like two little boys who love bickering to one another.And it's kind of cute.Watching Mr. Intense sulking is as if I'm seeing the younger version of himself that I wish I knew. I
When it's time to leave Eleanor escorts us outside. She hugs each one of us in turn, insisting we have much fun in Miami. I hug her a little too longer when it's my turn, savoring the last feel of her warm embrace.God knows the emptiness I'm starting to feel from this point onwards."Take care, honey," she murmurs softly, her smile maternal."I will. Thanks for everything," I utter sadly.We all slide inside the van, and Peter hits the engine. Having one last opportunity to enjoy the beautiful Yellowstone and its landscape, it's precisely what I do throughout the ride.Sam and Malik engage into a conversation, and the rest of us remain silent to our thoughts. I can't describe what I'm feeling right now, but it's surely not something I could term as bliss.About an hour later we arrive at the same airport that landed us a week ago. I remember Peter picking
I run my fingers through my curls, searching for an intelligent response. "What is it that you want, Mr. Darcy?" is the only thing I come up with.How lame! My subconscious tuts.Liam's eyes glow amorously, shutting the distance between us. I blaze inside, my blood thrumming riotously. I should move . . . but my legs refuse."I want you, isn't it obvious?" Liam whispers hoarsely."Huh?" Damn, he's really making me lose my mind. I gulp at his mocking and godly look that devours the tremble of my lips."And I know you want me, too," he remarks confidently, grazing his thumb on my mouth. Fuck! "However, I don't understand why you're pushing me away, and I can't stand it,” he breathes against my neck and it feels quiet electrifying, lascivious in my part.I can feel his heartbeat . . . and mine takes a dangerous pace. Oh yes, I want him, now, right in this place, but I'll never admit."I ca
Sam and Malik are indulged into a small talk. Being alone with Liam in the back is nothing but an ingredient for catastrophe. I'm almost yielding to this his little, enticing ploy of toying with my weak reserves."Oh God." I squirm, startled, Liam's hand reaching the apex of my thighs."What?" Sam cocks her head back.Can't you be discreet? My subconscious yells, and back onto her seat, scowling."Nothing, I think I bit my tongue," I reply, feeling like the best liar in the world.I hope they buy it."Damn you," I mutter soundlessly, eyeing Liam who grins like a child."Are you okay, Ms. Jones?" He keeps sliding his fingers smoothly all over my skin . . . heading to my— Oh no!My tummy tightens, a foreign arousal invading me. "Um, yeah," I utter and grab his hand at the same time.I swear I may start moaning all the saints' names if I don't deal with this playboy hiding beh
I need to change into something comfortable. A sleeping robe? No, maybe a T-shirt dress, I decide. When done, I climb on my bed, that's extremely comfortable, ready to call it a day.Or maybe not yet, because a knock at the door flips my body over."Who is it?" I ask while fixing myself up."It's me." Liam's voice hits my senses, and I shriek.God, what does he want now?"Just a sec," I tell him hurriedly, trying hard to wipe off my stupid grin. How do I look? I put my messy curls presentable.Just pathetic and horny! My subconscious answers with glee, enjoying my torments.With a sigh, I open the door."I came to say goodnight," Liam says while shutting the door."Oh really? I hope you do such a nice gesture to everyone, right?" I blush big time, folding my arms across my chest."Not really, I'm not that generous," Liam says with an exhausted sigh, his sexy eyes s
For a moment Malik disappears from my sight, and when I find him, he's sucking a Popsicle whilst holding a bucketful of vanilla ice cream and a box of popsicles at the bucket top."Are you having fun?" I ask laughingly."Totally." He beams brightly.Seriously? I just shake my head to the sides, stunned. "Okay, I guess." I shrug."I love this shopping thing, it's nice." He grins."Oh yeah? Because of having a popsicle so early in the morning?""Among other things.""You're really something." We laugh,Malik adds a carton of beer, four bottles of wine; two whites and two reds, and I add a gallon of tropical juice and two cartons of drinking water."Oh, I totally forgot," he utters, regarding the water."I know," I whisper in his ear, before pushing my way to the counter.Our cart is full, and I'm sure we've got all the necessities. I open my w
I pause for a second, watching her. I wish I could tell her that Liam is the one I'm crazy about but I don't have the guts to; call me chicken, coward, and all other names to fit the scenario, but this is it. I can't do it."Yeah, we just get along fine, nothing more," I stipulate seriously. "And please don't insinuate this again, it's annoying," I add, moving back to my business."Sure, if you say so," Sam mutters, and I know she's still unconvinced. "I got a call from the office," she says, and I smell trouble."Why? What happened?" I ask warily."They were asking if I'm in L.A, that way they can trap me into an emergency work." She takes a seat on the barstool, and I place my arms on the countertop."They should go to hell.""I know, right?""Yes. They should find that bitchy assistant you hate so much." I laugh, and I'm sure I've landed myself a new topic.There's one colleague of hers an
"Why can't you just tell him how you feel already? I'm tired of the same old song, you know. Are you afraid that he may not feel the same way?" I cock my head to face Sam,Well, what can I lose from a simple question?"Maybe," she answers with a heavy sigh. "I've never been rejected before, and I always get all the attention I need. But for the first time I'm scared to be a loser; I'm afraid that he—" She suddenly gives me a suspicious look. "Wait, why should I tell you about it while you refuse to tell me about your secret affairs?"Secret affair? I almost hit the brakes."What do you mean?" I woman-up and ask, my heart racing."You keep exchanging glances with Malik, and when I ask, you keep denying," she starts the same speech, and I'm kind of relieved either way. "If it's not the secret romance, then there's something you two are hiding from us; I wasn't born yesterday."Well . . ."Suppose you're
Smiling faintly, I turn my back to hop into the taxi that's been waiting for ages. The driver is probably wondering why we're having a display of affection in the middle of the city, instead of wherever we came from.It's when Malik grabs my wrist suddenly, right before I grab the door handle.He steadfastly pulls me to his side, like he's forgotten something very important. I'm so startled as I land my hands on his chest, and find myself tightly against his body. He swallows nervously, his shiny eyes piercing into mine.I don't understand this attitude, until his lips land onto mine.I don't do a thing. I'm just too puzzled to react. He's kissing me, I know he is, but it's like I'm hypnotized with the shock or something. Everything ceases to exist, and I can't even feel my own heartbeat.What is this? What is Malik doing now? My two subs widen their eyes, utterly shocked.He suddenly frees me, and I look up at him
"What happened?" Malik eyes my suitcase with pure dismay."She knows," I sob, wiping my tears. "She's found out already."Malik says nothing. Slowly he pulls me into his arms and I easily dissolve in his embrace. My hiccups take the best of me like a child, my chin on his shoulder. I feellost and empty. I just cry . . . and he rubs my back gently, no word coming from his mouth. I still can’t believe the worst has happened."I'm sorry for this." I finally tug out and manage to smile while picking my bags, ready to face the aftermath; my scary unknown after ruining everything."It's okay," Malik tells me softly, smile forced and rueful. "You're still leaving?" He sounds indisposed."Yeah, I can't stay here anymore." I lift my eyes to meet his, a bittersweet laughter escaping my lips at this mess I'm in. "I don't want to be here, Malik. I don't have any right to be here." Tears fall down yet again, blurring my vision
"I can't believe this! So you're trying to excuse yourself by pretending that you had no choice?" Sam is gravely amused."No, I'm not making any excuses! The last thing I wanted in my life was hurting you, and you know that perfectly well.""No, I don't think I know." She shakes her head in denial. "And you've succeeded to hurt me, just so you know, Kira. And I'll never forgive you for this.""Sam," I breathe, "I'll understand if you decide to do so. But truly, I'm really sorry.""With that face of yours, everyone thinks you're a saint," Sam snarls with a fine deliberate to hurt me, which works perfectly. "The nice one." She twirls around me. "The good one . . . Always the loved one." Now she stops moving."Sam, that's not true." I wipe off the fallen drop."And of course I'm the bad one, right? So tell me, Kira, how did you seduce him?" she mockingly asks. "How were his kisses like?" she adds, and I swallow the anger t
"You're finally back," Sam utters casually, her eyes stone cold. Seeing my astonished face upon the sight of the diary, she lifts it up, smirking."Did you read my diary?" I manage to ask with much difficulty, as though a fishbone is stuck to my throat."Oh . . . tthis? I didn't mean to read it," she says coolly."What?" I scoff angrily. "That's my fucking diary!" My body trembles, fear and worries engulfing me wholly."I only wanted to return your charger, and by pure coincidence, your lovely diary dropped and flipped." She smiles, a very bitter smile, and I'm stuck to my feet. "Why, Kira? Why this?" she asks me in a soft voice while getting closer.I press my lips together to repress whatever that's about to burst in me. My worst nightmare is here. I'm not sure which one is scary, between my dreams at night or this foreign situation that I've brought upon myself.What should I say now? That I'm sorry? That I can expla
I return to where I parked the car. I can't say I've had my fill, but I've quite enjoyed this Ocean drive neighborhood. Well, eventually I realized where I am during my promenading. I even had a pleasure to relax and grab a big bite of cheeseburger so cheer myself.And I usually eat a lot when I'm stressed.I'm about to hop in the car when the incoming call on my cellphone stops me halfway. I slam the door sharply before rummaging inside my bag. I clutch my phone and a hard scowl appears on my face when I find it's a new number. I swipe the receiver hesitantly."Hello?" I croak."Where are you? We need to talk.” A male voice snaps quickly, causing a shiver throughout my skin.And I could recognize this voice even in my deep sleep.”Liam,” I breathe softly."It's good that you know my voice by heart," Liam remarks. "Where are you, Kira?" he practically snaps at me again."Liam, please, no
They tried talking to me, the girls, the boys, but none succeeded to open my mouth. The world had lost its colors in my eyes, but some brunette kid named Samantha didn't give up. She tried until I opened my mouth."It hurts," I utter, tears streaming down. "That's what I said." I lift my eyes at Sam. "Why are you reminding me?""Nothing," Sam says softly. "I just want to say that you're the person I love and trust the most in my life. I know you'd never hurt or betray me, because you're my bestfriend. I want to be that person to you too, Kira. I know I can be bitchy . . . but I never intend to hurt you. If I did, by any chance, please forgive me." She sits next to me, and my heart shatters.Guilt. Pain. Loss. I feel them all at once."No, you haven't done anything to apologize for," I breathe and I know I'm the one who should apologize to her.But I don't have the guts to."Did Jay do anything to offend y
"Are you deaf? I said let go of her.” Liam’s voice isn't harsh, but the threatening vibes it exudes is quite alarming."Easy there, bro." Jeremy releases me from his grip. "We're just talking,” he says and my eyes are on my wrist, faint finger marks accented on the skin."Don't call me bro, kid!" Liam snaps, his fists clenched as he glares at Jeremy with blazing eyes while pacing closer. "Are you okay, Kira?" He glances at me . . . at my wrist, too, and I nod like a little girl would.His jaw ticks. He pulls me to his side and I'm worried whether he has heard the rest of our conversation or not. I hope he hasn't. He then glares back at Jeremy, eyes dark."She told you to leave her alone, didn't she? Why were you forcing your hands on her?" He places himself between Jeremy and I, making me stay behind him. He’s tense.Jeremy roams around, like a tamed dog, holding his head and waist with either hand. I know he usually acts macho and a
Once again Malik restores back my sweetest smile. Only he can influence good even in bad times, and I'm so grateful for his being supportive: at least I've got someone to share this ordeal with. Jamal and Natasha join us shortly, and I believe I'm more relaxed with them than my previous companion."And my job here lads and ladies . . . is done!" Jamal announces cheerily, and from a distance I see the others enjoying the self-service."You're the best barbeque maker, I swear." I give compliment when due.I can't explain how tender and juicy this meat tastes inside my mouth."I know, right? My boo is the best." Natasha kisses him.Malik and I share a smile."I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, Kira," Jamal says, his voice calm and reverent."Oh you got that right." I thumb up. "And I seriously need the recipe for this vegetable noodles," I tell Natasha and she promises to give it to me anytime.
Liam is now out of sight and I’m only thinking of him. I wonder what he is doing right now. Malik, Jamal, and Natasha are still around the grill, chatting over something humorous judging from their laughter.I have been oblivious of whatever Sam and her friends are hilariously discussing about, and only drop a comment when necessary. Sickly enough, Jeremy has been eyeing me and it’s uncomfortable."This house is so damn terrific," Veronica utters, her eyes batting around like butterflies. "Who's the owner?" she inquires while her boyfriend stares around snobbishly.Sam gives them a clear picture of the owner by pointing out at Malik's direction. She tells them more than asked when Veronica swears to have seen Malik before. Discretion is never in my friend’s dictionary."And are you the one riding his dick?" Jeremy asks Sam, and the two ladies laugh as though it was something beautiful to say . . . or hear.So disgusting.