CHAPTER 8:THAT KISS

EMILIA

I was walking home late evening after a shift at the bar. At the time I finished I had just missed my bus,but I would rather walk than wait around for the next one. 

I was holding the phone against my ear,talking to Michelle on the other end as I walked."You know I'm not much of a party girl. Nightclubs just aren't my scene."

"I remember you enjoying yourself the last time. Come on,Kate. Come out with me."

I found it funny that she was still calling me Kate,even though she knew my name was Emilia. I think it was Michelle's way of making sure she doesn't slip up. 

I chuckled."Alright,I'll think about it."

"Don't think too long.I should go,Doll. I have some tint on my eyebrows that's starting to burn."

"Good luck with that. Talk later."I hung up the phone and continued my walk home. It was dark out with pretty much no cars on the road whatsoever. 

I suddenly heard a noise behind me in the bushes and I turned around. There was no one there. Maybe it was just a cat,I told myself just trying to calm my nerves. 

As I continued walking I heard the same rustling in the bushes again. Of course I snapped my head straight around but no one was there."It's just a cat,Emilia. Relax!"I whispered,but I couldn't contain my rapid heartbeat. 

I continued walking but faster now. I just wanted to get home as quick as I could. I rounded the corner,but hearing the footsteps behind me now had me turning my head around with every chance I could. 

I was stopped suddenly when I bumped into an old man walking his dog."Oh,I'm sorry. I was just-"I looked behind me and saw that there was no one there."I'm sorry."

I continued walking at a fast pace and i didn't stop until I got home. I closed the front door behind me and rested against it,trying to steady the beating of my heart. 

"Kate-Are you okay?"Zach walked my way,looking a little confused. 

"I'm fine,I just um..."I paused,because I decided that telling Zach that I was worried that I was being followed wouldn't be a good idea. It'd just make me sound crazy."I should go shower,I smell like a brewery."

"Uh,Okay. I'm heading out,I shouldn't be long."He grabbed his keys and wallet from the sideboard."I'll see you later then."

"Yep,See you later."I smiled lightly, whilst moving towards the stairs. I was eager to get into the shower and wash the smell of booze away,but most of all I just wanted some space to calm my nerves. 

As soon as I washed the smell away,I was curled up on the couch in front of the TV. It wasn't long before my eyes started to feel heavy after a long day. 

~~~

FLASHBACK 

I walked out of my room excited and ready for a night out with Claire and Jon. I don't usually go out,but it was Jon's birthday. 

Liam was supposed to working late tonight,but he decided to come home early and bring his work with him. I really hoped to get away with going on a night out without an argument-but I guess we'll see. 

Liam was sat on the couch with his work in front of him on the coffee table. A half drunk beer bottle was on a coaster,from that I knew it had been a rough day for him. 

Hearing the sound of my heels clicking on the floor boards,Liam's head turned in my direction. He looked my outfit up and down."Where do you think you're going?" 

"Um-I'm just meeting Jon and Claire at a bar for a drink."I leaned over the couch and kissed his cheek,hoping that it would sweeten him up."It's Jon's birthday,I told you this,remember?" 

"Hmm,I think that's something that I would remember."His eyes followed me as I crossed the room."What time do you plan on coming home?" 

"I won't be late,I promise. It's just one drink."I grabbed my coat and bag from the hook by the door. If I leave quickly he won't have a chance to say anymore. 

"I don't want you to go,Emilia. I don't want you going out this late especially with that Guy."He looked pissed now, and I realised that I might not have got away with it after all. 

Why does he have to do this? 

Why does he have to ruin what we have by being jealous. Doesn't he understand that I'm in love with him. I have no intention of ever cheating on him,I just want to be able to spend time with my friends. 

"Please,Liam. Don't do this!"I sighed." It's Jon's birthday and they're going to be waiting on me. I promise I won't be late."

"I told you that you're not going."He hissed,with aggression. Liam's hand circled around mine and squeezed tightly, making sure that I would turn around to face him. 

"Liam,Please. Stop!"I cried. 

END OF FLASHBACK 

~~~

"Kate-Kate,Wake up."I heard Zach's voice as I came too. He was crouched down in front of me at the couch."You were having a nightmare. Are you okay?" 

I was completely mortified that he had witnessed that and honestly I was a little intimidated having him so close."I'm fine."I sat up straighter on the couch."I can't believe you saw that, did I say anything weird?" 

"Well you did shout out"Please,Stop!!" a couple of times that that was it."Zach sat on the couch beside me."Do you normally have nightmares?" 

I shrugged my shoulders."Sometimes, I'm pretty used to them now."

"It didn't look like you were used to them to me."Zach watched on as I fidgeted with the hem of my cardigan sleeve."Anyway,I brought home dinner for two since you're always leaving me leftovers."

"You didn't have to do that."I watched him as he walked towards the take out bag on the kitchen table."You know I don't mind leaving you a plate. I've never seen you cook anything now that I think of it."

"That's because I haven't,I don't like to cook."He looked at me and smirked." Come sit down,I'll grab us a bottle of wine."Wine and a take out dinner together,that's kind of romantic isn't it! 

Zach and I were sitting at the dinning table,eating our Thai take out food and drinking one of his expensive bottles of wine that he had stored away. There was definitely a Romantic vibe to the night,but was I the only one that felt it? 

I chuckled."Oh,Come on,Zach. I'm sure there are some things that you can cook-What about something simple like pasta?"

He shook his head with a grin."I attempted it once, but No! I've tried to stay clear of the oven and since I'm at work so much it's easier to eat out."

"Well I insist on teaching you a thing or two while I'm here,on one of your days off of course. I promise that you're in safe hands with my help."I picked up my wine glass and drank. I don't usually drink,but it seems to be going down easy tonight. 

"Alright,I guess I can give it a whirl..." He moved forward,bracing his arms folded on the table."Since I'm in such capable hands."

"Very capable hands,I know what I'm doing."I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth as I looked at him. We were both silent for a couple of seconds just looking at each other."I should um,clear these away."

I stood from the table and grabbed our plates to clear away. As I walked towards the sink,I could hear him rising from his chair and clearing the containers away. 

There was definitely some sexual tension between us and I was scared of it. Sitting down to dinner with another man felt nice,but at the same time it felt weird after everything that's happened with Liam. 

"Kate.."Zach's voice came from behind me and set my plate into the sink. I turned around and looked at him and his eyes immediately fell to my lips. 

Zach moved his face closer to mine slowly to make sure that I knew what was coming. I knew it was coming. The kiss was what I expected,but what I didn't expect was it to feel so good. 

I've never-I mean ever,had a kiss like that before. The meer touch of his lips against mine,lightly at first just to warm the waters. But the more intense it became it better it felt. 

My back was against the sink and his hands were circling my waist. My hands were moving up his body and around his shoulders. It's been awhile since I've kissed a man and actually wanted it. 

I wanted it,Right?? 

Suddenly Zach's hand moved under my shirt and I pushed him back. I didn't even think about it before I did it,I just did."I'm sorry,I-"I paused trying to think of a way to explain my actions,but there was none."I can't,I'm sorry."

I walked towards the stairs leaving him standing in the kitchen,confused and most likely embarrassed. Of course I must of given him the impression that I wanted the kiss. He must be confused. 

I lay down on the bed,with my face in the pillow and screaming into it."Ugh, Emilia. You are such an idiot!!"I whispered. I can't just go around kissing people,No matter how good it feels. 

Remember what happened with the last guy? 

~~~

FLASHBACK 

Liam was holding me against his chest, my tears were soaking into the white work shirt that he was wearing. He was hoping that a hug would make it better,that a hug would take away what he had done,but of course it wouldn't. 

He hit me-Once! Once was enough to scare the hell out of me. 

Liam pulled back from the hug and looked at the damage to my face.At that point sadness clouded my features."Jesus,Em..I'm so sorry!!" 

He never calls me Em,It's always been just Emilia. Liam and I have had blazing rows at points when he can't control his Jealously issues..but it's never been this. 

He's sorry-He's sorry!! 

Liam created some distance between us and moved his hand through his length of hair in frustration."I lost control,I know that I shouldn't have. There's no excuse."He turned to face me. 

I was still stood unsure of what to say to him. I guess a part of me was scared too. He's supposed to love me, but he's hit me because he couldn't get his way. This isn't how it's supposed to be. 

Liam took my hand in his and looked into my eyes."I promise you,I will never do anything like this again. I will never hurt you,Em."

I wiped the tears from my face and put on a fake light smile. A smile to show him that everything was okay although it wasn't. Not right now. "I should go get changed. I'll text Claire and let her know that I can't make it." 

I didn't wait for Liam to answer me,I just walked the hallway towards the bedroom. Along the way I was praying that he wouldn't come after me,I wanted to brake down alone. Not in front of him. 

"Emilia.."Liam called,and I stopped by the bedroom door."We're okay,Right?" 

Him and I,I didn't have a true answer to that right now. At the same time I was afraid to tell him something that I knew he wouldn't like."Sure,We're good."

This can't be Liam-It can't be!!