Chapter 4

He looked at me with eyes filled with concern. I watched as he brought his hand up in an attempt to feel my temperature. I don't think I'm burning up. Sean confirmed that too.

"You're aren't burning up, you seem to be fine" he says stilllooking at me intently.

"What, I'm… fine" I say to him. I'm glad he's concerned about me but another part of me couldn't help but think it's just for his sake. If I fall sick we wouldn't be able to attend the gala we are about to go to and that will be a disadvantage on his part.

"You don't look fine to me. You were staring into space and I shouted your name for god's knows how long" he explained.

I realized that he had packed in an underground driveway. I didn't even realize we are already at the party.

"I was just preoccupied. It's been a long week, you shouldn't worry about me" I tried to push him off.

Well, it's not like I can say it to his face that I was thinking about him. Not that he cares anyway.

"The hell shouldn't I worry" he bashed out. "See, if you aren't feeling so good, a can turn back right now." He say with all seriousness.

"What? That's ridiculous what about the party? The shareholders?" I asked. My eyes widens in bewilderment. I couldn't believe he said he'll do that.

"They can wait. For now your health comes first and it stays that way. I do not care what they think or do in there" his gaze held mine.

"I'm serious Sean, I really mean it. I'm fine" I say pleading with my eyes.

"Fine" he finally gave him and I sighed in relief. When I looked over at him, I could see the wrinkles on his forehead, solidifying the fact that he wasn't satisfied with my reply and he had to give it to him because there was no other way to persuade me.

He's helping me and I don't want to fail in my responsibility towards him also. Like a teeth for teeth aphorism, he's helping me and I'm doing the same. He's giving out something and expecting another thing in return.

The hospital had called me earlier saying my mother's bill had been paid and an advance was paid to them. Words couldn't explain how relieved I had been to hear the news. And now, it's my turn to pay him back in the little way I could, I am not ready to ruin it for him.

Sean climbed out and I followed suit before he could turn around to open my door for me.

"You should have let me"

"No, I can do that myself," I insisted. He leaned closer and wrapped his arms around my waist. When I looked forward to seeing what he's doing, he nodded forward for me and I saw other cars arriving.

"Words would soon get out, it's better we take up the act from here. We don't know who's looking" he leaned closer and whispered that in my ear.

I swallowed a large gulp down my throat and nodded. I don't know how to tell him my body reacts to how close we are right now. I could feel every movement. I feel the air on my back rise and my body tingles with each movement. The heat from his body radiates through me and my body shivers at the close proximity.

"What if they ask how we got back together?" I questioned. I was just trying to get something out and that's the next thing I can say.

"I have thought of that, '' he said and waited for a while pretending to think. I forced back a laughter that threatened to escape through me. It's actually funny seeing him this way trying so hard to do something like he hadn't figured it out already.

"We can just tell them we ran into each other and I still couldn't keep my hands off you" he said and I finally laughed.

"Be serious! They won't but that"

"Well that's the truth" he said and looked at me for a long time. Hard. I could see the hunger in his eyes but it was quickly replaced by laughter.

"Just kidding" he added quickly and my face fell. The bigger part of me wishes it was true and that he still wants me.

"What if we tell them the truth?" I suggested. If we tell the truth then we don't need to necessarily be lying.

"What?"

"Yes, the truth" I say again, confirming my words from earlier.

"Are you sure about that? You want me to tell them I'm using us to fool them" he listed it out for me. Giving me a choice and listing my options for me. It is more or less like, do you know what you're doing at all Katara? Are you sure you really want to go down this road?

"I don't mean that" I paused, carefully sharpening my words. " I mean the truth about we still loving each other and when our paths crossed we realised how much we still love each other" I say and waited for him to say something.

That is the truth or what's closer to the truth. On my part, my heart still yearns for him. I know how my body reacts to his touch. Hell, my whole body still wants him. It's been three years but the time distance has nothing to do with rekindling the fire between us.

"Oh" was all he said and then he added.

"We should stick to that then."

"Yes" I say, my voice gagged.

"Let's go in, we're running late" he says. Sean resumed his only duty– putting his arms around me like he was shielding him from something. I forced my mind to not think about the way my body feels where our body is meeting.

"Okay* I smiled up at him.