All Chapters of Hot Summer In California: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

The sun grazes my bronze skin warmly, doing away the slight cold that's been enveloping me for a while. Walking around, I end up near the sturdy, old-looking barn. Everything's so peaceful at the moment and much to my surprise, I'm welcomed by two beautiful horses grazing inside the railing fence groining the barn.How I love horses. I grin ridiculously.Smiling, I grab my old vintage canon and click a few pictures. The horses are both brown, except one has a white patch on the back and neck. I saunter along the fence, nearing them, slowly, as though afraid to startle them. Now this is what I call having fun."Hi, there." I lean over the fence, drinking in the horse smell that I'm so new at; it put me at ease nevertheless. An infantile giggle escapes my mouth as he responds with a neigh. Wait, is it a he or she? "Well, let's pretend you're a boy," I mutter, proceeding with endeavor; patting is smooth hair with delight."Excuse me," a boy's voice snaps, startling

I feel Liam's sculptured abs beneath his shirt as we bounce up and down in rhythm, following the horse's move. My breath stills when I leaning towards his sturdy, wide back, searching for my balance. To my sweet dismay, his muscles tense, responding to my touch.Oh boy! I draw back stoutly."If you continue like that, you're surely going to fall down." Liam's voice startles me, and his words almost come true when the horse speeds up.Shit! I tighten my grip, bumping up, then down, in turns . . . a rough, exciting pace."Like this?" I ask, stifling a laugh."Whatever fits you, Ms. Jones," Liam replies, his voice laced with . . . concerns? I can hardly tell, for his emotions are well guarded. "I'm only concerned about your safety; don't find it such a burden,” he adds gently.What an assurance! I sigh softly."I hope you can breathe," I utter against his back, almost, because it feels like I'm buckling him a bit too hard."Why?" He huffs a small la

The rest of the evening goes smoothly. Seated on the adjoined bench to my bed, with my diary on the lap, I decide to put a few things off my head by scribbling down. It's been the best therapy whenever I can't talk to anyone about something.Apparently I have plenty of unspoken words that I'd love to let out. Thinking of the few hours that I've been here, my mind gets jagged with enormous feeling of anxiety over something in the immediate future.Hence I begin:Dear God,All I hoped for was a nice and relaxing vacation, which has been the case by far. I appreciate everything I've seen here and our hosts have been very kind to us that I'm afraid I may get too much attached. I like Mrs. Eleanor a lot, if I were to have another mother in this lifetime; I wish she would be just like her. I dare say that all is well, except for one thing . . .I'm yawning audibly as I place the diary back to my suitcase. I better

Around five Mrs. Eleanor and I reach the boutique where her office resides. Sam went for a spa after our late lunch, and I have to tend my fashion emergency as soon as possible. This ordeal always gives me a headache, so I literally can't wait for it to end.Lurking my eyes around this nicely decorated office, I can't cease wondering how a classy woman like Eleanor could be this nice to some poor strangers coming from some part of the country. Maybe not all rich people are as conceited.I should really graduate from the prejudice school."Just a moment, Kira. I need to confirm my flight," Eleanor tells me, holding a telephone receiver."Sure," I easily oblige.A few minutes later we head for the main task. The boutique has two sections, ladies and gents, separated by a ravish lounging area. We go to our respective section, and my eyebrows arch at the sight of all the stocks insid

We 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