"So that's pretty much the kiss of death...." Kailani smiled as she hugged a pillow. She rested her chin on her intertwined fingers and stared at me.
"Pretty much...." I blushed and drank from my straw. A strawberry milkshake.
"Then I guess I need a reward for playing Cupid..."
"What???"
"Let's face it. If I didn't come late that day, you wouldn't have met him....." She wiggled her eyebrows causing me to blush.
I sat back on the bed and looked at the ceiling. I loved every single but of it. The flowers, the serenity and the relaxing that followed.
"Isn't it beautiful???" I asked and looked at her. She looked back at me confused and I motioned for her to look at the ceiling.
"The colours and flowers....aren't they pretty??" I asked and she shrugged her lips.
"It's.....white?? and....plain...." she furrowed her eyebrows and looked at me.
I blinked and smiled.
"Yes.... it's plain white!" I screamed and tossed a pillow at her.
"I think you should see a doctor....you're seeing things...." she got off the bed and walked to the window.
I looked at her and then closed my eyes as memories of the previous day fought for attention in my brain.
'Are you mad!! What do you think you're doing being in public without a hat!' Idris fired at me the moment he dragged me out of the movie theatre.
Carlos was running after us trying to explain things and I was totally unsure of the success in his action.
'Mr Gonzalez it wasn't her fault. it was entirely me. I just ---'
'I didn't ask for your opinion, did I?' my dad replied rudely at Carlos and I quickly snatched my hand from him.
'Idris! Don't talk to him like that...how dare you?? He's speaking politely and you're acting like some son of a bitch!' I yelled at him and saw him flaring.
His neck became thick and most of the veins had puffed out. With his stature, he looked even taller now and it felt like his shirt was going to burst.
'OhMyGod.....You've finally grown wings and you're flying high....' he gasped and I walked back from him, holding Carlos's hand. He held onto me tight and I turned to look at him and smile.
He didn't. I could tell he was scared seeing me and my dad like this but it wasn't his fault.
Idris had to understand that I have a life too and he needed to consider it.
'Come with me, Now!!' Idris demanded pointing at the spot next to him.
Carlos slowly let go of my hand but I clenched onto him.
'Go...' he whispered. 'Its okay...,'
'You promised to protect me.... remember?' I reminded him and I noticed his eyes glimmer.
'But Jenny...'
'I asked you to trust me and you said you would....' I reminded him again and saw him scratch his forehead.
'I remember but --'
'I need you now' I blinked and nervously licked my lips. I looked at my dad who was seemingly running out of patience. Carlos followed my gaze and looked at him too.
Looking at both of us, he shoved his hands in his pockets and narrowed his eyes at mostly me.
I felt Carlos lace his fingers with mine and I loved it. I felt the security I've never felt with Richie.
Carlos was like a forcefield around me protecting me from everything and anything, giving me courage and confidence to fight for him and me.
'One....two....' Idris started his countdown and I stood still staring at him. He usually did that when he was about to manhandle a person and I was ready for anything.
'Don't make me get to three...' he warned.
'Actually...I'd love to see you get to five...or ten....' I slicked and stroke a pose, with my hand in my front Jean's pocket.
'You leave me no choice....' he sighed and in the next second, I saw Richie and his team.
They had surrounded the entire place like they were about to ambush a long, lost, most hunted criminal.
My heart skipped when I saw some armed men walking in through the windows. I felt Carlos' hand around my shoulder and I turned to look at him. He looked down at me and pecked my forehead.
'Am right here....' he spoke quietly and I nodded.
'Richie! Remove her! Now!' my dad demanded and as Richie took steps towards me, I took a few steps back.
Seeing him against me, I felt frightened and nervous. He looked more like an armed robber coming at me.
His height gave him the look of a demon and his earpieces looked like some devil horns.
Sternly holding onto his gun, I felt busted. But then....
'Do not dare lay a finger on me!' I warned and just like that, he backed away.
'What???' my dad, Idris and Carlos asked simultaneously.
'Richard!!' my dad screamed and Richie turned around to look at him.
'With all due respect sir, I am her bodyguard. I do exactly what she says....'
'But am your boss! I pay you!'
'No. It is true that you pay me but you're not my boss. She is.... her wish is my command' Richie replied and a sly smile broadened on my face as I looked at my father.
Angry, he ordered the entire security to raid the place until I'd decide to go home with him.
'Sorry, sir....as our leader said, we are under obligation to only obey orders from Miss Jennifer Gonzalez....she's our boss...' another man replied and I leaned my head on Carlos's head.
'This is unbelievable.....' Idris sighed and when I thought he had turned around to leave, he vibrantly turned to me and like a snake, made his way to me.
He was about to grab me and forcefully take me away but I didn't see the next scene coming.
Carlos grabbed his hand and tossed it away from me.
'I think she said not to lay even a finger on her....' he repeated and his angry face was even more adorable than his smiling face.
'Richie.....remove him. Now!!' I commanded using his words exactly.
'Yes ma'am...' Richard bowed at me and grabbed hold of my dad.
'Lets go....' I span around with Carlos and walked into the theatre.
'I can't believe that happened...' he fixed his shirt and kissed my hair.
'I do' I answered and walked up the stairs with him.
'Although, put the hat on..... for me...' he insisted because he knew I wouldn't. I nodded.
We walked into the theatre and picked a seat in the corner.
He offered me some specs and I smiled as I wore them. He put his on too and looking around to seeing everyone with a popcorn can, I asked him for some.
He grinned and wrinkled his forehead wondering if I meant that.
I nodded and he excused himself.
He was back in the next fifteen minutes.
'They didn't have plain....it was either buttered or vinegary...' he smiled apologetically and I leaned forward touching his cheeks with my finger tips.
'Lets see how well you know me....' I licked my lips and picked a popcorn. My teeth crushed it in a second and it didn't take long for my tongue to tell me it was just the flavour I loved. Vinegary....
'Perfect....' I whispered and tossed my body toward him. He supported my truck and took my glasses off along with his.
I was looking in his deep blue eyes and he was doing the same. His hand was running all over my face feeling every feature as though he was a blind man.
With every touch, I'd clinch my teeth and prayed I don't loudly moan.
This guy knew exactly how to make me reach my ecstatic peek.
I turned my face and lightly, although mostly accidentally, swept my lips across his.
'Sorry...' I smiled and sat back in my chair.
'Sorry??? So should I hate you for that??' he asked and I found myself smiling. I knew exactly what he was driving at.
Strawberry Milkshake...
'Ofcourse....of course not....' I lay my head back and looked at him.
'Which one of those is what you want?' he laughed and we heard someone shushing us.
'Why are you shushing at us??' I asked loudly and Carlos quickly clasped my mouth with his hands. I quickly took them off and narrowed my eyes at him.
'What's going on? Can't I speak??' I asked even louder than before and the entire theatre shushed at me.
'You shh !' I screamed and folded my arms on my chest.
'Jenny...you're not supposed to make noise in a theatre....' he told me and I raised my eyebrows.
'Oohh...' I gasped and held onto my hat.
I saw Carlos laughing at me and I gave him a popcorn attack.
I shot all the popcorns at him and he kept.kaugjing up he sleeve throughout the entire time.
Seeing that I'd lost, I threw the can away and raised the arm rest between the two seats.
I sat on his lap and placed my hands on his ears.
I screamed and am sure some of the windows cracked.
I looked around and noticed everyone covering their ears. I smiled in satisfaction and turned my gaze to Carlos who to the look of things was staring at me for quiet some time.
I lowered my head to his and gave him just a fine kiss.
He helped me and rested his hand on my back, pressing me down onto him.
'What are we doing next weekend??' he asked. 'Can we do that bathtub thing again??' he asked, breathing into me and I found it hard to reply.
He pushed me back and his hands brought me to him again, stressing on the connection between our two abdomens.
'Friday yes....Saturday...no....I'll have to do some studying. You too....' I stammered and hoped I wouldn't bite my tongue. He separated us and looked at me. I had my hands passing above his shoulders and holding onto the chair behind him.
'But we don't have exams until next month....'
'Am in college, remember??' I asked and he looked at me fun.
He blinked several times before asking me his next question.
'You really are in college??' Just as I expected. I ran my hand across his forehead pushing some of his hair behind him. I nodded in response to his question.
'I did highschool in Utah, do you remember that part??' I asked assuringly and he nodded. 'Carlos have you been listening to our conversations??'
'Yes yes....' he chuckled. 'I just didn't think you were telling the truth. I mean I did but....I just thought you were bluffing.... or something.....'
'Yeah right...or something.....' I bent my head to kiss his forehead.
'Why did you go to Utah???' he asked and I took a deep breath.
He looked into my eyes and I could see how desperate he was to hear the truth.
I didn't want to tell him, but I realised if I'd say later, I was never going to come up with a day.
'I got a mental breakdown after my mother passed away....'
'Was she sick??'
'No...no....uh...she uh...got involved in....she....she was in an accident....' I told him feeling tired. The words were too heavy for me to let out and having let them out, I felt a burden lifted off of me and at the same time, I felt in trouble.
Talking to Carlos made me realise I had so much to tell him in little time.
I remembered that my dad said we were moving to Korean and my forgotten sadness became real.
I could feel it in my bones and deep in my flesh.
Before we came here, we used to like in Austria and I didn't want to leave. America was not on the list of places I dreamt of being at but having and yet now, I didn't want to leave.
'Am sorry I asked....' I heard his calming voice and his warm hands on my cheeks.
He wiped off the tears I didn't notice falling down.
'Its okay...I guess today is break the rules day....' I smiled at him and he smiled back. 'One more question...'
'But...Kailani???' he seemed unsure and I was excited to hear that was his question.
'She's a friend of mine....I met her at a library....'
'You call her mom.....is she and your dad....??'
'I want them to....but...the dark shadow of Georgina Morgan keeps coming in the way....'
'I see.....' he nodded and ran his fingers in my hair.
He knew I loved it when he did that.
I smiled and remained quiet for some time. He remained quiet too, not asking me anything.
'Have you ever considered having long hair???'
'I thought you'd never ask....' I winked and got him laughing.
Another shush aired through the entire room and I buried my face in his chest and laughed. I could feel him laugh too and we went on for the next five minutes.
Then, a queer looking man walked toward us. My face was still on his chest and I couldn't see him clearly.
He bent down his head and whispered into Carlos's ear. Before leaving, he looked my way and I hid in his shirt.
Immediately, Carlos picked my hat and placed it on my head.
'What did he say??'
'He said one last chance and we'll be thrown out...too much noise....'
'They do that????' I asked and he smilingly nodded at me.
I sat back in my seat and tried to focus on the movie whose one hour I'd already missed.
It had one more hour to run and I turned to Carlos who also turned to me.
There was something about the look in his eye that got me staring back.
He had that Gabriel day dream look and in combination with my hat-on classic thing that he learnt to love, we always went crushing down in slow motion and felt in style.
I turned around and looked at the big screen trying to gather the bits of my focus. It seemed to be a pretty good movie and I thought I should give it a try sometime.
Then, his hands ran to my chair and I felt them clasp mine.
I looked at him and he seemed seriously into the movie as if he was even following. I smiled and turned back to the movie.
He did it again and I giggled. I moved away from him and towards the wall.
I felt him move close to me and I tried not to laugh.
He did it again and I laughed uncontrollably. He laughed along with me and again, the queer looking man approached us.
I looked away as he came and when he was done talking to Carlos, Carlos held onto my hand and got us walking out.
'We've been thrown out?' I half laughed and asked him.
'Seems like it...' he laughed back and secured me with his hands. I clung to his shirt and looked around.
It was just us.
'What now? it's just you and me....' I asked tempting him with my eyelashes.
He smiled and bent down his head towards mine. He was about to kiss me when someone interrupted.
'Which one of you is paying for the damage??' he asked. This man wasn't going to leave us, was he?
'What damage?' Carlos asked looking at me.
'Our windows are cracked because one of you shrieked like a lunatic....' he reported in a not so kind tone.
'Okay....' Carlos replied defensively and I held him back.
'Idris Gonzalez.... He'll pay he's my dad....pin it to his card....' I smiled at him and he walked away.
'Finally....' I sighed and turned to Carlos who didn't hesitate to finish what he started.
I felt him bury his face on my neck and lightly bite and suck my skin.
I smiled knowing he always called me a vampire when he was behaving just like one. I held on to him tight forgetting we were in public, allowing him to do his thing.
Ten minutes following our public display of affection, we walked out and...
"Jennnyyyyyy!!!!" a scream echoed in my ears followed by something falling on my face.
I quickly looked around and realised I was in my room on my bed. Standing in front of me was Kailani and she had her hands on her waist. Her face was somewhat stained in flour and she looked funny.
"Why'd you scream?? Am right here!!" I tossed the cushion she threw at me with away and stood up from the bed.
"I told you am going downstairs to make lunch and you said you'll find me there", she reported crossing her arms beneath her breasts and raising an eyebrow.
"Me?? I did???? When???" I asked. "Either I've got amnesia or you're Corning me..."
"Yeah right..." she rolled her eyes and walked toward the door.
"I've been alone for an hour in the kitchen and I thought you were in the bathroom...or something....I didn't know you were busy hallucinating about some boy!!!" she seemed frustrated and I looked at her fun too.
"Am sorry....." I apologized and she threw an apron at me. "Kris is downstairs...."
"Kris??" my mood suddenly brightened. I walked to my door and got out of my room. I raced down the stairs and got to the dining room.
"Be careful ma'am...don't run around the house....you might fall...." Anila warned and I ignored her knowing I wasn't an eight her old.
I knew what I was doing.
I walked down to the living room and saw her in front of a painting that was just on the wall adjacent to the main door.
When she heard my footsteps, she turned around and smiled at me.
She looked very beautiful.
She had her hair in two piggy tails which she rolled into a bun each. Her bangs seemed shorter and her glasses were just in place on the bridge above her nose.
She was wearing a lace blouse and a peplum skirt halfway down her thighs. She looked very beautiful.
Her feet were in sneakers and they went very well with her dress.
"Are you done examining me??? Please tell me I've passed..." she joked and opened her hands. I ran to her and threw myself on her hugging her like there was no tomorrow.
"Kris!!!!! My Kris!!!! You look beautiful!!!"
"Thank you...." she muffled and I let go of her. She took deep breaths and coughed. "You'd have killed me!!"
"Sorry....I missed you..."
"Do you remember me?? I was beginning to feel forgotten...."
"She's been busy with a boy...." Kailani screamed as she passed by to the kitchen. I narrowed my eyes at her only for her to pop her tongue out at me.
"Boy?? Carlos???" Kris asked and I found it hard to reply.
"Uh...."
"and what is this???" she asked pointing at my neck. "Is that a hickey?? Oh My word Jenny ....." Kris gasped and I tried to think how I got a love-bite.
"I didn't know you guys are on the love train...."
"We aren't...."
"Then explain the love-bite...." Kris pursed her lips and looked like Kailani giving me that funny look.
"I guess I have some explaining to do...." I grabbed her hand and raced up the stairs with her to my room.
"Not some....a lot...." she corrected and I laughed.
"Yeah...a lot" I smiled and closed the door.