I grab my things and head home. Was this really what I wanted...
That night was the beginning of the dreams of Michael. I see him walking towards me like a lion on the prowl. He grabs my waist and pulls me closer. I feel his breath on my neck and I feel like a fly caught in a spider's web. I feel his muscles through his shirt. Which isn't a dress shirt. Just a plain gray workout shirt. I feel his hands move to the small of my back and he pulls me even closer. He kisses the base of my neck and I can feel the blood rush to my cheeks and the room gets hotter...
Waking up in a sweat, my night shirt is stuck to my back.
I need to get up and out of my house...now
I slip my running shoes on and grab my phone. Ignoring the fact I probably have messages. Telling myself it's just in case of an emergency. Heading out the door I turn left towards the park. Looking at my watch I realize it's 5 am and I should find a place to sit and watch the sunrise. I know there are benches at the park and it should be pretty quiet. I am stressed about my feelings for Michael and even more stressed at the fact I can't talk about it with my mother.
I walk a little quicker to make sure I make it to the park before sunrise. Seeing the wooden benches at the edge of the lake I stagger my speed. Watching the wind and hearing it rustling through the trees a sense of calm sweeps over me. The sky is brightening above me as I sit on the old wooden bench. I feel where couples have carved their initials imagining the giddiness of the couples in love as they scratch away creating their own memories that will remain on this bench. The wind dances with the water and the sky painted with reds and oranges starts to greet the earth. Filling the air with light and I feel the sun finally crawl over the mountains. I breathe out all of my stress. Giving myself a moment of just silence. I close my eyes and feel the warmth that the sun gives and the wind brushes through my hair.
I open my eyes and see a figure in the distance. Dark but getting closer. Trying to curb my hopes that maybe just maybe it could be my dream. I squinted trying to see better, startled. I return to looking at the lake. Hoping he won't see me. Then rolling my eyes at myself for thinking that he wouldn't. I am seriously the only one on this bench. Unless he is blind he will see me. "Ariya" I hear, just him saying my name sends electricity through my body. I look up and muster a smile, "Hello Michael" I stand up to greet him properly.
"How are you?" he asks. "I woke up and couldn't seem to get back to sleep" avoiding eye contact i feel my cheeks burn red.
"I am sorry about that,the sunrise sure was beautiful though, I always like to come out and see it while I get my exercise" I look him up and down as he talks. God he is a godsend. It really is unfair how attractive he is. "I usually sleep through the sunrise" I say blushing even more intensely. Get it under control Ariya....
"I am really glad I saw you. Remember to think about what you want and I'll see you in a few days" He smiles his million watt smile and starts to turn to walk away. Think of something Ariya... "Michael, wait...." he turns back puzzled. "Would you like to grab some coffee?" I stutter. Mentally smacking myself for not keeping my shit together for once in my life.
"I would love to," He smiles again and I walk toward him. I know it's probably a bad idea. But atleast I get to look at him more. My conscience is screaming at me that this is not a good choice. I know I know.. But he said yes so who am I to turn down a coffee date...
We get to the coffee shop and I order my usual coffee and turn to watch him while he states the same. I brush off knowing that he doesn't drink my usual and I pull out my wallet. He is quicker and hands the lady his card and smiles deviously at me.
"Going to have to be quicker than that. Miss Rose'' electricity dances down my spine.
"I invited you, that usually means I should be paying" I snap quietly, he flashes me a smile and we walk to the end to pick up our coffees and go back to the table we were at last time. I could make this a regular thing, no ariya he doesn't feel the way you feel I argue with myself. Sometimes my inner thoughts can be a real mood killer.
"Everything okay?" Michael asks, probably noticing my mood shift. "Oh it's fine" I lie.
He pulls out my chair and sits. "Thank you Michael" I see his eyes move to my face and his eyes seem to lighten.
"Any plans for today?" I ask, trying to probe his thoughts. "Oh yes, I am going to go to work for a couple of hours and I have a dinner meeting..." he trails off bringing his coffee to his lips.
"Dinner meeting for what?" hoping that he doesn't say girl. "Just a prospective client I believe her name is Katherine '' I try not to show the disappointment in my eyes as I bring my coffee to my lips and drink. "Is that okay?" he asks, surveying my face and reaction.
"Oh yes, I was just wondering what to do today" I try to cover my tracks. His eyes were watching me intensely. He squints "Are you sure?" I look at him scoffing to myself. "It's not my business who you go off with" He laughs and returns to look at me.
"Ariya, I have a feeling we need to have a deeper discussion about us..." us??? My inner voice perks up. But it needs to be in private and not out in public. "We do??" I have a question. He takes out his phone dials a number quickly
"Hello it's michael...yes i am well...please cancel all my meetings today I have an important matter to attend to." his eyes move to me. I look away...What does this mean?
"Yes...email those to me and I will approve them...Thank you" He ends the call and looks at me "Let's go..." He gets up and starts walking and I'm still sitting there like a lost puppy... Where do you go? I quickly finish off my coffee and follow michael. We are back to the park and walking towards his vehicle and a man steps out
"Hello Mr.Tobias" I look at Michael and back at the man...Who is this guy??? He has huge arms and looks so serious. "Hello Charles this is Ariya, we are going back to the house so I can talk to her" his eyes narrow and Charles looks at me. "Hi '' I squeak out as his dark eyes look at me. "Ariya this is Charles and he is my bodyguard" since when did he have a bodyguard... I had never seen him before. I'll ask him later... Charles opens the door, I slide in and Michael follows. Charles closes the door, gets into the car and places headphones in his ears. He starts driving and I don't know whether to be frightened or nervous about our talk so I just look out the window as we pass by the town. I notice michaels breaths are spaced far apart while my heart is about to explode. What is the future for us...will there be a future?? I look back at the road...