After enjoying their dinner, Aki walked Kira back to her room.
"Kira…"
Kira looked up to Aki and was waiting for what he had to say. Her eyes led her to the luscious lips in front of her, making her feel warm inside. She gulped as she forced herself to look at Aki's eyes. Damn raging hormones. She cursed herself silently. Not hearing any response from Aki after a few minutes, "What is it Aki?" She placed her hand gently on Aki's cheek as she searched his eyes for answers. Aki closed his eyes and held her hand to his mouth. He kissed her hand and then drew her head near his mouth to kiss her forehead. He held her cheeks to align her head to his. He stared directly at her.
Kira shivered as he held her hand to his mouth. When he kissed her forehead, she felt his warm breath on her skin. She felt the warmth of his hands on her cheek. When he tilted her face to face him, his eyes were full of longing, passion and desire. They held each other's gaze as their breathing started to become heavy. Why is he being like this? What is he going to say? And why the fuck am I feeling nervous?!
Kira broke the silence and asked again, "What is it, Aki?"
Aki sighed heavily. Fuck cowardice. You wuzz! He cursed himself silently, yet again, for being unable to tell Kira how he truly feels about her.
"It's nothing. You rest early. I'll see you tomorrow. Good night." He planted a chaste kiss on her lips and went to his room.
Kira closed the door behind her as she let a loud sigh escape. What the fuck is going on between us? Oh my goodness, please stop confusing me, Aki. I don't think I can take control of my feelings for you any longer… Oh, I feel so sorry for my poor heart as she placed one hand over her heart. She walked to the bathroom defeatedly.
Two restless souls that night found themselves sleepless. Both kept on tossing and turning in bed, thinking about the other. Longing for the other's warmth and embrace. Both unable to voice out what their hearts have been feeling for a long time now.
Kira woke up determined to start her exercise routine again. She has not been able to do a proper workout since the Mitch incident and her body is feeling stiff and sore.
"Time to get the blood pumping!" She got out of bed and went directly to the bathroom to pee, wash her face, brush her teeth and change into her gym clothes. She decided to go for her usual sports bra and three fourth leggings. She hurriedly went to the mini refrigerator to get a bottle of water and headed to the gym to look for her yoga mat.
When she got there, she decided to have her workout on the balcony beside the room.
"Hmmm. Good morning sunshine! It's a brand new day. Thank you for such magic!" With this, she set up her mat and did Surya Namaskar. After about forty-five minutes, she decided to end her session and sat for thirty minutes to meditate. Although she knows that the practice and technique she follows would call for one-hour sits, morning and evening, she is doing what she can to make sure to at least sit even for a minimum of fifteen minutes a day, morning and evening to quiet her mind and practice equanimity.
As she rolled her mat and prepared to go inside to make breakfast, she was startled to see Aki on the bench press, lifting.
"Oh my! You startled me, Aki. I didn't notice you came in." She placed her hand on her chest.
Aki slowly lowered the weights and sat down. He got the towel and started wiping his sweat. Oh my goodness, I really don't think my heart can take this. His well toned chest muscles were glistening from the sweat and his skin flushed. Damn this guy. He is not burly nor very big but his broad shoulders and well toned physique, with just the right amount of muscles can make anyone swoon. And goodness, those thighs…damn it. Stop it Kira! Really? Getting riled up right away after your meditation? Pfft.
"Well, I dare not disturb you while you were contorting your body," he chuckled.
"Contorting?! You fool." She blurted laughing.
"Hahaha. Besides, seeing your tight ass in the morning is such a delight, I just had to enjoy my fill, you know?" He wiggled his eyebrows.
"Pervert!"
"That's your opinion. An opinion I do not share, by the way. I just have a great eye when it comes to appreciating and enjoying beauty and aesthetics!" Aki harrumphed.
"Great eye you say? Pffbbbt." Rolling my eyes. "Whatever! So, are you done or are you still going to work on some sets? I'll make us breakfast. What do you want?"
"Hmmm. I'll go for another set or two. As for breakfast, give me protein and carbs. And you for dessert!" He smirked. He just can't help it when it comes to teasing her.
"You!" Kira couldn't say anything more. She stomped out of the gym looking flustered.
Seeing Kira getting flustered, Aki just chuckled loudly and continued on his sets.
Upon reaching the kitchen, Kira started on their green juice using kale, celery, cucumber and pineapples as a natural sweetener before making some tofu scramble, and stir-fried broccoli with shiitake. She also prepared some tossed greens with cherry tomatoes, grapes and candied walnuts dressed with balsamic vinaigrette. Looking at the dishes laid out on the table, a sense of accomplishment filled her to the core and she felt happy.
"Good job, Kira! A good sweat and a clean, healthy breakfast is really a good way to start the day. A breakfast for champions indeed!" She patted herself on the back before placing both arms on her hips, striking a superhero pose. She always felt a surge of power and confidence whenever she strikes this post. Whilst doing this however, she was not aware that Aki was watching her.
"Aren't I lucky to be living with the 'Mighty Kira'?" Aki chuckled from behind.
Kira slightly jumped before turning around, feeling a little bit embarrassed that someone saw her commend herself and strike a superhero post. But hey, affirmations and complimenting oneself are both necessary for a healthy mental health!
"Goodness, Aki. Are you a ninja?! Stop being so stealthy! I'm not really sure anymore if you really care about me. It seems more like you are intending to give me a heart attack any time soon, sneaking everywhere like that!" She was flustered.
"Oh come now. You are one healthy woman with a very healthy heart! Besides, I do not sneak in, I am really just light on my feet." He walked toward the breakfast nook where the food was laid out. "Oh wow! Looks delicious! Thank you, my 'Mighty Kira'." He planted a kiss on Kira's forehead and gently led her to one of the chairs. He pulled it out for her and made her sit before taking the seat next to hers.
"Shall we dig in?" Aki looked at Kira, expectantly.
"We shall! Thank you for the food!" Kira beamed.
After finishing everything, Aki cleared the dishes. "It's going to be lunch with the family but knowing how they have been bugging me to see you, I suggest you start preparing now. I have a feeling they will be here before eleven a.m."
"Haha. I think so too. Especially nana. Or maybe Ellie and Loi!" She beamed happily before bouncing to her room.
Aki also went back to his room to wash up and get ready for lunch with his family. He already knew that he'd get teased about his situation with his muse and the future lady of the house. He also needed to finalize the trip with Kira and delegate tasks to both Tako and Sam since he plans on spending the next few months away from the company and doing remote work.