The chirping of birds rouses me from my sleep and I rub my eyes.
"I had a nice nap than I'd expected."
I sit up in bed and look around.
"Sister, how are you feeling?"
"Better. Thanks for everything Black."
"Don't mention it. Though I'd advise you to rest in today."
"Rest in?"
Without explaining, he walks out of the room and I rush to catch up with him.
"What's for breakfast?"
"Eggs, toast, bacon and orange juice. Standard for the replenishment of energy."
I smile as he places the food in front of me.
"How thoughtful of you."
After the delightful meal, Black clears the table and I head to my room. After dressing up, I head down to find Black cleaning the living room.
"This is new. I never thought you'd clean the place."
"Oh sister, you have much to learn about me."
"Tonight there's going to be a party."
"Party? With people?"
He freezes in his tracks, shoulders beginning to tremble and I cross the room and place a hand on his shoulder.
"It'll be with a few of my colleagues, three to be precise."
Black doesn't respond but instead stares blankly into space.
"Am going shopping for some goods, I'll be back in a few and I'll help you prepare the food okay?"
With a reluctant nod, I give his shoulder a reassuring squeeze and walk out of the door. Pushing the trolley along the aisles, I busy myself picking a variety of snacks and foodstuffs. With my shopping bags, I make my way home only to stop in my tracks at the sight of a group of girls surrounding someone.
"Ladies please, let's have some order."
"That voice..."
I stop dead in my tracks and turn around to confirm my assumptions. The hint of silver hair reflecting in the dim sunlight is enough to make my heart beat faster than usual. Kahiki's broad shoulders come into view and my breath catches. His eyes trail over the girls surrounding him before landing on mine. A ghost of a smile spreads on his lips and I gulp.
"Excuse me ladies."
He pushes his way past the girls and soon his frame stands in front of me.
"Hello my lady."
He brings my hand to his lips planting a quick kiss on my knuckles. The act causes a jolt of emotions to cross my mind and I nervously pull my hand from his grip.
"May I have the pleasure of knowing your name?"
"Nine," I reply and immediately cover my mouth with my hand surprised by the excited tone in my voice.
Kahiki chuckles and gently pulls my hand from my mouth.
"No need to be nervous Nine. Hope to see you around."
At the very mention of my name on his lips I feel all tingly in my chest. I take in a steel breath to compose myself and smile.
"Y- yeah m- me too."
With his signature smile on his face, he nods and disappears between a group of the gathering fans. I watch as the group fades into the mall and the events linger on my brain. The sudden ringing of my phone jolts me from my thoughts and I shake my head pulling the phone to my ear.
"Hello?"
"Nine, how's the preparations coming along?"
"Preparations?"
"Yeah for the party. Is everything coming along well?"
"Oh right... yeah everything's coming along nicely."
"Well it better be, the guys and I will pull over after work at around 7 P.M. tops."
"Okay see you then."
Before she can reply I hang up and hurriedly make my way home.
"Sister, you made it."
"Yeah no time to waste, let's get cooking we have less than three hours to get the food ready."
"Three hours huh. That's a lot of time for someone with my abilities."
I scoff and place the bags on the kitchen counter.
"Let's get to it."
Just as am placing the last plate on the table, the door bell rings and I head towards it. I fling the door open to reveal Abryl, Luna and King.
"You guys made it."
"What's that wonderful smell?" Luna asks as she walks past me and into the room.
"Come on in."
I step aside and King walks in followed by Abryl. He hands me the rose bouquet he was holding and I gratefully accept it sniffing the flowers.
"Thank you, they're pretty."
He smiles and together we head and join the rest.
"Please enjoy."
"Don't mind if I do," Luna says and serves herself from the table.
As I settle down, I notice we are one member short. I look around for any sight of Black but nothing. I head to the kitchen and spot him crouched down by the sink. I walk up to him and pull him to his feet.
"You okay?"
"Am fine. You should go to your friends," he says shrugging my hand off.
"They really like your food you know. I feel bad taking all the credit when it was all your hard work."
"Sister... I..."
"I'll be with you, you don't have to be afraid."
He looks at me wide eyed and am taken aback by how firm my voice sounds.
"You sound a lot like mum."
"Really? Maybe we should catch up on that later."
He smiles as I grab his hand and pull him towards the dining room. All eyes are on us as we show up and Black tenses behind me. I give his hand a firm squeeze.
"Oh Nine, who's he?" Luna asks a predatory glow in her eyes.
"Luna, he's out of your reach."
She scoffs and pouts her lips playfully. Black takes a seat beside me and smiles.
"Am Black. Pleased to meet all of my sister's friends."
"Sister?"
All eyes land on me and I rub the back of my neck.
"Well about that."
"I never knew you had a handsome brother Nine, why did you keep him all to yourself?"
"Luna!"
She shrugs and an uneasy silence descends upon the room.