Worrying won't change a thing, Amy reminded herself sternly. Chewing on her lips wouldn't help either; it would only leave them swollen and unattractive. But she couldn't help it. What if she didn't conceive? It had only been one time.
Should she ask for another night with him? Amy was well-versed in the signs of pregnancy, and she hadn't experienced any of them yet. Then again, it hadn't been two weeks. She had a meeting scheduled with Kyle today to discuss the presentation she would give to his elderly guests. She wondered if he would bring up that night or if he even remembered it at all.
A sudden cough from her car snapped her out of her thoughts. "What's wrong, Red?" she asked. But her car continued to splutter and cough.
Was it acting up? Please, not now. Not when she was already halfway to QueenHotel. "No, no, not now, Red. Why must you act up now?" Fortunately, the road wasn't busy, and she managed to pull over to the curb just before her car released one final hacking cough. Sadly, it seemed Red had met an abrupt end, smoke drifting from its bonnet.
"I just took you for your six-month checkup. They said you were fine, and now you do this to me? Just when I need to meet Kyle too," she grumbled as she stepped out of the car.
Amy lifted the hood, and more smoke billowed out. She stepped back before it could choke her lungs. Once it cleared, she peered at the engine. She saw wires and containers, but lacking any car knowledge, she couldn't diagnose the problem.
"What am I supposed to do with you? Replace you?" she asked in frustration. But deep down, she knew she could never replace her beloved Corolla, affectionately named Red.
She had bought Red during her final year of dentistry as a reward for completing her degree after working various jobs. Almost eight years had passed, and Red had remained with her through thick and thin, happiness and sorrow. She had the money to buy a new car now, but her sentimental bond with Red prevented her from doing so. Red held a special place in her heart. But looking at its condition now, with its new door (courtesy of an unknown driver who had crashed into her a few months back) and its current ailment, she wondered how much longer her dear Red would last.
With a resigned sigh, she used her cell phone's GPS to determine she was an hour's walk from QueenHotel. Deciding that a taxi was a better option, she called her car insurance company to arrange for Red's pickup. Once that was sorted, she dialed the taxi company.
"Hello, this is Efficient Taxi. How may I assist you?" the operator answered.
"Hello, I would... Hello... Hello?" Amy stared at her phone in frustration and wanted to bang her head against poor Red's bonnet. Why hadn't she charged her phone? Just when she needed it to call a taxi. Lately, she seemed to be missing so many things, especially since returning from Queenstown.
Glancing at her wristwatch, she realized she had only an hour left before her meeting with Kyle.
She glanced around. The scenery looked picturesque, like the houses from The Stepford Wives, starring Nicole Kidman. This was Burr Ridge, the suburb where the rich lived. Dear heavens, it was exactly the same suburb where that Casanova Justin lived. She just hoped she wouldn't meet him today, what with that kiss he'd imparted on her that she just couldn't stop thinking about it. If he were to appear, how would she face him?
She could still remember the feel of his lips resting upon her own, so soft, as he tasted her, teased her, as if searching for something. She touched her own lips, tracing her index finger softly along. Yes, right there, those lips touched hers right there, so silky smooth, so velvety, like the taste of a plum, ripe and juicy, deli—
"Amy, stop it right now." She lightly slapped herself on the cheek when she realized she was fantasizing about Justin. "Why are you fantasizing about that Casanova kissing you? Why are you comparing Kyle's kiss to that Casanova? Start walking now." Yes, she should start walking. Walking was good exercise. It makes you fit and strong… like that Casanova, so big and strong and… and… that kiss… ahhhhh, so sweet.
He was tormenting her, but she liked it.
Amy gently caressed her lips again, not realizing she was doing so, until a car zoomed past her, snapping her out of her delirium.
Amy, start walking, you airhead. It brings about positive energy. With this said, she smiled as she made her way to the hotel. Always have a positive outlook on life, she told herself. That was how to succeed in life. But her outlook on life wasn't all that positive some ten minutes later when she moaned, groaned, and constantly stopped at every available bench to rest her feet.
"You stupid heels. Why do I continue to wear you?" Amy moaned again when she felt the ache intensify. It was definitely a curse to wear heels, especially when one had to walk.
Feeling she couldn't tolerate any more, she took off her shoes and walked on bare feet instead. It felt much better, but the hot concrete began to bruise her soles after walking for another five minutes.
There's no winning, is there?
Just when she was putting her heels back on, she heard a loud honk blasting her
way.
"Oi, Avocado?" The shout was followed by another honk. "Out and about on a
warm sunny day? What are you doing in this part of town?"
Amy turned to see Justin, his head sticking out the car window like a dog testing the wind, his ponytail flying against the cool breeze.
When did his hair get this long? Then she smacked herself and gritted her teeth. Why was she even thinking about his hairstyle? And she wasn't in the mood to see him today.
Justin's heart thumped heavily as he drove closer to her. Once he got next to her, he pretended there was nothing wrong with him and started acting like the jerk he always was.
"Well?" he asked when Amy didn't react. "Are you going to bite your tongue today?"