Laila's POV...
I pushed open my room door and just as quickly shut it behind me. My heart beat faster in my chest as I rushed towards my bed and landed face flat on it.
'Oh My Gosh!' I screamed to myself as I rolled around on the bed. I can't believe it! I just can't believe it!!
This was the first time I got to see Kareem act childish and he looked so....cute? I sat up straight and looked down at the book I took from Kareem. I picked it up and turned it over to read the synopsis.
' Anne Hilton, a teen, loses her memory in a horrible accident and is found by a couple in a horrible state. They treat her and look after her for the next few months all while her birth parents are doing everything they can to look for her.
Not long after, her foster parents get note of Anne's disappearance and decide on returning her to her birth parents.
Mysteries and secrets are revealed in this thriller as Anne comes across what she wishes remained hidden '. I turned the book over to see the cover more clearly. ' Kareem's taste is .....odd for someone who watches the news when they're bored' I thought to myself as I placed the book back where picked it from.
A memory of Kareem and I in the study crossed my mind as a small smile began to form on my lips, when suddenly, I heard a knock on the door.
I could feel my heart beat quicken and sweat beads began to form on my neck. Was I nervous?
*Knock, knock*
I heard the knocking again but this time my heart beat faster. Was I really nervous to see Kareem?
"At least just come downstairs, the food is ready". I heard him say. I was about to reply, but then a thought crossed my mind, ' what if he actually thinks I'm angry at him?' I smirked at the thought.
I out of bed and made my way to the door before pushing it open where I saw Kareem standing just inches away. Without saying a word, I walked past him and made my way downstairs to the dining room. I can't believe he actually thought I was angry at him? But wait, I have to make sure I don't blow my cover.
I dished out my spaghetti and filled my glass with water before hearing the sound of footsteps approaching the dining room. I stiffened a bit before diverting my attention to the dish in front of me.
I heard his footsteps getting closer and soon the clacking of forks against eachother.
I continued playing with my fork and spaghetti, waiting patiently for him to notice that something's off, when finally, he spoke.
"Are you angry at me?" I heard him ask before placing his fork on the table. He too hadn't eaten his food.
I kept my head low and continued twirling my spaghetti around my fork. "You ask yourself that question". I said before finally dropping my fork. Everything is going better than I expected.
I heard him sigh. "Okay then, what do you want?" He asked. I rose my head to see his expression. It was blank, as always . I stared at him for a while. Was he being serious? It's hard to tell when he's so hard to read at times.
The soft but ruffling sound of the wind caught my attention as I turned my head to see through the window. Ohhhh yes! A storm was approaching. This would be the best way to see through his facade.
"What?" I asked trying to look confused yet still maintain my angry composure.
"Well since I'm the one that got you so upset, I was thinking I'd do something for you". He said before finally taking a fork filled with spaghetti and shoving it in his mouth. I noticed he didn't shift his gaze away from me, not even once.
I heard a huge wave of wind sweep past the window. Ohh, this would be fun." Well I've been craving some coffee lately..." I said as I caressed my chin, diverting my gaze away from him.
"Coffee?" He asked, his voice sounding quite shocked.
"Well, uh, my friend works at a local café, not too far from here. I haven't seen her in weeks so I thought maybe we could catch-up while getting some cappuccino's or whatever you want". I said. Unfortunately that didn't come out as I expected. He must be suspecting me.
I watched as he shifted his gaze towards the window. I noticed his sharp jawline and the few strands of hair that started growing on it, before he turned towards me again. "You're sure you want to go out in this weather?" He asked, his brows arched.
"Yeah, it's just a short trip".
"Okay, I'll go get my keys". He said as he got up from his seat.
"What? No, no, no, no. We're walking". I said as I jumped up from my seat as well. He looked at me skepticaly as he walked closer towards me.
"You want to walk, when there's a storm approaching?" He asked before stopping a foot away from me.
My breath got caught in my thought as I stared into his deep green eyes." Uhm, yeah. I mean, I'm pretty sure it's not going to rain", I said as the wind stopped causing the droplets to fall in multitudes. "Heavily. I'm sure it's not going to rain heavily". I completed as Kareem walked past me.
"Fine". He said through gritted teeth, probably annoyed before stopping a few feet away from me.
"Then let's be on our way", I said as I rushed towards Kareem, grabbing him by the wrist." Before the rain gets any heavier". I said before practically dragging him out of the house.
...
It took us twenty five minutes of walking to finally arrive at the café. Unfortunately Kareem just had to bring an umbrella with him so none of us got wet. I don't know why he just had to ruin everything, but thankfully, there's another way this plan could work.
By the time we reached the café, the sun had begun to set. I walked into the café. The familiar scent of brewing coffee beans brought back nostalgic memories, but what excited me the most was seeing the one person I wanted to see. Natasha. I rushed towards the counter and tapped it to get her attention.
"Laila!", she said with a warm smile. "What are you doing? I haven't seen you in a long time, how are you?" She asked just as a waitress walked out from the kitchen.
"I'm fine. And sorry for not coming here more". I said as I leaned in on the counter.
"Forget that, at least you're here now are. But what about, you know who?" She asked, signalling towards something behind me. I already knew it was Kareem.
The storm outside grew stronger as Natasha removed her apron, meaning it was her break. "He's nice I guess, it's just that, he's really boring and not interesting in the slightest, but I've come up with something that's sure to make him crack up and reveal his inner child". I whispered in Natasha's ear as the two of us made our way to an empty table.
"What did you do ?" She asked in a more serious tone than I expected as we sat down.
"Nothing", I said quietly but then she gave me a look that meant she didn't believe. "Seriously. There's a storm raging outside and hopefully he gets drenched. That's it".
"That's it? That's your plan to get him to reveal his inner child? But anyways, my break's ending soon and I plan on using it". She said as she got up.
"Okay then, we have to get going soon anyways ". I said as I also got up.
"Bye". She said as she began making her way towards the counter.
"Bye!" I replied loud enough for her to hear before I began making my way towards the table Kareem was seated at.
"Are you done talking to your friend?" He said as soon as I arrived at the table.
"Yeah, so we can get going ". He stared at me for a while and I stared back at him before he abruptly broke his gaze.
" Shouldn't we wait a bit before leaving. I mean, the rain is pretty heavy". He said glancing towards me.
"But how are we sure the rain is going to die down soon. I mean, won't it be better if we leave now?" I asked. I was sure my plan was going to flop at this point but then he surprised me.
"Okay then". He said as he got up and we both made our way out of the café. As soon as my feet met the sidewalk, my shoes got soaked and the wind was practically sweeping me off my feet. "See what I mean. Let's go back inside". He said but I held a tight grip on his wrist.
" This is something we can manage.What's this umbrella for anyway if we don't use it?" I said holding his wrist tightly so he doesn't try to drag me inside.
"What normal person would risk getting a cold just to walk outside in the rain?" He said but I dragged him outside myself. The cold water soaked my shoes and was now being splashed continuously on me.
"Clearly you haven't met any true normal people ". I said as I dragged him further down the sidewalk. He must surely get drenched today, but unfortunately I was the one getting drenched because I was standing at his left, where the road was and the two of us where sharing an umbrella meant for a single person.
As soon as we arrived at the road leading straight to his house, I wanted to grab the umbrella from him but unfortunately he wasn't willing to let go.
"So this was your plan? To get me drenched in the rain?" He said as he stopped walking and turned to face me. I stopped trying to take the umbrella from him.
"Well yes, because it's fun and you kind of need that to improve your boring atmosphere". I said as I let go of his hand and rushed out in the rain. I threw my hands up spun around a bit. Fortunately there were no cars in sight but unfortunately my scarf was completely drenched causing the water to seep into my hair.
"Come on! It's fun!" I yelled for him to come over. Though that wasn't completely true, I just wanted him to get drenched in the rain. I noticed a small smile plastered on his face as he watched me in amusement. "So you're having fun laughing at me?" I said, loud enough for him to hear before approaching him but before I could do anything, he grabbed my wrist, pulling me close but unfortunately I slipped and he grabbed my waist instead.
I stood there, in his arms, shivering. I was totally drenched, my sweater was drenched, my jeans were drenched, my shoes were soaked, my scarf was completely soaked and now I'm pretty sure my hair was also drenched.
I stared at him intensely as he slowly dropped the umbrella until it touched the floor. The rain droplets slowly drenched his hair down to his shirt. His wet strands covering his forehead and eyes.
"Are you happy now? We're both drenched and your stupid plan worked". He said before pulling me to my feet and bringing the umbrella back over out heads as we made our way back home. I felt thankful for the fact that the rain wasn't soaking me any further.
As soon as we walked back into the house, the warm atmosphere made me feel a lot better compared to outside.
I watched as Kareem sat me down and brought two blankets.
"What are you doing?" I asked finally as Kareem went into the kitchen.
"I'm making tea, what would you like?"
"I'd have the same thing". I said softly as I removed my shoes and socks and wrapped one of the blankets around me. I stayed like that for a while, absorbing the warmth of the blanket when Kareem came over and sat next to me with the two cups of tea.
"Here you go". He said as he placed the teacup Infront of me.
"Thanks"? I said as I pulled off the wet scarf from my head.
"Wait, I have an idea". Kareem said before placing his teacup on the table and rushing upstairs, jogging back down with a hairbrush in his hand." I want to comb your hair". He said. I whipped my head around to see his expression and sure enough, it was blank. I would've not taken him seriously but he didn't look like he was joking.
"Wait, really?" I asked him with a slight hint of shock evident in my tone.
"Yes. Can I?" He asked. I was so not willing to take him seriously but seems my plan did work after all.
"Yeah, sure". I said as I turned backing him. I felt the comb gently caress my hair and I could feel a tingly feeling at the pit of my stomach. But it somewhat felt kind of nice.