Delilah
The kiss lasted for a while and when we finally broke apart, Kelvin moved closer to my ear and whispered softly. "I love you, Delilah."
His breath brushed up on my ears and made me tremble with ecstasy. I couldn't even utter a word out. Kelvin moved away from my ear and looked at me straight in the eyes.
"Spending time with you has been one of the greatest moments in my life," he began. "And I want to continue to enjoy that privilege cause without you, my world would be colourless."
Hearing those words from Kelvin got me all emotional and I was barely holding back the tears of joy welling up in my eyes. Watching him speak made me paralyzed and I didn't know how to react yet. I just sat down and listened to him talk.
"I know we met some few days ago and all this seems out of the blue," he continued. "But I'm being honest here. I've never felt this connection with any other girl for a long time now..."
I acted on impulse and just pulled him closer for another kiss. I don't know why I did it but it just felt right. We locked ourselves in each other's arms as we shared our intimate moment. Several seconds later, we broke up again and I finally founded my voice.
"I get it," I smiled. "You don't need to explain yourself. I feel the same way too. In the recent part of my life, I was searching for someone who would bring change and I finally found you. I don't want to lose you to anyone."
I hugged him tightly and he wrapped his hands around my waist. "Nothing like that is ever going to happen. I'll always be there for you. No matter what."
I smiled widely after hearing those words from him. "I love you too Kelvin." I finally uttered.
"I know." Kelvin responded.
We separated and instinctively, Kelvin went back to his seat opposite me. Just as he did so, the waiter arrived with our orders.
"What a perfect timing." I complimented as I wiped the tears from eyes.
"Were you crying ?" Kelvin asked with concern.
I smiled and chuckled a little. "Don't mind me. Tears get in my eyes when I get too emotional."
"Don't worry. Tears are not going to fall from your eyes when you are by my side, okay ?"
"Okay." I nodded like a child.
"Let's have dinner then, shall we ?"
We went on to eat our meal together and it was delightful. Kelvin started treating me differently from before and I loved every moment of it. We spoke on a variety of topics that crossed our minds and the conversation dragged into the dead of night. Once again, we didn't realize how much time we spent at a place together and when we did, we knew we had to hurry home.
It was so late that the driver who drove us to the resort was asleep when we got back to the car. Nevertheless, we woke him up and he did his best to drive us safely back home. Kelvin and I walked upstairs to our floor and he escorted me to the front door of my quarters.
"It's been a lovely night we had." Kelvin remarked. "I will never forget about it."
"Likewise." I smiled. "I'm hoping to see you tomorrow again. That's if Sonya doesn't go to work again."
I winked at him and he laughed.
"Let's see what happens tomorrow." he said. He moved forward and gave me a kiss on my forehead. "See you tomorrow, babe."
He then left me standing at my door and I was stiff. Did he just call me "babe" ? It took sheer willpower for me to break out from my chain of thoughts. When I did, I opened my door and got in my quarters, laughing and dancing happily with joy. I got in my bedroom and threw myself on the bed. I was so happy, I couldn't contain myself. I picked up my phone and called Sena. It was late and I knew she might be asleep but I called anyways.
After several unanswered phone calls, she finally picked up. I didn't hesitate to start ranting about what happened between Kelvin and I. It seemed that Sena wanted to really get back to her sleep cause it seemed like she wasn't hearing any of what I was talking about. So I decided to do her a favour and I hanged up voluntarily.
By then, the excitement in me had died down a little, so I changed to my night clothes and got in bed to sleep. It was late but I found it hard to sleep. Especially when I kept thinking about Kelvin the entire time. Just when I thought I wouldn't sleep, my eyes finally felt heavy and I went out with a smile on my face.
When my eyes opened the next morning, I forced myself out of bed and I freshened up quickly. In my mind, I was hoping that Sonya wouldn't also go to work this Tuesday but to my disappointment, I found no trace of Kelvin in the house. I also didn't hear any noise from Sonya's quarters. This could only mean one thing—Sonya has gone to work today.
I felt really bummed out but when I remembered about my drawings, I decided to continue from where I stopped the last time. I wanted to go to the open hut beside the pool but the sun was scorching hot today. I settled to use the parlor at the far right on the last floor. That place was cool and I love the serene and quiet environment it had. So, I went to the parlor and continued my artwork.
I must have been too occupied with my drawing cause I didn't realize when my dad walked into the parlor. When he spoke up, he startled me for real.
"Delilah—" he paused when he saw how startled I was. "Sorry to scare you like that. I thought you noticed me enter."
"No, I didn't notice you enter, dad." I replied as I closed my sketchbook.
"Alright." he quipped. "I was just about to ask if you've heard from your mother. She hasn't reached out to me ever since she went for her collaboration at Tema two days ago. Have you by any chance heard from her ?"
"No." I shook my head. "You know mom already. When she's out seriously working, she shuts herself up from everyone. She will reach out to you when she's done. Don't worry."
"Fair point." dad nodded. "I don't normally do this but I want to poke around in your private life for a while."
"What do you mean dad ?"
"That drawing you were working on," he said. "It's Kelvin right ? It looks exactly like Kelvin."
My cheeks almost flushed but I got hold of myself. "Yes, it's Kelvin alright."
"Wow." dad remarked. "You really know how to draw, don't you ?"
"Yes I do."
He sighed. "I never knew about this."
"If you cared about me a little more, you would have found out, dad." I responded.
Dad took a seat down and focused on me. "I know I haven't always been there for you or cared as much as I do for Sonya but I'm sorry about it. I've been a mild terrible dad to you and as my days are numbered, I want to set things right between the two of us."
I smiled and went over to hug him. "There's no need for that. I have no grudge against you or the way you have been towards me in the past."
Kelvin taught me well. He has also apparently healed me from all the pains and wounds I had from my family, so I know that I have to let some things go.
We broke away and my dad looked at the sketchbook. "Kelvin is really a good guy and I'm delighted that the two of you have found each other. I wish I could see the day you two get married but that would take a miracle."
"Wait what ?" I blushed. "How did you know ?"
"Come on," dad chuckled. "I'm your father for crying out loud. I know some things about you of course. You've changed and I can see it. I'm really happy for you two and I approve of your union."
There's no need to pretend anymore. "Thank you very much, dad. It means a lot to me."
"Well," my dad got up from the sofa. "I'll be leaving the house very soon to plan for the handover tomorrow. Stay safe dear and live your life to the fullest. I'll see you later..."
"I'll see you later too dad." I responded.
He walked out of the parlor and I kept smiling to myself uncontrollably. I could have gone on with the smiling if not for a notification that rang through my phone. I checked out the notification and it was my final exam results.
.
Sonya
I couldn't believe my dad fell for my fake illness. He didn't even come check up on me or try to send me to the hospital. He just left me alone in my room that Monday and to be honest, it was kind of boring for me. The internet was boring, the TV was boring, even sleep was boring. I couldn't sleep well. All of this was just because of Kelvin and I hated the fact that I was scared to meet him.
I wished the day would have lasted longer but eventually, it was evening and I was praying for a real illness to take hold of me before tomorrow. Unfortunately for me, nothing happened. I was strong and healthy the next day and I knew my illness hoax wouldn't be effective today.
Cause the following day was the handover and my dad would want me to be ready. So I knew that if I try to lie, he will really send me to the hospital and I would be caught. So, the only thing I had to do was just face my current fears and see how it will turn out. With that been considered, I decided to go to work today but I knew I couldn't go alone. I needed my accomplice. So I phoned Olivia.
"Hey Sonnie, what's up ?" Olivia greeted as she answered the phone call.
"Olivia, I need you at my house this morning. Quick." I demanded immediately.
"Hold on a second," Olivia responded. "Why ?"
"I can't keep up the pretense, so I'm going to work today."
"I don't see how I fit into the picture." Olivia said nonchalantly.
"Have you forgotten that Kelvin is my bodyguard ?" I fumed. "Do I need to remind you of that at all ?"
"Ohhh, I get it now." Olivia laughed. "You are still scared of meeting Kelvin after what happened on Saturday."
"Finally. That's why I need you here." I sighed. "Can you make it ?"
"Bad timing girl." Olivia replied. "I have work stacked up this morning and I can't risk anything by coming to your place. Trust me, I would have come if I could but I can't. You have to work this out on your own."
I exhaled a deep breath. "If that's the case, then I'll leave you to continue your work then. I'll see you later at the mall, okay ?"
"That's another thing also," Olivia added. "I'm not coming to the mall today either."
"Damn it," I exclaimed. "Are you doing this on purpose as a prank ? It's not funny."
"I'm not." Olivia sounded serious. "I barely contacted you yesterday because of work and today, the same thing might happen. It's not completely my fault. We just have a busy shift here at work."
"Then let me not waste your time on your work. Contact me when you are free."
"Alright Sonnie. Until then, bye."
"Bye."
I didn't expect this at all. As Olivia said, I have to work this out on my own. So that's what I planned to do. I ate breakfast in the dining room with dad and when I was through, I made my way outside, walking towards the car. As expected, Kelvin stood by the car and he had a smile on his face when he saw me.
I was confused but I managed to maintain a straight face. I got into the car and luckily, he sat at the front seat. I thought he would sit at the back like how we did last week but today, he didn't join me and I wasn't planning on asking either. The driver took us to the brewery first and I walked quickly to my office.
I felt tense working in the office when I knew that Kelvin was outside but I fought through my nervousness. When it clocked noon, i left my the office and made my way back to the car. Kelvin followed immediately and we got in the car together. We arrived at the mall a few moment later and Kelvin followed me as I walked into a restaurant.
I thought he would sit with me at a table but he sat on another and started acting like the first time he became my bodyguard. I felt bad and decided to act quickly.
"Kelvin," I called out. "Why are you sitting over there ? Come join me here."
I thought he would refuse but he stood up immediately and joined me. There was a brief moment of silence between us and I was contemplating if I should talk first. However, Kelvin spoke first anyways.
"How are you doing ?" he asked.
"Good. And you ?"
"Great so far." he responded.
We went quiet again and we had a few seconds of silence. This time, I broke the silence.
"About Saturday...." I began.
"Saturday was a mistake and both of us know it." Kelvin interrupted. "We were under the influence of alcohol and we made some bad choices. Let's just forget about it, okay ?"
"Then why are we both acting strange ? Did Saturday mean anything to us ?" I poured out.
"The reason why I'm trying to distance myself from you is because of what happened in our first meeting." Kelvin explained. "I know you said you have changed but I don't want to put up an image of a 'pervert' you know. Like as if I want to take advantage of you."
"But you will never do that."
"Right." he chuckled. "I would never do that cause I have self-control. Saturday was a fluke and it shouldn't have happened. We both might have enjoyed it but it meant nothing. You know that cause you can never fall in love with me."
I stared at him with admiration. "I may have been a bad person to you in the past but like you said people change, right ? That's what happened to me, I changed. And why was it a fluke ? What if I am in love with you ?"
A waiter came over and asked for our orders. We gave him what we wanted and he left quickly. The waiter brought down the tension but I wasn't satisfied at all.
"I'm not focusing on the 'what-ifs'. I'm just saying that it's not possible at the moment." Kelvin replied. "So please don't dwell on it."
"I will dwell on it." I declared boldly all of a sudden. "Because it meant something to me. It made me realize what I had been missing the whole time."
"What are you talking about ?"
"Kelvin," I paused. "I'm really in love with you."
I waited for a response from him but he stared at me for a while before answering.
"Can I tell you something crazy ?"
I was puzzled but I answered anyways. "Go on."
"I used to like-like you." Kelvin revealed. "It was a funny feeling and I loved it. But then, something happened to me and that feeling went away."
My heart sunk as I heard those words come out from his mouth. What was he trying to say ? Is he over me ? Or he thinks he can't date me at all ? I was curious.
"Sonya...I don't love you anymore."