Chapter 13

Rachel felt on top on the world.
But she was scared. This was how it all started before everything started going bad. She knew the marriage was not real but it still felt like they were in a kind of relationship and it did not seem like ‘friends with benefits’. It felt very real to her and she was scared.
She needed to talk to somebody. She needed Tina. She checked her phone and started to check the calls and texts. Most of them were from Tina.
“Rachel are you so busy you couldn’t text me. Is the D that good?”
“Rachel I love you. Call me.”
“CALL ME!!!!!!!!”
Oh God, Tina was as dramatic as ever. She phoned her.
“Raccchhhhheeeeelllllllllll.”
“Tina I—”
“You totally forgot me. I’m so mad and all because of a man.”
Rachel could swear she detected her exaggerated sigh.
“I’m so sorry, I don’t know. I was carried away and—”
“Oh My God. You were carried away. You are so whipped. Anyways I forgive you. So how was it?”
Rachel laughed. “I don’t understand you Tina.”
“Girl don’t play that game with me, you completely forgot about me.”
Rachel felt thirsty so she went to get some water while on the phone call.
“Tina, I’m so sorry there is nothing I can say that can justify my attitude.”
She took two gulps of water quickly.
“It’s okay! I love you and I wish the best for you….Yo my mum’s calling. Greet Nathan for me. Will call you soon!”
“Okay! I love you too!”
She had been so distracted by Nathan that she completely forgot her friend.
“Hey!”
Rachel was so shocked, she almost let the cup fall down. How long had he been there? He looked so handsome shirtless and his pants were hanging so perfectly on his hips, it made her shudder with delight. She looked up at his face and met an amused grin. He knew she had been checking him out.
He came closer and cupped her chin. “You are so adorable when you drool over me.”
All what she could see were his eyes. There were like the reflection of the sky on the ocean and she felt like drowning in it.
“I…was…not drooling.” Rachel stammered.
“You can’t fool me. Was that Tina?” Nathan pointed at her phone.
“Yes. I was only checking up on her. She even said hi to you.”
“Oh that’s okay.” He sighed. “We should go to the park today.”
“Oh which park?” Rachel was grateful for the change in conversation.
“Greenland.”
Rachel raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t that a golf club.”
“Yes. It is but there’s a in park there.
“Wow. I never knew that.”
“So 15 minutes.” His voice low and husky.
“Okay.” Her voice wavers and she became overwhelmed from the tension that she leaned in and kissed his warm lips. She noticed he hesitated for some seconds then he pulled her in passionate kiss.
When they pulled apart, she rapidly took in shaky breaths while he looked unshaken. He only smiled and walked away.
Nathan knew Rachel was amazed at the luxury of the Greenland park. She was bobbling her head to the left and right from the moment they walked through the gate. He admired her inquisitiveness.
She finally spoke. “Wow. This place is small but it’s so fine and so peaceful.” Nathan led them to sit in their private cubicle. “This is no nice. Everything feels so heavenly.”
Nathan laughed. “I think that’s quite a reach.” A waiter came to drop the meal he had ordered previously for them. Rachel smiled appreciatively at him then her meal. The way she ate, he could tell she loved the food. He also loved the meal. It was very tasty and cost almost a grand.
He cleared his throat after taking a few mouthful of food bring her attention back to him. “I hope you are not bored.” He noticed her confused face and quickly rephrased. “I meant staying with me. Most of time. At the house.”
“No…No. It’s never boring. I miss work though.”
“Me too. I can’t remember not working for a long time. This feels like a vacation.” He held her hand over the table. It was warm and inviting.
“I know right. Me too. I really appreciate this. It’s like I don’t want this to end.” She gripped his hand tightly. “But It is and I’m going to enjoy it while it lasts. What are you going to say when I leave?”
“What do—”
“I meant when all of this is over, after a year. What will you say when we separate. I mean I’d prefer it not to be infidelity or abuse issues.”
“Oh. I have not thought about that. Maybe we will say we just fell out like some couples do. It will be nothing bad I promise.” Nathan said.
“Okay. Thank you.”
Nathan raised his wine glass to her. “Let’s just enjoy ourselves like there’s no tomorrow.”
Rachel smiled and clicked her glass with his. “I feel like sitting on the grass.” Nathan nodded and accompanied her both of them hand in hand.
She sat on the grass leaning backwards to take in her surroundings. Then she closed her eyes and took a huge breath like she was trying to smell every scent. When she opened her eyes, he was still staring. He leaned down and pushed her backwards with his lips dominating hers. He didn’t care about the people around them. He inhaled her perfume scent, her hair shampoo scent and her own unique one.
Her lips taste cherry but he could still taste the wine. She knotted her fist into his shirt pulling him harder against her. It didn’t matter that her hands were everywhere, she pulled in closer and closer.
When they separated from their kiss, they laughed. Nathan pulled her into his laps and together watched the sunset.
At seven pm, they decided to leave. As they approached their car, Nathan thought he saw someone he recognized. He told Rachel to excuse him and moved closer to take a good look. He discovered it was Kendrick. Kendrick was his father’s close friend's son. He was much more older than him. They both went to the same university even though they were never close.
“Hey Man!” Kendrick exclaimed when he saw him.
“Ken what’s up!”
“I’m good.” He noticed Kendrick looking behind him. “This is —”
“Rachel.” Kendrick said.
“How? Have you guys met before?” Nathan looked at Rachel and noticed her strange reaction. She looked shocked and scared.
Kendrick walked closer to them with a menacing grin. “Long time no see. I never thought I would see you again.” He looked at Nathan. “So you’re with him now. So fast. Not that I’m surprised, you are such a bloody gold digger.”
“Hey don’t talk to her that way.” Nathan shouted. He held her closer to himself and moving towards his car. She was shaky, holding back tears and not saying anything. He wondered what their history might have been.
“Don’t walk away. I never you never truly loved me. Such a fucking bitch. You only cared about yourself. Only you! The same way you never cared about our son.” Kendrick shouted.
Nathan halted. He looked at Rachel questionably. She didn’t reply, she only let out all the tears she had been fighting back.
Fuck! He walked rapidly towards his car.
“Nath—”
He looked back at her and raised a finger to her. “Just get into the fucking car.”
They rode in silence. Well only Nathan was silent. She cried throughout the ride.