Chapter 23

Right after Keith had left, I found my body moving on it's own. I was busting some serious moves and squealing with joy, a permanent smile remaining on my face till I laid in bed.

How long I'd awaited an apology. The day had filled with a new norm for myself, only for things to take a turn when he just rocked up on my doorstep.

What had caused a change of heart or even changed the way he viewed things. Such questions stay locked at the back of my head, not wanting anything to mess up the wonderful moment I feel.

In the two years of my marriage , such an act of him on his knees, pleading for forgiveness and asking for my friendship has never happened.

The moment those words left his lips, I swear my heart stopped.

Giddy, that's how I feel, to have a much closer look at his life, being led into his thoughts, dreams and all. I don't even know what could be more worth it, then getting to know the man I'd married.

The next day I was just busy cleaning my apartment when my phone started ringing.

" Hello." I answer.

"Hello Akiandra." Keith.

"Oh hello Keith, um how are you?" I ask, sitting down on a chair.

" I'm good and you?"

" Oh I'm okay thank you for asking, " I can't keep the smile off my face.

" So do you have any plans today?" He asks and I scroll my mind for anything, but I don't find it.

" Nope." I pop the p , " No plans besides what I'm doing now, cleaning my apartment. Gosh do you know how dusty, dirty it was? - you have no - oh my gosh I'm rambling, I'm sorry." I palm my forehead at the use of my big mouth.

I hear a chuckle at the end of the line." No worries, I find it cute actually." I blush at that.

"Oh." Gosh why does he have to say things like that?

" So since you have no real plans, how about lunch, say about 20 minutes from now." I rise to my feet, looking myself over, only for my attention to divert when there's a knock on the door

"Um yeah sure." I quickly walk over to the door and when I open it, my jaw drops to the floor.

"Good, that means I'll have 20 minutes to wait then." Keith says, switching off the phone, standing on my door way.

" Keith?!"  I gasp in surprise. " You're here , I mean why are you here now - I thought -?" A finger on my lips silences me.

"We have lunch don't we?" I nod my head.

"Yes, so I thought I could wait up for you, can I come in?" I nod, stepping aside and letting him in.

" I thought you were still at work." I turn around to face him, closing the door behind me.

" I took the day off." He shrugs his shoulders, walking over to take a seat on the couch. Making himself comfortable.

"Can you do that - I mean you must have a lot of work, no you have to go back, people might need you."

" Kea calm down, I don't need to be there everyday, I have trusted people taking care of the company. Now as for me, well I can do whatever I want and what I want right now, is to spend the afternoon with you." He says, arms resting on his legs, fingers playing with his car keys.

" Oh okay, um I should get ready then." I tell him.

With his final nod, I rush off to my room, getting in the bathroom and taking the shortest shower possible , before I know it, I'm all dressed up and ready to go.

I didn't even spend that much time in the mirror, I didn't want to waste his time and make him regret inviting me.

" Okay I'm done, I hope I didn't waste that much time." I say, stepping out of my room and coming into view, organising my purse.



Not hearing a response, I look up , only to see Keith just staring at me. " Keith?"

He rises to his feet and in long strides, he's right in front of me. I watch him look me over before he looks me in the eyes.



"You look very pretty." I swear my cheeks have never warmed like how they are right now.

I'm never good under compliments, not to mention ones coming from Keith, who has my heart beating fast.

Friends. That's what we are , I remind myself, looking down and trying to avoid eye contact while I get myself under control. Looking at Keith from under my lashes, I murmur a thank you before walking ahead, leading the way.

Thank God my friends aren't around to see Keith or witness him and I walking out together. I feel that it is really important that I sit down and talk to them, let them hear my side of the story before either make their own conclusions.

I don't want them to feel like they can't trust me, no. I want them to know where Keith and I stand, that all is forgiven and that we are now friends.

It would also be good for Keith and my friends to get to know each other , but I don't want to jump the gun here, things are still anew with Keith and I and not much time is left , before the Divorce is finalised and both of us would be single once again.

I haven't forgotten.

" So where are we going? " I ask, turning to him as he drives.

Yes, Keith decided that today he'd drive and picked out one of his many beautiful cars.

That giddy feeling washed over me again, being in the passenger seat. It was quite funny watching Keith fuss over me being comfortable, he didn't even let me put the seatbelt on. First thing to know about Keith Salvatore, he fusses over safety. Check.

"You'll see." A small smile is sent my way before looking back at the road.

I frown, nodding.

Soon we arrive at the destination and looking around, I notice that we are at the park. Oh no.

Memories of the first time we went to the park play in mind, and I bite my lips when my stomach twists uncomfortably .

Maybe we'll take a walk somewhere, maybe it's not the park. Relax Akiandra.

He steps out of the car and comes around to my side, opening the door for me. He stands on my side, looking at me expectantly.

" Keith." I glance between Keith and the park nervously.

" Come on." He unsnaps my seatbelt and holds out his hand.

Taking a breath, I place my hand in his and let him help me out. Once on my feet, I step aside and let him close the door.

Okay so we are definitely spending the after noon at the park." Wait here." He tells me.

I do as I'm told and wait, looking ahead and mentally preparing myself for just about anything. No I can't think like that, we are starting over and there won't be a repeat of that day. I need to trust that things will be okay.

" Kea." I snap out of my thoughts.

He holds out his hand to me." Come." He tells me.

I notice a big picnic basket in his other hand. Everything clicks in mind. Oh so he planned a picnic for us. How sweet .

I nod taking his hand and allowing him to lead me to a nice spot. I remain standing, waiting for him to finish laying out the blanket for us to sit.

" Let me help you." I tell him, about to take off my shoes, kneeling on the blanket and reaching for the basket.

"No please, let me..." I lean back and sit comfortably, watching him take out the contents inside the basket, placing everything out on the blanket.

He looks so cute, all concentrated and biting at his thumb with eyebrows scrunched together. I can't help but fan girl right now.

No, he's just my friend. I've got to remember that.

"Okay, all done." He suddenly says, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"So um I uh - didn't want any disturbances and people in our way, I mean - " he stutters at the beginning of his sentence and isn't able to finish his sentence, when releasing a breath.

Wait, is he nervous?

Oh my gosh he is.

"It's lovely Keith, thank you." I tell him, saving him from further explanation." So did you prepare all of this?"

"Yeah, I did." I can't believe Keith Salvatore has prepared food for us, him lifting a finger.

This is totally a miracle.

"Hey don't look so surprised." He points at my face, noticing my surprised face. "I know how to cook, I just never have the time."

" It's just that I've never seen you." I trail off, my eyes dropping low.

"Oh."

I look up at him again.

"Dig in please." He gestures for me to do so and I smile in thank you.

At first things are a bit awkward, where we shyly steal glances at each other and eat. Not many words are shared between us.

I hear him sigh out, earning my attention." This is not how I planned things." He mumbles.

"What do you mean?" He looks up at me.

"This lunch was about us spending time together, getting to know each other and just having a nice conversation." He sighs again.

"You know we could still have that." I tell him.

"Its not only that, this, here in the park was also to serve as a start over, you know the last time we were here. I don't want what happened then , to be the first thought that pops in mind, whenever you pass by here. I want to create a new memory."

Oh my gosh, what can one say to something like this.

A smile breaks out on my face." Well all is forgotten, I only see now." I declare. Making him smile.

And I mean it, the minute I watched him prepare everything for me. He took the day off work just to spend the day with me.

It's like he did a 180 and became a whole new Keith, well the Keith I witnessed with his mother. The Keith I fell - . I pull out of my thoughts , not wanting to enter dangerous territory.

" So Mr Keith Salvatore, when are you cooking dinner for me?" He quirks his brow at me. "I mean you did mention something along the lines of being a mean cook." I wiggle my brows at him.

"Soon very soon dear Akiandra." He smirks at me.

"Good I can't wait, cause these are way too good." I say , grabbing one of the small burgers.

Seeing him smile makes my heart smile and easy, is what I feel at this moment.

No regrets this time, being here with him.

                        ******

"Oh I love this song!" I shriek in happiness, leaning forward to turn up the radio. I stop short of my actions when I remember who's car this belongs to.

"Uh sorry. " I say, leaning back and looking out the window.

The volume is turned up and I look at him, brows raised.

Though his eyes remain on the road, I notice him fail to suppress a grin and I smile at that. Relaxing in the seat, I start bobbing my head and singing along to Alan Walkers ' Sing me to sleep.'

With the corner of my eye, I watch him join me, making me laugh when he doesn't even try hide it this time.

Finally we reach my apartment complex, where the sun is going down. I realise that we've been out for most of the day, well you never notice much when you are in good conversation with someone and enjoying downtime.

Once parked, none of us make a move to go out, well me to be exact. I don't want the day to end.

I internally sigh, knowing I have to go.

I turn to him." Thank you for today. " I tell him.

He smiles at me.

Invite him for coffee.

" Would you like to come in for coffee?" I ask, finally earning the courage to ask.

" I'd love to but I can't."

" Oh that's okay." I say, trying to hide my disappointment." I should probably go now." I say, quickly turning to open the door , his hand on my wrist stops my movements.

" Kea." I look at him.

"Hmm?"

" Thank you." He says.

" For what?" I frown.

" For your forgiveness and friendship, I will never take it for granted." He swears, truth in his eyes.

I smile at him and without thinking, I quickly lean to him, pecking his cheek. Surprising both of us.

" I should go now, goodnight Keith." I quickly say, rushing out of the car with my bag in hand.

At the entrance , I glance over my shoulder to see him still there. I wave at him before going in.

My phone starts ringing, the minute I step into my apartment.

I answer without checking the caller ID.

"Hello."

" I never bid you goodbye." I lean against the door, smiling.

"Oh well goodbye." I say, the smile evident in my voice.

" And goodnight." He adds.

"Goodnight."

"And sweet dreams." Oh my gosh, what is he doing?

I can even picture him smirking right now.

" Keith goodbye." I laugh at his silliness.

"Goodbye Angel." He ends off and after the click, a gasp leaves past my lips at repeating his words in mind.

Gosh and he called me angel.