Chapter 24

I wait patiently for Keith to show up. We'd made plans to go watch a movie tonight and I must say , I'm looking forward to it.

We'd texted back and forth in the afternoon, and he'd suggested that we go out for a movie tonight. Now here I am, still waiting for him. I know that he's a bit late and I have no doubt he might be tied up at work. 

I just hope he'll be able to make it because if he doesn't, no doubt I'll be a little disappointed but I'll still understand. He is a busy man.

A knock on the door has me jumping up and rushing to the door. My smile wavers a bit when Keith is not the one on my doorstep but it's Theresa.

" Theresa hey." I fix myself and a genuine smile makes it's way onto my face, though a bit disappointed but still happy to see my friend.

" I saw that, you were expecting someone else weren't you?" Right to the point.

How does she do that? Know what's on my mind.

"Nice to see you ' Resa' , please come in."

"Nope, don't avoid my question, so who is it, new guy?" She asks, turning to face me.

"W- what?!.......No! " I splutter. " I would never do such a thing. I'm a married woman, a committed one at that. Need I remind you." I say, taken aback by what she's said.

"Okay okay, calm down Kitty cat. I was playing. But I still want to know." She folds her arms.

"Um I was waiting for Keith." I say, taking a seat on the couch, one leg under the other.

" What?" She joins me on the couch, arm propped up on the head of the couch.

" Yes, we had plans to go out for a movie, as friends."

" Again, what?"

"Um Keith and I are on good terms now and we are now friends." I say as simple as that.

" Woah hold up. What is going on here, because the last time I checked, you yourself ended things and came back with no ring. Now I'm hearing a new friendship has bloomed. Explain. "

I nod and tell her everything, starting from the day he came by, apologising, wanting to be friends, progressing to yesterday till now, as I wait for him.

" Wow." That's all she has to say after I've finished.

" So he really got down on his knees and begged?"

"Yes. "

" That's a good thing, at least now he realizes what a douche he has been. As for the whole friendship thing, I don't know." Her eyes change to one of concern.

" Why do you say that?"

" Kea he might be genuine with the whole friendship thing, not wanting to end things on a bad note. But you have feelings for this man, you're in love." She squeezes my hand softly. "  Do you think a friendship would do you good, especially with that soft and kind heart of yours?"

I hear what she's saying, but I don't want to lose the start of a friendship with Keith.

"He wants a friendship out of this and I'll just have to settle for it." I sigh. " I can't force him to share the same feelings."

" I know."

" I've been married to that man for two years and never really felt a two way partnership, it was all one sided and now that I receive so much as a friendship, I'd rather take that and have these last moments into memory then the years."

She stares at me, understanding mixed with concern on her face. "Okay." She nods.

" What time is it?"

" Nine." My heart sinks at that. I believe she sees the disappointment wash over my face.

"When was he suppose to be here?" She asks in a low voice.

"Um by 7, but I'm sure he's coming." I say, still believing that he'll show up.

We are starting anew and I have confidence in him. He won't disappoint me. Well I hope he won't.

I know that something like this may sound small to someone else, but to me, well every moment spent with him counts.

"Time has gone don't you think?" She mentions in a low voice, not wanting to upset me that's for sure.

"Yes but he's coming. " I say.

She sighs" Kea, why don't we go out, we could even let London tag along, I'm pretty sure he's back by now."

"He's coming."

She sighs. " Kea." There's a knock on the door, cutting her off.

"Must be my brother, I told him I'd be here." She says, rising to her feet and heading over to open the door for me.

Or maybe it's Keith, I want to say but refrain from doing so.

I lean back on the couch, closing my eyes.

"She's here." I hear her tell someone, making me frown.

" Akiandra!" My eyes snap open.

Turning my head towards the entrance, I see Keith standing before me, looking handsome in a business suit, bouquet in hand , Alex his driver behind him.



I get off the couch, my eyes not straying away from him. I only see him. " Keith, you came." I whisper.

He comes over, closing the distance, taking my hand in his, sparks present in our joined hands.

" I'm so sorry I'm late, I got tied up at work and - " I don't let him finish when I wrap my arms around his waist. Surprising him, this being evident in him tensing up.

"You are here, that's all that matters." I tell him, my voice muffled against his chest.

His body relaxes and he wraps his arms around me.

We remain like that for a while till I take a step back from the hug, already missing his warmth.

"These are for you." He hands me the bouquet.



"Thank you, they are lovely. " I say .

"I know it's late, but I'm still up for it if you are." I nod , smiling up at him.

Him returning my smile.

Someone clears their throat, breaking our little bubble. Keith steps aside for me to see Theresa and Alex, standing next to each other.

" Oh um Keith this is Theresa my friend and neighbour, and Theresa this is Keith my um, friend." The word friend feels heavy in my throat.

I plead with my eyes , for Theresa to not say anything and to just go along with this.

"Hey." She waves to Keith as he nods.

I internally sigh in relief.

" And this next to you is Alex, Keith's driver." I gesture to Alex, who's gaze lingers a little longer on her.

There's a handshake shared before the two face us again, though I can see her peek at Alex with the corner of her eye. Someone's interested.

"It's getting late, I've got an early class tomorrow." Theresa comes over to me, giving me a hug.

" God damn he's smokin." She whispers to me before leaning back, making me blush in embarrassment.

"It was nice to meet you sir, well I should bounce." She ends off walking away. Throwing a glance his way.

"Sir?" He says, with a box of pizza and plastic bag in his hands, I notice.

" Ah yes, thank you." Keith takes everything from him, placing it on the coffee table.

" I'll give you a call when I'm done."

Alex nods.

" Oh no need, he'll sleep over. " Keith's head snaps in my direction." It's late and - unless you'd rather prefer sleeping at - ."

" No I'm okay right here." He cuts me off.

" It's um settled then. Thank you Alex and have a lovely evening." I tell Alex who nods my way, declaring his goodbye before leaving us.

I turn to Keith, who takes off his suit jacket. " Let me." I offer to take it from him, placing it neatly on  a chair nearby.

" I didn't know what you'd be up for, so I brought a couple of movies." He tells me, taking out the few movies.

" I'm okay with anything except horror movies." I shudder at the thought of the last horror film I watched.

I couldn't sleep for days.

A smirk comes upon his face, a mischievous glint in his eyes." Good to know." He says.

" Keith Salvatore, anything but horror. Because if you did bring one, I'll punch your face then kick you out." I scold.

His brows shoot up, amusement evident.

" I uh , I'll get the plates. " I rush off to the kitchen, hearing him chuckle behind me.

                          *******

" I'm sorry I was late." He says for the second time , diverting my attention from the movie to him.

" It's okay Keith, you're a busy man."

" No, I made plans with my wife and everything else should follow." I blink a few times, watching the side of his profile, since he's looked away again.

I don't think he even realises what he's just said. Not friend but wife.

No, it was just a mishap. I won't jump into conclusions. We're just friends. Married friends.

Okay I don't even make sense to myself, I'll just stick with friends.

Looking at him again, I notice that he's just staring off, not paying attention to the movie. I sense him troubled. What could be the problem? I just hope it's not me.

I pause the movie.

" Keith? "

" Mhm?" His mind is definitely not here.

" What's wrong, you're troubled by something."

He sighs, meeting my gaze." You know me so well. " He mumbles.

Of course, I'm your wife. I mentally say.

I blush. Not the time.

" I'm leaving tomorrow." My heart sinks at the news.

" Where are you going?" I ask, trying to keep my voice normal.

" Aspen, we've opened a new branch not so long ago and I have to go and do a couple rounds of checking up, a few meetings with potential clients and then I'm back."

I don't want you to go." For how long will you be gone?"

" 3 days, 5 days max" That's not bad.

And only about a week will be left before you say goodbye to Keith forever. My consciousness reminds me.

"Oh, well I'll miss you. " I admit. Not even regretting saying it out loud.

He doesn't say anything but stares at me for some time, staring into my eyes. Searching for something?

He pulls me to him, resting my head against his chest and I take pleasure in just being this close. So many days without seeing Keith, now those are going to be the longest 5 days of my life, that's for sure.

                              *******

I can't move and I need to pee. My eyes flutter open and trailing my eyes down my body, I see an arm wrapped around me, securing me in place , against a hard warm chest.

Events from last night play out and a blush warms my cheeks at the close proximity. My heart beating rapidly in my chest. I can't believe we slept here, in the living room. The last thing I remember is us watching a movie and then everything went blank. Wow, and I ended up laying in his arms. Now that's something to remember.

The pressing issue of needing the bathroom, knocks me out of my personal bubble. I try remove his arm but it only tightens.

" Keith" I poke his arm.

"Mhm?"

"Please let me go," I poke at his muscular arm.

"Mmm no I'm comfy," he murmurs in his sleep, burying his nose in my hair.

I've never blushed so much, let alone felt so many tingles throughout my body.

" I need to pee." I say urgently.

The arm is removed and I don't waste time in rushing to the bathroom, doing my morning routine.

Once done, I step out, almost crashing into Keith's hard chest.

"Oh sorry." I side step him, blushing when I see him smirk at me.

"There's an extra toothbrush , right by the sink." I mention, by passing him.

He nods smiling before disappearing into the bathroom, hearing the door click shut. I go on to the living room, where Keith and I spent the night.

That sounds so intimate.

Where we slept. More like it.

Soon he comes out, his clothes dishelved, hair messy and making him look more sexy.

How can he look like a model in the morning? It's a crime.

A ding sound comes from his phone, on the coffee table. Message alert.

I watch him come over and take the phone, his eyes skimming through the screen before he looks at me again.

" Alex is here, " he says.

I nod after him, watching his retreating back.

I lean back on the couch, an easy smile on my face , thinking about last night. He surely surprised me yesterday.

" Akiandra!" I jump off the couch at someone calling my name.

London surprisingly comes into view, not looking at all pleased.

I wonder what's got him in a mood.

" London, hi."

" Why Akiandra why?" He says, voice tight.

Huh?

"Why what?"

" You let him stay over. You're letting him back in your life." Keith. He's talking about Keith.

" Uh I - "

" After everything, it's that easy huh?" He steps closer.

Something's wrong, he doesn't sound like the London I've come to know. London my friend.

"What are you talking about?" I ask in confusion.

"This whole." He stops short, taking a breath. " He doesn't deserve this, he doesn't deserve you." He says, stepping closer while I take a step back.

" London -. "

"He'll hurt you and I can't watch that happen again. You deserve better, you deserve someone better." He closes the distance.

Oh my gosh, Keith might walk in any minute now.

" London what is all this, I don't understand - "

" I can't keep quiet anymore. I have feelings for you and I know you'd realize that , if only he stayed away. We'd be talking a different story right now." He cups my face, my eyes widen at sight of a glint in his eyes.

I feel stuck, my feet remain rooted in place. Why can't I move? I watch with wide eyes as he leans forward, slowly closing the gap and about to enter dangerous territory when he's shoved away from me.

" You fuckin' stay away from my wife! " A roar makes me flinch back.

My head snaps forward just in time to see Keith grab ahold of London, throwing a hard punch on his face.

" Keith?! " I gasp in shock and his head snaps in my direction, making me flinch back when his hard stormy , brewing eyes meet mine.

"Get out." Keith growls .

I look to London, who's on his feet, holding onto his jaw.

" Kea." He starts saying but I plead with my eyes for him to leave and after some time , he walks out. Giving me a last glance on his way out.

There's a heavy tense silence when we're left alone. I don't know what to think about what just happened. I'm too stunned to move.

" Akiandra come here." I hesitantly walk over to him, gulping when in front of him.

He releases a breath before reaching out his hand to touch me, but I flinch back.

I remind myself that this is Keith.

I let him run his fingers through my hair, his thumb making circular movements on my cheek. I lean into his touch.

"You're coming with me." I blink twice, staring into his eyes.

"Say you will." His eyes plead.

"Okay."