Chapter 25

I can't believe I'm doing this. Well I can't believe this is happening, I'm travelling with Keith.

When he asked me to accompany him, I wasn't really thinking straight, I was still stunned about what happened with London. Everything after he left and I agreed to go with Keith, became a blur. Now I'm sitting beside Keith, who's busy on his laptop. Probably with work.

We're going to the airport right now and I'm nervously excited to go to Aspen. I've never been to Aspen. To add to this excitement, I'm going with Keith. I know he might be busy with work and all but when he's not busy, I'll just have to drag him around and create a little fun for the both of us. You know, creating memories.

My mom would be squealing with joy at watching me travel to places. She'd always known that I had a heart for travelling, experiencing new things, learning and storing memories of a life time.

I watch curiously as we pass other planes and enter into a more secluded area, where a beautiful plane stands proudly. A few people stand aside by the stairs.




We finally make a stop and Alex steps out, opening the door for Keith while Joe opens the door for me. The two men will be accompanying us to Aspen, because not only are they our drivers but are undercover bodyguards.

At least I won't be alone when Keith has to attend his meetings.

Joe helps me step out of the car where I get full view of the plane.

" Joe, Did Keith rent the plane or something?...... I don't see anyone else besides us." I ask in confusion.

"Nope this is mine." Keith says in my ear, I shyly look away, feeling embarrassed that he heard me.

" Kea." I feel his hands go through my hair and stay there, I look up at him again, almost closing my eyes at the feel of his touch.

"Thank you for being here." He says, I nod against his hand, a small smile on my face.

" Mr Salvatore." Someone says behind him, giving Keith reason to look away.

I notice a pretty, tall brunette with a model like frame, head over to us, she's in dark blue dress pants, white blouse and black heels , her hair tied into a nice bun. In hand, she has a work bag and a file in another hand .

I miss his warmth when he let's go of me and gives attention to the pretty woman. Looking at her closely, I jolt my memory for when I'd seen her before, because she looks quite familiar. Oh it's his personal assistant, she'd been present at the wedding and had shown up a few times at the house. She's part of the people who know about our secret marriage.

" Kea, you remember Bailey Evermore don't you?"

"Yes." I offer a small smile, taking her outstretched hand for a handshake.

"It's good to see you again Mrs Salvatore." She says.

I nod, pulling my hand away.

"Everything has been set and ready sir." She says, looking back to Keith.

"Alright then."

"Come on." He gestures for me to follow him, and I do.

My steps faulter when his words replay in my head. Did he just say it's his?

"Yes he did." Joe confirms.

I look at him with a frown, falling in step with him, so as to be discreet when talking about Keith. Who I have so much to learn about.

"This is one of his jets." Joe continues.

"He has another one?" I ask surprised.

Joe nods.

Noticing my surprised face, he speaks up again." You don't know how wealthy your husband is , do you?" I shake my head no.

He smirks at me before gesturing his head towards Keith, telling me to hurry up.

With a confused look, I quickly make my way to Keith, who's now in conversation with the two males. One a dark haired, tall and muscular man, his cap under his arm. The other much younger and resembling the one next to him.

Joining Keith, he pulls me close by hand, totally surprising me that I can't help but look up at him.

I'm surprised at his actions , especially in front of people. He might make people question our relationship. No I can't let that happen to him.

I try pull my hand away but his hold tightens, I remain standing by his side, shifting on my heels in discomfort under the younger man's curious gaze.

" Akiandra. This is Bruce Marshall the pilot and the co pilot, Ian Marshall." Keith introduces.

"Oh uh hello." I wave, feeling rather shy under their gaze.

"Likewise Mrs -" Older Mr Marshall says.

" Salvatore." My jaw almost hits the ground at his words, but I snap out of my thoughts when we're led up and into the plane. My steps faulter at the first look of the interior.

Luxurious to the T, beautiful and quite inviting. I'm scared to even touch anything. Keith leads me to where there's a table and I slide into a seat, peeking at the window.



I divert my attention away from the window and look at Keith, who's sitting opposite me, just looking at me. I smile at him, making him smile at me.

Gosh he's so handsome, especially today in his dark jeans, white sweater, brown coat and brown boots. For some reason we seem to match as I'm dressed in dark skinny jeans and with a white shirt and heels.






Our bubble is broken when the hostess arrives, asking if we need anything, my tummy grumbles at thought of food. Keith chuckles at this and I throw him a playful glare before telling the lady what I'd like.

We turn to Keith, who just says he's fine.

"No, you'll eat." I turn to the lady. "He'll eat." I say, serious.

Keith sighs at this and tells the lady what he prefers, after that's been wrapped up, we're left alone once again. My cellphone starts ringing and pulling it out, the caller ID says London.

I stare at his name, feeling conflicted on what to do. Before I can actually do something, the phone is snatched out of my hands and I watch Keith's jaw clench when his eyes skim over the screen.

It stops ringing, only to start again." Keith."

"He has some nerve to call right now, like I'd let you talk to him." He mumbles.

" He's my friend. " I say in a small voice.

"Friend my ass, he tried kissing you. He tried to kiss my wife." He sounds really upset right now and I don't know what to do , to calm him down.

He said wife again, instead of friend. Maybe I need to correct him, remind him that I'm just his friend.

" Keith I won't be your wife for long and I'm only your - ," my words faulter when I watch him slide out of his seat and come over to sit next to me.

He cups my face and looks me straight in the eyes." Don't you dare finish that sentence.  Don't." I'm almost sucked into a trance at the blue of his eyes.

The phone having been left on the table, rings again, forcing us to break eye contact. Keith takes my phone and switches it off right in front of me. " I'll be keeping this for a while." He mumbles, clenching his hand around it.

I'm afraid he'll break it.

The hostess comes back with our food, giving us something else to focus on then the whole London situation. I gladly dive into eating, my hunger taking over.

We sit in silence eating, or so I think when I peek a look at him, only to see him staring into space, jaw tight.

" Keith." I poke at his arm. No answer.

" Keith." I do it again. No answer.

The third time I do, I get a reaction, one I'm not expecting." What?!" He snaps, eyes blazing.

I flinch back, swallowing hard.

Glancing around us, I notice that everyone has just witnessed this, noticing that I saw them, they avoid my gaze.

He blinks twice and when seeing my reaction, he seems to snap out of his funk.

"Akiandra." I avoid his eyes, staring at my food.

" Kea, please look at me." I hesitantly do, I almost gasp at the emotion in his eyes, him pleading.

" I'm sorry, I shouldn't have snapped at you like that."

"It's okay." I tell him, but he shakes his head in disagreement.

"No, that was not right. I'd promised myself that I wouldn't do this, upset you and - ," I shut him up by shoving a spoon full of yoghurt in his mouth. Surprising him.

"It's good isn't it?" I ask and he nods." Now eat, I'm fine but hungry. " I end off, going back to eating.

He finally joins me, making me smile.

A time later when we're done, I watch him meet his PA's eyes and I know he has work waiting for him. He turns to me.

"Work and no play, got it." I tell him

"Tell me if you need anything, I'll be right over there." He points to where she is and I nod.

He looks at me for a minute, before he slides out of the chair and walks over to her. I watch him speak to her for a minute or so before looking back at the window. Relaxing in my seat.

This time alone gives me a moment to think about what happened with London. I feel guilty, maybe if I'd moved to a different place and he'd never saw me again, then he wouldn't have had these feelings he spoke of.

I don't know when he developed them but I can't return his feelings, I feel bad, I feel like a horrible person.  Releasing a heavy breath, I lean back on my seat and close my eyes, mentally telling myself to try fix things between London and I. He's my friend and I don't want to lose him.

Maybe this time apart will be good and clear up this whole confusion, and we'll go back to how things were before. Exhaustion soon takes over and right when sleep takes over, I feel myself picked up and then placed on something soft. Am I in bed?

I don't dwell on it but let sleep take over.



Fingers in my hair wake me up.

" Kea." I hear Keith say next to me.

I turn my head to his direction, slowly opening my eyes to look at him, where he's just staring at me, his fingers still moving in my hair.

"Hi."

"Hmm."

" We've arrived." The minute he says that, I jolt awake , my eyes surveying my surroundings. It's a small bedroom.

Gosh I'd never leave this plane if I had it. Moving down the bed, I peek through the window, a smile creeping onto my face at the sight of the big mountains and the town itself.




I turn to face him once again, my smile still intact. The place is gorgeous from what I can tell and I can't wait to actually land my feet on Aspen grounds, creating memories.

I get off the bed, stretching my arms before rubbing at my eyes. I'm not prepared for Keith who's suddenly in front of me.

"Did you sleep well?"

" Yes and thank you for getting me to bed, I must have weighed a ton." I mumble the last part.

" No, you are a feather." He tells me, kissing my forehead." Come on."

He leads us back to our seats, where we get ready to land.

The plane finally lands and we are then led to two beautiful cars. This whole time Keith has not let go of my hand , but I act like this action hasn't made my heart beat wildly.

Keith leads me to a red one while the guys and Bailey take the black one. I watch with amusement as Keith tucks me in, fussing over me. Once the seatbelt has locked in, he looks up, his eyes meeting mine.





"What?" He quirks his brow.

"Nothing." I giggle.

He leans back, arm resting on the hood and staring down at me." Tell me."

"It's nothing really, let's go."

"No, we won't until you tell me." He says determined.

I roll my eyes at him, my smile never wavering." Fine, I find it cute how you just fussed over me right now."

My smile soon does waver when he starts leaning close, minimal space between us.

"So you find me cute huh?" A smirk takes over his face, a glint in his eyes.

I gulp." I- I meant funny, that's what I said." I deny, eyes on my lap, blushing hard.

I feel his eyes linger on me for a while until he chuckles at me, closing the door. I release a much needed breath, trying to compose myself as I watch him come over to the driver's side.

Once he's in, he switches on music, playing softly in the background before starting the car and driving.

" Keith?"

"Hmm?"

" Why did we take a different car?"

"Because I wanted some alone time with you ." He steals a glance my way before looking back at the road.

"Oh." I try suppress a grin.

The trip alone is in comfortable silence, until I feel my hand picked up and placed on Keith's lap, I smile at him playing with my fingers, leaning back and making myself comfortable. It feels like a norm for us, something us as a married couple should enjoy doing.

Long trips are so not for me, I just feel so exhausted and I can't help my eyes drooping low.

All too soon I feel the car stop moving and my hair being pushed away from my face. My eyes start to flutter open. Keith being the first person I see .

His soft eyes make my heart to flutter.

"We're here." He tells me, leaning his side against the seat.

I look away from him and ahead, when in front of us is a beautiful double story cabin house.



My mind seems to take me on a journey to the future, where I'm happily married ,successful with little babies running around. Laughter and happiness echoing throughout the house. Now that's  some dream.

" Akiandra. " I snap out of my thoughts and look at a frowning Keith." Huh? "

" I lost you back there, what are you thinking of?" He asks.

" Nothing really just my future." I shrug, stealing a glance at the house before looking back at him.

"So um is there somewhere you'll have to be today?"

"Well I've only got 2 hours to spare before,  being on my way, " he looks at his watch, frowning.

"Oh well let's go inside so you'll get at least an hours rest." I unclasp my seatbelt and reach for the door, but a hand stops me.

" I don't need rest, I'm fine." He tells me.

"No, we've had a rather exhausting travel, so the body needs rest before working again. So you're doing it and I'm not taking no for an answer." I fold my arms, my  determination evident on my face.

I believe this works when he sighs and gets out of the car. I follow suit and close the door behind me. Keith comes over to stand in front of me.

"Okay I'll do it."

"Good."

"Only on one condition."

"What's that?"

I yelp in surprise when I'm suddenly picked up and thrown over his shoulder." We'll cuddle. "

" Keith put me down." I plead, feeling quite dizzy now. The blood travelling down to my head.

Keith does stop , only to reposition me in his arms, carrying me bridal style." Mrs Davies." He says, passing a lady in a neat bun, who appears out of where.

The lady doesn't even utter a a sound but stops and watch us disappear from view.

Finally being placed down on my feet , I stumble a bit due to being on his shoulder, but his hands on my hips keep me steady.

I huff, moving out of his hold while he leans by a door.

" Keith I've already slept enough thank you, now go. I'll be downstairs." I shoo him away.

" I will if you join me."

"No."

"Why not?"

Thoughts of us just being friends and his heart belonging to another, invade my mind and my heart sinks, knowing that I'm here while his woman is probably somewhere, waiting for him. Like I have before.

" I can't. " I repeat, eyes on my feet.

" Again why not?"

"Because you're not mine." I say under my breath.

" What?" I feel him moving close to me but I take a step back.

" You're not mine!" I snap, looking at him.

Everything seems to stop and we stare at each other, I'm breathing hard while the words I've just said seem to echo in mind.

Oh my gosh. I snap out of whatever trance I'm in, my hand encloses around my mouth, my eyes widening.

Panic sets in and he sees this, snapping him out of whatever bubble he was in.

" Kea...." He takes a step towards me but this triggers something in me, where I dash out of there and run to the nearest room I see. I feel footsteps follow behind, but I'm too fast in locking the door, sliding down the door as the first tear comes out.

Oh my gosh, I can't believe I said this. Now he'll know how I feel about him, he won't look at me the same anymore.

I've just ruined my friendship with Keith.

" Kea, open the door" I hear Keith say, knocking on the door.

I don't answer, sniffling.

" Kea, can we talk please?"

" No, leave me please."

" Kea come on please." This is a record, with how many times he's said please.

"No!"

" Kea - "

"Leave me alone!" I cry out.

There's silence. No more knocking.

Guilt quickly weighs on me and I open my mouth to speak, only to stop when I hear a sigh, then feet walking away.

I draw my knees close to my chest and bury my face in my legs.

I've just ruined everything.