“Bad boyfriend… Bad boyfriend didn’t get any gift for me,” Emily whispered over and over again. Her eyes were still tightly closed. Ryan looked lost not knowing what to do.
He turned to glare at Scott like it was his fault. Scott stared back and shrugged. It’s not his fault that someone forgot his duties. But that isn’t what Ryan is probably thinking.
“Ssshh… I got you something. I’ll give it to you when you wake up. Just go to sleep,” Ryan mumbled, squeezing her hand gently. There was silence in the room for a few minutes till someone coughed.
Both Mrs Jones and Ryan turned to look at Scott. “Uhmm… Brother, isn’t this the time that we take our leave?” He reminded. “No,” Ryan’s answer was unexpected.
Mrs Jones hid a smile as she gave him a scrutinizing gaze, seemingly appearing to be in deep thoughts.
“Brother… What do you mean no? We’ve checked on sister-in-law and confirmed that she’s fine so why are you refusing to leave now?” Scott sounded frustrated.
Ryan gave him a look that clearly says, “Does she look like she is fine to you, dumbass?”
“I’m going nowhere. Does her current situation show that she is fine to you? You can leave if you want to. You don’t need to stay after all… She isn’t your girlfriend.”
Ryan really emphasized the words ‘YOUR GIRLFRIEND.’ Scott groaned inwardly.
“Ryan… You don’t really have to stay with her. She will be fine. Once Lena gets back and I make her that soup, as soon as she takes it, she will be fine,” Scott looked at Mrs Jones gratefully when she said this.
“No. I’m not going anywhere,” Ryan sounded like a child that is throwing a fit because he was being requested to leave his favourite toy or is it his favourite person.
Scott sighed, “Fine… Have it your way. I have to go somewhere now. I’ll see you later whenever you agree to come home.”
Ryan didn’t acknowledge his words and just continued watching Emily quietly like he was trying to etch her facial features into his memory.
Scott bade Mrs Jones goodbye and left the room. The latter merely nodded at his greeting with a smile and watched him leave before turning back to stare at the couple on the bed.
Her eyes trained most especially on Ryan, trying to recollect where she must have met or seen him before cause the familiarity she is feeling can’t just be ignored.
After staring at him for almost thirty minutes, she turned away when she heard the sound of Lena’s scooter pulling up in the driveway.
She gave them one last look before leaving, quietly shutting the door behind her.
***
Ryan must have gotten sleepy from watching Emily and of course, the stress of the early, unexpected trip must have made him fall asleep cause the next thing he knew, he could feel someone hugging him tightly.
Her hands trailed on his shirt almost slipping under his shirt. He caught her hand that was going dangerously below and opened his eyes. Huh? When did he fall asleep?
And how is he now in the bed with Emily? She is even awake, giving him a strange look that’s oddly attractive.
“Hubby,” She pouted and called out lowly. This demure look on her face coupled with her low, sultry voice caused Ryan to be distracted for a minute and she managed to release her hand from his.
Wrapping her hand around his neck, she mounted on top of him and he just laid there… Doing nothing! What else is he expected to do? His senses just went haywire.
“Hubby,” She called out again softly and lowered her face down to him. He gulped and let her do what she wants. She inched closer and closer that he could even feel her breath on his face.
Instead of kissing him as he’d envisioned, she fell on him and her lips moved to his ear instead. At that moment, he could feel that his ears were probably turning pink from blush.
Jeez! Who thought her to act like this? His eyes widened at a thought that slipped into his head. He really hopes she hasn’t tried acting this demure yet sultry in front of other men.
“You… Didn’t… Get… Any… Gift… For… Me,” She slurred and he suddenly felt her body temperature. The exposed skin made contact with his and he almost hissed.
Why is she burning up like this? Is it really the allergy? Perhaps, she is acting so abnormal because of how ill she is right now cause he knows that she will never act this way to him.
He sat up and made her roll over gently. She tried to protest and rise up from the bed but he held her down. That was when he noticed her eyes… Her eyes weren’t the usual brown he’d known.
It somehow had specks of… Is that silver? Silver specks? What a weird combination! Why are her eyes even like this?
“Just wait for me okay? I’ll go get you something to eat,” He assured her, standing up from the bed abruptly. She looked like she didn’t want him to leave but she didn’t say anything.
She just watched him leave, her hands involuntarily clutching the bedspread tightly.
****
The blinding lights of the club shone on the wild crowd that was partying like crazy. Though the interior of the club looked splendid, it couldn’t be compared to Jeff’s club back in San Francisco.
Everyone was minding their own businesses. Strippers dancing like crazy, the audience cheering them up and bartenders going about their daily duties.
No one noticed the man in black who blended perfectly well among the shadows, sneaking off to the area where the club rooms are located.
He walked down the hallway and finally stopped in front of a familiar room. He stood still for a split second, his eyes darting around quickly as if to make sure no one is in sight before he raised his hand and knocked.
After three consecutive knocks, the door swung open.
.
.
.
……