LIA POV
“It was no one,” I replied, trembling visibly. I watched his eyes move around, watching my movements. Damn! What's wrong with me? He'd sense that something was wrong with the way I was fidgeting.
“I'm sure that I've seen that face somewhere. He's so familiar,” he said, thinking about it.
I could not stop his thoughts as I watched him. “That's it! He’s your brother. The one in the news,” he said, his eyes trailing the path Fred had threaded his way through. Then he turned back to me but I was already burning with anger and pain. I could explain nothing to him. He was best kept in the dark.
“You're turning red. What's up with you?” he asked, placing his hand on my forehead. “And why won't you introduce me to your brother?” he added.
“It's all your fault. If you had not left me, we would not still be here,” I cried and stormed out of the mall. He raced after me and grabbed my arm, pulling me to himself.
“I'm sorry I left you earlier. I had an urgent call and could not miss it,” he explained.
“An urgent call, from who? From where?” I asked, folding my hands over my chest.
“Do we have to do this now? And it's not even about me. Let's talk about you and how incomprehensible you are. Why won't you introduce me to your brother? I could sense your intimacy with the way he drew close to you so what's the problem? Make me understand,” he said, holding both my arms.
“I've got nothing to say to you. I just want to be alone,” I replied and got out of his grip them started walking.
“You won't do this today, Lia. I need answers. I'm damn so curious about what’s happening. Why were you scared of him?” he asked, following me as I increased my pace.
“I wasn't scared. Will you just stop reading meaning to every single thing. He already left when you showed up. If you were so eager to meet him, you should have followed him since you saw him,” I replied without turning to face him.
I bet he was shocked at my reaction as he kept following me as if he needed to know something about Fred and I wasn't ready to divulge any information.
“You were scared. You were literally trembling. I watched the entire scene unfold before me. I'm sure you're keeping things from me. Yes! I'm guilty as well but if you need to open up about your situation, you can trust me,” he said as if he knew what Pat and Fred had been up to.
“I — can't. I'm fine,” I replied, almost breaking into tears. I wiped my face repeatedly and looked away from him.
“You can open up to me. You don't have to bear any burden alone. What's going on?” he asked with concern written all over his face. I wanted to spill the beans to him but gosh! It would be too dreadful. I even feared that I might disgust him if he realizes that both my father and brother had sex with him.
Afraid and confused, I threw myself at him and sobbed gently. I knew he'd read meaning to my reaction. Anyone would but I was in deep sorrow and agony to think over it.
“It's fine, babe. I'm always here for you. You can always count on me,” he said, helping me to the car. After I had sat on the car seat, he bent low and held both my hands in his. “I do not give a shit about your past or whatever type of family you're from.
I know that your family has gotten quite the reputation but that doesn't clear away the fact that you might be going through stuff there.
Whenever you need help, simply call the contact number I gave you. I'll be here in a flash,” he promised, kissing the top of my hands. If only those men could be like him. I smiled, placing my head on the car seat then I shut both eyes. He heaved a deep sigh, shut the door then went into the mall to finish our shopping for groceries.
When he had left, I wanted to cry because I had just made a promise to Fred. A stupid promise like a whore found by the corner of the street. I bit my thumb finger as I held my tears in. I never did anything to deserve such anguish.
We drove to Greg's apartment in silence. I walked slowly till I sat on the couch and shut my eyes once more while he went in to fix the groceries and other accessories that we had bought. Surprisingly, he didn't say a word about Fred after the mall. All he did was watch me as I joined him to make dinner.
He was not dumb. He'd notice that there was something wrong but I could not control my emotions. Even if I tried to be happy, my body would be in disagreement.
I had not even had any intimacy with the man I loved but I'd have to visit another man to give him the cookie. I sobbed inside of me.
After taking dinner, I could not take my eyes off Greg as we watched the news. He was so engrossed in the view but he soon noticed my intense gaze. He grinned, placing his hand on mine.
I moved closer to him then wrapped my arms around his body while placing my head on his chest. He let out a funny laugh.
“I asked for this,” he teasingly said.
“And you got it,” I replied but deep down, I knew I desired to be in his embrace more than anything. I was like a child who had been deprived of love. Scratch that! I wasn't just like the child. I was the child.
“I’ll be out of town for around two or three days. It's —” he said but I broke in immediately, withdrawing from the embrace.
“Out of town?!” I exclaimed.
“It's just for a couple of days. I'll be back before you know it,” he said. It was obvious that he could sense my fear so I had to cover it up.
“Well, I hope your trip won't exceed a couple of days,” I said.
“It won't,” he replied while still holding my hands. He drew close to me on the couch then laid my head back on his chest. I giggled as he caressed my hair. Then I raised my head and lightly placed my lips on his, withdrawing almost instantly.
“I'm — I —” I stuttered as he gazed at me with his dazzling blue eyes. He held my jaw and drew me closer. “Can I?” he asked.
Captivated by his eyes that wouldn't withdraw from looking into mine, I nodded. His face moved from my eyes to my lips. Before he could make the next move, I found myself marrying his lips with mine.