Chapter 23

That night, Kiara was so tired she slumped into her bed before her bed time. She left Martha in the living room watching a rerun of her favorite tv program.

Deep into the night, Kiara had a weird dream. She felt herself being caressed and cared for in ways she didn't believe was possible. Eric was the face behind this and she felt herself loving this side of him. Gone was all the hostility and anger that seemed to always be around him. Eric in her dreams was a completely different person.

With Eric, she had never felt so free and loved and she wished this would continue. But all things had to come to an end. Kiara woke up with a light frown on her face, she couldn't quite believe that everything that happened was all in her dream. It was so real but it was all in her imagination.

She yawned, stretching herself lightly before climbing out of her bed. She had nowhere to go that day, her next appointment with a client at work was the following day and before then, she had to concentrate more on the blog and fill in details that weren't there before.

Kiara got to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee and met Martha sitting on the kitchen chair, holding a glass of wine. Her drinking was back and Kiara knew it was as a result of her recurrent nightmares.

Martha couldn't handle them like her daughter did and she resulted in drinking to clear her head. It was a bad habit and she knew it but she couldn't quite stop it.

''It's early Martha."Kiara smiled, gently.

''I know, I just needed to clear my head."she smiled.

Kiara walked towards her, taking the glass of wine from her. She emptied the rest of the contents down the sink. If Martha continued like this, she knew she might have to seek help from outside.

They couldn't fight this alone and any help would be really beneficial no matter how little it might be.

''Here Martha, this is better."Kiara said, handing a steaming cup of coffee to Martha.

''Thank you darling. You take care of me so well even though I don't deserve it."Martha chuckled.

''Don't say that Martha. You deserve every care I give to you."Kiara said.

Martha remained quiet, staring at the steam rising up from her cup. Kiara made a cup for herself, going over to sit on the chair beside Martha.

''So how was your date yesterday?"she asked.

Kiara couldn't call it a date per say because Eric's twin brother, Jack had shown up unexpectedly. Not that she didn't like his presence, as a matter of fact she loved it and if he wasn't there, Kiara couldn't imagine what the whole thing would have turned out to be.

''Well, it was kind of okay I guess."Kiara smiled.

''That doesn't sound so encouraging.'' Martha laughed.

Kiara decided to tell her a little about Eric. After all, she couldn't hide everything from Martha.

''You were right Martha, he's a jerk. I really don't understand why he was so hostile to his brother.'' Kiara said.

She took a slow sip of her coffee, replaying the events of the previous day in her mind. Jack was nothing short of charming but Eric was another person entirely. Kiara was quite glad that she had nothing to do with either of them. Lucas was enough for her and she would never trade him for anyone else.

''I hate to say it but I told you so.'' Martha smiled.

''I know Martha and now I see it. They are two different people entirely. His brother is so charming and carefree. Anyone who comes across him would know they love him immediately. That's the kind of energy Jake has, an infectious one."Kiara smiled.

She couldn't quite wait for dinner with him tonight. She found herself anticipating everything he would do, every move he would make towards her and this just kept her on the edge.

''What's this smile on your face? Has Lucas agreed to a child?"Martha asked.

Just like her, Martha was very observant too. It was a trait she got from her which had also helped her but not in her marriage.

That almost ended her and if not for their old neighbor who came in to rescue her, Kiara knew Martha could have been dead.

''I don't think I'll call it that yet but we're getting closer.'' Kiara said.

She had only just met Jack yesterday and thinking about him in that way was something she wasn't even going to consider. Martha stared at her and she felt quite uncomfortable with the wide eyed look she gave her.

Martha was always wary which was something she couldn't stop based on what she had passed through in the hands of her husband. She didn't want the same for her daughter which was her greatest fear.

''Martha. I'll be careful. I know that's what you want to say but I promise I will.'' Kiara said.

''I'm not saying you shouldn't have fun but have fun while being careful.'' she said.

''I will Martha, you worry too much.'' Kiara chuckled.

''If i don't, no one will.'' she said.

She had a good mind to tell Martha everything about Eric but she shied away from that thought because she didn't want her to worry again. She had been through a lot and making her worried was the last thing on her mind.

Lucas and her would handle everything themselves without involving Martha in it, it was the best thing to do.

Kiara smiled gently, wishing that the genesis of their problem never occurred, maybe only then she could have had a better life free from fear.