Chapter 2 - A MISPLACED LOVE YOU

Kira's smile is not long in coming as she looks at me proudly, “Now go over there and love him at your feet.”

A giggle escapes me, unable to control it. It's too early for what my body is used to, but with all this commotion, my body has fully awakened.

“Do you remember the address I mentioned to you a few days ago?”

“Do you think I'd forget?” We both sketched the same complicit smile.

“Perfect!” Kira pulls something out of her pocket and tosses it to me. After juggling with the object for a moment so it doesn't fall out of my hands, I notice it's her car keys.

“Does this mean what I think it means?”

Kira loves her car more than anything in the world, and she just doesn't go around leaving it in the hands of just anyone, so the fact that she volunteered her car to me is more than a miracle.

"Do you even want to walk over there? And remember, it's apartment 554."

“Yeah, yeah, I get it,” I run to the car. “I promise I'll tell her everything this time! I swear on our friendship that I'll propose to Kaiden today!”

“Shut up, some of us are trying to have breakfast in peace!” A clearly annoyed shout from one of my neighbors is not long in coming.

“You shut up, can't you see that my friend is going through a difficult situation right now?” Kira's shout defending me is not long in coming either.

“Nobody cares!” I watch as Kira is about to confront one of my neighbors, so I get into the car as fast as I can. I don't want to be here if Kira makes someone cry, and of course she will.

The car starts easily as I insert the keys. I grip the steering wheel firmly and a sigh leaves my lips, trying to let go of everything that's tormenting me, “Okay, here we go, how bad can it be?”

The drive to the building was quicker than I expected, plus there were no complications along the way. It's not like I was expecting something to happen that would stop me from getting there or anything.

The elevator goes too fast, the numbers indicating the passing floors change without lasting a second on the screen, or at least that's how it seems to me. My hands start sweating as soon as I get out of the car, and I try to leave my hair alone, as my hands keep trying to fix it even though I have nothing to fix, “If Kira saw me right now, she'd scold me until the whole building knew what was going on.”

The doors open and I hesitate before stepping out. When my body is completely out of the elevator, I immediately regret it and try to turn around to go back, but the doors have already closed, “I knew this is a bad idea,” I say as I push the button to call the elevator.

“What's a bad idea?” The sound of that voice stops me in my tracks. Shit, why does this stuff always have to happen to me? I push the button more insistently, as if that will make the doors open faster.

I don't even want to turn around to see his face, or I'll get much more nervous than I already am.

“Yini? Hello?” Think, Yini, think of something fast! You can't just stare at the elevator doors all your life. I have to get out of this, I'm going to face him head-on. I turn to face him and my heart betrays me, it starts beating uncontrollably at the mere sight of his blue eyes. Shit, I'm fucked. “Hi, Yini.” His tone of voice is sweet, and the way his eyes shrink a little when he smiles is charming.

I can't stop looking at him and I'm pretty sure my mouth is hanging open and possibly drooling, but I have to pull myself together.

“Kaiden! What are you doing here?” No, Yini, feigning indifference isn't going to save you this time! Not when you're right in the building he moved into this morning, and right when you're on the floor where his apartment is.

“Well... this is where I live now,” he says as he points around with his hands, “I mean, not right here, my apartment is here, well, actually, it's over there,” he points to a half-open door behind him a few steps from where we're standing.

Of course he lives here, that's why you're here, Yini. Argh, I should stop talking to myself like I'm someone else. I should also respond, as Kaiden is starting to look at me funny.

“I... of course I know you live here,” I'm definitely not fixing things. “That's why I'm here, I came... to help you with the move.”

“I guess Kira had something to do with that.”

"No! I mean, yes! She... couldn't come, but she was really worried that you couldn't manage on your own, so she asked me to come."

“Really? And why couldn't she come herself?” Kaiden folds his arms and looks at me defiantly. My tongue gets tongue-tied, and all my thoughts swirl around without getting what to answer.

"She... well..." I look down at my hands, which keep interlocking nervously, trying to congenialize an answer, until a giggle puzzles me. Kaiden is laughing. Wait a minute... Kaiden is laughing?

“Relax, Yini, this isn't a criminal interrogation.” He runs his hand through my hair playfully, tousling it all over, “I know my sister can be very convincing and she sure forced this on you.” Great, this will be my chance to run away. Kira can't blame me if Kaiden sends me back, "But I won't make you leave. Since you're here, why don't you help me a little?"

Huh? Aren't you going to let me go?

“I...”

"Oh, come on, I'm not going to bite you. Not unless you ask me to.” His voice comes out in a playful tone as he gives me a wink. God, stop doing that kind of thing! Can't you see the blush on my cheeks? Can't you hear my heart racing every time you look at me?

“Come on!” Kaiden grabs my arm and drags me into his apartment.

Is there still a chance of escape? No, there isn't. I try to turn to look at the elevator when I hear the distinctive sound of the doors opening, but Kaiden drapes his arm over my shoulders, making me unable to move. I'm stunned, unable even to breathe. His body is too close, his scent is so intoxicating. Kaiden doesn't seem to notice my distress. I decide it wouldn't hurt to take a breath. After all, air is essential for living, isn't it?

I breathe just a little and feel like I won't be able to control my heart for days, but it's worth it. Kaiden's eyes meet mine. Seconds pass and we both keep looking at each other. His lips move, but I can't hear what they're saying. I watch as he runs his tongue over his lips as if they are parched, yet I see them perfectly fine. I have to stop looking at him as if I want him to kiss me, but he is so mesmerizing.

"Are you okay? Your face is red, actually, it's almost purple,” Kaiden says with an expression I can't quite decipher. Great, I forgot to breathe again.

Quick, you have to say something so I don't think you're crazy! Come on, say anything!

“I love you.” The words come out of my mouth uncontrollably. As soon as I realize what I'm saying, I cover my mouth with my hands, as if that will somehow prevent me from proceeding with my confession.

“What did you say?” asks Kaiden. His surprised gaze keeps scrutinizing my face in search of understanding what I just said, but at this moment my best horrified face overpowers everything.