His Sudden Kiss

MYSTERIOUS CALLER

What?!"          

 That is Gwyneth unbelievable remark when I told her that I met Alex at the cafe just down the buildings. I keep myself busy finishing my work before getting ready to clock out in a few more minutes.

 "And the worst part is you ran away from him?" She repeats what I just told her.

 "Unbelievable. Anyone would die just to meet him, but you..."

 "He is just a normal person who has a talent to sing and be famous. What’s so special about him anyway?" I reply, do not even pay attention.

 "You didn't know. He is the most talented singer I have ever met. He is just so nice and kindhearted. Do you know he got the most invitations on tv shows in 2018, and why is that?" Gwyneth starts narrating about his career.

 I raise my eyebrows, trying to shut my ears from her nagging.

 "Because he is unreal!"

 Ugh. I roll my eyes. This time I have enough.

 "Well, everybody have flaws." I reply. Logically, yes. Every single human being cannot escape from being wrong or doing some wrong in life. We are being judge after all.

 "Stacy. Even his flaws are wonderful." She replies back, sitting comfortably on the couch, while dreamily looking up to the small crystal chandeliers.

 "Ugh. Talking about him is never going to end, huh?" I am defeated. The truth is, it makes me cringe. Goosebumps immediately forms on my arms as soon as she opens her mouth.

 Gwyneth quickly nod.

 "I am done here. Let's go." I add, quickly making her stops whatever she wants to add after this. I might die in my mind just by listening to her overclaims.

***

"So I forgot to ask you earlier." I speak as we reach into the basement parking of our apartment.

 I can see Gwyneth uncomfortable shuffle on the leather seat next to me, and a small smile creep on my lips knowing that I caught her red-handed. Now, now, where do I start?

 "Why did..."

 "I did nothing." She answers before I can even finish my sentence.

 "Okay.. But how does he....."

 "I gave it to him, okay." She quickly cut me off mid-sentence.

 "And why do you...."

 "I don't know. Now please hurry and park your car. I need the toilet." She finally speaks in a full sentence and quickly unbuckles her seat belt.

 As soon as the car stops in the reserved parking spot, she already open the door and quickly run toward the elevator. She is already in the elevator in no time.

 "Seriously, this girl."

***

"What's cooking?" I ask while vigorously shaking my wet hair that stick onto my back.

 "Air." She replies, short.

 "What the.. Air? You really know where to hit my nerve, huh?" I say coming closer, before my hand quickly smacks her butt.

 "Aww!"

 "Uh, sorry. Some sort of.. reflexes." I say, sarcastically.

 "Oh, and now you can't forget him, right?" And it hit me right back.

 I roll my eyes while chunking a big piece of chilled brownies into my mouth. Munching on the sweet goodness, I can finally think of everything that had happen earlier.

 "Hey, Gee." I call her.

 "Uhum."

 "Don't you want to know why I ran away from Alex earlier?" I ask her, my mouth continues biting into the chocolaty taste.

 For a second I think I shouldn't tell her. But in another second I think, I should tell her. At least, she could be my savior in the future. Well, it's not that I will ever meet that strange guy again.

 Gwyneth turns off her phone a few second later, and turns to her side, facing me. We are both still standing at the kitchen counter, while rummaging the fridge for a little bit of whatever left in that cool container.

 "Maybe. But why though?"

 "Well. If I am to be honest, he may probably,..." I start, scrutinizing my eyes, taking a pretty deep breath just in case.

 ".... indirectly asking me...."

 "... to date." Full stop.

***

*ringgg *ringggg

That is my phone ringing. I take that as my lucky sign to escape from this awkward situation whereas Gwyneth keeps staring and blinking her eyes for the past few second.

 She does not believe what I just said.

Yes, for sure. No one meet someone at the first sight and the next meeting the girl was asked to date the boy. Moreover, it is indirectly. It is unplanned. I do not know what to think or to speak, or react to what he said. I am not even sure if he was actually joking or if he was serious.

 But he did throw a smile. His irresistible smiles that I have mention earlier. I can also see his sweet dimple on one of his cheeks. Is it on the right or left cheek?

 "Hello." I greet.

 "Hello there, my little bitch." A deep coarse voice suddenly greets me, rising my adrenalin. I can feel my heart beat very fast that it could come out of my chest anytime soon. My hands are shaking.

 I freeze on my spot until Gwyneth come over and grabs the phone away from me.

 "Stop messing with her, son of a b***h!" Just that, Gwyneth throw the phone away and quickly come over to calm me. I shrink just by hearing his voice. My mind suddenly stops functioning and I am at lost for words.

 "Stacy, are you okay?"

 "Gee...." I whisper.

 "Yeah, Stacy, I know."

 "It’s Ken... Do you know?" I ask her, looking directly into her eyes.

 "Yes, he just got out from rehab. And I think he is searching for you." She replies looking down to the floor trying to avoid my eyes.

 "And you didn’t tell me?"

 "I thought you already know about it. It’s on the news last night." She explains.

That answers a few more question in my head. Isn’t he supposed to be in the rehab for a few more years? If I am not mistaken, or maybe I lost in my time, then who ever dare to bail him out? My mind gives up on me since I got the call and now all I can do is staring blankly to floor.

 Yes, Gwyneth is right. Sooner or later I have to meet him again. I have to face him again. But I am not sure if I am ready when everything seems to move pretty fast. I don’t even realize how time flies. I just lost it. I was too busy to check on the time that already passed by.

 "Please, call Derek." I order Gwyneth as she quickly grabs her phone.

Gwyneth looks at me confusingly but her fingers quickly dialing Derek’s number. She takes a quick glance to me, slumping on the floor helplessly, blankly looking into the distant. I look up to Gwyneth who seems to be talking to Derek on the other line while her eyes never leave me. Her eyes look nervous but yet worry.

Derek is another person I could rely on whenever I was caught in a hard situation. He might be further away from us for now, but I have to give him all the information. He has to know what is happening now. We have to come out with a new plan to avoid meeting the bad guy. At least, for now.

I try to sit comfortably on the sofa while the habit of biting my finger takes over my mind. Anxiety are all over myself and my heart can’t help but to beat faster than usual. It feels like if I do not do anything immediately, something bad is going to happen. Of course, I won’t let that happen.

The clock finally strikes to three in the morning when Gwyneth comes out from the kitchen and stand next to me, holding a white steaming cup and a blanket in her other hand. Taking the hot cup carefully, she then covers me with the comfy blanket.

 "Thanks, Gee." I say. Unfortunately, my voice sound pretty hoarse.

 "You are welcome, Stacy. What friend is for?" She replies smiling and slowly sitting on the bean bag, facing me.

 "Seriously, how time flies. I don’t ever think that I have to face him again." I speak, as a matter of fact.

 "It’s okay Stacy. We have been through this once and we can do this again. Trust me." She tries to convince me. To be honest, I can feel that she is also in fear. I can see it in her eyes.

 Ken is not an ordinary man I have ever met. I knew he used to be the one sweet guy I ever fell in love. But he quickly changed once he joined an underground fight. Those times, he thought he did that because he wanted to support his family. I guess greed can change people in the blink of an eye.

 He used to be as usual size as any other man would be. But he changed after that super dangerous sport. They said he took drugs too. Silly me, I didn’t believe it until I saw it with both my eyes.

 The next thing I knew, he was no longer our friend. He barely hung out with us, having fun at our favorite club or sneaking out enjoying teen party at our college friends. He was being different and all. I thought he was busy practicing for his championship, but you know what? I was wrong.

 "I don’t know.."

Ding!

The doorbell rang suddenly with a little bit of commotion coming from the door. We stare at the door for a quite a while before Gwyneth finally stands up and peep through the peephole.

 "Hi guys!” Gwyneth opens the door to two young men standing next to each other, disgusting with each other.

I stand up instantly, picking up my courage to meet my old friend, my ‘supposed to be husband’, and a very close friend of mine. A few steps towards the door and my eyes grow wider. He does not come alone.

 "Hi, Derek." I greet and quickly give him a quick friendly hug. It has been a few months after the last time we met and I can’t help but feel relief.

 "I thought you are in LA." I speak as he steps into our apartment.

 "Yes, I just got here this evening, for the meeting and Gee called me about what had happened." He answers.

 "Yes, thanks for coming anyways." I say helplessly while gesturing for Derek to sit on one of the coaches in the living room.

“I’m still here.” Another voice sarcastically greet us as I am about to sit. Gwyneth chuckles softly while closing the front door and my head quickly snap at the sweet voice. To be honest, it triggers something deep inside me.

 "Alex?"