Why Him?

CHAPTER 11

Kiara POV

I woke up the next morning in my own bedroom. But there’s something different about my bed today. I blinked a few times and rubbed my sleepy eyes before I could realize that I wasn’t at home.

“Good morning, beautiful,” Gideon spoke softly the moment our eyes met. What am I doing, sleeping in his bed? Is he taking advantage of me? Ah right. I was the one who kissed him first last night. I followed him back to this place, fully sober. And we didn’t drink any alcohol last night.

“s**t. I overslept! Why didn’t you wake me up?” I said, jumping off the bed. I combed my messy hair with my fingers and quickly tied them back in a ponytail. “You looked exhausted. I can’t wake you up.” He said as he sat up on the bed, resting his back on the headboard.

After I finished tidying up my hair, I turned my attention back towards him, putting both hands on my waist. “Seriously? I’ve told you I can’t stay long.”

He got off the bed and walked towards me, half-naked. He was only wearing his boxer. The image of what happened that night between us flashed back into my mind. I want his lips on mine again, his warm hand all over me. My eyes were fixated on his chiseled toned chest. It makes me blush that I actually slept on them last night. He stopped in front of me, waiting for me to do something as if he could read my mind.

“This is a bad idea. I shouldn’t stay.” I said to him, turning away. He pulled my wrist and hugged me from behind. “I don’t think so, Kiara. What happened last night was amazing.” He whispered in my ear, then lightly bite my earlobe. He was talking as if we had s*x last night. We were only talking, kissing, and cuddling.

I closed my eyes voluntarily as his lips went to my neck. He spun me around and dipped down to kiss me. God, I can’t get enough of this man. He squeezed my buttcheek as we deepened the kiss. If he kept on doing this, I swore my panties would get soaked in another minute.

He hoists me up until both my feet circle his waist and then carefully puts me back into the bed.

“Stop me, Kiara.” He said breathlessly, breaking our kisses. We only parted for a few seconds before he connected our lips back together. I turned our position until I was on top of him. He groaned as he guided me to move my hips above him.

“Gideon, are you still asleep?.. Oh my—“ A woman suddenly barged in. I quickly got off from him and fixed my clothes. Damn it. Where’s my jeans? I hurriedly picked them up from the floor and put them back on.

“I didn’t know you had a visitor here.” She said, more towards Gideon. He let out a deep sigh before he covered himself with the blanket. “Mom, don’t you know how to knock?” He replied cynically.

I swallowed a lump in my throat. This woman is his mom? She still looked very young and beautiful. She shared the same facial features as Gideon. Now I know where he got the good genes from. She crossed both arms in front of her chest.

“Don’t talk to your mother like that. Where is your manner?” She warned him. It’s pretty amusing to see him getting scolded by his mom like a five years old kid. He rolled back his eyes at her, but then his mom turned back to look at me.

“And who is this young lady?” she asked, smiling at me. I am relieved that she didn’t seem to hate me for catching me making out with his son in her house. I had to admit, it wasn’t a very good first impression, though.

“I-I am Kiara.” I nervously tugged a strand of stubborn hair behind my ear. She took one of my hands gently. Her hands were soft. “I’m Fallon, Gideon’s mom. This is the first time he brought a woman back home. Do you want to join us over some breakfast?” she kindly offered before she pulled my hand. I have to admit that it makes me happy after hearing the fact that I was the first woman he ever brought home. It makes me feel as if I was a special person to Gideon.

I saw Gideon putting on a T-shirt, but it still failed to hide his toned body. “Mom, you should’ve listened to her answer first before dragging her with you.” He said lazily from behind us. Gideon then took my other hand from his mom. “I need you to relax.” He told me with an assuring smile. I was surprised why did he had to suddenly act this protective towards me. After we got to the first floor and entered the dining area, I knew why he held me this tightly. I stopped at my place after I saw his dad.

He was reading a newspaper while sipping his coffee slowly. “Babe, we’ve got a visitor today,” Fallon said cheerfully, then gave her husband a quick kiss on his cheek. He looked up from the newspaper, and I swore my heart deflated as I met his intimidating gaze.

“Who are you?” he asked in confusion. His eyes went to Gideon, waiting for some explanation. “Kiara, I want you to meet my dad.” He said, introducing us. Damn. Why does the situation go the other way, and I have to meet his parents all of a sudden? This is very unexpected and certainly not part of the plan.

I should’ve said no when Gideon took me back to this house last night. I thought this was also one of his uncle’s places. He never told me that it was his actual house. The one that he lived in every day.

“Umm…Hello sir.” I replied awkwardly. He still held his gaze towards me, even after Fallon let me sit on the empty chair beside Gideon. “It’s Kiara, right? So tell me. How did you two meet each other?” His dad asked.

I couldn’t swallow the food inside my mouth because the situation was way too tense for someone to eat. “Well—“ I was about to answer him, but then Gideon beat me into it. “We met at the bar.” There he said it. I was still debating whether I should make up a story about how we met, but it was all too late.

His dad let out a deep sigh at him. “Is she one of Damian’s girls?” he asked Gideon and then stared back at me. “You worked at the club?” He asked, with a judging look from head to toe, and it’s making me very uncomfortable. “No, I am not.” I quickly countered.

“I am the CFO of my own company,” I told him. Gideon stared back at me in shock. “No way? That’s so cool. Why’d you never told me before about it?” he said in amazement.

“Gideon, is she one of your meaningless one-night stands?” his dad then shot another accusing word, completely ignoring my previous statement. “Excuse me?” I said, getting up from my chair.

This is getting out of line. I am a woman with dignity. And I am certainly not that type of woman who can be easily disposed of after having s*x.

“Dad, that’s enough!” Gideon said, the situation in the dining room getting even more intense. “No, Gideon. You don’t have to defend me.” I said to him. His dad continued to watch me as my anger rose up.

“Mr. Barlowe, I had no problem if you dislike me. But I am not that kind of woman. I also had a father who raised me well.” I wouldn’t let him judge me badly just because I came here uninvited. We didn’t do anything last night. We were just making out and sleeping next to each other. Being close to Gideon helped me a lot. He makes me forget about how crappy my love life was. And I think he also didn’t mind hearing all my problems. But it seems like his dad didn’t like me that much. Then I thought it was no use to explain myself to him any further.

“This is a mistake. I shouldn’t be here in the first place.” I said, leaving the dining room. “Kiara!..” I heard Gideon call me, but I ignored him and ran upstairs to grab my things. All I want right now is to leave this place.

I grabbed my clutch first, then looked for my phone. It was on the small bedside table. I heard the sound of the door being open. “Gideon, I need to leave—“

I stopped as I saw his dad by the door instead of him. “Listen, Kiara.” He went inside the room and cleared his throat. “It’s not that I didn’t like you.” He said, then paused for a while. “You had no idea how complicated this family was. Gideon…He’s going to rule this clan after I retired.” I frowned at him.

I couldn’t understand a thing he said. What clan? Is this why he can’t have any friends?

But then again, it's not like I am going to be in a real relationship with him either. I only used Gideon to help me get out of this arranged marriage with Nolan. I still need him.

“I don’t care,” I replied to him, and he looked surprised. “You don’t understand. He’s different.” His dad insisted. “Mr. Barlowe, I only believe in what I saw. Gideon is a good man. He’d always be helpful, and he even listens to all my bullshit. So I don’t give a damn about the other thing. There’s no way you could change my mind about him.” I was totally losing it as I let out a curse word in front of him. But it was all too late. What’s been told can’t be replaced. “Nice meeting you, Mr. Barlowe.” I inhaled deeply and left him alone inside the room.

I stopped on my way as I saw Gideon and his mom outside. They were listening to what I’d just said earlier. “See you later, Gideon,” I said, giving him a small smile before I took off.

I went outside the house, half running because I just saw twenty missed calls from my dad. He must’ve been worried. I had to get back home ASAP. But seriously, this house is way too big. It’s more like a castle to me. My legs got sore just by running towards the gate.

Shit. Why does Mr. Barlowe have to make a house this big?

The creepy tattoed guard was watching me as I made my way out. I could tell even though they were wearing glasses. I fastened my pace, but then I heard a sound of a car approaching me from behind.

“Get in!” I looked to the side, and I saw Gideon inside a blue Ferrari. “No need for that. I could get a taxi. Your dad might—“ He got off the car and went to open the passenger door for me.

“Just get in the freaking car, or I swear I kiss you here so my dad and the rest of them could see us.” He threatened, looking dead serious. The guards were snickering behind him, but then they stopped after Gideon threw them a deadly glare.

“Fine!” I said, rolling back my eyes before I slid into the car. He closed the door for me and then went towards the driving seat.