Reaping Me Softly

Chapter 16 - Smiley Emoticon

If she could stay in the hill until morning with Simeon, she would. But both of them knows she can’t. She only have a limited time to be with him...

“Why do you love sunsets so much?” asked Lia.

Simeon mentioned sunset, a lot. It was rare for a man to bring his date at place like hills, wherein she could see the sea below, its waves rang in her ears, the sunset going down, and the beautiful set up.

She wanted to see how these place lights up once the moon showed up. In the dark, Lia desires to see what Simeon had prepare for her. Sadly, she can’t and it made her heart sank.

“As the sun sets, it’s time to end the day and take a break then, start a new journey in the next morning, when sun rises.”

Their eyes were fixed on the beautiful view. The light of the setting sun casts the world in a gentle, warm orange glow.

“We can put the troubles of the day behind us and move on, perhaps even get some rest. Seeing this actually gives me a new hope. It brought peace and silence to me, Lia. But now...”

Lia turned her head to the side, looking at him. She was stunned for a moment watching his side profile. The shadow of his lashes had made her smile. She wanted to raise her hand and trace his features but she stopped herself.

She was contented at staring at him. Lying together at the mat, watching the sky as it changes colors.

But then, her wants overpowered her right senses. It was as if her hand has its own mind that she just found herself tracing his manly narrow nose with his fingers, then back to his eyebrows, down to his stubbles.

“Lia...”

She blinked and quickly withdrew her hand, then sat straight, unable to think.

“I’m sorry for that. I got mesmerized for a moment,” she almost choke on her voice.

She was about to stand up when Simeon grabbed her wrist. The next thing she know, he was above her, pinning her wrists above her head.

Her eyes widened in shock.

“What are you doing?” She breathed heavily.

She hid her lips when his eyes landed on it.

Lia felt scared because of how her heart reacted to his touch, to their closeness. She was afraid that he might hear how loud and fast her heart beat for him.

She doesn’t want him to know her fondness for him this early. Her feelings should remain as it is and hidden.

“Your words made me want to kiss you,” he said softly. “You have a sweet tongue, Lia. You had me want to prove it by kissing you.”

“You’re too fast...” her voice shook a little. “And aggressive, too. I was just being honest and this is what I get in return? I accept thank you, Simeon.”

“Sadly, I don’t accept welcome...” With that, he pressed his lips against hers.

Her eyes automatically closed when she felt his soft lips. It stayed there for a second, not moving... Until Simeon let go of her wrists, then she willingly sneaked her arms around his nape, giving him her permission to continue.

Then she felt it... Their lips started to move in sync. His hands were on her sides as he kisses her aggressively which she returned with the same ferocity.

She was in cloud nine as they kissed. This was her first time, and she was not an innocent girl who knows nothing about kissing. She followed his movement until she learned to kiss him restlessly.

He suck her lower lip that made her let out a small moan.

Simeon smiled in between their kisses. Then, he stopped.

The separation of their lips was heard.

“Was it soft?” Lia opened her eyes slowly.

He hummed. “I need to check again to make sure...”

Smiling, he kissed her again which she willingly answered.

It was already dark when she got home. Her heart was happy at the thought of him. Good thing her parents were not around when she entered their house. It saved her from being put in to an interrogation.

He just dropped her off two blocks away. He waited until she entered their gate and now that she’s home, she kinda want the time to move fast so she could see him again.

Throwing her body to her bed, she touched her lips.

That was a good kiss... Beyond amazing and addicted.

“Damn... Two boxes has been checked...” she uttered, referring to her bucket list.

Her first real date, and first kiss... In one day, those two things happened and she couldn’t be more happier!

She giggled. Lia can’t wait to see him again!

As days passed, their communication just gets stronger. For the past week, they have been calling each other nonstop, secretly on her part. She had to pretend to be sick for a day so her parents won’t suspect her and has been lying, too, a lot.

Nonetheless, she felt not even an ounce of regret.

“We will be out for a business trip for a two weeks, Lia.”

She immediately raised her head from eating upon hearing her mother. Before, it wasn’t really a big deal for her. Even if they leave for months, she wouldn’t care. But now... She’s is so much in glee!

Two weeks... That means she can spend time with him without weaving a new lie!

“Where?” she acted like it wasn’t a big and good news.

“In Europe,” Laura answered. “Also, for that two weeks, the helpers would leave the house for a short vacation. That means, you’ll be left alone here for the meantime.”

She accidentally dropped her spoon and fork in her plate, not expecting the sudden news.

“This is too big for me...” she uttered. “Can I just stay for a while in my unit?”

“Oh, right...”

Laura nodded.

“Honey, Lia’s right. The house is too big for her. Also, we totally forgot that she has her own unit now. It was our gift for her when she turned eighteen, right?”

Lia sneak a peek to her father’s direction.

Say yes! Say yes!

“Alright... But don’t make any trouble, Lia.”

She almost jumped in happiness! Good thing she was able to refrain herself from shouting yes!

Lia smiled widely. “Okay, Papa...”

Since tonight was their flight, Lia chose to make an excuse to not attend class and started packing her necessary things. She wanted to call him and inform him the good news but, she tried to stop herself.

Might as well give this day to her parents for giving her the opportunity only she benefit.

“Bye, Ma. Take care...”

When they’re gone, she immediately run towards her room and took her phone out. Locked her door, and went straight to her bathroom and called Simeon.

“Hey! I’m finally free!” She tried to keep her voice low.

“What does that mean?” She could feel the smile on his voice.

“I’m staying at my unit for two weeks. That means no hindrances for two weeks, Simeon. We can see each other freely!”

“Even in public?”

Her smiled vanished. Her family name was known all over the country. Although the masses don’t know what their only child looks like as they kept her hidden from everyone, she can’t still take the risk.

“We have talked about that,” she reminded wearily.

Yes... She liked that Simeon wanted to flex her in public, but she can’t... That would be the end of her freedom.

“I can’t show myself in public with guys around or beside me, Simeon...”

“Why?”

She bit her lower lip. They were still in the stage of being friends, with something special in between. She can’t just upgrade their relationship. Even if she wanted, she can’t.

Also, she has no courage to tell him why. Telling him that she’s bound to marry someone else might end what they have and she was scared...

The feelings... The freedom she just started to own... All the butterflies that she felt with him, Lia does not want everything to vanish in a snap.

“I can’t tell you why...” She sighed deeply. “But aren’t you happy with the way things goes between us?”

“Well, are you?”

For the second time, her mind just went blank.

Lia badly wanted to...

She was not completely happy by the fact that she had to hide him from everyone. She was hurt for having him secretly, not being able to hold his hand in public, not being able to share how everything changed when he came to her life.

Everything felt incomplete.

“Simeon...”

He chuckled sarcastically. “You’re not, right?”

“It has been weeks since things started between us, Simeon. There’s no need to rush... There’s always a right time for this, for us. Today, or even in the following days is not just our time. Let’s wait for the right time, Simeon.”

“Is that even going to come?”

“Simeon...” She leaned on the wall beside her bathroom’s door. “Please... We have discussed this matter, right?”

She heard him sighed deeply.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m just a little stressed with how demanding our professors were. But anyway, I’m going to take you to your unit. When are you leaving there?”

“Tonight...” she replied. “But seriously, you don’t have to. I’ll have our driver take me to my unit so, they won’t have anything to report to my parents for today.”

“Alright. Call me once you get there.”

“Yup!” She ended the call after bidding their goodbye.

That night, Lia moved to her unit just near the university she was planning to go to for college. Her unit was already clean as someone regularly come to clean it so, she didn’t have to go through heavy chores to be comfortable on her own home.

She texted Simeon after putting her clothes to her cabinet. When he asked for her address, she immediately gave it to her and just less than ten minutes, she heard her door bell.

Her phone vibrate. Then his message showed up.

Simeon:

I’m outside your unit, Lia. Open it for me. I brought your favorite dinner, too. I know you are hungry so, come and open the door for me.”

It has a smiley emoticon.

She stood up from sitting on the floor and opened the door for him.