Friends with Desires

Her Hidden Desires

I woke up all tired and my body ached. Deliveries arrived yesterday at Marco’s and we had to move and stack them in the storage. I stretched on my bed. If not for the light sneaking in my room, I would not have woken up.

I peaked at my alarm clock which I turned off earlier, it was 1:30 pm. Beside the clock were my papers, with tons of yellow posts-its on them. Zack…why did he had to read it. I felt annoyed.

‘’Argggghhhh!’’ I let out a disappointed shout.

‘’Honey, are you all right!?’’ My mom went quickly to my room. 

‘’I am okay mom. Just tired.’’  I said and smiled at her.

‘’Sorry, honey, I did not wake you up, I know you needed the sleep. Why don’t you come down and eat something. I made us some chops and mashed potatoes. Your favorite!’’ She said with a smile.

‘’Thanks mom.’’ I smiled back.

‘’That nighties, I am glad you liked it. Never thought you’d wear it honey. Looks good on you.’’ Mom said as she went out of my room.

I suddenly felt horrified. I am on my nighties! I had no choice. My PJs were all in the laundry.  Zack was here earlier! Did he see me on this?! Oh my… he is going to tease the hell out of me!

‘’Aaarggh!!!’’ I shouted again.

‘’Come down here Kate!’’ My mom shouted back.

I changed into my shorts and shirt first before going down. Mom has set the table for us but she ate already. She was taking her cup of coffee.

‘’Zack dropped by earlier and brought some papers with him. Is he helping you with your thesis?’’ My mom asked.

‘’No, he is not.’’ I said firmly.

‘’Honey, here you go again. You always think Zack is being mr-know-it-all . You know he is not like that. He just wants to help you honey! And you are getting all stubborn again with your I-can-do-this attitude-I-don’t-need-your-help.’’ My mom retorted in wide eyes.

‘’Mom, he helps me all the time. Like I am someone that needs help all the time??’’ I said rolling my eyes. ‘’I want to do things on my own too you know and achieve them on my own.’’ I added.

‘’Hush hush, Jenna invited us for dinner tonight. They have a new Chef at their estate or was that a new restaurant…anyhow, you are coming.’’ She said in a firm look.

‘’Sure thing Mom.’’ I said. It’s not like I have other plans. Cathy was not yet back from Wisconsin.

It was 6:30 p.m. when we arrived at the Van Willis estates. Maria greeted us as we hopped out of our car.

‘’Good evening, Ms. Terry, Ms. Kate.’’ She smiled. Maria is the Van Willis’s trusted female butler. She and Zack are very close. She is always so nice to us too.  

‘’Terry! Terry! ‘’, Jenna excitedly approached us. They gave each other a tight hug. ‘’Hi Kate! You look lovely dear. I love it when you wear dresses rather than jeans.’’ Jenna said as she kissed my cheeks.

I looked at myself at the reflection of a glass cabinet nearby and well, I don’t look bad myself. Satisfied. I said ‘’thank you.’’

‘’Come, come, everyone is waiting.’’ Jenna said.

Everyone? I said in my mind. I know Zack of course would be there. But who else?

We went to the dining area and there sitting beside Zack was Jessica. So, someone new was joining us. This is definitely a first. It has always been Zack, his dad, his mom, my mom and me.

It felt weird, like I did not want her to be there. Like why is she here? Zack just met her yesterday and she is here, already, with the family.

‘’Hi Kate! ‘’ Jessica said enthusiastically.

‘’Oh! I see you know each other already?! Great! ‘’ Jenna said excitedly.

‘’Hi Jessica.’’ I gave a fainted smiled.

‘’Hi dear’’, my mom said to Jessica too. ‘’I’m Terry, Kate’s mom.’’

‘’Hi Terry, I’m Zack’s friend’’, Jessica said.

Zack was just looking at me, in a weird kind of way.

‘’Hey you.’’ I said to him. He suddenly smiled. Like I brought him back from of some zone or something.

Mom and I sat in front of Jessica and Zack. I was in front of Zack.

‘’Did you check on my notes?’’ Zack asked.

‘’Um… no I haven’t yet’’ I said.

My mom interrupted and said ‘’thanks for the help Zack. I saw Kate reading your notes earlier.’’ She smiled to Zack.

I just stared at my mom with wide eyes. She lied.

‘’So… are we going to eat?’’ Zack’s dad suddenly exclaimed.

And out of nowhere, two guys in a chef’s uniform suddenly appeared.

‘’Good evening everyone. I am Chef Alessandro Luca and with me is my Sous-Chef Gabriel Davis.  We are excited to present to you our menu for tonight and I hope you will enjoy them.’’

Alessandro sounded Italian. Gabriel on the other hand just smiled and bowed a little. He looked cute and attractive in his white uniform. He looked like someone my age. But I guess he is older as he is already a Sous-Chef.

Alessandro was already defining the starters and started serving them. Gabriel was the one who served me. I quickly smiled and said thank you to him. He also smiled back. Still haven’t heard his voice yet. I wish he would speak!

When I turned to Zack, he was staring at me and quickly looked away. What was that all about? Did I do something wrong?  

Zack’s dad explained that he has invested on Alessandro’s restaurant and that they met way back in Italy. They seemed to be good friends. Alessandro now resides here and he is opening the restaurant in a few weeks. He wanted us to try the menu first.

Everything was actually very delicious. I seldom get to eat Italian food and I never thought I would like them. The wine was something new to me though, I never get used to drinking wine. I guess I am never a drinker.  It was a bit strong for me.

Jessica was talking about the hotel business and I could care less about it. So, I did not realize I drank more than I should have.

‘’Would you like some water?’’ Gabriel asked. He was beside me already, pouring water on my glass. I smiled and thanked him.  Finally heard his voice.

‘’I would like some too’’, Zack interrupted. Gabriel quickly went to the side of Zack.

I was having a moment and Zack quickly ended it.  I stared at him in an annoyed look.

He looked back cold as well.

Jessica was still talking but she was taking a glimpse of me and Zack.  Her eyes were on me then on Zack.

I definitely noticed that. What do Zack and Jessica have on me anyway? What are you two up to? Zack has been acting weird and Jessica is acting all territorial like I am getting something from her. While she is the one trying to fit in to my usual crowd.

I excused myself and went to the hall towards the wash room. When I started walking, I felt a little tipsy.

Someone just grabbed my hand and assisted me. “I think you had a little bit of wine.’’ It was Gabriel, smiling at me. Damn he looks so handsome. ‘’That wine was particularly strong though. I guess you don’t drink’’, he added.

‘’Yup, you got that right. I am more of coffee person than alcohol. I am Kate by the way’’, I said.

‘’Nice to meet you Ms. Kate’’ he said.  ‘’Are you on your way to the wash room?’’  

‘’I was but I guess I need some fresh air’’, I said.

“Let me assist you?’’ Gabriel asked.

‘’I am okay, but yeah sure. Come join me then.’’ I said smiling.  I can’t believe I just said that. Must be the wine.

Gabriel smiled.

We were chit chatting for a few minutes and I learned that Gabriel was from New York. He was an intern in Italy at Alessandro’s years back. When the latter moved to the US, he got a call and was invited to join him. He was actually the same age as Zack.

I was about to share about myself when suddenly, Zack’s voice just came out of nowhere , interrupting us.

‘’Gabriel, I think they need you back there’’, Zack said.

‘’Right. Nice meeting you Kate’’, Gabriel said as he made his way back inside the house.

Zack approached me.

‘’What is your problem?’’ I snapped at Zack.

‘’My problem?’’ Zack snapped back.

‘’I was talking to him! ‘’ I almost shouted.

‘’My dad was looking for him Kate’’, Zack explained.

I shrugged.

‘’Your cheeks are a bit red. You should not have drink the wine.’’ Zack said as he sat beside me.

‘’So…Jessica, I guess it turned out well for you guys last night?’’ I asked. Why on earth did I sounded so curious and interested about them.

Zack was looking at me but suddenly turned away. He did it again. What is wrong with him?

‘’Is something wrong? ‘’, I asked.

‘’Yup, Jessica, she seems fun’’, Zack interrupted and stared at me.

‘’Is there something wrong with my face?’’ I asked.

‘’No… I realized you actually looked good in dresses. You put on some make up too ‘’, Zack struggled.

‘’Hhahhaaah, a compliment from Zack Van Willis. That’s rare! Of course, I wear dresses too you know during classes. You just don’t to see me’’, I chuckled.

‘’Maybe I should fetch you more often then’’, Zack said.

I was about to say something when…

‘’There you are!’’ Jessica appeared.

She kissed Zack on the lips, in front of me. Like she was claiming something that was hers. That hit me a little, she is definitely getting on my nerves a bit. All I could do was look at my feet.

‘’You look lovely Kate. I love your dress’’, Jessica said.

‘’Thanks. I guess I need to get back inside, I will leave you two here for more privacy’’, I said.

‘’Oh, we are done with that. Right Zack?’’, Jessica chuckled.

That was terribly annoying.

‘’You know what let’s all get back inside’’, Zack said as he ushered me and left Jessica behind us. Jessica quickly followed.

Back in the dining area, Alessandro was thanking us for all the positive comments. He told us to come for the opening next week. Gabriel finally spoke and thank everyone as well.

I smiled at him and he smiled at me too.

On our way out, my mom was laughing and laughing with Jenna. Both of them sure had a lot of wine. I guess I will be driving.  

Gabriel was already out of his uniform when he approached me.  ‘’Are you sure you can drive?’’, he asked.

‘’Yup I can manage, don’t worry’’, I smiled.

‘’Gabriel! You look so handsome! I definitely enjoyed your food!’’, my mom said in her very drunk voice.

‘’Mom!’’, I said. As I assisted her to properly stand. She was swaying and all and Jenna was giggling.

‘’Thank you, Mrs. Fulton’’, Gabriel smiled.

‘’I’ll take it from here Gabriel’’, Zack said as he came behind us.

‘’Right, see you guys on the opening’’, Gabriel said as he went towards the parking area of the Van Willis’s.

‘’You’re going to drive us? How about Jessica?’’, I asked Zack in a low voice.

Jessica was standing not too far.

‘’Ben will drive her, I already told her’’, Zack said. Ben was Zack’s driver.

Shortly a silver Bentley arrived and Zack opened the passenger door for Jessica. Before Jessica could kiss Zack’s lips, Zack kissed her on the cheeks.

‘’Zack, I think I can manage to drive’’, I said.

‘’Nope, you had wine earlier, not trusting your driving skills, sorry’’, he said.

Well, I can’t blame him. I did once get into a car accident before for having drank a little,years back and he got so mad at me then.

His Black Maserati arrived and he went to open the doors for us.

‘’Thank you, Terry! See you at the opening!’’, Jenna said as she waived and went back inside the house with Maria assisting her.

Zack smoothly drove. My mom was seated at the back and I was in the front seat. She started to doze off already when I peaked at her.

‘’That wine was way too strong! ‘’, I said to Zack.

‘’For you I guess, not much on me’’, he said.  ‘’So, what’s your schedule tomorrow?’’, he added.

‘’What? Oh, not much’’, I said. I was itching to ask him about Jessica. Were they together already?

‘’You have work though’’, I said.

‘’Yes, but I can drop by and fetch you after work and help you on that paper’’, Zack said.

‘’Trust me, you need my help’’, he added.

I was about to refute when he interrupted me.

‘’Kate, look, I know you don’t want me to meddle with your studies but at least here me out okay?’’, Zack said.

He sounded really sincere.

‘’I have Marco’s after school, remember?’’, I said.

‘’After you get off from Marco’s, I’ll fetch you then’’, Zack said.

A few minutes and we arrived at our house. Zack carried my mom to her room.

As we went down, I don’t know what came in to me but I asked ‘’so, are you and Jessica together now? I mean that was fast.’’

Zack chuckled. ‘’Give me some coffee please.’’

So, we both made our way to the kitchen, fixed our coffee and went to the living room and sat on the couch. Turned on the tv for our late night chit chat show like we used to do.  Now, that I realized it, it has been ages since we last did this. Ever since he got promoted, he became so busy and things like this were a little less already.

We sat in awful silence. It was weird. He wanted to talk but couldn’t. I wanted to speak also but I couldn’t.  We just sat there watching the tv, sipping our coffee.

I saw a glimpse of him. He was struggling from something and was not at ease.

‘’Are you okay? Is there something you want to tell me?’’, I asked.

He looked at me with all seriousness. When suddenly he hit my nose with his fingers.

‘’Ouch! What did you do that for?! You almost got me spilled my coffee!’’, I shouted as I placed my cup on the table.

I wanted to hit him also but I was too late, he already got my two hands. I was laughing and struggling when we both realized, that he was on top of me and I was underneath him. Our faces were so close to each other.

I suddenly felt the urge to kiss him. His lips were so inviting. I could not stop staring at it. We were both drawn to each other and inches away from kissing when his phone suddenly made a sound. Someone was calling him.  That quickly made us snap out from what we were about to do.

‘’Kate…I have to go…’’, Zack went up quickly and fast towards the door.

‘’Yeah…’’, I said silently. Stunned with what just almost happened.