Chapter 7-3
732 Words
Hae-in drops me off in front of the hotel. We stand in front of each other, gazing at the other. The distance between us is void. I wanted him to hug me. He kissed me the other night with no care in the world, but today he’s reserved. Or maybe his courage has fled. Our breaths mingle and the eye contact is intense. I stop breathing and so does he. I swear I can hear the pounding of his heart. Or is that mine? Hae-in clears his throat and takes a small step back to put some distance between us. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Yeah. Okay,” I say. I feel bereft. Lost even. But why?
“I will,” he promises. “As soon as my schedule permits, I’ll call you. This thing.” He gestures between us. “Is far from over. Three chance meetings, India Danvers. That’s destiny.”
Three? When did we meet three times? I just remember two. Hae-in sounds so sure of himself. “I’ll be around. If I don’t respond, text me. I have drama back home.”
Hae-in nods and then bows. “It’s been my pleasure, India. I look forward to our next encounter.”
“Sounds ominous when you say it that way,” I half joke. I’m trying hard to unblock the uneasiness in my throat. But it’s hard.
“I’ll see you again.” Hae-in smiles and his eyes darken for a moment before he waves and gets back into his car. I watch him leave and when I can no longer see his car, I head inside and make my way to the elevator. I’m about to push the button when Kai’s voice stops me.
“You are just now coming back?”
I turn and glare. “Is there a reason you’re talking to me right now?”
“I was concerned.”
I almost lose my balance, not from surprise, but from anger. My hand is itching to slap the ever-loving s**t out of him. Concerned? About me? Yeah, the hell right. This guy took advantage of me from an emotional perspective, he knew my situation and lured me in. I wasn’t about to become some schoolgirl following the hot school nurse around. No thank you. He bailed when what I needed was someone I could relate to. He made it seem as if our experience was kindred.
“Concerned about what exactly?” I scoff. I turn back to the elevator. I don’t want to hear another word he has to say. But the sound of his voice is closer than expected.
“I was wrong.”
Warm hands grip my shoulders. I clear my throat. I don’t move. That he influences me at all is annoying me.
“Are you here to apologize, then?”
“Yes.” He sounds remorseful, but I can’t tell.
“Apologize.” His hands drop from my shoulders and the warmth from his body is no longer there.
“It’s kind of hard when you’re not looking at me.”
I turn to face Kai. As always, he’s neat and perfect. No hair out of place. When our eyes meet, his gaze is warm. I know I’m direct with my glare. I don’t have time for his s**t, yet here I am giving it to him. Stupid, India. So stupid. Kai’s eyes are unwavering. He bows deeply and straightens. “My actions were not honorable and my words hurtful and for that I am deeply sorry.”
I’m confused.
Seriously. I’m so confused right now.
“That’s some apology.”
He clears his throat and clasps his hands behind his back. “I’m being sincere.”
“Good for you.” I turn and press the button to the elevator. “You weren’t expecting a response from me by any chance, were you?” I turn and face him again and pick at a nonexistent lint on his shirt and gently pat his chest before saying, “In all fairness, I don’t care how sincere you are. Frankly, I’ve run out of patience with people like you. Seriously like two days ago, I was done with you. Do me a favor and take your perfect hair and perfect face and your superior attitude and shove it up your a*s.
The elevator door dings open. I turn and step inside, and as the doors close slowly, I meet Kai’s eyes. His brown eyes are wide, and his face is red. Bastard. Serves him right. He’s like the tin man. No heart, no heat, and no emotions. His words, although they appeared sincere, are empty. He’s restrained, and what little emotion seeps through is fake and a carbon copy. But I’ll admit it fooled me.
Completely at first.
But never again.
- Writer
