Stubborn Hearts

CHAPTER EIGHT

Kassie did not realize her camera stayed on that angle a little much longer, as much as her mouth being wide open, until she heard Kayla speak.

“Woah! Who is that hottie?” Kayla’s teasing voice took her back and she felt so caught, she was all flushed when she faced her.

“Well, uhmm…he’s my neighbor,” she stammered. Then, quickly shifted to the same position as she was earlier, making sure Kayla had only a view of her cottage.

Kayla c****d her eyebrow with a very suggestive smile.

“Oh, really huh?”

“Yes, gosh! Why then he is at the other cottage?”

“So, you already met him?

“Yeah,” she rolled her eyes as if trying to fake a disinterest in the topic, hoping to stop her sister’s interrogation.

Instead, Kayla’s eyes brightened.

“Now, that’s news. Tell me about it!” Kayla was eager than ever.

Thinking that she could dissuade her from pushing on the topic, she told her all about their first meeting and when he drove him back to the cottage last night. She was trying to keep a monotonous voice but her sister seemed unaffected any bit.

After her narration, Kayla pursed her lips, one hand on her face with fingers slowly tapping her cheeks. She squinted her eyes. She was thinking. Not good.

Then, at a snap of a second, she was beaming on her.

“What?” Kassie asked.

“You like him,” Kayla stated, her voice teasing.

“Now, that’s just one ridiculous over-analysis you got there,” she blurted out.

“And two,” Kayla continued. “I think he likes you, too.” She smiled, pleased with her conclusion.

“And that is just simply…” she was looking for the right words in her head. “…honestly impossible.”

Kayla frowned.

“Kassie, you’re beautiful and kind and smart and lovable. Any guy with the right mind would easily get hooked.”

“And you’re my sister. But thanks,” she smiled at her sister’s words, even if it only meant to console her. “Besides, I’m here to clear my mind and a distraction is the least thing I wanted.”

“So you’re distracted by him,” Kayla’s back on her playful voice.

“Of course, not!” She exclaimed.

“My, you’re blushing Kassie!” Kayla was all laughing.

“I am not!” She glared, a bit high-pitched.

“Gosh, sissy, if you could just see your face right now. You’re so red!”

“Okay, okay!” She looked at the other cottage, relieved that Marcus was no longer in sight. “I admit he’s cute and all, but he is also arrogant and rude and annoying!” She instantly regretted her sudden confession, which made her sister smile even wider.

“That’s progress, plus he’s one sexy, hot specie,” Kayla added and winked.

“Well, that too. Fine,” she retorted.

“My, you really are into him! Thank the good heavens, you’re so getting laid Kassandra!” Kayla burst out and she could not help but feel alarmed as it seemed that her sister’s voice was a little louder, she was afraid it might reach the other cabin.

“My goodness, Kayla,” she hissed. “Could you please just lower your voice? I think all of the fairies in the woods can hear you.” Knowing that Marcus was just inside, the thought of him overhearing their conversation made her feel uneasy.

“Oh, that would just be fantastic! Fairies will make it happen,” Kayla teased her more.

She glared at her sister, “Please, just stop that. God, can you just go back to planning your wedding?”

Great. Now her sister would be tailing her forever.

And, why, the good heavens and fairies were just extra kind to her today.

Kayla’s smile seemed pinned down on her face. “Oh, I like him already.” Then her expression softened. “I’m just glad you’re finally okay.”

She offered her a small smile. She was still getting there.

They ended the call a few minutes after. She was left thinking about her bold move to come here – those hopeful years that brought an unexpected turn of events in her life.

But she would not think of it now. She came here to get clarity of mind and seek inspiration for her first book.

Her coffee had gone cold, but finished it up anyway. She decided to give herself a head start, perhaps she could come up with a quick outline before lunch time.

SUNDAY, FOR MARCUS, WAS A good excuse for doing nothing – the only day he got to stay home or stay outdoors whenever he liked, though, again, he was not really obliged to go to the diner everyday.

Most of the time, he would go for a road trip outside town – hike mountains, discover beautiful must-see spots or just camp in the woods.

And, if he felt that he was in a very good mood, he would just stay home, pick up his electric guitar and randomly play around the strings. If he got lucky to stumble on a potential tune, he’d be spending the rest of the day going through it until he was satisfied with the final output. That was just him – he would never stop until he felt it was due and complete.

And today, he was up for it. He reached for his guitar before he changed his mind.

He was too engrossed fiddling the strings and at the same time, too focused with the sound he came up with, only to be interrupted by a knock on the door. He stopped for a while, listening intently if he would hear them again. He rarely got visitors, even Danny and Marge barely came over. Definitely not on Sundays.

With a shrug, he continued with his tune and again, the knocking was back. Irritated, he put the guitar back to its stand, stood up and reached for the front door. Glancing at the clock, it was fifteen minutes past 12 noon. Realizing that it was already lunch time, his stomach softly growled but set it aside for now as he was just a bit put out by this unknown visitor.

When he opened the door, he could just not decide if he’d be amused or annoyed at the sight – Kassie in her oversized white shirt over flannel pants, her hair on a messy bun, both hands on her hips, pursed lips, and with an equally annoyed face. She looked cute.

He snapped from his thoughts and tried to put on a defensive and confused face.

“Yes, Kassie?” He asked straight away.

She looked like mad, but kept her cool the way he was seeing it.

“Sorry, that was you playing right?” She answered back with a question.

He shrugged, “Well, yeah. It happens that I play, yes.” He leaned comfortably to the side of the door frame and settled both his hands in his pants’ side pockets.

“Of course, yeah,” she retorted, but seemed uneasy. She crossed her arms and continued, “But uhmm…well, sorry for barging in and uhmm…I understand you were really busy tickling your guitar, but you know, I can hardly concentrate up there.”

Before he could even respond, she added rather quickly.

“I mean, I’m getting onto honing my craft…like you know, starting an outline or something that really needs deep concentration.”

He realized it was about him playing loudly. Ah, yes. He got a neighbor now.

“Oh, that. Yeah,” he nodded and put both his arms up to acknowledge that he forgot to give it a thought. “Sorry, can’t help it when I’m in the zone. Was I too loud?”

“Uh-huh,” she quipped.

Yeah, why else would she’d be here talking to you?

His mind was sucking it up. Stupid question. What was with him?

He took a glance at her terrace – the door was open, seeing a bit of the curtain flowing.

“Even with the doors closed?” He asked, turning his gaze to her.

She trailed her eyes quickly on her terrace and absently replied, “I’d like to keep it open somehow. I feel so confined if it’s closed.”

He was puzzled, no, intrigued.

“Are you claustrophobic?”

“I guess so,” she answered, meeting his eyes.

He felt he was being pulled by those dark brown eyes. At one point he saw raw emotions then she blinked them away. He could not fathom the sudden urge to touch her face, but he held himself together. He sighed.

“Never used to having neighbors around here, so okay, I’ll tune it down,” he said.

She was a picture of relief. He felt good.

“Appreciate that, thanks,” she replied with a small smile. “And sorry for interrupting again,” she added before leaving.

He was left standing by the door, still bemused. One time he was mad as a hungry cat, then with that look in her eyes, he hardly was able to control himself from getting dragged into doing something really strange, and unlikely.

Her sweet smile came back to the picture.

Shit. You surely are interrupting, Kassie.

He scolded himself and went back inside. He thought of cooking something fast to fill in his empty stomach before going back to his guitar, hoping to erase those unnecessary thoughts.

Recalling his interrupted work, he groaned. He promised to tune the volume down.

More s**t.