Love is blind

Julia

I didn't see or speak to her for the first two weeks after Kimberly came to my house. After that I have seen her almost daily in the office, but she is a bit distant. I have no idea what's causing it. For now I'll leave it like that. If it stays it that way I'll ask her about it. I feel like I did something wrong, but I can't figure out what. Unfortunately I didn't see her today. Kimberly is busy in the studio all day and I went home early. It's Sem and I's birthday today. I picked him up from school and we went to the cinema together. After that Sem had to soccer training and I went home to work. I'm just standing in the kitchen when I get a message.

K: The bitch here. Are you still in the office?

J: Hey Sunshine, I'm home already.

K: Oh

J: ?

K: I was just on my way to the office.

J: You had to stay late, didn't you?

K: I worked extra hard. I wanted to see you on your birthday.

J: You can come here. You can have dinner here or have you already eaten?

K: Are you sure? I don't want to bother you and disrupt your time with Sem.

J: Very sure. Sem will also like it if you come. Can you meet him right away.

K: I'll be there in half an hour.

I have a big smile on my face. I quickly start tidying up a bit. Not that it's a mess, but still. I've come to realize that I feel more than just a friendship for Kimberly. Something I never saw coming. I don't dare tell her at all. I don't want to destroy our friendship. I'm kinda nervous right now too. Today will be the day that I will introduce Kimberly and Sem to each other. I quickly tidy up the last things when the doorbell rings.

I take a quick look in the mirror and then open the door. "Hey beauty. Congratulations ". Kimberly gives me a big bunch of flowers and a kiss on my cheek. "Thank you. Come on in ". "How was your day? " she asks as we walk together to the living room. "Now completely perfect and yours? Make yourself at home. I have to get back into the kitchen." My reaction widens the smile on Kimberly's face. "Tiring day, but this makes everything good again. Can I help you with something? And is Sem not there? ". I shake my head. "I'll be fine. You just sit down and Sem is at soccer training. He will be home in half an hour, I think ". Kimberly looks at me a bit unsure. " Uhm... Is it really weird if I ask if I can use your bathroom? Would like to freshen up a bit before I sit down with you." She dare not look at me. "Of course that is not weird. If you go through that door you enter my bedroom, followed by the bathroom". I point in the direction she needs to go. "Thank you. Then I'll be right back". She makes her way to my bedroom. "Feel free to look in my closet if you want to change clothes," I say just before she enters my bedroom.

I'm busy in the kitchen. After fifteen minutes Kimberly comes out of my bedroom. "It probably isn't your style, but pff it looks good on you". Kimberly is wearing a hoodie and sports shorts. Even in this she looks sexy. I now also see her beautiful bunch of curls for the first time. Apparently she normally always straightens her hair, but this looks really good on her. "You would be surprised if you see my wardrobe. It's quite similar." Kimberly sits down on the kitchen island. "What do you make? It smells delicious ". I turn back to the gas stove. "Baked salmon and vegetables". "Mmm, that was a long time ago". "Can you taste if the sauce is good". I grab a spoon from the drawer and scoop a little out of the pan. I stand between her legs and hold the spoon in front of her mouth. We stare at each other for a while. "Taste ". Slowly her mouth opens. I gently put the spoon in her mouth. "Mmm this is delicious. Can I have some more? ". I shake my head and return to the gas stove. "Nope, only when everything is ready and we can eat".

Kimberly jumps off the kitchen island. She comes up behind me. "Aaa please". I shake my head. I feel her arms wrap around my waist, pulling me close to her. She rests her chin on my shoulder. "I won't let you go until I get another bite," she whispers in my ear. I feel my whole body getting warm. "Then you will get nothing anyway." I say it without thinking. Immediately Kimberly lets go of me. I look at her questioningly. "Then we do it differently. I won't come back to you until you give me a bite." Smiling, I shake my head. I quickly scoop some more onto the spoon. When Kimberly has had another bite I go back to the stove. Kimberly comes right back to me. "I didn't know you liked this," she whispers in my ear, as she hugs me close again. "Me neither. I didn't know you were so cuddly". She rests her chin on my shoulder and holds me tighter. "I'm not either, but this is nice".

We stay like this for a few minutes in a pleasant silence. Suddenly I feel Kimberly's lips on my shoulder. I completely freeze. How can I be so stupid to stand here in my tank top. I was so excited that Kimberly was coming that I didn't think about wearing anything else. So now something of my back is visible. I can already feel my tears streaming down my cheeks. "Please let go of me". Instead of letting go of me, Kimberly grips me even tighter. "Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you," she says very calmly. "I know. It's my own fault. I forgot to put on another shirt. How can I be so stupid. Can you please let go of me now". My tears start to flow harder. Kimberly finally lets go of me. When I want to walk away she takes my hand. "Julia, you don't have to hide it from me. It really doesn't make you any different for me". We are both shocked when the doorbell rings. "That will be Sem. I'll quickly put on a shirt and open the door for him." Kimberly nods and lets go of my hand.

Before I open the door, I quickly put on a shirt and wipe away my tears. "Sem, we have someone coming to have dinner with us today," I tell him, when we are still standing together in the hallway. "Who? ". I'm trying hard not to come across as nervous. "Kimberly". He looks at me with wide eyes. "Sem, I want you to behave. You know what I said about her. Here she's just Kimberly and not someone you see on TV. I want you to be nice to her, okay". He smiles. "Of course mom. I always am. I just like having someone have dinner with us so I will be on my best behavior". I give him a hug and a pat on the head. Then we walk together to the living room. Kimberly looks the other way. I can tell she's nervous because she's pacing back and forth. "Sem, this is Kimberly". Startled, Kimberly turns around. "Hi Kimberly. Nice of you to join us for dinner," Sem immediately says enthusiastically. "Hi Sem, how nice to meet you and congratulations on your birthday. Don't you mind me disturbing you and your mother during dinner? ". Sem shakes his head hard. "No, I'm just glad you're here. It's just boring with only mom". Kimberly can laugh about that. I give him a little nudge. "Yeah, yeah, I know that mom is boring. Now go wash your hands quickly, then we can have dinner." Sem does as I tell him.

Kimberly walks over to me. "He is cute. He really looks like his mother," she whispers to me, so Sem doesn't hear it. "Thank you ". Kimberly gently takes my hand. "I'm really sorry about earlier. I really didn't mean to upset you". She gently rubs my hand with her thumb. "I know that and it's all right. It's not you. You can't help it". I give her a little smile so hopefully she knows I don't blame her. "Will you come too. The food is almost cold already". We are both shocked when Sem calls us. He has already found his place at the kitchen island and has already scooped up the food for all three of us. Quickly, Kimberly lets go of my hand. "Yes sweetheart we are coming. How was your training? " I ask as Kimberly and I sit across from him. "We had to run a lot today," he says with a sigh. "That's good for you. Will you be able to sleep well later". When I say that, Sem only sighs louder. "Please, I brought you a present". Sem takes Kimberly's package and quickly opens it. "Thank you ". Kimberly gave him a drone. "You shouldn't have done that," I whisper to her. I only get a smile in response.

I notice that Kimberly is still a little nervous. She is silent all the time, while Sem and I talk about everything. I put my hand on her knee to reassure her. A smile appears on her face again. "Sem, how old are you?" she asks to join the conversation. "Twelve ". He replies with his mouth full. "Sem... How many times do I have to tell you not to talk with your mouth full". He looks at me as innocently as possible. "But mom, you also say so often that it is rude not to answer". Kimberly bursts into laughter at his reaction. "Yes Julia, he has a point there". Sem raises his hand. "High five. I like you". Sem and Kimberly give each other a high five. I shake my head laughing. We talk like this for a long time.

"Can I havea ride with the motorcycle sometime?" Sem asks Kimberly. "Yes of course.If your mother is okay with that too". They both look at me questioningly."Um.... Maybe just a quick ride. Very slow ". Kimberly gives me a smile. "IfI ever take him with me, I will take it easy. I'll make sure nothing happens tohim," she says, looking deeply into my eyes. "Okay. Sem, do you still havehomework? ". I hear him sigh. "Yes, quite a bit actually". With a sigh he getsup and goes to his room.