Billie Bossa Nova

34.

For the remainder of the day and the one after that, Kai was out checking on the Luna International outlets that were in South Africa. Some hotels, golfing estates, amusement parks. He was gone all day while Billie explored the country with Mbali. She went to an elephant park close by, visited Mbali's home town called Soweto and even had dinner with her family.

Mbali was a small town girl with a very simple upbringing and big dreams. Her grandmother raised her to be the woman she was, and she was always passionate about travel. Unfortunately, she couldn't do it because of lack of money and her grandmother's health deteriorating. Being a tour guide was the next big thing for her. That way, she got to meet people from abroad and hear about other countries while she educated them about her own.

The next morning, Kai was off again for the day and Billie was in no mood to do any more exploring. It was stressful when she could feel her stalker watching her every move. At least in the hotel, she could convince herself that she wasn't being followed around everywhere she went. She was inside, safe and sound.

On this particular day, Billie decided to watch a movie to kill time. What with all the days Kai had been busy while she had to do a little work from the hotel, she could finally take a break. Billie had just finished making the popcorn and sitting the bowl on the coffee table with the movie ready and paused when Zoey called.

"I heard what happened," Zoey said without greeting. That was how all of their phone calls and meetings occurred. Billie didn't remember the last time their conversations started with any cliché social pleasantries. "I'm so sorry, Billie."

Billie shrugged, "It's alright. Being on hold is not all that bad, honestly. It's a break, which is somewhat of a plus."

"Stop pretending you ever liked breaks." Billie laughed at what Zoey said, dying it down with a sigh that was followed by silence. To lighten the mood, Zoey told her, "Well, since work isn't going so well, how's your little thangy thang with Kai Rivera?"

"You know, we never seem to talk about you."

Zoey replied, "Wrong, we always talk about me. You never tell me anything about work and usually I don't care, but now it's actually something interesting! So please just tell me."

Billie hesitated. It was not that she was secretive with her best friend. Only that her moments with Kai were sacred, something she didn't feel comfortable sharing without feeling like she was giving a part of him to someone else. Kai had already given so much of himself to his company.

"I'll tell you in person," Billie said as an excuse. To delay having to tell her anything.

Zoey sighed, "Fine. Just promise me you're making the most out of this break and let loose?"

"Ay, Ay, captain." Billie made a salute sign. She could almost feel Zoey roll her eyes at the other end.

"And that you're not catching feelings for Kai Rivera. I know it gets fun and all of that, but the last thing you need is growing an attachement to a subject. Trust me, I've been there and it sucks balls. For both parties."

With a moment's delay, Billie answered, "Of course not. I knew that. You know me, Zoey. Super careful."

"I do. Just making sure. Okay, I'll call you back?"

"Bye."

When the call was dropped, she tossed her phone to the opposite couch and sunk into the one she was sitting in, letting out a long, continuous groan that took out all her frustrations.

Of course, she knew that she wasn't supposed to develop any feelings for Kai, nor him for her. Billie knew she couldn't avoid him, she'd tried that far too many times. And then they talked, and she liked it. Their conversations, the way he spoke, how he looked at her, how he looked in general. And then she would start seeing him, start watching his lips, start noticing his body, start becoming aware that he was a male with male parts and that she was a female with female parts. And then she would want to start exploring biology and that in itself was going down a dangerous route.