Beyond Desire

18- You have stunning eyes.

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The sun had apparently made it a personal mission to wake me up all by itself today. The rays that spilled across my face and disrupted my sleep were all the confirmation I needed. I flung a hand over my eyes to block the light, hoping for relief but before I could settle back in, my alarm picked up the task, ringing loudly right next to my ear.

Groaning, I dragged myself into a sitting position, grabbed my phone, and shut it off. No use fighting it. If I wanted to make it to my appointment on time, this was as good a moment as any, to leave the bed behind.

A quick bath, shampoo, and blow-dry later, I was almost set to leave. Braids would have matched the vibe of my outfit better, but I had no patience for that. Instead, I pulled the hair into a ponytail and tied a silk scarf around it. The floral summer dress and sandals I picked felt perfect for the warmth of the sun.

I ordered a ride before stepping out of my room and by the time I reached the lobby, I had one hour to spare, hopefully enough to get me to the dermatology clinic without stress.

The driver was waiting outside as expected. I slid into the backseat, pulling out my phone to track the trip on the map. But when I glanced to my side, I froze. Someone was already there. For a split second, I almost lost my cool until recognition set in and my dread turned into disbelief.

"Khalid?" I narrowed my eyes questionably, wondering how on earth he got on the ride I ordered.

"Great morning, isn't it?" He stared out the window with chill expression. I parted my lips to snap at him, but the memory of our conversation last night held me back.

"How....what are you doing here?" I asked instead, glancing toward the driver, yearning for an explanation. I knew I didn't order a shared ride. But the words died on my tongue the moment my gaze slid back to Khalid's. His presence almost always overshadows everything else around me.

"My job."

Scowling, I responded, "I don't know a car needs two drivers nowadays."

"No it doesn't and I am not a driver."

"Well, what other Job requires you to be in the same ride I ordered?"

"Where are you going?" He sighed as if talking to a child with missing chunks of chromosomes.

"I don't see how that is your business." I tried to be polite, I really did, but with every word that left his mouth, he made it harder not to ruin the mood from last night.

"Tell me you are not going to do that lip-injection thing."

I blinked, caught off guard that he even remembered. My lips parted, an excuse flumbling its way to my tongue.

"Don't even try." He cut in. "I can see it all over your face. You are going, aren't you?" 

The words died, and for a moment I felt like a scolded child. Still, I held my ground, "I am still finding it hard to figure out how that is a business of yours."

"Lily you are not doing that. I promised my mother you would be in good hands."

"What..." I jabbed a finger at him. "Did you just call me?"