QUICKSAND

SINKING

PARKER'S POV

I didn't see Freya after the show so when we arrived at her restaurant she was the first one my eyes looked for. I think I was going crazy! Nay, I am a lunatic! I kept reminding my heart and head not to do this to me. But they wouldn't seem to listen. I found her descending the staircase that connects the restaurant to a second floor. I was too pre-occupied bathing my sight with her presence that I didn't even notice how much the place resembles like an Italian villa interior. "Very nifty place." I heard Adam, one of our defenders, saying.

"Huh?" I replied.

"You cool, buddy?" he asked. "You don't seem your usual self."

"I'm alright. Just starving." Of course that was a lie. Adam was not the type to press issues so I was quite relieved that he left immediately. We were ushered by the receptionist to our seats. From near the kitchen I could see Freya talking cheerily to her employees and gave each one a high five before they dispersed to the kitchen. The kid awhile back was now rushing towards her. Perhaps she remembered Freya owed her something. She took the girl's arms and carried her. Then there they were again, memories from when we were in Italy. I could recall how endearing she was to the kids at the villa. She'd play with them and when they asked her to dance she obliged. She was a graceful dancer. Every movement of her arms, every turn, every flip of her long skirt, made me wanna lose in her forever. I was brought back to present by the voice of Sir David calling Freya.

"Hija, you have a very nice place," he said genially.

"Oh thank you sir," the little girl still in her arms.

"I see you have a taste for Italian interior. Very nice." Sir David surveyed the whole place with his eyes.

"She loves Italy. In fact she visits the place every year," interrupted a man my height and about the same age as Freya.

Freya placed an arm around the man. "This is my business partner and close friend Ian."

"It's a pleasure to meet you all," he smiled. From the looks of it, this Ian was really pleased to meet us. "Our wines come directly from Chianti in Italy. You should try them." Now he was sounding more like a businessman. It seemed as though Freya was a little embarrassed with how his friend was acting so she excused themselves.

However, as if Nick was really feeling mischievous, he asked a question, "You go to Italy every year?" Nicholas Bellford was on a roll. First the suit, now this. Unbelievable!

Freya looked back, her eyebrows almost meeting. Ian answered for her. "She does. In fact she's going back there a week from now. For business and a little pleasure, hopefully." His voice hinted a little teasing. I saw Freya slipped her hand behind Ian and just as soon as she did, her friend gave out a slight 'ouch' then both left for the kitchen.

Everyone was eating to their belly's content. Saying the food is delicious is actually an understatement. The restaurant lived up to its name BLISS. To eat the food is to be in pleasure. I wondered who thought of the name for the place, Freya or her friend. After dinner there was some singing from a band whose members are friends of the owners. Some guests started dancing particularly Kreios' staff. Freya spent a great deal with her brother's employees. She was chatting with them holding hands with the women. That woman was right. She was so affectionate with almost everyone.

I watched her moved from the employees' tables to where her sister was. The band was playing a different music now. From the table this Nick-model person stood and asked Freya to dance. I held my breath hoping she would say no. But she offered her hand and they walked together to what was made to be the dance floor. I was holding a wine glass on my right hand. As I was watching him put his arms around her waist, smiling at her I have not noticed that my hand was gripping the glass a lot tighter than usual. Not long after, it broke and almost all my teammates shouted in unison "What the hell, man!"