Hershey Kisses

Twenty-Fifth Kiss

Three months I've been living inside the Rice manor and so far I'm beginning to get used to living here. Even though it was hard for me to hiding my true self, Damien is around to help me. Considering I still have classes to finish before the school year ends, Damien has pulled me out and I was able to finish my remaining credits through home school. Yay me. While everyone is out working or studying, I stayed low inside my bedroom finalizing my characters for my new web comic since I finished my self studies. I look at the characters once again to make sure I didn't miss any spots before I start the plot.

"Lady Juliet, I brought your afternoon snack." I hear Marta on the other side of the door. I quickly tucked my sketchbooks under my bed sheets and allowed her in. She opens the door and brings a tray with scones and pot of tea.

"Wow it looks delicious." I said as she sets the tray over my desk.

"Why don't you go out, Lady Juliet?" Marta asks suddenly. "Lately, you locked yourself inside this room. Didn't you enjoy going out when you have free time?" My eye slightly twitches noticing I haven't gone out for the past week. By now I'd hear my mom nagging at me for staring at the computer screen and not focusing on schoolwork or finding a job. After Damien saw me making chocolate, he decided to give me private lessons after work. "Lady Juliet?"

"I'll go out." I said without thinking first. "Y-you're right, Marta. I need to get some fresh air since I've been inside too long. I can take the cab to the mall." But this is also a good opportunity for me to meet up with Rick. Even though he says we can't see each other, or that we're considered friends, I'm still worried he doesn't realize where Juliet really is.

"I'll call one of our drivers." Marta insists.

"No it's okay." I refused to let her call in a driver, "I can go there myself. I'll call Damien to pick me up after work tonight." Marta tilts her head confused but continues insisting. "Fine you win, Marta." I gave in. She calls in one of the drivers and I changed my clothes along with packing my sketches into my handbag. Without letting Marta see me, I also packed some extra clothes to change in case she brings in a bodyguard.

My driver arrives and I was right, there's a bodyguard with him. Not surprised. I hopped inside the car and Marta sees me off as we exit the home and to the mall. When we arrived at the mall, I planned ahead asking the bodyguard to wait outside the bathroom while I changed my appearance. I scurried into the public bathroom and changed my clothes once again along with removing my contact lenses and pulled my hair up into a messy bun. I left the bathroom and checked if the bodyguard didn't notice. He didn't. I blended with a group of girls gossipping with each other and left the bodyguard behind. Yes I'm free. I can freely walk around the ma--

Suddenly I bumped into someone and fell back. I got to stop bumping into someone let alone objects. "I'm so sorry." I ddn't make eye contact and tried to walk past the person but was held back. I turned around to see who it was and I regret it.

"What are you doing here, Pia?" Bryan asks holding my arm. Out of all the people I bumped into, it had to him. My throat suddenly felt dry not sure what excuse to make up for him. But I looked behind him and see the bodyguard walking towards us. I pulled Bryan with me and we powerwalked ahead to avoid distance from the bodyguard. "Where are we going?" He doesn't stop me from walking faster but he still continues asking me. We exit outside the mall and lost the bodyguard. I let go of his hand and took a breather.

"I'm sorry, Bryan..." still catching my breath, "I had to get away from my bodyguard." He looks back and pats my back.

"That explains." he says, "You're not used to having people follow you unless it's me, huh?"

"This isn't what it looks like!!" I denied his idea, "Besides why are you here, Bryan?"

"I was supposed to pick up my tux for prom...." he scratches the back of his head.