KISS OF BETRAYAL

Chapter-14

Chris sat rooted to the seat, a muscle was ticking in his jaw as he watched the running lady. She never said a word to him and jumped every time he touched her, as if he had thorns in his palms. 

"What are you waiting for?" Iyke asked, slanting him a meaningful glare.

"Guy, I don't think I can do this. She hates me now,"  Chris complained, rubbing the back of his neck. "I even hate myself too," he added, with a self deprecating smile. "I should have seen it guy. I'm sorry I didn't believe you."

Iyke gave him a friendly punch. "The Flora girl was very convincing and nobody can believe she could do that."

"It's no excuse, she won't listen."

"She's your girlfriend. Go talk to her," Iyke encouraged, practically shoving him out of the vehicle.

Chris nodded, then got out. He tried to ignore the curious stares from the ladies around. They probably thought he looked "hot," except a certain one who might slap his face if he got too close. He had to make this work. Other women were good companions, but Lily was under his skin. He just had to make this work. He took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Silence. He knocked again.

"Go away," came Lily's voice, surprisingly calm and collected.

"Kasie, we need to talk," he said, addressing her by her native name.

"Go away," she said again.

He stood there pensively, feeling a bit forlorn. 
"Kasie, if you don't open the door, I will beat on it until all your neighbours gather." 

"Five minutes," she offered. She had planned to let him in anyway. "I will give you water and you will go."

"You're all heart baby," Chris muttered, relieved.

There was sound of metal scraping and the door opened. Then for the first time in long awful months, Chris stared into the eyes of the only woman who stirred his blood. She became the reason for his struggles, he would give anything to see her smile.

"Come in," Lily said grimly, unsmiling.

Chris stepped in and bolted the door. He stood uneasily with both hands in his pockets. He took another breath as he watched her try to ignore him, she arranged a pile of books next to the decoder on the floor. Until now, Chris had never realised how empty his life felt without her. He imagined what it would be like, to come home to her everyday, she would have his kids and they would grow old together. He was thinking too fast, he tried to focus on the issue at hand.

"Kasie_" Chris began softly, then all his carefully rehearsed speech flew out of his head. Where the hell was eloquence when you needed it?

"Please sit," Lily said shortly, then sat on one of the plastic seats and faced him squarely. "You wanted to say something."

She watched him with a careful nonchalant expression. Chris studied her. This was a different Lily, a woman who didn't back down. Those eyes that had once made love to his every time he looked into them, were now empty. They were painted windows with the curtains drawn. She wasn't going to make this easy for him, but he deserved it.

"I honestly don't know where to start," he said, pursing his lips. "Kasie. I know it's not enough to say that I'm sorry but I really am." His eyes held hers imploringly.

She simply stared at him. Chris bit his lower lip and continued. "I really_"

"It wasn't your fault," Lily interrupted, jumping up, unnerved.

He always did that to her, made her tingle all over. She folded her arms and paced to the window. Chris didn't like the sound of that. He would have preferred she shouted and punched him, that cool attitude was disconcerting.