AGAIN

Chapter Thirteen

NOW

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“I said why did you leave?” I insist, pushing him on the edge.

“Why didn’t you show up?!” He retorts back and I wince, stepping backwards.

Show up? Where?

My head is spinning and I can’t get myself to speak.

His furious expression dissolves as if he regrets his action.

“I’m sorry, Dale. I didn’t mean to shout at you.” He tells me and moves forward to touch me, but stops when his phone starts to ring.

He grabs it from the shelf beside the TV and presses it to his ear.

 “Yes, babe?” He says to the other line.

 I tense up and my body grows cold.

**********

 Of course, he has a girlfriend.

How can I not think about that?

He’s still holding the phone against his ear as the drums keep rolling inside my chest. I’m looking at his back, deciding whether to leave or not, thinking the first option might expose my tormented feelings but knowing the latter will rip everything that’s left for me to breathe.

“I’m excited to see you again, too. I miss you.” I hear him say as I walk past him, marching towards the door.

“Sure, sure—Okay—Wait, I’ll call you later.” He says to the other line. I can feel his gaze behind my back.

I hurriedly twist the knob and pull the door open, rushing to get away. Something in my chest feels heavy as I walk quickly through the corridor.

“Dale!” He yells, running after me.

Two housekeepers stop by looking at us curiously, probably formulating the gossips in their heads but I couldn’t care less. I continue walking, closing my eyes briefly for a second while letting out a deep sigh. I might look stupid by the way I’m acting but I can’t help my desperation.

“What’s your problem?” Kyle says, catching his breath. He is already walking along side with me, matching my pace, but I refuse to look at him.

I keep walking, my every step almost leaving a burned mark on the floor as I release my rage through each.

“Hey, what’s wrong with you?!” He exclaims, grabbing my shoulder to stop me. I finally turned to him and tried to look as calm as I can.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mr. Daniels. I just have some work to do, so if you’ll excuse me.” I tell him, trying very hard not to focus on his suspicious eyes.  I turn away immediately but his hold tightens.

To my big surprise, he pulls me closer to his body and I blush in embarrassment, knowing that we’re definitely making a big scene.

“Oh. I get it.” He says before leaning to my ear. “Were you jealous, Ms. Ritchie?”

I hit him hard on the chest. “Stop it, Kyle! What were you thinking for following me here? You’re naked!” I tell him as my gaze wanders around the place. We are the only people in the hallway, excluding the nosey housekeepers, but I know that any time a door might open up and I don’t want another audience.   

“You didn’t answer my question.” He chuckles. “I won’t go back if you will not answer my question. You know, I don’t mind getting caught in here with you.” He whispers teasingly, holding both of my arms.